Deena Hinshaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yellowknife,Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Education | Augustana University College,Camrose, Alberta MD, MA Public Health (MPH) 2008University of Alberta |
| Occupation(s) | Deputy Provincial Health Officer, British Columbia |
| Known for | CMO duringCOVID-19 pandemic in Alberta |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Medical doctor |
| Institutions | Ministry of Health (Alberta) Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine at theUniversity of Alberta |
| Sub-specialties | Public health Family medicine Community medicine |
Deena Hinshaw is a Canadian doctor who serves as a Deputy Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia and served as Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of Alberta from January 28, 2019, to November 14, 2022, before being removed byDanielle Smith. She provided daily updates on theCOVID-19 pandemic in Alberta to the public throughout most of 2020 and into 2021, though she stopped holding regular briefings in at the end of June 2021.[1] She also provided recommendations toJason Kenney, the former Premier of Alberta and the Emergency Management Cabinet Committee.[2][3][4][5]
Hinshaw was born inYellowknife,Northwest Territories, and grew up inSylvan Lake, Alberta. She graduated from H.J. Cody High School in 1993 and was class valedictorian. Hinshaw received her undergraduate degree at theAugustana University College inCamrose, Alberta in 1997.[6] She completed her medical degree (2004)[6] and residencies in family medicine and community medicine (2006)[6] at theUniversity of Alberta.[7] In 2008, she received herMaster of Public Health degree at the University of Alberta, while completing her public health and preventive medicine residency.[8]
On January 28, 2019, Hinshaw was appointed as Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health. She reported to the Deputy Minister of Health.[7] The CMO may report directly to theMinister of Health if there is a public health emergency, or in other extraordinary conditions.[7]
During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Alberta, Hinshaw held nearly daily media events in Edmonton, since the first case of the new coronavirus in Alberta was announced on March 5.[9] Global News reported that Hinshaw is a trusted face for many Albertans, calmly delivering the facts as cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in the province."[9]
On March 17, on the advice of Hinshaw, Alberta PremierJason Kenney declared a public health state of emergency under the Public Health Act (PHA).[10][11]
On October 11, 2022, PremierDanielle Smith said that she would replace Hinshaw with a new advisory team that considered COVID-19 anendemic disease. On November 14, 2022, Smith fired Hinshaw and replaced her on an interim basis withAlberta Health Services vice presidentMark Joffe. Hinshaw's contract was originally set to expire in 2024.[12] Dr. Deena Hinshaw was hired as British Columbia’s Deputy Provincial Health Officer on February 1, 2023 on a temporary basis.
CBC News and theCanadian Press said that there was a demand for the "charcoal grey half-sleeve dress emblazoned with the periodic table of elements" that Hinshaw wore on March 17 during her daily briefing in Edmonton. The periodic table dress is made by the British Columbia-based company, Smoking Lily.[13] The article cited a Tweet that said, "Hey national media. Alberta has a folk hero. She's calm, clear, forceful. And she wears the periodic table while she delivers information. It's wonderful."[13]
Hinshaw faced criticism for her recommendations loosening restrictions in the summer of 2021. In July 2021, an opinion piece inThe Globe and Mail described her as an "irredeemable yes-woman"[14] as a result of her decision to end mandatory isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19, a decision the article claimed would lead to unnecessary loss of human life. Other medical experts have supported Hinshaw's recommendations, including Dr. Sarah Fortune ofHarvard University's Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, who toldCBC Radio that, “I think Alberta is taking reasonable steps in the face of having done a good job of bringing the viral numbers down and in the face of good vaccine coverage."[15]
The declaration enables the Alberta government to take measures intended to protect public health. Among other measures, the provincial government prohibited mass gatherings, attendance at recreation and entertainment facilities, and the operation of restaurants above 50% capacity.
Authority control databases: Academics |
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