Dr. Jennifer Russell resigns from top Public Health post

Dr. Jennifer Russell has resigned as New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health.

Russell, who has been repeatedly unavailable for interviews in recent months, was unavailable again Friday, but confirmed she will be leaving her position "later this fall."

Her last official day will be Dec. 8, according to an internal memo obtained by CBC News.

"I look forward to sharing more details about my plans in the near future," Russell said in an emailed statement.

She also confirmed her candidacy for the position of president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association.

"It has been an honour and privilege to lead the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health in New Brunswick, particularly during the pandemic," Russell said.

"I am proud of the work and positive outcomes that employees, staff, stakeholders and New Brunswickers achieved together."

Russell has served as the province's chief medical officer of health for about five years.

Face of the pandemic response

She became the face of the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing daily televised briefings, and received the Order of New Brunswick in 2021 "for her steadfast and outstanding leadership and commitment, and for the compassion she showed while working to protect the health and safety of New Brunswickers."

But she later faced allegations of possible political interference, which she has denied.

Green Party Leader David Coon said Russell did a "tremendous job" of leading New Brunswickers through the "darkest days" of the pandemic.

He can only imagine the stress she was under for two and a half years, he said, adding he's not surprised she's looking for new challenges.

I think this is a perfect time for us to look at that position … and turn it into something that is actually legally more independent.— David Coon, Green Party leader

But her resignation is also an opportunity, said Coon.

"I think this is a perfect time for us to look at that position … and turn it into something that is actually legally more independent than the way the position is currently constructed," he said.

"I mean this position is the chief doctor for the entire population and they need not be pressured by the political side of government."

New Brunswick has "had difficulties with this" in the past, Coon alleged, pointing to Russell's predecessor Dr. Eilish Cleary being fired by the previous Liberal government.

"Through parts of the pandemic, certainly the latter part … it seemed to me that political pressure was really starting to build in ways that hadn't been there when I was on the COVID cabinet committee," he said.

Liberal Leader Susan Holt said New Brunswickers deserve "an independent public health body that is transparent and well resourced."

It should also be "stable," she said.

"We've talked to New Brunswickers and we've heard again and again that the health-care system in our province is in crisis."

'Incredible contribution'

Health Minister Bruce Fitch wished Russell "all the best in [her] future endeavours," in a post on social media Friday.

"Thank you Dr. Russell for all your service to the people of NB," he wrote.

About 90 minutes later, Premier Blaine Higgs also publicly thanked Russell for her "dedication and service" and offered his best wishes.

"I had the honour of working closely with her throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global health-care crisis," Higgs wrote in a social media post.

He described Russell as a "significant force in serving New Brunswickers and their health care."

Deputy health minister Eric Beaulieu, who sent the internal memo announcing Russell is leaving to "embark on new challenges in her career," said she has made "an incredible contribution" to the department, "and most importantly to the New Brunswickers we serve.

"Dr. Russell exemplified the principles of service and duty that we all aspire to during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency when she provided the hope and guidance that so many New Brunswickers relied on."

Colleagues and stakeholders alike have "valued her insight and professionalism," Beaulieu said.

Was to face questions from public accounts committee

Russell's resignation comes after the legislature's public accounts committee voted unanimously last month to call her to answer questions about the province's pandemic response.

"The committee remains unsatisfied with the responses we've received thus far and felt it pertinent in our duties as legislators to seek further clarification directly from the Chief Medical Officer of Health on her role in the decision-making process," Chuck Chiasson, committee chair and Liberal MLA for Victoria-La Vallée, said at the time.

"It is the responsibility of this committee to validate that New Brunswickers are getting good value for their money and that the government is achieving the outcomes it sets out."

The decision followed appearances by senior officials from the Executive Council Office on a report by Auditor General Paul Martin.

As of Oct. 4, the Department of Health told Chiasson Russell would be available to appear in "late October" but no date had been set.

It's unclear whether Russell will still appear.

Coon said he was looking forward to hearing her speak publicly and hopes she still does.

"It would be good in reviewing the whole government response to the pandemic to date to have the chief medical officer of health answer questions and give her perspective," he said. "So that would be really, really important."

In her Canadian Medical Association campaign statement, Russell says "the strain of COVID-19 on the system and the health workforce are still being felt, necessitating major improvements."

"While the health system and public health agencies need to prepare for the next pandemic, I feel strongly that policy makers and the public should prepare for the next crisis — whether it be driven by a pandemic or climate change."

This should be accomplished, she says, by "enacting policies that make the population healthier, thus decreasing demands on the health system. This requires conversations with stakeholders in a timely way."

No timeline for successor

Asked about the province's plans to find a successor, Department of Health spokesperson Sean Hatchard said the recruitment process hasn't started yet.

"We are not able to provide a timeline for when it will be completed," he said in an emailed statement.

Dr. Yves Léger, the province's acting deputy chief medical officer of health, has previously served as acting chief medical officer of health during absences by Russell over the past year.

Russell returned from an extended temporary leave earlier this year after being diagnosed with a "medical issue" last fall that required some treatment and recuperation.

In June 2022, in response to rumours and speculative posts on social media about another absence from work and the sale of her Fredericton home, she told CBC News she hadn't left her position over stress of managing the pandemic.

After two busy, challenging years, she decided to take a much-needed vacation, she said. She also decided to "downsize a bit early," and required some physio after hitting a deer with her car, she said.

Last week, when the province announced its COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot campaign, it was Léger who fielded questions from the media. Asked why it was him instead of Russell, Léger said her schedule is very busy and Public Health wanted to get the information out as soon as possible.

Russell joined Public Health in 2014 as the deputy chief medical officer of health and later served as acting chief medical officer of health following Dr. Eilish Cleary's dismissal in November 2015, before being appointed chief.

"It has been a pleasure to serve my province, utilizing my clinical experience as a family physician, as a hospitalist and addictions and mental health experience, combined with my passion for upstream prevention and improving population health," Russell said.

"Throughout the pandemic, I asked the public to be kind, to be compassionate, and to support one another. I remain thankful to so many New Brunswickers who continue to show me that same kindness, support and encouragement every day."