Jennifer Russell (physician)

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Russell became a familiar public figure to New Brunswickers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she took part in daily televised briefings, explaining the extent of the epidemic and the measures put forward by the government to fight it. [4]

In addition to information about the pandemic, Russell frequently suggested to viewers ways to improve their well-being and mental health while in confinement. [4] [10] She asked people to set aside dearly-held traditions such as Easter family gatherings and maintain discipline to limit the spread of the virus, even though new Brunswick was doing better than adjacent jurisdictions. [11] She led or participated in various initiatives to inform New Brunswickers, including a video in which she explains the concept of social distancing to children. [12]

Russell makes good use of her proficiency in French, responding to questions in that language to convey information to the province's Acadian population. [4]

Music

Russell is a singer, composer and lyrics writer in swing and gospel music. She holds a Bachelor in Arts (music) from Dalhousie University, with an emphasis on the piano and saxophone. She sang and played with various bands throughout her studies: concert bands, a saxophone quartet, a Celtic band, a Jazz band with other medical students and the Nova Scotia Wind Ensemble. Talking about her lifelong artistic pursuits, she said in 2017: "Music is like breathing, I need music in my life". [5] [13]

In 2008, Russell was nominated for a Covenant Music Award (best Folk song of the year, jointly with Danny Crain), awarded by the Gospel Music Association Canada. [5] [14]

Her swing album, Double Kiss, came out in 2014. [4] [13] Her second swing album, Triple Step, was released in 2019 and was a fundraiser for Liberty Lane in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

References

  1. "Dr. Jennifer Wylie-Russell". Government of New Brunswick. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  2. 1 2 "Dr. Jennifer Russell to lead planned UNB institute of population health". UNB News. University of New Brunswick. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "About the Network". Pan-Canadian Public Health Network. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Roy-Comeau, Mathieu (2020-04-12). "Qui est Dre Jennifer Russell, le visage de la lutte contre la COVID-19 au N.-B.?". L'Acadie nouvelle (in French). Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  5. 1 2 3 Rayne, Tim (2019-09-30). Spotlight Series - Jenn Russell (Video). Producer Arthur Thompson. Raynemaker Productions. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  6. Valiante, Giuseppe (2020-03-23). "A new breed of celebrity in the age of COVID-19: the chief medical officer". Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  7. Russell, Jennifer (2008-12-02). "I'll be home for Christmas". Canadian Living Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  8. Mott, Sean (13 October 2023). "Dr. Jennifer Russell stepping down as N.B. chief medical officer of health". CTV News Atlantic. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  9. "2021 recipients of the Order of New Brunswick announced" (Press release). Government of New Brunswick. September 9, 2021.
  10. Gray, Bobbi (2020-04-20). "How lucky are we!". Country 94.1. Retrieved 2020-04-25.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. Van Horne, Ryan; Cameron, Mike (2020-04-08). "'Long-standing traditions have to be set aside,' Russell warns New Brunswickers". CTV News. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  12. Burnett, Ben (2020-04-13). "Dr. Jennifer Russell Explains Pandemic Measures To Kids". Country 94.1. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  13. 1 2 Mersereau, Bob (2014-03-21). "Jennifer Russell Launches New Swing Album Saturday". CBC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  14. "Bell Leads 2008 Covenant Award Nominees". Nation Talk. 2008-11-17. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
Jennifer Russell
Jennifer Russell (2021) (cropped).jpg
Russell in 2021
Chief Medical Officer of Health
(New Brunswick)
In office
November 2015 December 2023