[Timmins, Ontario] - As of January 1^st, 2025, Porcupine Health Unit and Timiskaming Health Unit have become Northeastern Public Health (NEPH)/Santé publique du Nord-Est (SPNE). Official notice of approval and support from the Ontario government for a voluntary merger was received December 2, 2024, and both boards of health reaffirmed their commitment to the merger a few days later. PHU and THU have been exploring a merger over the last several years and have put significant effort into integration over the course of 2024.

Dr. Lianne Catton, newly appointed Medical Officer of Health/CEO of NEPH states: “I am very pleased to announce the official launch of one of the newest health units in Ontario. We look forward to bringing our dedicated public health teams together, building a new organizational culture, and supporting our staff through this process. I am also deeply appreciative of all the work done to date to get NEPH to where we are today.”

Dr. Glenn Corneil is greatly acknowledged for his contributions as the Acting Medical Officer of Health/CEO of Timiskaming Health Unit for the past 6 years. Northeastern Public Health is pleased that he will continue to support the transition as a Public Health Physician.

As of January 1^st, 2025, the board of health overseeing operations of Northeastern Public Health is comprised of provincial appointees from across the region as well as municipal representatives from Timmins, Temiskaming Shores, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Cochrane-Smooth Rock Falls, Rural Far North, Rural North, Rural Central-North, and Rural Central-South. The new board chair is Michelle Boileau and the vice chair is Mark Wilson.

Newly elected Board Chair, Michelle Boileau, states: “I look forward to supporting a strengthened public health agency in the northeast. The two organizations bring a diversity of staff, skills, and experiences that will benefit all communities across this vast geography.”

As Northeastern Public Health begins operations on January 1^st, 2025, programs, services, and office locations will stay the same. As well, the pre-existing logos may still be seen during this interim period before the new logo and brand for NEPH are launched. Throughout this process, staff will continue to engage with the public, community partners, First Nations communities, and municipalities to provide updates and maintain strong local connections.

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