Nunavut’s chief public health officer resigns
GN says Dr. Sean Wachtel’s resignation was for personal reasons, effective immediately
Dr. Sean Wachtel has resigned as Nunavut’s chief public health officer for personal reasons, the Government of Nunavut stated in a news release Thursday evening. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Dr. Sean Wachtel has resigned as Nunavut’s chief public health officer, citing personal reasons.
His resignation is effective immediately, the Department of Health said in a news release issued Thursday evening.
Wachtel declined to elaborate on his decision to quit when he spoke on the phone with Nunatsiaq News on Friday morning.
“All I can say is I used to work in Nunavut and I don’t anymore,” Wachtel said.
Health Minister John Main also said he could not provide further details beyond Wachtel leaving for personal reasons, when asked on Friday.
Wachtel was named Nunavut’s chief public health officer in November 2022, succeeding Dr. Michael Patterson, who led the territory through the COVID-19 pandemic.
About six months later, on May 24, 2023, the GN reported Wachtel was taking a two-week leave of absence for personal reasons. At the time, neither Wachtel nor the GN offered an explanation for the leave. It ended up lasting approximately six months and Wachtel returned to the job in November last year.
Dr. Ekua Agyemang has been named acting chief public health officer, Thursday’s news release said. Previously, she was the territory’s deputy chief public health officer.
Agyemang was unavailable for comment Friday due to previous commitments, according to Pam Coulter, acting manager of communications for the Health Department
Agyemang joined the department in 2023. In April, she accompanied Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, who was in Nunavut visiting communities to learn about the tuberculosis community screening initiative organized by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Government of Nunavut.
Before arriving in Nunavut, Agyemang practiced in Alberta and Ghana, the news release stated.
Main said Agyemang is a welcome addition in her new role, adding that she and her family live in Iqaluit.
“Chief public health officer is an important role, we’re really happy she’s decided to take on the role in an acting capacity,” Main said.
He listed several ongoing public health issues in the territory requiring attention, such as improving immunization rates, and limiting the spread of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections.
“We need somebody in the role who has the skills and knowledge to guide us,” Main said of Agyemang.
Prior to being named Nunavut’s chief public health officer in 2022, Wachtel was senior medical director for Aboriginal health and medical health officer for the First Nations Health Authority in B.C.
When he was named chief public health officer, Wachtel spoke about his goals of continuing to address systemic racism in health care as well as advocating to get more health resources for Nunavut’s population.
Recruiting to find a permanent replacement for Wachtel will take place in the coming months, the release said.
Main said his department is looking for candidates who have the skills and experience necessary to lead the territory’s public health efforts.
“But we will also be looking for someone who is ready to commit to Nunavut in terms of living here, spending time here and understanding the challenges of the territory,” he said.
This guy spent his whole employment on leave.
6 months on, 6 months off, 6 months on… forever off. I sure hope more details come out of this, I think the public deserves to know what happened.
Jason we hardly knew ye!
Finally government found out the reports the public have made and trying to resign and leave all s#%t behind and pass it to the next emplyee. No more one lazy bastard using excuse government documents. Hope you guys further more reports on people who are on disability leave.
I guess Sean tackled and solved the ‘systemic racism’ problem in health and is now moving on?
Tremendous accomplishment in only 17 months.
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/new-chief-public-health-officer-wants-to-tackle-systemic-racism-in-health-care/
He perpetuated a stereotype about FN and Indigenous by being on leave most of the time and then resigning/getting fired in short term. Sound familiar?
What a ludicrous and racist statement to make
#facts
Ummm, how?
Those who “can”, “do” and those who “can’t” become Chief Public Health Officers.
I disagree – some who can – do can also be CPHO.
For example, Dr Patterson who did an exemplary job and guided our territory through the COVID crisis.
Minister of Health: Get down on your knees and beg him to come back.
John WP Murphy, he is still a practicing Physician at the hospital.
why would you tell someone to get on their knees to beg someone.
To come back to the Department as CPHO.
I know where he is working, perhaps my comment was not clear enough., my apologies.
I would prefer him to work for the entire territory, not just one little community.
Bye bye lonesome traveller. I guess it wasn’t as easy as you hoped.
Bring back Dr. Patterson!
Yes, Dr. Patterson is the best Doctor in Nunavut.