A new chief medical officer of health has been appointed for Alberta to replace Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

A press release from the province has announced Dr. Mark Joffe will step into the role. Joffe is currently the vice president and medical director for Cancer Care Alberta, Clinical Support Services, and Provincial Clinical Excellence for Alberta Health Services.

“I am honoured to be asked to take on the chief medical officer of health role for our province,” says Joffe. “I have always put the needs of my patients first and foremost throughout my career, which will continue as I take on this new challenge. I want to thank Minister Copping for giving me this opportunity.”

This comes a month after Danielle Smith took her seat as the premier and made the promise to replace Hinshaw during her first press conference.

Dr. Joffe, a native of Calgary, earned his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 1982. He received certificates in infectious diseases and internal medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1986 and 1989. Between 1989 and 1993, he continued his education through a postdoctoral position at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of Alberta.

Dr. Joffe’s interim appointment takes effect Nov. 14 and will continue until the minister of health rescinds the appointment. He will continue in his current contract with AHS, with no additional compensation for the chief medical officer of health role.