Today, Toronto City Council approved the appointment of Dr. Michelle Murti as Toronto’s new Medical Officer of Health, effective Wednesday, September 3. Her appointment is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, as required under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Dr. Murti joins the City with a distinguished career in public health leadership across multiple jurisdictions in Canada and internationally. A respected public health and preventive medicine physician, she currently serves as Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, where she has played a pivotal role in pandemic preparedness, emergency response and health system transformation.
Dr. Murti holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and a Master’s degree in Public Health and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. She is licensed in Family Medicine and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
She has also held leadership roles as Medical Director of Health Protection at Public Health Ontario, Medical Health Officer with Fraser Health in British Columbia, and Locum Acting Chief Public Health Officer for the Northwest Territories. Dr. Murti has also served as a Medical Epidemiologist with the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, based in Geneva.
Throughout her career, Dr. Murti has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing health equity, fostering collaboration across sectors and ensuring communities remain at the centre of public health planning and action. Under Dr. Murti’s leadership, Toronto Public Health will continue to build on its legacy of innovation, resilience and impact as one of Canada’s leading local public health agencies.
Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey will continue to serve as Toronto’s Acting Medical Officer of Health until Tuesday, September 2.
Quotes:
“Today’s decision by City Council is a great step forward for the City of Toronto’s leadership team. I’d like to congratulate Dr. Murti on her appointment as Medical Officer of Health. I am confident that Dr. Murti is well-prepared to take on the top leadership role for Toronto Public Health in its service to our residents.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Murti as Toronto’s new Medical Officer of Health. Her dedication to community-centred public health, her advocacy for vulnerable populations and her proven leadership during complex public health emergencies position her well to guide Toronto through today’s health challenges.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health
“Dr. Murti joins us with an impressive track record of public health leadership at the local, provincial and national levels, along with international experience. Her collaborative style, evidence-based approach and commitment to health equity will make her an outstanding leader at Toronto Public Health. I look forward to working with Dr. Murti as she builds on Toronto’s strong foundation of public health excellence, innovation and service to residents.”
– Paul Johnson, City Manager, City of Toronto
“I am honoured to serve the people of Toronto as their Medical Officer of Health. I look forward to working alongside the incredible Toronto Public Health staff and with community and city partners to protect and improve health, reduce health inequities and make Toronto a healthy and resilient place where we can all live, work and play.”
– Dr. Michelle Murti, New Medical Officer of Health
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