Dr. Theresa Tam

Dr. Theresa Tam is a physician with expertise in immunization, infectious disease, emergency preparedness and global health security. Named Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) in 2017, she became the first woman to hold the job. She concluded her tenure as CPHO in June 2025.

Since her medical training at the University of Nottingham, Dr. Tam has been an advocate for health equity, a champion to reduce Canadians’ health disparities, and a leader in the country’s efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis.

As Canada's national public health leader, Dr. Tam played an instrumental role in guiding Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rollout of the largest vaccination campaign in Canadian history. She also played a leadership role in Canada's response to other public health emergencies, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), pandemic influenza H1N1, the Ebola virus and mpox. Internationally, Dr. Tam has served as an expert on a number of World Health Organization committees.

“My career has been anything but a straight line from A to B; but I can say that my love for science and affinity for viruses has been a constant. I was always open to opportunities that were out of my comfort zone. Ultimately, I followed my interests and passions, evolved my knowledge through constant learning, and ended up doing something I love.”