Alberta gets a new Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. Karen Grimsrud who will take the oath and make it official on April 18 says her mandate is clear.

"The Chief Medical Officer of Health is really the watchdog on behalf of the Minister of Health and Albertans. Monitoring to see what diseases might be coming to Alberta like the Zika virus for example, and also provides public health advice directly to the Minister."

Grimsrud says areas of opportunity will be childhood immunization rates, chronic disease prevention, mental health and addiction.

She says priorities of the past are still priorities today.

"Some of the priorities in the past and continue to be are childhood immunization rates and chronic disease prevention, but there is increased public awareness around mental health and addictions, and I think that is really one I'm hoping to be able to add some value to."

She says Public Health has been a lifelong passion of hers and comes to the table with over 25 years of experience.

Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman says Dr. Grimsrud will be a tremendous asset in protecting and promoting public health in Alberta.

Dr. Grimsrud says during her more than 25 years of service she's had a hands on approach in all levels of government.

"I've worked in all three levels of government. I worked for local public health and obviously provincial public health before and now returning to that, and most recently the Public Health Agency of Canada which is federal public health. Having experience in all three areas it does, I think, bring a unique perspective."