In all aspects of her life, Dr. Heather Morrison has shown extraordinary leadership and unwavering devotion to her community. She has become a beacon of light for Islanders and a true example that working towards your goals and supporting those around you can spark greatness.
Dr. Morrison is no stranger to the people of Prince Edward Island. As the Chief Health Officer of Prince Edward Island, Dr. Morrison has shown persistence, passion, and care for her community.
A Canada Games alum, Dr. Morrison completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Prince Edward Island in 1991. She would become the first woman from PEI to become a Rhodes Scholar and completed her Master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford University. After years of hard work, she earned her medical degree at Dalhousie University and did her residency at the University of Toronto. In July 2007, Dr. Morrison was appointed PEI’s Chief Health Officer while also practicing emergency medicine.
Islanders would tune into her vital health updates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her community has recognized her for her commitment to the health and safety of the people of PEI during the pandemic and beyond. Islanders rallied with t-shirts in her honour and took her pandemic slogan to “be patient and kind” to heart. She received the Order of PEI in 2021 for her work in creating a safer community during the pandemic and her years of dedication to the province.
During the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games, Dr. Morrison will be inducted as a distinguished alum into the Canada Games Hall of Honour on February 17, 2023.
Dr. Morrison competed in the 1989 Canada Games in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as a field hockey athlete for Team PEI, and then returned for the 1993 Canada Games in Kamloops, British Columbia, as the team manager. She said many of the emotions she felt back then as a player and manager stay with her as she enters the Hall of Honour.
“I’m excited and proud for Islanders who have participated in the Games over the years, and for PEI’s commitment to be involved in the Games,” said Dr. Morrison. “I’m excited and proud to be a part of that bigger picture.”
Dr. Morrison credits her Games experience for solidifying a foundation of skills that are pertinent to her everyday life.
“For me personally, I think about those things that were fostered at Canada Games – the teamwork, the commitment, the passion for my family and Islanders,” Dr. Morrison said. “It allows me to try to lead in my work and do it the best I possibly can, which is what at the Canada Games, we want our athletes, our coaches, and all involved to be doing.”
While Dr. Morrison competed at the Canada Games more than 30 years ago, last summer she cheered on her daughter, Juliette, who followed in her footsteps at the 2022 Canada Games in Niagara, Ontario. Juliette represented Team PEI on the women's soccer team. Dr. Morrison said being a parent who was watching and supporting her daughter’s commitment to sport and the Canada Games was a new experience.
"Watching her compete at the Games was something I didn’t appreciate that I would enjoy so much. Maybe I did so even more because I had participated myself in the Games years ago,” Dr. Morrison said.
Having been on multiple sides of the Games — athlete, team manager, parent, and now as a distinguished alum in the Hall of Honour — she cannot wait for Islanders to welcome the nation to the smallest Canadian province.
“This is an entire province hosting the Games, and really as a community, this province has gone through lots of challenges. We’ve gone through COVID and hurricane Fiona recently. So coming into the Games, it’s a chance for our young athletes, teams, volunteers, and coaches to welcome other teams from the other provinces and territories. We do that with a great deal of excitement and pride of hosting such an event, and I look forward to participating in a slightly different way at these Games as well.”
