Mark Joffe out as Alberta’s chief medical officer of health amid measles outbreak

Dr. Mark Joffe is no longer Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, with the change coming against the backdrop of ongoing measles outbreaks in the province.

Joffe’s contract expired Monday, the minister of health’s office told CityNews in a statement, though it did not specify why Joffe’s contract wasn’t extended.

“Since November 2022, Dr. Mark Joffe has served Albertans as the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health with dedication and professionalism, providing public health expertise during a time of significant challenges and transitions,” the statement reads.

Joffe was serving in the role on an interim basis, after Premier Danielle Smith’s government fired Dr. Deena Hinshaw in 2022. Joffe served as vice-president of Alberta Health Services before taking over for Hinshaw. He has more than two decades of public health experience in Alberta and is also a professor of medicine at the University of Alberta.

The Alberta government says it is searching for a permanent replacement, but anticipates announcing an interim CMOH “imminently.”

“In the meantime, we will continue to rely on the advice of the many public health experts and officials at Alberta Health, as well as zone medical officers of health at Alberta Health Services,” the statement reads.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the announcement raises questions of competence.

“The fact that the province has not even named an interim or an acting chief medical officer of health means either they weren’t expecting Dr. Joffe to step away or that they just don’t know what they’re doing,” Nenshi told reporters.

“Even if you’re not in the middle of a major (measles) outbreak, you really should have some plans in place.

“That’s just basic management.”

Rising measles cases

Joffe’s departure comes as Alberta has reported 77 measles cases as of Tuesday. Nearly all cases are in school-aged children, with several being reported in children under the age of five.

As of Monday, at least eight people had been hospitalized, according to provincial data.

“Alberta’s government remains vigilant in its approach to measles, ensuring information and resources are available for all Albertans to understand how to best protect themselves,” the minister of health’s office said. “We want to reassure Albertans that public health continues to be a top priority during this transition.

“Alberta’s government will continue to work closely with health partners to ensure continuity in public health leadership and responses.”

–With files from The Canadian Press