Lakelands Public Health Medical Officer of Health and CEO Thomas Piggott has announced the resignation of Deputy Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking.
The news was shared as part of his update during the Feb. 18 Lakelands board meeting, which was held virtually due to inclement weather. No reason was provided for the resignation.
Dr. Bocking was previously the medical officer of health for the local Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit prior to a merger with Peterborough Public Health last year.
“A tremendous thank you extended to Dr. Bocking for all of the work that we have done together over the last couple of years of the merger journey and before collaborating as neighbouring health units and as peers and now here within Lakelands,” Piggott said, adding he’s been “deeply fortunate and grateful to work alongside Dr. Bocking through this really challenging journey for the organization and deep and immense respect for Dr. Bocking, her work that she’s done here and really from my perspective wishing her the best in her future endeavours.”
Bocking said her time at HKPR and now Lakelands gave her the opportunity to work alongside passionate and committed staff and community partners.
She extended a further thanks to staff members.
“You are an incredibly talented group of people and I’ve learned immensely from you. I have full confidence that you will continue to put the public health needs of the communities that we serve first and foremost.
“I look forward to hearing about the many great things to come at Lakelands Public Health.”
Board Chair Ron Black praised Bocking for her work through the merger process.
“We all knew mergers were very challenging times and having your voice at the table to bring things together and bring resolution and understanding and all of those things that we needed through the merger – the decision to make the merger and then the past year or so with the new Lakelands organization,” Black said. “It’s been challenging and the board greatly, greatly appreciates every effort that you put into making it the success it is today.”
There was plenty more praise to go around from board members, including Alnwick Haldimand Township Mayor and Northumberland County Councillor John Logel.
“I admire your professionalism, I really admire you for the person that you are,” Logel said.
Author: Pete Fisher
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