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 CanadaHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Amanda Tumukuratiire, Research Analyst – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Angie Manners, Manager, Infectious Diseases – Timiskaming Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Anne Marie Holt, Director, Health Promotion – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Assessment Centre – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Brooke Ryan, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Becky Shorrock, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Bud Ivey, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Carley Aubin, Program Evaluation Specialist – Halton RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Carol Chan, Public Health Inspector – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Cassandra Johnston, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Coordinator – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Chandra Tremblay, Manager, Communications and IT Services – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Christina Baier, Public Health Nurse: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead – Timiskaming Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Clerical Team – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Denise Smith, Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Manager – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Duty Desk – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Family Home Visiting Team – HBHC – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Healthline – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Team – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Jen Carlson, Public Health Nurse – Northwestern Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Jenna Shaw, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Jennifer Heuft, Data Analyst – Halton RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Jenny Sparks, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Julie Ingram, Manager, Environmental Health – Peterborough Public HealthHow I am helping to keep communities safe: My message to the public during COVID-19: |
![]() |
Karen Taylor, Public Health Nurse – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Kendra Habing, Decision Support Advisor – Halton RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: My message to the public during COVID-19: |
![]() |
Kirsten Sears, Health Promoter – Halton RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Lara MacDonald, Dental Health Educator – Northwestern Health UnitHow 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 UnitHow 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 HealthHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Long Term Care Home Team, Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Lynne Franke, Manager, Manager Organizational Initiatives – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Management Team – Eastern Ontario Health UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 HealthHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow we are helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Patti Fitzgerald, Manager, Infectious Disease Program – Peterborough Public HealthHow I am helping to keep communities safe: My message to the public during COVID-19: |
![]() |
Penny Rush, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Public Health Emergency Support Group – York Region Public HealthHow we are helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
The Liaison Team – Peterborough Public HealthHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Rabia Bana, Public Health & Preventative Medicine ResidentHow I am helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: My message to the public during COVID-19:
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.” |
![]() |
Raya Jaswal, Public Health Nurse – Peel RegionHow I am helping to keep communities safe: 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 UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Sheri Winacott, Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II) – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: |
![]() |
Taylor Shewell, Registered Practical Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow 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: |
![]() |
Tina Evenhuis, Public Health Nurse – Simcoe Muskoka District Health UnitHow 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: |
![]() |
Vidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitVidya Sunil, Epidemiologist – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health UnitHow I am helping to keep communities safe: 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 |