Jennifer Russell (physician)

Jennifer Russell (2021) (cropped)

Jennifer Russell is a Canadian physician and public health official. She is best known for her role as the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of New Brunswick, a position she has held since 2014. Dr. Russell has been a prominent figure in the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Life and Education

Jennifer Russell was born and raised in New Brunswick. She completed her undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She then attended medical school at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Following her medical degree, Dr. Russell completed a residency in family medicine and later specialized in public health and preventive medicine.

Career

Dr. Russell began her medical career as a family physician before transitioning to public health. She has worked in various capacities within the New Brunswick Department of Health, focusing on areas such as communicable disease control, health promotion, and disease prevention.

In 2014, Dr. Russell was appointed as the Chief Medical Officer of Health for New Brunswick. In this role, she is responsible for providing leadership and direction on public health matters, including the development and implementation of health policies and programs.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Russell gained national recognition for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been the public face of New Brunswick's response, providing regular updates and guidance to the public. Her efforts have been credited with helping to keep the number of COVID-19 cases relatively low in the province compared to other regions.

Personal Life

Dr. Russell is married and has two children. She is fluent in both English and French, reflecting the bilingual nature of New Brunswick.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Russell has received several awards and honors for her contributions to public health. These include recognition from professional medical associations and public health organizations.

See Also

• Public health
• COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
• New Brunswick Department of Health
• Chief Medical Officer of Health