Premier RJ Simpson today announced the appointment of Alan Doody as Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), effective August 19, 2025.

Mr. Doody brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in health, social services, infrastructure, and public safety to his new role. He most recently served as Deputy Minister of Children, Seniors, and Social Development in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, having previously held leadership roles in the health system, including Associate Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services and Acting Executive Director of the NL Centre for Health Information. He is committed to driving innovation, improving service delivery, and collaborating with Indigenous partners to advance the health and well-being of the population.

Mr. Doody has also held senior positions in the Canadian Armed Forces, including a deployment to Afghanistan and several command and teaching positions. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Defence Studies.
He replaces Jo-Anne Cecchetto, who is retiring after more than three decades of service to the Northwest Territories health and social services system.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Ms. Cecchetto has worked in the Northwest Territories since 1988. She began her career as a community health nurse before holding progressively senior positions within the Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Social Services Authorities. She has served as Director of Primary Care, Director of Territorial Health Services, Assistant Deputy Minister of Programs, and Chief Nursing Officer of the NWT. Appointed Deputy Minister in 2022, she led the department through a period of significant modernization and change, while continuing to provide care as a nurse practitioner at the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre.

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“Jo-Anne Cecchetto is the ultimate public servant and health professional. She has poured her heart, compassion, and rich clinical expertise into every position she has held, and she leaves a lasting legacy to the NWT health and social services system. On behalf of the Executive Council and the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank Ms. Cecchetto for her remarkable contributions and wish her all the best in her retirement.”

“I am pleased to welcome Mr. Doody to the Northwest Territories. His extensive and proven leadership experience – in health, social services, infrastructure, and military operations – will greatly contribute to our efforts to improve health outcomes, strengthen community well-being, and support a modern and sustainable health care system that meets the needs of all NWT residents.”
                     — RJ Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

Quick Facts:

• A deputy minister is an unelected head of a GNWT department.
• The Commissioner in Executive Council appoints persons to deputy minister positions on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
• Deputy ministers are appointed during pleasure and are accountable for their performance to the Prime Minister.

Media representatives are asked to contact: 
Executive Council Communications 
Government of the Northwest Territories 
PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca