After 13 years as Peterborough’s medical officer of health, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra has announced she will be retiring later this year.
“We are deeply grateful for Dr. Salvaterra’s tireless service and passionate leadership that have contributed significantly to the public health of our local community over these past 13 years,” states Andy Mitchell, Mayor of Selwyn Township and chair of the Peterborough County-City Board of Health, in a media release issued on Thursday morning (February 11).
“Thousands of local lives are better off thanks to her care,” Mitchell adds. “The board’s focus now is to recruit her replacement as soon as possible so these successes can continue.”
Mitchell says that operations at Peterborough Public Health will not be affected, that the board of health has already struck a search committee to recruit a new medical officer of health, and that Dr. Salvaterra is committed to ensuring a smooth transition.
“I will be eligible to retire as early as July, but I have assured the board and my staff that I will be here until the board has recruited a successor,” Dr. Salvaterra says. “That means I don’t have a fixed departure date in mind at the moment. I am prepared to stay until the end of the year if needed.”
Dr. Salvaterra has served as medical officer of health for Peterborough Public Health since 2008.
“Her scientific acumen and ability to mobilize the talents around her have advanced the quality of public health across the region, earning her a deep level trust and respect throughout the community,” states a media release.
“Dr. Salvaterra has proven herself a passionate community leader through her tireless advocacy with policy makers, regular presentations at council meetings and local events, and frequent media appearances. She has continued to practice clinical medicine in PPH’s Sexual Health Clinic, and stayed active in the community as guest lecturer at Trent University, and chair of the Peterborough Food Action Network.”
In November 2013, the Ontario College of Family Physicians bestowed an Award of Excellence to Dr. Salvaterra in recognition of her outstanding service.
“Retirement will be bittersweet,” Dr. Salvaterra says. “Being a medical officer of health has been more than a full-time job, especially for the past year. I welcome the time and space to pursue other interests and projects. But there are so many people that I will miss deeply. I am hoping these relationships that I have forged over the years will endure and thrive.”
