MEDIA
LEADERSHIP AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Lawrence's leadership through each wave of the COVID pandemic response was an exemplar of crisis management and empathic communication delivered through hundreds of press conferences and public appearances around the clock.
Through his efforts, Lawrence developed a reputation for being a clear, relatable communicator, capable of presenting facts calmly, simply, and with compassion.
The clips below showcase Lawrence's approach to communications.
Lawrence looks back on 2021 with Shauna Hunt from CityNews. He reflects on how he faced the third wave of COVID-19 in Peel Region. His guiding principles: trust the science, and speak to what’s needed and what’s right.
Lawrence discusses COVID-19 variants' effect on Peel Region. He also talks to Steve Paikin about Lawrence's decision to close workplaces, and his support for paid sick leave.
Lawrence explains the “Doses After Dark” vaccination marathon. He spoke to CBC’s Natasha Fatah about the weekend-long event, which helped Peel residents get vaccinated on a schedule that worked for them.
Some kind recognition from the team at Breakfast Television. A call out to Lawrence's dedication during Peel Region's vaccination campaign.
Lawrence talks about the risks of COVID-19 vs. taking a vaccine. He uses a train vs. plane analogy to make his point in this conversation with David Common.
Lawrence speaks to Libby Znaimer about leadership and tough calls. He shares his biggest regret during his time as Peel’s medical officer of health, in this Zoomer Radio podcast.
ANALYSES BY LAWRENCE
COVID-19 pandemic lessons and reflections
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that the well-being of communities relies ultimately on how well we are able to collectively protect our most vulnerable members. The arrival of a novel disease that spread from person to person reminded us that we are all ultimately connected.
Volunteering abroad is popular and problematic. Let's fix it
Have you ever volunteered abroad? From students and young professionals to retirees, nowadays everyone seems to be trying to make a difference in communities around the world. But what are these efforts really achieving? Do they help — and if so, who benefits? And if they cause harm, what can we do to make things better?
PROFILES
Peel’s former top doctor is an avowed extrovert who had to settle for Zoom socials during the pandemic, just like the rest of Canada did. Who is Dr. Lawrence Loh? This profile by Toronto Star’s Megan Ogilvie sheds some light.
Lawrence shares thoughts on his passion and deep respect for Peel Region and its residents, and the tough decisions he made to protect them, in this feature piece by Miranda Caley of Healthy Debate.
What would Lawrence have done if he was Ontario’s premier in the pandemic? Who are his pandemic heroes? Find out in this Q&A by Christina Frangou of Maclean’s.
ON LEADERSHIP
Lawrence speaks with Sujani Sivanantharajah from Public Health SPOTlight podcast about how crisis situations affect leadership methods, and how young professionals can seize the opportunities that crises present.
Inspirational speaker Simon Sinek swears by “Start with Why” as a mantra for leaders. Lawrence offers his own variation: Start with saying “Yes” when you’re in the early stages of your professional career.
Career advancement & family life
Lawrence speaks with Public Health SPOTlight’s Sujani Sivanantharajah about an age-old topic: How to balance career development and family life. He shares the 5 phases of career life and 5 career tips.
Lawrence had to make tough decisions about his own career path, and some of them involved a big question many face: Should I relocate for the sake of my job? He shares the factors that influenced his choices, and his lessons learned.