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It’s as if Dr. Hussein Keshwani was destined to be Alberta’s chief provincial veterinarian.
“I grew up (on a farm) with the typical mix of farm animals: poultry of course, as well dogs, cats, horses and the occasional sheep and goat,” he said. “I felt connected to animals. I was one of those kids who decided at a young age that I would be a vet, and I never wavered from that.”
On February 9, Dr. Keshwani succeeded Dr. Keith Lehman as Alberta’s chief provincial veterinarian. Dr. Lehman, who spent 10 years in the role, is retiring after a distinguished career.
Born in Fort McMurray, Dr. Keshwani grew up on his parents’ poultry farm near Rochester, 110 km north of Edmonton. While his parents are now retired, his sister continues in the poultry business on a separate farm.
As a child, Dr. Keshwani participated in local 4-H clubs before attending the University of Alberta and then the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.
After graduating from veterinary school, he worked in a rural mixed-animal practice, treating everything from cattle and llamas to dogs, and even the occasional parrot. Although Dr. Keshwani enjoyed the hands-on work, he was drawn to a role where he could make a broader impact on food safety, disease prevention and public health.
This led him to complete a Master of Public Health at the University of Alberta before he joined the provincial agriculture ministry in 2014. In 2021 he became a board-certified veterinarian who specializes in preventive medicine and public health with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
“I’m excited to take the lead in the many important provincial and national animal health and welfare discussions,” said Dr. Keshwani.
A committed public health advocate and self-described policy enthusiast, Dr. Keshwani worked closely with Dr. Lehman and public health colleagues through major challenges, including the COVID‑19 pandemic and the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza panzootic. Dr. Keshwani served for 2 years as the deputy chief provincial veterinarian.
Dr. Lehman was a strong advocate for the veterinary profession and contributed to the expansion of the University of Calgary’s veterinary program. He also supported the establishment of diagnostic services in Alberta and strengthened partnerships with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Lehman for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to Alberta’s animal health system,” said Agriculture and Irrigation Assistant Deputy Minister John Conrad. “His leadership, integrity and collaborative spirit have left a lasting legacy.”
From Dr. Keshwani’s perspective, he says he plans to continue strengthening trust and transparency with Albertans.
The chief veterinarian role is a demanding one, involving everything from emergency response to disease surveillance to regulatory oversight. Dr. Keshwani also points to several other ongoing priorities, including supporting veterinarian training and the need for more vets in rural parts of Alberta.
Despite the challenges ahead, he says he’s ready.
Dr. Lehman will continue with the government for the next few months to support a smooth and comprehensive transition before concluding his distinguished career with the Government of Alberta in June 2026.
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