The new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Cheryl Peek-Ball is to take office on June 1.She has served as Acting CMO since the retirement of John Cann at the end of 2011.Dr Peek-Ball’s appointment was announced as the Health Ministry said the CMO’s office had been transferred from the Health Department to Ministry headquarters.According to Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the move will free the CMO from “day-to-day operations and responsibilities as the accounting officer and head of the Department of Health”.“The result of this change allows the Office to focus more appropriately on its unique statutory and regulatory roles in a fashion which will better address the emerging health needs of the Island and international community.”Concurrent with the switch was the creation of a new position — Director for the Department of Health — with David Kendell serving as Acting Director during the recruitment of a full-time Director.Dr Peek-Ball’s career with the Department began in 1990, when she started as Medical Officer for Maternal Health and Family Planning.She was appointed Senior Medical Officer in December, 2009.As CMO, Dr Peek-Ball is tasked with leading the Island’s public health initiatives, and will serve as the point of contact for international health communications.The office is in charge of registering and regulating healthcare professionals, as well as drugs and pharmaceutical products control.The CMO’s office also comprises an administrative assistance, three Epidemiology and Surveillance staff, and a Registrations Officer.Dr Peek-Ball said she was keen to enhance the office’s research, adding, including health assessments to address the Island’s emerging health problems.The office, which works closely with Boards, Committees and quangos under the Health Ministry, is committed to boosting its customer satisfaction as “the single most important goal for the Office this year”, a spokeswoman added.