Hired and fired: Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s job offer revoked before she even started

In what many people say was a politically-motivated move, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has rescinded a signed-and-sealed job offer made to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s former chief medical officer of health who polarized public opinion during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CBC News report. Dr. Hinshaw, who was fired in November 2022 by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith—who had just been elected at the time—had been hired in May for a part-time role as Public Health and Preventive Medicine Lead with the Indigenous Wellness Core (IWC), an AHS program focused on Indigenous health care. She was supposed to start in her new role on June 5. But just days before, a screenshot of an internal announcement welcoming her to the IWC appeared on social media. Her job offer was revoked soon after, over the wishes of the people who had hired her. That move has led to the resignation of the medical lead of the IWC, Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, who learned of Dr. Hinshaw’s firing on the same day the internal document was leaked. “I was told that this person was no longer going to work, not going to fill the position,” she said. No explanation behind the decision was given, added Dr. Tailfeathers. Read: ‘Nothing has improved’: Physicians see no impact from Alberta’s Healthcare Action Plan While she doesn’t having hiring authority, Dr. Tailfeathers was part of the team that vetted candidates for the role supposed to have been filled by Dr. Hinshaw. The team had considered various candidates, and had looked for applicants from the Indigenous community. In the end, it was Dr. Hinshaw who emerged as the ideal candidate, thanks to her experience in public health and her rapport with Indigenous people. “What we were looking for is somebody, of course, who knew provincial public health policy and who was well-versed in public health,” said Dr. Tailfeathers. “We needed a candidate who was very well versed in and understood the Indigenous side of health.” Dr. Tailfeathers said the team’s decision to go with Dr. Hinshaw was sent up the chain of command at AHS, and received approval. To have this later vetoed by the powers-that-be, without any consultation with the team, was another example of a recurring theme in Canadian politics, she said. “Metaphorically, to me it’s like the Indian agent still exists,” said Dr. Tailfeathers. “The Indian agent thought he was carrying out the Queen’s wishes and the Indians’ voice didn’t matter.” Dr. Hinshaw had been lauded in the early days of the pandemic but soon became the target of criticism from all sides. Those who opposed public health measures like masking and lockdowns resented her deeply while others frowned on her accepting an advisory role with the office of the former Premier, Jason Kenney. Read: ‘Really worrisome’: Survey suggests some Alberta doctors have anti-Indigenous biases The social media-triggered protests over her role with the IWC appeared to have come largely from right-wing Albertans, according to CBC. So far, it is unclear if she was fired before or after the leak. “Alberta Health Services is responsible for hiring decisions and the government of Alberta does not comment on AHS personnel decisions,” Sam Blackett, a spokesperson for Smith, wrote in a one-sentence statement. AHS confirmed that Dr. Hinshaw was not an employee of but declined to elaborate. Dr. Hinshaw did not respond to a request for comment. Dr. Tailfeathers said she plans to return to her community, located a couple of hours’ drive south of Calgary, and practise medicine full-time with Kainai Nation, also known as Blood Tribe. Read: Anti-racism policies in healthcare should be led by Indigenous staff: report

Hired and fired: Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s job offer revoked before she even started

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