Public Health Sudbury & Districts

About

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is a progressive public health agency committed to improving health and reducing social inequities in health through evidence-informed practice.

Our Vision

Healthier communities for all.

Accomplishing this vision is based on our ability to build on the following values:

• humility
• trust
• respect

Our Mission

Working with our communities to promote and protect health and to prevent disease for everyone.

Code of ethics: Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts

The code of ethics is intended principally for the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts and other institutions in Public Health Sudbury & Districts that have an explicit public health mission. Institutions and individuals that are outside of traditional public health but recognize the effects of their work on the health of the community may also find the code relevant and useful.

About Public Health Sudbury & Districts

With a head office in Greater Sudbury and five offices throughout Greater Sudbury and the districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin, we have over 250 staff who deliver provincially legislated public health programs and services (Ontario Public Health Standards, Ministry of Health).

Governance and community partnerships

We are governed by an autonomous Board of Health and has strong community and inter-agency partnerships, for example, with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Laurentian University. We have an enriched public health practice environment that fosters research, ongoing education, and the development of innovative programs and services.

We work locally with individuals, families, the community and partner agencies to promote and protect health and to prevent disease. Public health programs and services are geared toward people of all ages and are delivered in a variety of settings including workplaces, day care and educational settings, homes, health care settings and community spaces.

The public health system

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is part of a provincial network of 34 non-profit public health agencies (Ministry of Health), funded jointly by local and provincial governments. Ontario’s public health system is comprised of these health units (public health agencies), the Public Health Branch of the Ministry of Health, public health laboratories, and primary health care providers.

Accessibility and inclusion

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is committed to creating an accommodating, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.

Accessibility

We are committed to excellence in serving all members of the public. Learn more about our commitment to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with varying abilities.

Positive space

We welcome, respect, and support everyone, including Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer people as well as their friends and allies. Learn more about our commitment to be a positive and inclusive space.

Leadership: Medical Officer of Health

The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) is the Executive Officer to the Board of Health and is responsible to the Board for the management of the organization’s public health programs and services as required by law. The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) (Ontario e-Laws) defines the qualifications, roles and responsibilities of the Medical Officer of Health.

The public must be assured that qualified medical personnel are assessing their health needs and that the Board will act on such advice. The Medical Officer of Health must be a physician, possess the qualifications and requirements prescribed by the HPPA (fellowship in Community Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or specific post-graduate training in public health) and be approved by the Minister of Health.

• Learn more about Public Health Sudbury and Districts’ Medical Officer of Health and organizational structure.
• Our past and present Medical Officers of Health and Associate Medical Officers of Health

The general duties of a Medical Officer of Health are:

• directs staff in the implementation of board policies and procedures
• is accountable to the board for day-to-day operation of the agency
• directs staff in assessing the health needs of the community using solid epidemiological principles
• assists staff in translating these needs into programs and services, developing alternative proposals with analysis of implications, and outlining priority programs and services for the Board’s consideration
• acts as advisor to the Board in their review of the program proposals
• assists staff in long-range and short-term planning, including developing, monitoring, evaluating, and revising an annual work plan
• directs staff in the preparation of budget estimates for Board approval
• ensures that expenditures are in accordance with the approved budget and policies of the Board
• develops criteria for selection of senior staff and presents these to the Board
• hires senior staff and recommends their appointment by the Board
• is responsible for the direct supervision and performance appraisal of senior staff; advises or assists department heads in hiring staff
• encourages and promotes the continuing education of all staff
• directs the overall provision of programs and services
• evaluates the effectiveness of programs and services
• recommends appropriate changes and reports these findings regularly to the board
• advises the board on policy
• implements board policy and decisions
• ensures the proper management of all aspects of the agency’s operations

Living Wage Employer

We are a Living Wage Employer dedicated to building a resilient and healthy workforce. As a Living Wage Employer, we maintain our certification with the Ontario Living Wage Network and are responsible for paying all Public Health Sudbury & Districts staff the living wage rate for our districts.