WestJet has brought on Dr. Tammy McKnight as the airline's first Chief Medical Officer (CMEDO). She joins WestJet effective 05APR, 2021.
Dr. McKnight will be responsible for assisting WestJet in developing and implementing initiatives relating to the health and well-being of WestJetters and guests. This will include furthering the airline's commitment to mental health, advising on risk mitigation efforts, and making health recommendations to meet or exceed regulations and keep them in line with the varying guidelines in which a global airline operates. Prior to Dr. McKnight’s arrival, this work was spread among multiple service providers and internal roles at WestJet. Dr. McKnight reports to Mark Porter, WestJet Executive Vice-President People and Culture.
"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," said 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."
The Alberta native studied pharmacy at the University of Alberta before receiving her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Calgary. She has more than 20 years of medical experience. Most recently she served as the Medical Director for AirSprint, an aviation company, where she guided its executive leadership team and provided medical insights.
"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,” she said.
