WestJet has announced the hire of Dr. Tammy McKnight as the airline’s first Chief Medical Officer (CMEDO), responsible for assisting WestJet in developing and implementing initiatives relating to the health and well-being of both staff and guests.

The company says the move furthers its commitment to mental health by centralizing a position that has been spread among multiple service providers and internal roles at WestJet.

Beginning on April 5 and reporting to Executive VP of People and Culture Mark Porter, Dr. McKnight will advise on risk mitigation efforts and make health recommendations to meet or exceed regulations and in line with the varying guidelines in which a global airline operates.

“WestJet has always valued physical and mental health as core to our caring for our people and our guests, and 2020 only made the importance more evident, so much so that hiring a dedicated CMEDO to bring everything together and inhouse made a lot of sense,” commented Porter. “Dr. McKnight is a highly accomplished, forward-thinking leader with demonstrated success in aviation, occupational and emergency medicine, and will be a valuable addition to the team.”

“Having been born and raised in Alberta, the opportunity to become WestJet’s first Chief Medical Officer is an honour,” said McKnight. “The culture of caring at WestJet and leadership’s commitment to the physical and mental health of employees is admirable and I look forward to joining the team and contributing to the health of WestJetters through thoughtful and innovative initiatives.”

McKnight brings 20 years of medical expertise to WestJet, including the establishment of a comprehensive firefighter wellness program, establishment of the Airdrie Community Physician Association (ACPA), the founding of Airdrie’s Occupational Injury Services Clinic, and the development of an innovative comprehensive telehealth program.

Most recently McKnight served as the Medical Director for AirSprint, an aviation company, where she guided AirSprint’s executive leadership team and provided medical insights that enabled the company to evolve in its growth strategy.

She studied pharmacy at the University of Alberta prior to receiving her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Calgary.

IN OTHER NEWS

WestJet has announced that Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer Arved von zur Muehlen will step down from the airline on March 5. He will be replaced by John Weatherill, who has been with the company since August 2013, most recently as VP, Network & Revenue.