Here’s to your health, say two of the Sault’s top docs

While SooToday was covering Algoma Public Health (APH) 50th anniversary celebrations at its offices at 294 Willow Ave. last week, we felt it would be timely to award APH’s two top doctors with complimentary SooToday coffee mugs for this week's Mid-Week Mugging.

“Public health works for everyone in the community, not just those who are sick...it works to maintain good health in every resident in our community,” said Dr. Marlene Spruyt, APH medical officer of health and CEO, speaking to SooToday during the celebrations.

Challenges to healthcare sector funding has, it seems, become a fact of life.

That aside, Dr. Spruyt said she “absolutely” finds her role rewarding.

“We see the results of what we do every day. Our community health profile shows the health of Algoma residents is good in some areas, although we have some problem areas, but the reward is in making changes and improving health in some of those problem areas.”

“We have really good immunization rates in Algoma, there is a 97 per cent coverage rate. That’s a plus, and our residents, as well, have become more active,” Dr. Spruyt said.

“It really does take a community to make sure everyone is healthy,” said Dr. Jennifer Loo, APH associate medical officer of health.

“When you look at public health, it’s not just our doctors, our inspectors and public health nurses, it really is around our community partners, like the schools, social services, EMS workers and many, many others.”

“Each of us as individuals can do all the right things by eating healthy, exercising, not smoking, but it takes more than our individual choices, it takes a supportive environment and community to make healthy spaces where we can live, work and play...I think that (working together with community partners) is the magic of public health,” Dr. Loo said.

The Nov. 28 day of 50th anniversary festivities at APH included a speech by urban improvement consultant Gil Penalosa the inaugural presentation of the APH Public Health Champion award for 2018 to the Sault’s Andre Riopel a physiotherapist and fitness advocate, an open house tour of APH’s facilities, and lots of great food.

APH, formerly known as the Algoma Health Unit, moved into its current office in 2011.

Serving the Sault and Algoma, APH offers a variety of programs and services for mental health and addictions, disease and illness, healthy living, environmental inspections, parent and child services, sexual health and much more.

For more information on APH, check out its website.