A Heartfelt Thank You and Best Wishes to Dr. Vera Etches

Dr. Vera Etches leaves a lasting legacy of exceptional leadership in public health, having dedicated years to improving the health and wellbeing of Ottawa’s residents, and we are confident she will continue to make a meaningful impact in her future endeavors in health.

January 22, 2025 by Andrea Shane

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) bids farewell to Dr. Vera Etches, who has served as our dedicated Medical Officer of Health since April 2018. After years of exceptional leadership and service to the people of Ottawa, Dr. Etches will be transitioning to a new role within the community, and we want to take this moment to express our deepest gratitude for her invaluable contributions.

Dr. Etches has been a steadfast advocate for public health and a tireless leader who has worked to improve the health and wellbeing of all Ottawans. Her journey with OPH began in 2009 as Associate Medical Officer of Health, where she played a key role in managing teams providing clinical services, including those focused on sexual health, infectious disease prevention, and dental health. She later served as Deputy Medical Officer of Health from 2014 to 2017, supporting OPH in delivering quality, client-centered services, advancing public health research, and reinforcing efforts in population health assessment and program evaluation.

In April 2018, Dr. Etches was appointed as Medical Officer of Health, where she continued to make a profound impact on Ottawa’s public health landscape. Throughout her career, including her earlier roles at the Sudbury & District Health Unit, Dr. Etches has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving public health through prevention, education, and community engagement.

Under her leadership, OPH has made remarkable strides in areas such as sexual health, infectious disease prevention, environmental health, and reproductive health services. Dr. Etches’ ability to foster cross-sector partnerships strengthened Ottawa’s collective response to public health challenges, ensuring that the community remained resilient in the face of adversity.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Etches’ integrity, compassion, and dedication to the community have inspired all who have worked alongside her. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa, she has mentored future generations of public health leaders, ensuring that her legacy continues through those she has guided.

While we will miss Dr. Etches’ leadership at OPH, we are excited for her as she embarks on the next chapter of her career. We are confident that she will continue to make a profound impact on the Ottawa community and beyond. Dr. Etches has set a high standard for excellence in public health, and her influence will resonate in the work of all those who have had the privilege to work with her.

We extend our sincerest best wishes to Dr. Etches as she transitions into her new role. Her vision, passion, and leadership will continue to inspire and guide us all. Thank you, Dr. Etches, for your exceptional service to the City of Ottawa. We wish you every success and fulfillment in the future, knowing you will continue to make a difference wherever you go.