Dr. Ian Arra appointed acting Grey-Bruce medical officer of health

Dr. Ian Arra (above) has been appointed acting medical officer of health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, as the current medical officer of health, Dr. Christine Kennedy, is on leave.

A motion in support of this appointment was approved by the board of health, Tuesday. The appointment is effective immediately for a term of less than six months.

Health units are required to have a medical officer of health or an acting medical officer of health at all times.

This appointment is made under Section 69(1) of the Health Protection and Promotion Act which states: "Where the office of medical officer of health of a board of health is vacant, is absent, or unable to act, the board of health shall appoint forthwith a physician as acting medical officer of health."

The board hired Arra July 22, 2016, as a consultant under contract to the board, effective June 1 of this year. He worked as a research assistant for the board in 2012, assisting then-medical officer of health Dr. Hazel Lynn with research into wind turbines and adverse health effects.