We have created this page to share a glimpse into the work that happens behind the scenes among public health teams throughout the province. Knowing that #PublicHealthHeroes are everywhere helping communities stay healthy and safe, we want to thank and recognize those who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic and every day to make a difference.

Visit our Gallery of #PublicHealthHeroes below to find out more about just some of the champions throughout Ontario and the work they are doing.

Spotlight

Over 8 weeks we featured weekly spotlights as well as spotlight social media posts to share feature profiles and learn more about the ideas that public health champions shared with us about what they would like to see for the future of public health. See below for a summary of the campaign. Thank you to all who participated and helped to spread the word!

Curious to know more about the various ways public health is involved in responses to COVID-19?

Check out an infographic shared by the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa).

Colleagues working in public health are tackling roles from conducting case management and contact tracing, completing daily surveillance reports, collecting evidence on the impact of physical distancing on vulnerable populations, handling media calls, supporting high risk families via telephone visits, liaising with municipalities and other stakeholders, continuing needle exchange and other vital programs to answering public’s inquiries about COVID-19 and more.

Gallery of #PublicHealthHeroes

	Allison Haggart, Information & Support Specialist – Diabetes Canada How I am helping to keep communities safe: The diabetes community is a vulnerable population who is at higher risk for complications if infected with COVID-19. As an Information & Support Specialist at Diabetes Canada, I work frontline to answer questions and help our diabetes community navigate their COVID-19 inquiries, everything from education on proper prevention protocols to help on what to do if they or a loved one living with diabetes becomes infected with COVID-19. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “As a population, we are only as healthy as our most vulnerable members. While we must live in solitary, we stand in solidarity.”
	Amanda Tumukuratiire, Research Analyst – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I am a research analyst supporting the Infectious Disease Program at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. My key role with the COVID-19 investigation is as the lead for the creation and maintenance of a local case and contact management database. The data from this database is analyzed by the epidemiologists in my agency to provide disease surveillance and workload reports to those responsible for key decision-making. I am also the iPHIS lead for my agency and I am responsible for training and for data quality management. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: You are not powerless! Everyone has a role to play during this pandemic, even if just practicing physical distancing. Every little bit helps: “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” — E.E. Hale, American writer
	Amber Venner, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: As a phone line nurse in Public Health, I provide evidence-based, timely, relevant information about COVID19. I assist members of my community in navigating the healthcare system and help them feel safe and heard during this pandemic. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “We got this”
	Angie Manners, Manager, Infectious Diseases – Timiskaming Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I’ve been supporting our skilled and resilient public health staff and local partners to deliver an effective and efficient ‘test and trace’ program in an ever evolving situation. I’ve been championing regular connections, rapid response to staff, partner and community inquiries (in both official languages). See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “With teamwork, we can accomplish great things.”
	Anne Marie Holt, Director, Health Promotion – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Working with our public health leadership team to implement provincial objectives to manage our outbreak response. Managing planning and operations teams of our pandemic response. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “When it comes to the health of our community, there is no ‘them’ only ‘us’. We are all in this together”
	Assessment Centre – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: The team at the assessment centre in Casselman provides a comprehensive COVID-19 testing service to all clients who come to get tested. The nurses reassure, educate and guide the clients throughout the process and provide a clear plan. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Together we are stronger, together we are unbroken, together we can do anything”
	Bernard Mayer, Environmental Health Manager – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Oversee a team of public health inspectors working to protect the health and safety of the community we serve during this pandemic by leading and prioritizing critical tasks for COVID-19 responses.See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Stay home and look after your family and loved ones. Be safe.”
	Brooke Ryan, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Managing a multi-disciplinary COVID-19 data management team for Halton Region. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “We’re all in this together!”
	Becky Shorrock, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I provide public health services through mobile outreach. I am supporting to our local shelter, Fellowship Centre and our COVID-19 isolation centre by providing screening, testing and education. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “To give a person a moment of peace amongst the chaos is the best thing one human could give to another”
	Bud Ivey, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Enforcing the Emergency Management Act Orders to keep the public safe. Continuing to inspect restaurants, long -term care homes, hospitals, and drinking water systems. Contacting and educating members of the public who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient. Investigating animal biting incidents for rabies. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Wash your hands, take care of yourselves and your neighbours.”
	Carley Aubin, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Managing a multi-disciplinary data management team to support the community’s data and surveillance needs regarding COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in the Halton community. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Public health staff are the unsung hero’s of this pandemic response in Ontario. The public often does not see the work public health does, because nobody remembers the cases and deaths that didn’t happen. I hope the public sees and recognizes the hard work of public health units during this response. The overtime staff have been putting in and the dedication and pride in our work has been amazing to be a part of!”
	Carol Chan, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Developing resources and tools and providing advice to agencies caring for our most vulnerable. Conducting inspections of these facilities. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “ Keep your humor in the face of adversity”
	Cassandra Johnston, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Coordinator – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: In my role, I have been working hard to coordinate COVID-19 testing for high-risk populations, following-up with positive cases and their contacts, and working with long-terms care and retirement homes to prepare for and prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Wash your hands well and often, social distance, ask for help if you need it, and do your best to stay safe. As Dory would say, just keep swimming!”
	Chandra Tremblay, Manager, Communications and IT Services – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Working with team members to develop communication materials to keep residents informed about COVID-19 and the public health measures designed to keep them safe. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Listening and learning from each other makes us all more knowledgeable and stronger.”
	Christina Baier, Public Health Nurse: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead – Timiskaming Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I am supporting community partners in infection control, use and understanding of PPE, support testing of infectious diseases. As well, building, coordinating/leading and supporting a team of staff doing all COVID-19 contact tracing for district of Timiskaming. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “We are a team & together we are strong. Wash your hands, & know your social bubble. Public health is here for you & only a phone call away.”
	Clerical Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We proudly support our organization as best we can during the COVID-19 pandemic. We direct client calls, translate documents, provide guidance to the community, support our COVID-19 assessment centre, clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment, collect and deliver swab tests and any other tasks requested. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “In these unprecedented times, we are listening to the concerns of our local businesses, partners, essential services, clients, and the public”
	Communications Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We provide reliable and local up to date information on best practices and safety measures to fight COVID-19. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “A healthy and informed public is a strong community. We got this!”
	Danielle Hachborn, Epidemiologist – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: By being a storyteller: Sharing COVID-19 epidemiological data in reports and dashboards to keep public health, the government, media and my community informed. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “We are all #PublicHealthHeroes when we put the needs of our community ahead of ourselves!”
	Denise Smith, Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Manager – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Leading & supporting our interdisciplinary teams in ever-changing COVID-19 response work. Case & contact and outbreak management ensure public safety. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Public health professionals are the lifeline for communities.”
	Duty Desk – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We provide advice and support to individuals and businesses on implementing and maintaining public health measures, support employers of temporary farm workers in developing isolation plans for the arrival of foreign workers, oversee infection control implementation and more. We respond to enquiries and questions from the public. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Stay home- practice physical distancing – and wash those hands! Now as businesses open: maintain physical distancing and public health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
	Elizabeth Hulse, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I’m helping our community to slow the spread of COVID-19 through surveillance, case finding and contact tracing. I also support community partners to manage, control and prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in health care facilities. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “We are stronger together”
	Family Home Visiting Team – HBHC – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We continue to support our community’s families with information and helpful strategies on resources, parenting in stressful times, positive discipline and much more. We provide child-focused telephone calls to promote parent’s ability to support the child’s growth and development. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Continue to be involved in supporting families and building positive parenting.”
	Francine Fernandes, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Since the beginning of our fight against COVID-19 I have taken on a lead role in which I had the challenge of not only quickly training myself but training and mentoring many of my colleagues to allow them to be comfortable enough to increase our Health Unit’s capacity to join the fight! See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Every one of us is experiencing this pandemic but we are all living it differently…be kind, be understanding and take care of each other.”
	Healthline – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: Our Healthline, staffed by PHNs, Health Promoters, and clerical staff, are open from 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week. They have responded to up to 400 calls per shift, answering the public’s questions and concerns. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Our knowledgeable team responds to our community’s concerns with professionalism and kindness. We want to reassure our clients, reduce anxiety and help clients find the answers they are looking for.”
	Health Promotion and Education Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: Calls to all grocery, convenience, LCBO stores and pharmacies to provide correct infection control information, work in the call centre, help with clerical tasks, provide staff wellness information, deliver swabs, and more. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “The amazing thing about working in Public health is that things are constantly changing, and in times of Public Health Emergencies, your job title becomes completely irrelevant. You get to learn new things, work with people you don’t normally do, and gain so much knowledge!”
	Healthy Babies and Healthy Children Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: Telephone support to families with our HBHC program. Support and guidance to protect their families during Covid-19 and advise them of government financial supports. Inform them of services that are available during Covid -19. Collaborating with Community Partners. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “The amazing thing about working in Public health is that things are constantly changing. We are here to provide you the most up to date information available. Despite not being able to complete home visits at this time, we are here to support you.”
	Heather Napier, Quality improvement Specialist – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Managing a multi-disciplinary COVID-19 data management team for Halton Region. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “These times of adversity challenge our communities to band together and adapt and to an ever-changing environment. We are stronger together. Lessons learned from this pandemic will help us to create a healthier world for future generations.”
	Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We follow-up with all positive cases and their contacts, provide guidance and training to staff from health care facilities, and promote the dissemination of up to date IPAC recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We provide training and support in infectious diseases to staff. We provide data to the Ministry continuously. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Stay home/Stay Safe, as controlling the spread of Covid19 to our loved ones starts with each and everyone of you!”
	Inga McNamara, Registered Dental Hygienist – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Case management support, ID telephone line support, and facility (long term care & retirement homes) liaison support. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Today’s curse, is tomorrow’s blessings”.
	Jen Carlson, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I work with a high risk population in a mobile outreach model. I am providing COVID-19 education, assessment and testing to vulnerable populations. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “COVID has brought forward the opportunity to find deeper and greater strengths within ourselves, in our work and as a community. Keep it up, you are all doing an amazing job!”
	Jenna Shaw, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Providing phoneline response for the general public with inquiries related to COVID19. Also leading an administrative team to collect and process all labs received for LTCH Universal Swabbing initiative. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Smile and be kind to one another, we can get through this together!”
	Jennifer Heuft, Data Analyst – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Managing a multi-disciplinary COVID-19 data management team for Halton Region. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “No matter our role, we are all an important part of public health and ensuring the health of our residents.”
	Jenny Sparks, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Timely reporting of critical COVID-19 cases and easing public concerns through communications. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Tough times never last, tough people do”
	Julie Ingram, Manager, Environmental Health – Peterborough Public Health How I am helping to keep communities safe: Acting as Operations Co-chief, I am involved in our local COVID-19 pandemic response with a focus on protecting our vulnerable populations, supporting our local emergency shelter, and working collaboratively for the enforcement of emergency orders. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “The risk of COVID-19 is real. If you go out, let it be for essential reasons only. Follow public health measures and don’t forget to be patient and kind.”
	Karen Taylor, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: 1) helping people access the care they need, at home, in their community 2) helping health care partners access resources needed to help their clients. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Your public health unit is working with you, to defeat COVID-19”
	Kendra Habing, Decision Support Advisor – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Managing a multidisciplinary COVID-19 data management team for Halton Region. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” The way that public health has learned to work together in these times of change has showed how amazing all the staff are at “dancing in the rain”, and it has been a pleasure to see and be a part of.”
	Kirsten Sears, Health Promoter – Halton Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: Writing all the health content on our local public health unit’s COVID-19 webpages which has seen over one million views. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Do your little bit of good where you are; It is those little bits of good put all together that overwhelm the world.” – Desmond Tutu
	Lara MacDonald, Dental Health Educator – Northwestern Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Operator on COVID hotline, assisting people with questions and concerns during this difficult time. Delivering negative test results and completing first follow up calls to people being tested. Referring for testing. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Keep clear minds during weird times”
	Laura Abbasi, Registered Dietitian – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Answering calls from community members, completing medical surveillance calls and supporting case & contact management all help to keep my community safe and informed. I collaborate with and support my colleagues in our expanding and evolving roles through a variety of leadership opportunities. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “These are challenging times – be genuine, kind, and empathetic to those around you.”
	Laura Jack, Community Worker – Peterborough Public Health How I am helping to keep communities safe: Supporting local partnerships to provide emergency food boxes during the COVID-19 emergency response in Peterborough, Ontario and area while working towards systems change. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Keep an eye on the most vulnerable in your community. Advocate for services to aid and empower them to make positive, sustainable changes for themselves and their families.”
	Long Term Care Home Team, Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We are a dynamic and dedicated team of Public Health Inspectors and Public Health Nurses. We provide outreach and support to Long Term Care, Retirement and Group homes and other congregate settings. We provide Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) advice and assist with testing, surveillance, personal protective equipment audits to keep residents and staff safe. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “We are in this together! Stay healthy! Stay safe! Follow Public Health Recommendations! Smiling is key! 🙂 “
	Lorna McCleary, Manager, Health Promotion Division – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: My role is multifaceted and changes constantly, Currently I support the communications team, lead the Recovery team, do regular staff check ins, and support the call center. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Thank you for your patience, kindness and helping to keep Ontario Safe”
	Lynne Franke, Manager, Manager Organizational Initiatives – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Ensuring our municipal and community partners are supported; supporting our management team in response planning to ensure we are ready to respond. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “All is possible when we do it together”
	Management Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We are leading the community response to COVID-19 through the implementation of our IMS structure: Current and Future Planning, Operations, Business Continuity, Communication, Employee Wellness, Program & Services Recovery, Community partnerships to help the vulnerable population. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Despite the long hours required to support our communities and staff during these challenging times, we feel stimulated and proud of the unique position that public health holds in protecting, and preserving the health of our communities.”
	Nursing Practice and Training Tem – York Region Public Health How we are helping to keep communities safe: We are orienting and training newly hired and redeployed staff to effectively prepare them to support functions in case management, contract tracing and outbreak management for COVID-19. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
	Oral Health Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We are supporting the oral and overall health of the community during these difficult times. We put clients in direct communication with dental professionals to provide over the phone consultations and pharmacology. We direct, collaborate and facilitate access to oral health programs and we keep our doors open for dental emergencies while keeping staff and clients safe. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Self care is important now more than ever; our oral health team continues to support and guide you with a smile!”
	Organizational Support Services – Eastern Ontario Health Unit How we are helping to keep communities safe: We ensure that nothing falls apart so that our colleagues can always be at their best. We keep our IT functioning, our offices clean, and provide the necessary resources to enable our staff to work from home, to have a safe environment when in the office, to have appropriate personal protective equipment when they provide direct client services and the right team members at their side to deal with the additional challenges from COVID-19. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “Stay strong, determined and remember to support one another in “any” and “every” way possible. We’re all in this together and will come out of it stronger than we were before.”
	Pam Stuckless, Director, Health Promotion – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Liaising with partners to provide COVID-19 testing at assessment centres, in the community with paramedics and surveillance testing in congregate settings. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. – Helen Keller”
	Patti Fitzgerald, Manager, Infectious Disease Program – Peterborough Public Health How I am helping to keep communities safe: As an Operations co-lead I am supporting the local COVID-19 response with a focus on case and contact management, outbreak management and general support for long-term care homes, retirement homes and other congregate settings. I also work closely with community partners such as our local hospital, community paramedics and First Nation communities to ensure timely access to testing. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “As cliché as it sounds, we are all in this together. I know this is so difficult but each of us has an important role to play in keeping our community healthy, which includes following public health measures like social distancing and hand washing. Public health connects us all.”
	Penny Rush, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I have been re-deployed to manage and assist Long Term Care and Retirement Facilities to keep their staff and residents safe and protected from COVID-19. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “A problem is a chance for you to do your best– Duke Ellington”
	Public Health Emergency Support Group – York Region Public Health How we are helping to keep communities safe: Peer support for those working in our public health COVID-19 response is instrumental in maintaining a healthy workforce that can continue to effectively serve our residents. Our promotion of resiliency and Critical Incident Stress Management can help our teams to better assist our community to withstand, manage and recover from this pandemic. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you”– Katie Reed
	The Liaison Team – Peterborough Public Health How I am helping to keep communities safe: The Liaison Team is a multidisciplinary team comprised of Health Promoters, Registered Dietitian, Public Health Nurse, Public Health Inspector, and Managers. Our role is to support key stakeholder groups including long-term care and retirement homes, agencies supporting older adults, primary care, municipalities, workplaces and business owners, schools and daycares, shelters and other congregate settings. We synthesize and share key information and provide guidance on infection protection and control with the goal of protecting the most vulnerable people in our community. See full profile. Our message to the public during COVID-19: “This pandemic demonstrates that we must all work collaboratively to protect those most vulnerable in our community.”
	Rabia Bana, Public Health & Preventative Medicine Resident How I am helping to keep communities safe: Keeping the data in context, promoting public health measures, empathizing with individuals in difficult situations and supporting mental health. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “The right to hope is the most powerful human motivation I know.” – Aga Khan IV
	Rachel Moon Kelly, Manager, Health Promotion Division – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: Co-managing teams working in our call centre; supporting training for teams & individuals to take on new roles; striving to maintain a positive attitude and boost team morale. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Kindness, compassion, & support for our staff & communities are even more important in this challenging time.”
	Ray Gullekson, Senior Public Health Inspector, Timiskaming Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I lead a team of professionals as we provide trusted expert advice to a large number of stakeholders in our district—health, large employers, municipalities, school boards and others. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.”
	Raya Jaswal, Public Health Nurse – Peel Region How I am helping to keep communities safe: I am currently working 11-hour shifts answering calls and making referrals related to COVID-19 at Region of Peel’s Public Health Contact Centre to keep our community informed and safe! See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome – Patch Adams, 1998″
	Shari Grieveson, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: My role in public health during this global pandemic is to collect Covid-19 test swabs from Long Term Care facilities in the Simcoe/Muskoka area and ensure they are safely delivered to Public Health Ontario labs. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie J.T. Stepanek
	Sheri Winacott, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: My role with the SMDHU has been changed from providing dental services in the HSO Clinics to coordination of swabs for testing of Covid -19. Each week we provide coordination of orders, delivery and tracking of testing swabs to hospitals, assessment centres, Long Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes and branch offices. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES.” – William James Stay Safe, Stay Home and Practice Social Distancing.
	Taylor Shewell, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I have been providing health teaching to the public on the symptoms of COVID-19, protection, self-isolation, physical distancing, testing and more. I have helped public health staff redeployed to the phone line from other programs within the health unit respond to COVID-19 inquiries. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “Social distancing does not mean social disconnection. We can get through this together. Take care of yourself and others.”
	Tina Evenhuis, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: In my leadership role during COVID-19 I liaised with nurses and management. I assisted with problem solving, information management and created communication resources to support nurses to stay current in a rapidly changing environment. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “When challenges present it is important to take it one day at a time and continue to build on a healthy future.”
	Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit How I am helping to keep communities safe: I work with a great team of public health nurses, health inspectors, health promoters, dietitians and administrative staff who collaboratively and tirelessly work towards keeping our community healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conduct surveillance, case and contact follow up, outbreak investigation and public health messaging to ensure the safety of our community. See full profile. My message to the public during COVID-19: “When the public health department is doing its job, we are not noticed. It is only when a crisis occurs that we are visible…” – Paul Borawski, Past CEO, American Society for Quality Together, we will continue to build a stronger, even healthier community. Stay put, stay safe, stay healthy”

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Spotlight

Curious to know more about the various ways public health is involved in responses to COVID-19?

Gallery of #PublicHealthHeroes

Allison Haggart, Information & Support Specialist – Diabetes Canada

Amanda Tumukuratiire, Research Analyst – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Amber Venner, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Angie Manners, Manager, Infectious Diseases – Timiskaming Health Unit

Anne Marie Holt, Director, Health Promotion – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Assessment Centre – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Bernard Mayer, Environmental Health Manager – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Brooke Ryan, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton Region

Becky Shorrock, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health Unit

Bud Ivey, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Carley Aubin, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton Region

Carol Chan, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Cassandra Johnston, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Coordinator – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Chandra Tremblay, Manager, Communications and IT Services – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Christina Baier, Public Health Nurse: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead – Timiskaming Health Unit

Clerical Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Communications Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Danielle Hachborn, Epidemiologist – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Denise Smith, Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Manager – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Duty Desk – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Elizabeth Hulse, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Family Home Visiting Team – HBHC – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Francine Fernandes, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Healthline – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Health Promotion and Education Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Healthy Babies and Healthy Children Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Heather Napier, Quality improvement Specialist – Halton Region

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Inga McNamara, Registered Dental Hygienist – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Jen Carlson, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health Unit

Jenna Shaw, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Jennifer Heuft, Data Analyst – Halton Region

Jenny Sparks, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Julie Ingram, Manager, Environmental Health – Peterborough Public Health

Karen Taylor, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Kendra Habing, Decision Support Advisor – Halton Region

Kirsten Sears, Health Promoter – Halton Region

Lara MacDonald, Dental Health Educator – Northwestern Health Unit

Laura Abbasi, Registered Dietitian – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Laura Jack, Community Worker – Peterborough Public Health

Long Term Care Home Team, Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Lorna McCleary, Manager, Health Promotion Division – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Lynne Franke, Manager, Manager Organizational Initiatives – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Management Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Nursing Practice and Training Tem – York Region Public Health

Oral Health Team – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Organizational Support Services – Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Pam Stuckless, Director, Health Promotion – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Patti Fitzgerald, Manager, Infectious Disease Program – Peterborough Public Health

Penny Rush, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Public Health Emergency Support Group – York Region Public Health

The Liaison Team – Peterborough Public Health

Rabia Bana, Public Health & Preventative Medicine Resident

Rachel Moon Kelly, Manager, Health Promotion Division – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Ray Gullekson, Senior Public Health Inspector, Timiskaming Health Unit

Raya Jaswal, Public Health Nurse – Peel Region

Shari Grieveson, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Sheri Winacott, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Taylor Shewell, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Tina Evenhuis, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

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