Boyden is pleased to share the appointment news of Trevor Arnason, a recruitment co-led by Andrew Dumont and Claire Leroux
Ottawa, ON - July 23, 2025
At a special meeting of the Ottawa Board of Health (BOH) on July 14, 2025, the Board approved the appointment of Dr. Trevor Arnason as the permanent Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for the City of Ottawa. This appointment was subsequently approved by City Council today, with final confirmation pending from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Prior to taking on the role of Interim Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arnason was appointed as the Deputy MOH in May 2024 having served as an Associate Medical Officer of Health (AMOH) since 2019. As AMOH, he was the physician responsible for immunization programs and served as the lead medical consultant for the City of Ottawa’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce. He has also been the AMOH responsible for portfolios in sexually transmitted and bloodborne Infections, chronic disease and injury prevention and mental health and substance use.
Prior to joining OPH, Dr. Arnason was the Regional Medical Officer of Health for Halifax, Nova Scotia from 2016 to 2018, where he co-led responses to multiple infectious disease outbreaks including one of the largest measles outbreaks in Canada in recent years. Dr. Arnason has also worked part-time in clinical practice with a focus on prevention services for those without a primary care provider since 2013.
Dr. Arnason was born and raised in Ottawa and holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biology and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa where he is currently an adjunct professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health. After completing his Medical Doctorate at the University of Toronto in 2011, he returned to Ottawa to do residency training with dual certification in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine.
“I am honoured to be able to serve as the Medical Officer of Health in a city that is a leader in public health, as well as the community where I was born and raised. Like many colleagues, I was introduced to OPH as a student learner, and I look forward to fostering the culture of teamwork, collaboration and mentorship that are key to the organization’s success. I am fortunate to work with our skilled OPH team, partners, community leaders, and the people of Ottawa to reduce inequities and protect and promote the health of our city.” Dr. Trevor Arnason.
Original Source: Ottawa Public Health News
