By this point, we've all seen the insane power of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

We know how fast it spreads and how many people have been affected in our wonderfiul little community. 

There's alot of unknowns out there right now, with major events being cancelled, sporting events done early & The Greatest Outdoot Show On Earth ending its almost 100 year tenure. 

It's hard times in the neighborhood, folks. This doesn't mean the end for alot of things. 

Not when our fearless province is lead by that calm, graceful, mother-like figure from Sylvan Lake, AB, Dr. Deena Hinshaw. 

Deena Hinshaw is one of the many Chief Medical Officers leading our provinces through this unprecedented situation. But what exactly is the role of a Chief Medical Officer? 

As per the provinces' website, the role of Chief Medical Officer is defined as, "The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health provides public health expertise to support health surveillance, population health and disease control initiatives on issues of public health importance." 

And lets not forget here that our entire Chief Medical staff for our province are a team of highly educated, insanely talented women. Working alongside Dr Hinshaw is our Deputy Chief Medical Officer of health, Dr Marcia Johnson & our Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jing Hu. 

Now who actually IS Dr Deena Hinshaw? 

Dr Hinshaw completed her undergraduate degree at Augustana University College in Camrose, Alberta. She completed her medical degree, Masters in Public Health and residencies in family medicine and community medicine at the University of Alberta. She worked as a Medical Officer of Health in the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services from January 2010 to July 2017 and served as the Medical Officer of Health lead in the area of public health surveillance and infrastructure for Alberta Health Services from 2014 to 2017. She served as Alberta Health’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health from 2017 to 2019.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, Albertans & Okotokians alike looked for a face to identify with the global emergency. We desperately craved leadership & relatability. We needed someone to tell us this was going to be okay. 

Enter: Dr. Deena Hinshaw. She's been giving us daily updates & providing clear, concise updates about how we come out of this on the other side. 

She garnered national media attention when she delivered the daily update to the province on March 17th wearing a grey half sleeve dress donning the periodic table of elements - made by B.C company, Smoking Lily. The dress was initially discontinued by the company, but they brought it back after seeing increased demand for it (which i think is amazing). 

The University of Alberta named their 9-metre long plesiosaur after the now infamous doctor, naming it Dr. Deeno Hinshaw. 

Instagram crochet-ers are even crocheting her and auctioning it off for different causes! Like @baba.yo.crochet! Check it out! 

Dr Hinshaw truly is the provincial mom we need right now. She is the one getting us through and keeping us informed, while staying calm, never forgetting to smile & being that shining light at the end of the tunnel. 

Dr Deena Hinshaw, keep on keeping on, we're behind you 100%. Thank you for getting us through.

Love, Alberta.