Alberta names Dr. Sunil Sookram as interim chief medical officer

Dr. Sunil Sookram was named the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta Thursday. (Photo: LinkedIn)

Dr. Sunil Sookram was appointed as Alberta’s interim chief medical officer of health Thursday, effective immediately.

The province said the temporary appointment “ensures continuity” while it proceeds to hire a permanent chief medical officer of health.

Sookram replaces Dr. Mark Joffe, who left the job earlier this week.

Sookram currently works as facility medical director and chief of medical staff at Strathcona Community Hospital. He’s a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta and works as an emergency physician at the U of A Hospital.

The province said, in a release issued late Thursday afternoon, “He brings years of front-line experience and leadership to the interim role. He also has recent experience working with Alberta Health.”

“Dr. Sookram has served Albertans through emergency medicine throughout his career,” said Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange, in a media release.

“He brings a wealth of experience to this interim role. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity on a temporary basis as we work to finalize the candidate for the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health position,” LaGrange added.

“I also wish to thank Dr. Mark Joffe for his service and dedication over the past three years.”

Sookram will be supported during his interim appointment by zone medical officers of health at Alberta Health Services.

The temporary appointment comes as a measles outbreak has hit Alberta.

The chief medical officer of health monitors and supports public health, advises on disease control and helps guide population health efforts across the province. Dr. Sookram will act as a liaison between the Alberta government and Alberta Health Services.

“I’m happy to serve as Alberta’s interim chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with the government, my colleagues and health partners to promote and protect the health of all Albertans,” said Dr. Sookram, in the same media release.

Measles update

As of Thursday, the province said there have been 89 confirmed cases of the measles in the province.

Of those, they say 83 people are now past the period of communicability.