Ontario’s Halton Region in Canada has proudly announced Dr. Deepika Lobo, originally from Mangaluru, as the incoming commissioner of health and medical officer of health. Tasked with overseeing public health and paramedic services, Dr. Lobo will manage a budget exceeding $100 million. Notably, nearly a decade ago, Dr. Lobo, hailing from Mangaluru, garnered acclaim within the Canadian Indian community by earning the prestigious Allan J Greve gold medal award for her exceptional academic performance during her MBA studies in health services management at DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.
Dr. Deepika Lobo’s journey underscores her dedication and achievements. Initially schooled at St Mary’s School in Mangaluru, she pursued medicine, graduating with distinction from Kasturba Medical College. Dr. Lobo, daughter of Denis and Dorothy Rodrigues, married Ravi Kiran Lobo in 2005 and is a proud mother of two sons, Raygan and Rohan.
Upon relocating to Canada with her husband fifteen years ago, Dr. Lobo encountered challenges typical of skilled immigrants, finding it difficult to secure employment in her field. Despite her medical background from India, she embraced new opportunities. Opting for a residency program at McMaster University, she seized an unexpected chance at the DeGroote School of Business, earning an MBA specializing in health services management. Her perseverance shone through as she balanced studies with family responsibilities and distance from her homeland, ultimately excelling and earning recognition on the dean’s list.
Through unwavering determination, Dr. Deepika Lobo completed her residency in public health and preventive medicine at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Medicine. She holds a doctor of medicine degree from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, and master’s degrees in public health and business administration from McMaster. Her appointment as Halton Region’s commissioner of health signifies a continuation of her impactful journey, with confidence expressed by Gary Carr, Halton’s regional chair, in her ability to uphold strong public health services and ensure residents’ well-being.
