EHFC TRUSTEES APPOINT HONOURARY CHAIRMAN
September 30, 2001
Dr. John Blatherwick has been appointed as the first "Honorary Chairman" for the Environmental Health Foundation of Canada. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees on September 30, 2001, the Trustees unanimously approved a motion appointing Dr. Blatherwick at the Honorary Chairman. Board Chair, Klaus Seeger, stated "This is a very positive moment for the Foundation with the acceptance of one of Canada's top public health physicians as Honorary Chairman".
Ron de Burger, Trustee, agreed and indicated that, "John Blatherwick has been a terrific champion for Public Health and Public Health Inspectors for as long as I've had the pleasure of knowing him. I think this is the commitment which we want to acknowledge and celebrate."
Tim Roark, EHFC Treasurer, pointed out that Dr. John had been a long-time member and then Chairman of the Environmental Health Program Advisory Board at BCIT. He was a strong advocate for the establishment of a degree in Environmental Health - Public Health Inspection and has spoken out in favour of the creation of a College of Public Health Inspectors and Environmental Health Officers in BC.
Dr. John Blatherwick is currently Medical Health Officer for the City of Vancouver, a position he has held since 1984. He had just completed a two-year term of office as a Trustee on the EHFC and is also a member of the Board of Certification for CIPHI. In 1988 Dr. Blatherwick was made an Honorary Member of CIPHI. In 1996 he was appointed to the Order of Canada for his work and advocacy in public health.