Highlands East deputy mayor Cec Ryall said he was disappointed but not surprised by the recent resignation of Dr. Natalie Bocking, the deputy medical officer of health with Lakelands Public Health (LPH).
Bocking’s departure was announced during a Feb. 18 meeting of the LPH board.
She joined the then Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Pine Ridge district health unit (HKPR) in April 2021, replacing former medical officer of health Dr. Lynn Noseworthy. She operated in that role until early 2025, when HKPR and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) merged to become LPH. While Bocking applied for the top job with LPH, she lost out to Dr. Thomas Piggott – the medical officer of health with PPH. For the past year, she worked alongside Piggott as the health unit’s second in command.
“When you have young people in roles there’s always the opportunity [for them] to move forward elsewhere,” Ryall said. “We had two people that were both leaders in their respective areas working together. So, was it shocking? Maybe yes that it’s happening right now… but I think [it was likely to] happen over time.”
Ryall said there’s no timeline in place for Bocking’s departure, noting “that’s something that’s being worked out.” He said she played a pivotal role in the merger between HKPR and PPH, which is still progressing.
At its January meeting, Piggott said it had been “a very hard year” for LPH as staff adapted to the merger. Consultant Jenn Harrington, of Arising Collective, reported staff expressed concern over the senior leadership team not functioning cohesively through the first year of the union.
Asked if he thought that had played a part in Bocking’s departure, Ryall conceded it might have.
Ryall said Bocking was instrumental in leading the HKPR response to the COVID19 pandemic and leading several program enhancements at a time when funding was scarce.
“From a professional opinion, she was an absolutely excellent person to work with. I had a great relationship with her… her strength really is – and perhaps this is one of the motivations for leaving – but she is an extremely proactive doctor. Very much involved in ensuring things that prevent disease were top of mind.”
He confirmed LPH would be hiring a replacement, though likely not immediately.
“That is in the long run. We’ve still got work to do on the merger side, but I believe the intent is to replace her,” Ryall said. “I think there will be restructuring. There will be a gap when Dr. Bocking leaves… we will have to figure out where our strengths are and what we’ll be missing and work as best we can to plug those holes.”
Bocking thanked
Piggott went on record to thank Bocking for her work advancing the merger, which officially went through Jan. 1, 2025.
“I have been deeply fortunate and grateful to work alongside Dr. Bocking through this really challenging journey for the organization and have a deep and immense respect for the work she’s done here,” Piggott said.
While Bocking has not commented on what the future holds for her, she said she’ll look back on her time with HKPR and LPH fondly.
“My time here has granted me many amazing opportunities to work alongside passionate and committed staff and community partners… I’ve learned immensely from you all,” Bocking said. “I have full confidence you will continue to put public health needs of the communities we serve first and foremost.”
