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dual position as both Medical Officer of Health
and CEO, sits with a senior management team
of four to oversee services and provide direc-
tion to more than 200 full- and part-time staff
members. There are six Public Health office
locations throughout Wellington and Dufferin
counties and in the city of Guelph.
Carrying the responsibility as Medical Officer
of Health and also CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-
Guelph Public Health has its advantages. Name-
ly being able to see both sides of a healthcare
issue in terms of program delivery using her
medical background and managing resources
using her knowledge of business management.
But Dr. Mercer did not get into the role
through the traditional route. She holds a
Master of Business Administration from Wil-
frid Laurier University and a Master of Public
Health from University of Waterloo. As a prac-
ticing physician she has had hospital privileges
at five hospitals including the Guelph General
Hospital for 15 years, practicing Intensive Care
Medicine and Anesthesiology. She has been
the Chief of the Department of Anaesthesiol-
