Toronto doctor loses licence after issuing 1,475 dubious COVID-19 exemptions

A Toronto physician has lost her medical licence after issuing hundreds of COVID-19 exemption letters that failed to meet proper standards. Celeste Jean Thirlwell, a psychiatrist with no background in immunology, wrote 1,475 exemptions during the pandemic's fourth wave. The Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal ruled her actions unprofessional and dangerous to public health. Between late August and October 2021, Thirlwell produced 1,424 exemption letters for patients. Of these, 999 allowed people to skip vaccinations, 230 excused them from masking, and 196 permitted testing exemptions. She charged $300 for each initial letter, earning around $427,500 in just three months.

An independent review later found that only two of her 112 reviewed exemption cases met the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's guidelines. The tribunal determined she had relied on unverified family medical histories, misinformation, and unsupported claims. Patients were not informed of the risks involved in bypassing public health measures. The College had previously stated that only a very small number of medical conditions justified vaccine exemptions. Thirlwell, who specialised in psychiatry and sleep medicine, lacked any training in infectious diseases or public health. Her conduct was described as dishonourable and a direct risk to patient safety. As a result, the tribunal revoked her licence and ordered her to pay $10,370 in costs to the College.

The decision removes Thirlwell's ability to practise medicine in Ontario. Her exemption letters, issued without proper medical justification, undermined pandemic safety protocols. The ruling reinforces the College's authority to discipline physicians who spread misinformation or endanger public health.