Prince George, B.C.- Meet  Dr. Sandra  Allison.

She is the new Chief Medical Health Officer for  Northern Health.

Dr. Allison   comes to  Northern Health from  Brandon Manitoba where she was a medical health officer.  She has also practiced as a family physician in Brandon, Churchill and Winnipeg.

Born and raised in rural Manitoba, Dr. Allison says she  is  aware of the  health challenges faced by those who live in rural communities and says access to health  services is a  challenge faced by nearly all  rural communities.

She is  taking over the position  previously held by Dr. Ronald Chapman, and before that, Dr. David Bowering “I am really looking forward to building on some of their work, the foundational pieces that they’ve laid down prior.”

She’s been on the job now for  two weeks, “I am just getting my feet under me,  and learning all the work that has gone before me.  I am working very closely with the senior executive  (Northern Health CEO), the mission, goals and values of the organization really do align with my own, so,  looking at improving the quality and access to health services for all residents is really a top priority for us.”

Dr. Allison is joined by her husband Shane, 12 year old son Nicholas, and the family’s German Shepherd “Kaiser”.