Black History Month events and celebrations honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. The 2025 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” Learn more here.

This new icon will flag items requiring action. Based on physician feedback, we’ve added this feature to streamline your review of this weekly newsletter. A summary of action items will also appear at the top for quick reference.

This Week’s Action Item(s):

• Opt in to the new Physician Retirement Fund by March 31, 2025.
• Complete survey on the Drug Information System (DIS) by February 18, 2025.

Further details are provided below.

The newly established Physician Retirement Fund by the Department of Health and Wellness was launched this past December. All eligible physicians should have received an email with their specific eligibility. To receive your eligible retirement fund amount, you must opt in to the program by completing and submitting the following online attestation form by March 31, 2025:

CLICK HERE TO OPT IN 

If you did not receive your individual email, or if you have questions or concerns, please email psaccountability@novascotia.ca.  For more information about this program, please visit the MSI website for a Frequently Asked Questions document in the Physician’s Bulletin. 

The Drug Information System (DIS) program at the Department of Health and Wellness is conducting an evaluation of the DIS to determine what is working and what could be improved. Your feedback is essential for shaping the future direction of the DIS program.

By clicking on the links below you will be taken to a confidential online survey that should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Please direct any survey questions to dis@novascotia.ca. Survey closes 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2025.



• Survey link for healthcare providers and staff involved in direct patient care: https://www.engage4health.ca/drug-information-system-evaluation/surveys/healthcare-providers
• Survey link for those who use DIS data for research and health system planning: https://www.engage4health.ca/drug-information-system-evaluation/surveys/health-system-use
• Further information about the DIS evaluation project can be found at Drug Information System Evaluation | Engage4Health

~ shared on behalf of Anna Marenick, VP of People, Culture & Belonging, and Dr. Annette Elliott Rose, Chief Nurse Executive & Vice President, Clinical Performance & Professional Practice

African Heritage Month, celebrated every February in Nova Scotia, is an opportunity to recognize and honour the lasting contributions, culture, and history of African Nova Scotians. This year's theme, Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance, shines a light on the resilience and achievements of African Nova Scotians, who have played a vital role in shaping our province for more than 400 years. February is a time to reflect on the impact Black and African Nova Scotians have had on Nova Scotia, and specifically within our healthcare system.

Nova Scotia Health is dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable and supportive environment for everyone. That includes recognizing that systemic racism and anti-Black bias still exist in our healthcare system. To address that, we are striving to build a workplace where every patient, family, and team member feels respected, heard, empowered, and valued. These efforts directly align and are imbedded in the five strategic priorities at Nova Scotia Health, with a particular focus on people and culture first, primary healthcare access, and getting the right care, in the right place.

Read the full message here.

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health are thrilled to announce the name of Dartmouth North’s newest health clinic!

The Dr. Maria Angwin Memorial Wyse Road Health Clinic honors Dr. Angwin, the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Nova Scotia, who dedicated her career to women’s health and preventive medicine. The clinic will open in April 2025.

The clinic will connect thousands of Nova Scotians to healthcare services including primary care, gynecology, obstetrics, urology, midwifery, Nova Scotia Brotherhood, Nova Scotia Sisterhood and more. This clinic space includes a Health Home that will connect over 6,400 Nova Scotians in Dartmouth North from the Need a Family Practice Registry to primary care.

Want to learn more about Dr. Maria Angwin’s legacy? She was Nova Scotia’s first female doctor, a trailblazer in medicine, and an advocate for women’s rights. From teaching in Dartmouth to breaking barriers in healthcare, her impact continues to inspire.

Read about her incredible journey here.

Join Medical Affairs for our seminar series, "Leadership in Focus: Empowering Physicians as Change Leaders in Medicine." As our healthcare system continues to evolve, these seminars offer a chance for Physicians to gain practical tools and actionable strategies to lead with confidence. Each session will focus on timely topics to help you navigate change, drive health transformation, and make a meaningful impact in your role as a healthcare leader.

Why Attend?

Designed to equip physicians with the skills and knowledge to lead health transformation, this series offers the opportunity to:

• Build leadership skills tailored to the evolving healthcare landscape.
• Drive system-wide Operational Excellence while improving patient care and outcomes.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and proactive improvement.

Upcoming Topics Include:

• Exploring the essentials of empathic strain and secondary traumatic stress 
• Physician Leadership for System-Wide Change
• Reflective Practice in Anti-Oppression Patient Care

Who Should Attend:

This series is designed for all physicians across Nova Scotia Health.

Highlights of Trauma-Informed Care & Well-being



• Speaker: Tonya Grant, Clinical Project Lead
• Date/Time: February 26th, 2-4:30 PM
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Join Tonya Grant, MSW, RSW, Provincial Clinical Lead for Trauma-Informed Care, for a 2.5-hour interactive session designed to enhance your understanding of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).

What You’ll Learn:

• The critical role of trauma awareness in healthcare and people-serving organizations.
• Core principles and practical approaches to Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).
• Strategies to navigate and thrive in stress and trauma-exposed environments.
• How to access and utilize TIC resources effectively.
• Insights from an experienced leader on creating trauma-responsive environments.

Register Here. Note: this presentation will not be recorded.

About the Speaker:

Tonya Grant, MSW, RSW, is the IWK Provincial Clinical Lead for Trauma-Informed Care working with IWK/NSH Child/Youth Mental Health & Addictions program. Tonya has over 25 years of experience in the health and family services field, specializing in Child/Youth Mental Health & Addictions, Family Therapy, Clinical Supervision, and Leadership.

The third episode of the Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership podcast, hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, is titled “Demystifying Physician Leadership Coaching with Dr. Aaron Smith.” In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Aaron Smith, Provincial Medical Executive Director for Northern Zone and Operational Co-Lead, Primary Care Clinics and Health Homes. Dr. Smith regularly receives coaching from the team and discusses how coaching has influenced his leadership style and effectiveness as a physician leader.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What physician leadership coaching is and why it matters.
• Dr. Aaron Smith’s coaching journey and its impact.
• Practical strategies to integrate coaching into leadership.
• How and when to start your coaching journey.

Listen to episode here: Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts. Stay tuned for new episodes released every two weeks!

The Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership podcast explores the intersection of leadership and healthcare. Join us as we share strategies, stories, and practical tools to empower physicians to thrive as impactful leaders. Whether you're navigating challenges, seeking professional growth, or aiming to enhance your leadership journey, this podcast offers the guidance you need to succeed. Learn more about Leadership Development Coaching here.

~Both messages are shared on behalf of Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Christy Bussey, Central Zone Medical Executive Director, NSH, Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Executive Vice President of Medicine and Clinical Operations, NSH

Dr. Paul Rafuse Appointed Head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Paul Rafuse has been appointed as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, effective September 1, 2024, for a five-year term.

Dr. Rafuse is a highly respected clinician, educator, and researcher in the field of ophthalmology. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Dalhousie University and has been a consultant at the IWK Health Centre and an active staff member with Nova Scotia Health for over three decades.

Read more here.



Dr. Mark Asbridge Appointed Head of the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Asbridge has been appointed Head of the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. This appointment is effective January 1, 2025, for a five-year term.

Dr. Asbridge is a Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University. Prior to joining Dalhousie, he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, where he was a recipient of the H. David Archibald Fellowship in Addiction Studies, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. 

Read more here.

Medical Affairs has received CME Accreditation for two Physician leadership development programs:

Medical Affairs Physician Leadership Development Program

• A six-month, coaching focused leadership development program for physicians, led by Medical Affairs Executive Coaches, Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald.
• Participants can claim:
• CFPC, MainPro+ Certified Activity credits – up to 17.25 hours
• MainPro+ Certified Assessment credits – up to 3.0 hours
• RCPSC, Group Learning Activity credits – up to 17.25 hours
• RCPSC, Self-Assessment credits – up to 3.0 hours
• Currently, a cohort of 13 physicians is participating in the Central Zone (CZ). This program has previously been delivered in all four zones province-wide, and we look forward to expanding it further under our accredited programming.

Community of Practice: The Doctor’s Lounge

• A monthly webinar series covering timely topics, bringing together physician leaders from various specializations.
• Provides an opportunity for leaders to connect, discuss, and build skills in conflict navigation, mediation, and difficult conversations.
• Participants can claim:
• CFPC, MainPro+ Certified Activity credits – up to 1.0 hour
• RCPSC, Section 1, Accredited Group Learning Activity credits – up to 1.0 hour per seminar

Stay tuned for additional learning and development opportunities in the coming months.

Nova Scotians with mood and anxiety disorders will have more access to mental healthcare at no cost in the coming months.

The government is building the province’s first mental health and addictions publicly funded insured services program. The first phase will boost access to non-urgent mental healthcare by publicly funding private-sector professionals.

Learn more here.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases affect one out of three women, yet women everywhere are under-studied, under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-aware. Heart disease is largely preventable. There is a lot we can all do to help reduce the risk. 

On Feb. 13 from noon to 1p.m., Dr. Sharon Mulvagh will speak about women’s risk factors for heart disease, and Dr. Baharak Amir will talk about the impact of menopause on a woman’s heart. Join the education session in person at the Royal Bank Theatre, level 1, QEII Halifax Infirmary (HI), or join via Teams. Groups will also be gathering remotely at several sites across the province to view the education session:

Central Zone

Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre – Room 1352

Cobequid Community Health Centre – Room 3107

Eastern Zone

Cape Breton Regional Hospital – Mental Health Conference Room (2049)

Guysborough Memorial Hospital – Room B34

Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital – Boardroom

Northern Zone

Colchester East Hants Health Centre – Willow Room

Bayview Memorial Health Centre – Conference Room 1

Western Zone

Soldiers Memorial Hospital – Founders Room (Level 1, room 1504)

Queens General Hospital – Murray Mosher Meeting Room

Western Kings Memorial Health Centre – Wilson Room

Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital – Dining Room

Roseway Hospital – Classroom 253

The session will also be recorded for those unable to attend in real time.

The HI lobby, first and second floors, will also feature health information booths from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 13. Come check out these informative displays!

The Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards are a celebration of the incredible work taking place across the organization in support of quality improvement, patient safety, patient experience and teamwork. We are proud to announce that the Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consult Service recently won the 'Excellence in Mental Health and Quality Improvement' award.

The award honors a hospital, health authority, community program/service that demonstrates evidence-informed and sustained quality improvements in mental health and addictions. This initiative is currently a pilot project at QEII Health Sciences Centre.

Congratulation to the team! Learn more here.

Nova Scotia’s 35 Community Health Boards (CHBs) have launched the provincial summary of their Community Health Plans for 2025-2029, aimed at improving health and well-being across the province. 

Priorities within the five-year plan were shaped through extensive community engagement conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Feedback was received through 150 in-person engagement sessions, 1,700 comment cards, and 2,652 responses to an online survey. This feedback from more than 6,700 Nova Scotians, reflecting diverse needs, resulted in the following priorities:

• Access to affordable basics of daily living
• Active living and social connection
• Natural and built environments
• Local access, information, and navigation
• Mental wellness

Learn more here.

1-833-876-1724

If you're a physician seeking support for your practice or wishing to provide feedback, please reach out to our hotline. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.

In the event we're engaged in another call, rest assured your voice message will be promptly addressed within one business day. Your concerns will be directed to the Medical Affairs team and our health system partners for resolution.

Our task force is committed to returning calls and scheduling meetings with practices at mutually convenient times.

Wellness resources for physicians have been migrated to an actively monitored page on the Physician Information Portal. You can access it here.

If you have an item to submit, please reply to this newsletter.