Southeast Public Health Board of Health Update for January 2026

Press Release – Southeast Public Health

The Southeast Public Health (SEPH) Board of Health met January 28 in Kingston for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda package is available online.

Nathan Townend (Warden, Lennox & Addington County) was elected as the Chair of the Board, and Bill Roberts (Councillor, Prince Edward County), was acclaimed as Vice Chair. Membership on the Governance Committee and Finance Committee was also confirmed at the meeting.

Branch office update

The Board requested an update on the status of the branch offices. Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, noted that, as directed by the Board, the branch offices will remain open and Southeast Public Health is working with the landlords to secure financially sustainable agreements. Southeast Public Health will be maintaining current operating hours for branch office locations and reception access until the Board of Health revisits the decision to close these offices in September.

Dr. Oglaza also clarified that there is no reduction in service, and public health remains fully committed to the health and well-being of rural communities. He confirmed Southeast Public Health will continue to deliver services in the branch offices, and in the community as the Rural Services Delivery Strategy is implemented. The goal of the strategy is to ensure a more robust, consistent, and comprehensive complement of rural services across the southeast region.

Merger scorecard and implementation plan

The Board deferred a motion to acknowledge the Public Health Merger Implementation Plan Gantt Chart as the de facto strategic plan to guide organizational priorities and resource allocation until a new strategic plan is developed later this year. The Board requested that the Gantt chart be amended to include the Rural Services Delivery Strategy before being brought back to the Board in February. The comprehensive Gantt chart, developed by the Merger Office, outlines all merger-related projects, key milestones, and timelines for the merger activities.

Merger updates

The Board received a memo with an overview of significant merger projects including, but not limited to:

• Finalizing the Southeast Public Health website which launches on March 31.
• Harmonization of policies and procedures across Southeast Public Health.
• Engaging staff to develop the organizational values.
• Harmonization of pay periods, payroll deposit dates, and payroll systems.

The next meeting of the Board of Health is February 25, 2026.