Fresh face for Health Unit

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit welcomed its new acting medical officer of health Tuesday.

Henry Kurban, fresh off his residency at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said he’s excited to be in Thunder Bay and is ready to work with the Board of Health to implement Ontario’s public health standards.

"I’m working very diligently with the board in the future," he said, "and working with the community in order to promote public health."

Originally from the Canary Islands, Spain, Kurban received his medical training at the University of Western Ontario and has a Master’s of Business Administration from McGill University.

He said the job requires an understanding of both the health care management and the medical side of public health.

"It’s a very complex job and you need a variety of skills I hopefully have acquired over years of training," Kurban said.

Kurban takes the position as medical officer of health after a 17-month search. Board of Health chair Maria Harding said Kurban will be an asset to the health unit and the community because of his enthusiasm, dedication and caring nature.

"We need that in Thunder Bay," she said. "We need people to be there for us and care for our community and are willing to come to this area. That is something Dr. Kurban will be doing for us."

Harding said his training as a physician and dedication to public health is what made him the best candidate for the job.

"You have to have someone who is at heart with public health," he said. "You can’t just bring someone is who is a physician but does not know the public health aspect. Dr. Kurban is very will suited for this position."

For his first year in the position, Kurban will be under the supervision of Dr. Graham Pollett of the Middlesex-London Health Unit as part of the certification process for medical officers of health in Ontario.

Kurban said he’s excited to learn as he goes over the next year.

"That’s what I hope to do," he said. "I’ve been meeting the community leaders and get a feel for the community."