Trevor Arnason confirmed as Ottawa's top doctor
Arnason has served as interim medical officer of health since departure of Dr. Vera Etches
Dr. Trevor Arnason has been named Ottawa Public Health's (OPH) new medical officer of health, the city announced Wednesday during a meeting of city council.
Arnason has been in the job in an interim capacity since February when Dr. Vera Etches left to become president and CEO of CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa. Etches served as the city's top doctor through the COVID-19 pandemic, and her frequent public updates during that period made her a household name.
Arnason joined OPH in 2019 as an associate medical officer of health, becoming deputy medical officer of health in May 2024, according to the city. Before joining OPH, he was the regional medical officer of health in Halifax.
He served as the lead medical consultant for the city's COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force and was responsible for immunization programs, among other portfolios.
Arnason was born and raised in Ottawa, completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Ottawa before getting his doctorate at the University of Toronto. He certified in public health, preventative medicine and family medicine during his residency.
He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine and served as program director for its public health and preventive medicine residency program from 2021 to 2024.