The Honourable Andrew Furey today announced that Dr. Pat Parfrey has been appointed as Deputy Minister, Health Transformation, in the Office of the Executive Council.

Dr. Parfrey has a long and distinguished medical career in Newfoundland and Labrador as a clinical epidemiologist and most recently in playing a key role in the reimagining of health care in the province through his work as co-chair of Health Accord NL. A complete bio can be found in the backgrounder below.

This appointment is effective immediately.

Quote
“The province is fortunate to have someone with Dr. Parfrey’s experience and track record to take on this important leadership role as we embark on transforming health care in Newfoundland and Labrador. We all have a role to play in improving health outcomes and ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of residents are improved. I look forward to what is to come.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Biography of Dr. Pat Parfrey

Dr. Pat Parfrey was a John Lewis Patton Distinguished University Professor at Memorial University, and is a kidney specialist at Eastern Health. He is a clinical epidemiologist with an international reputation for patient-related research in kidney disease and in genetic disease. He was leader of Quality of Care NL, a Memorial University group doing evaluation and research on health quality and performance. Dr. Parfrey has recently worked to reimagine the province’s health care system as Co-Chair of the task force on health called Health Accord NL, with Sister Elizabeth Davis. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.