Hygieia’s Voice
Impressions of Dr. Theresa Tam
Hygieia was the goddess of good health, cleanliness and sanitation.
Dr. Theresa Tam, a Canadian physician currently serving as Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, has played a leadership role in Canada’s response to public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo of Dr. Theresa Tam, Humboldt Journal
“Physical distancing should not mean emotional distancing.
During #COVID19 we all need to try our very best to #StayConnected.”
HYGIEIA was a daughter and attendant of the medicine-god Asklepios (Asclepius), and a companion of the goddess Aphrodite. Her sisters included Panakeia (Panacea) (Cure-All) and Iaso (Remedy).
Hygieia's opposite number were the Nosoi (Spirits of Disease). Her Roman name was Salus.
In classical sculpture she was represented as a woman holding a large serpent in her arms.
Detail from Klimt University of Vienna Ceiling Paintings — The bottom portion of the Medicine picture, showing Hygieia, Gustav Klimt, 1900–1907.
image courtesy of Wikipedia
Dr. Theresa Tam
Dr. Theresa Tam is a Canadian physician and public servant currently serving as the 3rd Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. Tam has played a leadership role in Canada’s response to public health emergencies, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), pandemic influenza H1N1, and COVID-19. Born 1965, Tam is an official advisor to the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on 2019-nCoV.
Hygeia, Goddess of Health, Peter Paul Rubens, 1615, Detroit Institute of Arts
References
- New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology, Paul Hamlyn, Hong Kong, 1968
- New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology, Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., New York, 1959
- Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood, Merlin Stone, Beacon Press, Boston, 1984
- When God Was A Woman, Merlin Stone, Harvest Edition, 1976
- The Civilization of the Goddess, The World of Old Europe, Marija Gimbutas, HarperCollins Publishers, 1991
- The Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas, HarperRow publishers, San Francisco, 1989
- https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/hygeia-goddess-health-59998
- https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/AsklepiasHygeia.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_Tam