Guðrún Aspelund hired as Chief Epidemiologist

Guðrún Aspelund has been hired as an Chief Epidemiologist at the Directorate of Health as of 1 September 2022. Guðrún currently works as the Chief Medical Officer for the Directorate of Disease Control. She holds a diploma in medicine from the University of Iceland, as well as a specialist qualification in both general surgery and paediatric surgery, which was completed by a lecturer and a paediatric surgeon at Columbia University between 2007 and 2017. Guðrún, who has also completed a Master's in Biostatistics, has a good knowledge of infectious diseases and their epidemiology and has also been involved in the publication of scientific articles on infectious diseases and antibiotic use. She has gained a great deal of knowledge and experience of the tasks of the Centre for Disease Control in her work over the past few years. She also has experience and studies in the field of public administration.

“I have gained a good insight into the work of the Chief Epidemiologist over the past few years and see in my work an opportunity to do good. I realise that the job comes with great responsibility and I look forward to the tasks ahead,” Guðrún says.

“I am very pleased with Guðrún's appointment to the position of Chief Epidemiologist. She has good education and experience that will be useful but also has the necessary qualities for the demanding work of the Chief Epidemiologist, including good communication skills, workmanship, organisational competence, independence and balance," says Alma D. Möller, Chief Epidemiologist.

The work of the Chief Epidemiologist was announced on 13 May. Þórólfur Guðnason resigns in early September 2022. The ad was published on Starfatorg and in the media, with a deadline for applications up to and including 13 June. No more applications were received than from Guðrún. Recruitment was decided following an evaluation of the application and a detailed interview. With the Director of Health in the Capital Area, Óskar Reykdalsson, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Iceland Faculty of Medicine and Þórgunnur Hjaltadóttir, the Director of Health at the Directorate of Health, the Directorate of Health, the Capital Area, Unnur Valdimarsdóttir, the Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Iceland Faculty of Medicine and the Director of Health.

For further information, please contact Kjartan Hreinn Njálsson, assistant to the Medical Director of Health in kjartanh@landlaeknir.is.

Alma D. Möller, Medical Director of Health