ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The adoration for Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has reached dizzying new heights, with a petition to name the new core science building at Memorial University after her, and a Facebook fan page that immediately went viral.
Over 18,000 people had signed the change.org petition as of Tuesday morning.
“Dr. Fitzgerald is a symbol of hope, resilience and professionalism — all things that the faculty of science and Memorial University of Newfoundland also stand for,” the petition states.
“I will weigh in first — I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Liberal Leader Andrew Furey, who is still in a caretaker role of premier while the election drags on, said in response to a question at the COVID-19 briefing Monday.
“I am very flattered that people think of me that way,” Fitzgerald said.
But she said there are many scientists from the province who deserve to have their name on the building more than she does.
MUN spokesman Dave Sorensen said Monday that, like the rest of the province, Memorial “is incredibly proud of Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, a graduate of our faculty of medicine. Dr. Fitzgerald is an exemplar of the importance of science as she steers us through these extraordinary times.”
As for the new core science facility, the university has not yet begun considering the naming of the building. When that process begins, Fitzgerald’s name will be given appropriate consideration, Sorensen said.
“The university has many paths for recognizing outstanding achievement, whether of university alumni or outstanding citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Fitzgerald’s name will feature prominently in these deliberations for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Helping your neighbors is the best way you can show your gratitude. To find a food bank or program in your area please visit https://t.co/ma3JaFef5i.
— Dr. Janice Fitzgerald (@CMOH_NL) February 15, 2021
Earlier in the briefing Fitzgerald acknowledged the support she has received from across the province.
“I am so very appreciative and honoured and it lifts the spirits of our team to know that the province is behind them,” Fitzgerald said.
However, she asked people not to send her gifts, but if they have the means, to instead donate to their local food banks, as there are people in the province struggling to obtain food.
Meanwhile, on Facebook, Anne Pratt at first expected a couple of hundred followers for the “Dr. Fitzgerald Fan Page” when she launched it late last week, but it exploded, and had reached about 11,000 members by Monday afternoon.
Letters and valentines from children, superhero memes, scarves hung on doors like wreaths acknowledging Fitzgerald’s signature fashion look, homemade Fitzgerald dolls, snow sculptures, poems, drawings and paintings are just some of the ways people have paid homage to Fitzgerald on the page.
“It’s a really good idea and it brings people together, too,” said Lisa Hiscock of Grand Bank, who crocheted a doll in Fitzgerald’s image.
“This is such a positive page. Everybody loves this woman.”
Hiscock told The Telegram Monday she mailed the doll to Fitzgerald’s government address.
After Hiscock crocheted a Harry Potter doll for a friend’s granddaughter, it was suggested by a friend she try making one of Fitzgerald.
“The light bulb went on,” she said, adding it took her four hours on Valentine’s Day.
Tommy Leonard of Freshwater spent several hours on a snow sculpture he plans to enter in the Placentia annual contest and chose the COVID-19 briefings, depicting Fitzgerald and Furey.
“What a job she is doing under such pressure,” Leonard told The Telegram Monday.
“She is just calm and cool, which makes everybody else feel calm and cool the way she is handling it, which helps,” he said.
“She is a powerful woman in Newfoundland. … She's got a very important job. My sculpture mightn't do her justice.”
James Keating and his son, Ashton, built a valentine-themed snow sculpture throne for Fitzgerald in the west end of St. John’s.
“We wanted to put smiles on people’s faces during this unprecedented pandemic, and how better than to build a throne as a tribute to a true leader to show the love this province has for her,” he said.
Pratt returned home to Newfoundland and Labrador in September and was looking for a Fitzgerald fan page, similar to the one for Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
The retired communications professional couldn’t find one and started assembling a page herself, but set it aside.
The next morning she realized it had gone live and a few people were following it, so she added a Fitzgerald photo, and The Telegram’s newsmaker of the year story.
The page went crazy immediately, with people anxious to show their respect for Fitzgerald.
“I keep telling my partner I’m an influencer now, so I don't have time to be doing the housework,” Pratt said with a laugh.
There’s been practically nothing negative, which makes Pratt’s job as administrator easier, though she’s having to weed out the posts trying to sell things.
Pratt enjoys seeing the posts and creativity, and has been touched by private messages thanking her for creating it.
People are expressing warmth and kindness for Fitzgerald and that is in response to warmth and kindness she has sent out to the province, Pratt said, adding it’s implicit that the page recognizes the team behind Fitzgerald.
Newfoundland and Labrador is so fortunate to have our very own Wonder Woman during this Pandemic! Thank you Dr. Janice...
Posted by Doug Halliday on Saturday, February 13, 2021
“She’s handled it with such grace and such dignity and it’s not easy,” Pratt said of Fitzgerald's handling of the pandemic.
Followers are not only from Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere in Canada, but from as far away as England, the United States, Qatar, Ireland, Germany, Israel, India, New Zealand, France and Australia.
Pratt acknowledged the women who are in the same roles across the country as Fitzgerald.
“They are amazing women doing amazing work,” she said.
“I hope that young people are looking at this understanding the full impact of the difference you can make in your community by taking this path. Women are leading in this field, and why not go into it.”
Pratt is hoping to pull together a video project for International Women’s Day in March to show Fitzgerald’s importance.
