Dr. Paul Roumeliotis (“Dr. Paul”), Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), has accepted a new role as President of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), an organization that provides leadership, support and representation for Ontario boards of health and public health units. The new role will be in addition to his current position as Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU.

“I’m honoured to be President of alPHa,” states Dr. Paul. “During our current COVID-19 pandemic, alPHa’s role in advocating for and protecting the health of Ontarians is more important than ever.” He adds, “I am looking forward to working with our multiple government and community partners and stakeholders as we plan for and enter the recovery phase of this pandemic.” The organization advises and collaborates with governments and other health organizations to advocate for a strong, effective and efficient public health system across the province. Throughout the pandemic, alPHa has been a strong voice in the province’s public health response to the COVID-19 crisis at both the provincial and local level.

Dr. Paul brings a wealth of experience to the role as alPHa President. In 2007, he became the Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) where he is responsible for regional public health program delivery and administration. Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was involved in coordinating the local response and media relations during the federal quarantine of the cruise passengers at the NAV CENTRE in Cornwall. He continues to lead the local COVID-19 response in Eastern Ontario, overseeing and coordinating local case, testing and contact management, data collection and reporting, outbreak management, emergency measures and a mass immunization strategy for the region. He has also served as a key spokesperson for public health throughout the pandemic.

Dr. Paul sits on multiple provincial and regional COVID-19 committees/tables, advising the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health authorities and system partners. These include the Provincial Public Health Measures Table, the Provincial Health System (R5) Table, the Education Sector Preparedness & COVID-19 Outbreak Planning Tables, and Ontario’s Provincial Council of Maternal and Child Health.

About the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa):
alPHa is a not-for-profit organization that provides leadership to the boards of health and public health units in Ontario. alPHa advises and lends expertise to members on the governance, administration, and management of health units. The Association also collaborates with governments and other health organizations, advocating for a strong, effective, and efficient public health system in the province. Through policy analysis, discussion, collaboration, and advocacy, alPHa’s members and staff act to promote public health policies that form a strong foundation for the improvement of health promotion and protection, disease prevention and surveillance services in all of Ontario’s communities.