January 15, 2026

One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates

Registration for OPOR Wave Two Training opens soon!

As OPOR prepares to launch across Central Zone, registration for Wave Two training will be opening over the next week.

Wave Two training builds on lessons learned from Wave One and incorporates feedback and improvements to support a smoother learning experience. Training will begin in February, and will include a blend of in-person, virtual and asynchronous learning.

Physicians and providers will register themselves, with support from the OPOR team. Alternatively, registration can be delegated to an administrative or support person. Course spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. As a reminder, training is mandatory and must be completed before login credentials are assigned.

Training is one part of the learning pathway for all future users of the clinical information system (CIS). Other activities, such as practice labs and scenario labs, will provide excellent learning and skill-sharpening opportunities. Stay tuned for details on the OPOR Hub!

Reminder: Central Zone Roadshows kick off next week!

The OPOR team will be hosting roadshow events across Central Zone beginning next Monday, January 19. These drop-in events are designed to immerse future users in the functionalities of the CIS, with interactive stations and hands-on experience. All physicians, clinicians and employees are welcome; registration is not required. Learn more about roadshows, including dates and locations, at the OPOR Hub. 

OPOR Leadership Update

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Ashley Miller back to OPOR in her full-time role as Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO). In this role, Dr. Miller will work closely with physicians and clinical leaders to support adoption of the OPOR-CIS, strengthen clinical engagement, and help ensure workflows and tools meet the needs of frontline care providers. We also extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Julie Maranda for her leadership as Acting CMIO during Ashley’s maternity leave. 

Electronic Death Record (EDR) Training Sessions

To continue driving usage of EDR among physicians, nurse practitioners and healthcare staff, we will be providing more live training sessions later in January. Join us to learn how to use EDR; if you have previously attended training but want a refresh, you are welcome to join, as well. We will be answering questions and taking feedback. 


EDR Training for Physicians & Nurse Practitioners 

🗓 Date: January 27, 2026

🕚 Time: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

💻 Location: Virtual  
Register Here 


EDR Training for Healthcare Staff 

🗓 Date: January 28, 2026

🕚 Time: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

💻 Location: Virtual 
Register Here 


Online, self-paced options are available for those who are unable to attend the live virtual sessions. 


Physicians & Nurse Practitioner Online Training 

• Online Self-Paced 
• Recorded Training 
• Create & Sign a Digital MCD 
• Complete & Sign and In-Progress Digital MCD 
  

Healthcare Staff Online Training

• Online Self-Paced 
• Recorded Training 

Visit the EDR help page for resources or email help.vitalware@novascotia.ca with any questions or feedback. 

Pharmacare Exception Status Drug (ESD) Pilot

More than 90 per cent of participants in the Exception Status Drug (ESD) pilot rate their experience as positive.

The pilot modernizes the ESD request process with the launch of a single, standardized, searchable digital form in Ocean. This replaces more than 50 separate PDF forms, streamlining requests for more than 100 medications.

Want to take part? Providers with an Ocean account can request coverage for ESDs by submitting the digital form in Ocean here.

Why participate in the pilot?


• Save time – instead of searching for the right form to fill out, simply type the name of the requested medication and the appropriate form will be displayed.
• Reduce administrative burden – the digitized form will only display the fields relevant to your request.
• The start of continued improvement – the pilot is a proof-of-concept for what can become a modernized ESD request process.

Learn more about the pilot and how to submit the digitized form at Pharmacare ESD Pilot.

Staying Home, Staying Healthy

From jet baths to warm friendships, hot meals and other supportive care, the Adult Day Program at Nova Scotia Health’s South Cumberland Community Care Centre in Parrsboro and programs like Continuing Care help people stay healthy, independent and connected. The program is open to adults over 18 who need help to stay in the place they call home for as long as possible. For 76-year-old David Ward of Parrsboro, it feels like home. It’s not just about health—it’s about community. Read more.

Physician Learning Opportunities

CME Accredited Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program for Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Medical Residents 


“This has been one of the most impactful courses I’ve ever taken. It has significantly transformed the way I approach consultations, especially in facilitating behaviour change with my patients,”–Dr. Emmanuel Ajuwon, family physician. 

This award-winning program is designed specifically family physicians, nurse practitioners and medical residents and combines flexible, self-directed modules with live virtual workshops to strengthen your ability to support patient self-management and behaviour change. You can earn up to 28.5 certified Mainpro+® credits, as Certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.  

Read more about the program, including Dr. Ajuwon's personal experience.

Register here.

NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series – Inspired Leadership for Physicians: Leading with Presence, Empathy and Purpose and Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Seminar Series 


Understanding Grief and Grief Literacy (session 1 of 4) 
Participants will learn to define different forms of grief in the context of medical practice and reflect on how grief is acknowledged – or not acknowledged – within clinical training and practice. Different examples of loss that physicians may encounter will be explored and discussed.

🗓 Date: January 22, 2026

🕚 Time: 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

💻 Location: Virtual  

This session will be facilitated by Dr. Sarah Burm, Associate Professor and Education Research Scientist in the Office of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University, and Matt Fillier, Grief Practice Lead, Palliative Care Network, NS Health.

Register here.

This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 1.5 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits per session. 

This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours per session (credits are automatically calculated). 

Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.

Leading Through Coaching: Central Zone


Please join us for this interactive, physician leadership development workshop for Central Zone NS Health physicians with more than three (3) years of formal leadership experience. 

🗓 Date: February 6, 2026

🕚 Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

💻 Location: Suite 201, Harbourview Boardroom, 90 Lovett Lake Court, Halifax 

In this full day, in-person session, participants will engage in interactive learning and practice of basic coaching techniques to improve communication and leadership to support operational excellence and team collaboration.

Facilitated by NS Health, Medical Affairs’ Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell & Verna MacDonald

Register 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.

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