SWPH Announces Bernia Martin as New Chair

January 29, 2024 

Bernia Martin Elected Chair of Southwestern Public Health Board of Health 

Stephen Molnar and Catherine Agar were also welcomed to the local board of health as its newest provincial appointees 

Martin was elected Councillor of the City of Woodstock in November 2022 and was subsequently appointed to the Southwestern Public Health Board of Health as Vice Chair for the 2023 fiscal year. Raised in rural Southwestern Ontario, and a graduate of the University of Waterloo, she is no stranger to the unique opportunities and challenges that face the residents of our region. As a local business owner and elected official, Martin is dedicated to advancing public health in our community and committed to creating a healthier, more vibrant place to live and work.  

“In what promises to be a transformational year for public health in Ontario, Bernia will serve as a powerful advocate of the value of local public health, of evidence-based decision-making, and of demonstrating the return on investment we see when we protect and promote the health of all of our communities’ residents. I look forward to working alongside her over the coming year,” says Cynthia St. John, Chief Executive Officer, Southwestern Public Health. 

In addition to the returning members, there were two new faces at the table. Catherine Agar is from Salford, Ontario.She has worked largely in the private sector and brings a rich background in agriculture, rural communities, and finance. She is currently a freelance writer focusing on agricultural and rural issues, and co-owns and manages a large, family-owned group of agricultural companies. 

Stephen Molnar is from Tillsonburg and is a returning member of the Board. He served SWPH from 2018-2022 as a County of Oxford appointment. Molnar is also a Board member of the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and has served the Boards of the Thames Valley District Health Council, Oxford County Public Health, and Tillsonburg Police Services. 

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About Southwestern Public Health 

Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness, and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.