Ontario appoints new Minister of Health

TORONTO – The Ontario government has appointed Dr. Helena Jaczek (pictured) as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. She follows Dr. Eric Hoskins, who resigned to lead a national pharmacare project. Dr. Jaczek has previously served as Minister of Community and Social Services, as well as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health Promotion.

After coming to Canada from England as a 12 year old, Dr. Jaczek later received her medical degree and Master of Health Sciences from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

After many years in general practice on staff at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Jaczek became the Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Health Services for the Regional Municipality of York. During her 18 years in this position, she was responsible for public health, land ambulance and long-term care in a region of more than one million people.

Dr. Jaczek has been actively involved with numerous community organizations, including the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation, York Centre for Children, Youth and Families, York Region District Health Council, Giant Steps Toronto and Newmarket Stingrays Swim Club. She has volunteered with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and mentored foreign-trained professionals.

She has received the Outstanding Alumni Mentor Award from the University of Toronto’s Public Health Sciences Alumni association; Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies; In Celebration of Women award for her medical leadership in York Region; and Award for Planning Excellence in Environmental Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners.