De Villiers released from custody; IH names Pollock interim replacement

KELOWNA — Interior Health (IH) has confirmed Dr. Sue Pollock will take over as its Interim Chief Medical Health Officer next Monday (June 14).

Pollock’s hiring comes in the wake of the arrest of Dr. Albert de Villiers, who was arrested Tuesday (June 8) and was released from custody after his first court appearance Wednesday.

De Villiers is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference out of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

In a teleconference Wednesday afternoon, Health Minister Adrian Dix offered little comment on de Villiers’ arrest.

“The individual is now on leave,” Dix told reporters. “As you know, it’s obviously a police matter and we’re limited about what we can say as it works its way through the judicial system – as it should.”

Dix emphasized the abrupt change in leadership will not have an impact on the COVID-19 pandemic response in Interior Health.

“[Pollock] is someone who has been in this position before, she’s an outstanding leader and I have full confidence in her. I know she’ll continue to… work hard as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in Interior Health and, indeed, across British Columbia,” he said.

“Our efforts to get [Interior Health residents] protected, to get them vaccinated and to support those who test positive for COVID-19 in the community or in care continue, and our efforts will continue to be at the highest possible level.”

Grande Prairie RCMP say the charges against de Villiers come after allegations of the sexual assaults against the young child were reported to them on May 28 of this year.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2020. De Villiers was the medical officer for Alberta Heath Services’ North Zone, based in Grande Prairie, from 2004 to July, 2020 when he left to assume the chief medical health officer position for IH.

His next court appearance is set for June 30 in Grande Prairie.