About: Health and Wellness

The Chief Public Health Office (CPHO) promotes, prevents and protects the health of Islanders so that fewer people become sick or injured and more people live healthier lives. 

The CPHO collaborates with partners in areas of health promotion to support Islanders in leading healthy lives. We work with the health system, other government departments and communities to prevent disease and injury and deliver health protection programs under Public Health Act and Regulations of Prince Edward Island. 

What does the Chief Public Health Office do for Islanders?

The CPHO promotes health by:

• monitoring the health status of communities or special populations;
• developing and supporting public policy that promotes a healthy population;
• working with community partners to encourage healthy living.

The CPHO prevents disease and injury by:

• monitoring and reporting on diseases and events that affect the lives of Islanders;
• preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases;
• directing childhood and adult immunization.

The CPHO protects the health of Islanders by:

• inspecting and licensing facilities such as eating establishments, swimming pools, tanning bed facilities and provincial meat and dairy plants;
• taking action to ensure food and water are safe;
• protecting against environmental threats or hazards through regulation and enforcement.

Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Public Health Officer

Dr. Heather G. Morrison was appointed Chief Public Health Officer in July 2007. A graduate of UPEI, Dr. Morrison was also Prince Edward Island’s first female Rhodes Scholar. At Oxford University, she completed a Master’s and a Doctoral degree, majoring in Comparative Social Research and Social Policy, with a doctoral dissertation in health policy decision-making. Dr. Morrison returned to Canada for her medical training, graduating as an MD from Dalhousie University, followed by specialist training in Public Health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Morrison chairs the Canadian Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health and has served in a variety of provincial roles. Dr. Morrison was Acting Deputy Minister of Health and Wellness for Prince Edward Island  between April 2016 and mid-July 2016. Dr. Morrison has practiced medicine in Ontario, Saipan, and PEI, where she resides with her husband and 4 young children.

Dr. David Sabapathy, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer

Dr. David Sabapathy was appointed as Deputy Chief Public Health Officer for the province of Prince Edward Island in 2014. Dr. Sabapathy is a physician and fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He completed his MD and specialist training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the University of Calgary, working at Alberta Health Services as well as the World Health Organization. He holds a Master of Business Administration in health care administration and a Master of Science and Clinical Research Fellowship in applied public health research.

In his public health practice, Dr. Sabapathy draws on ten years of private sector experience as a professional engineer working in the areas of environmental risk assessment, quality improvement and strategic management. He received his engineering degree from the University of Prince Edward Island / University of New Brunswick and maintains licensure with Engineers PEI.