National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day | |
Dear colleagues,
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada – an opportunity to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
It is also a time to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonization, within and outside of health care. Indigenous Canadians continue to experience significant health inequities relative to non-Indigenous settlers. Indigenous people are also under-represented in medicine and healthcare leadership – the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reports that Indigenous people make up more than 4.5 per cent of Canada’s population but represent fewer than one per cent of our physician population. We can do better.
As physicians and mentors, we have a unique role to play in reconciliation: to take part in uncomfortable conversations and truths, to examine our own biases, to be intentional in providing opportunities and removing barriers, to amplify and uplift Indigenous voices.
Tomorrow (Friday, June 19), Nova Scotia Health and the Department of Health and Wellness are co-presenting “Walking Together: A Conversation on Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Wellness, Relationships and Reconciliation in Health Care.” This virtual event – moderated by Mahogany O’Keiffe, Senior Director, EDIRA, and featuring panelists Shawnee Sylliboy, Mi’kmaw Indigenous Health Consultant (NSH) and Naomi Pierrard, Senior Strategist for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Health (DHW & Offices – explores wellness across the province, with a focus on relationships, responsibilities and how we can support meaningful and respectful approaches within health systems and communities. This session is open to everyone. Learn more and register here.
Another prominent Indigenous voice in the medical landscape is Dr. Alika Lafontaine, a rural anesthesiologist and the first Indigenous president in CMA’s 156-year history (from 2022-23). Dr. Lafontaine’s best-selling book, “The Outrage Cure,” draws on his personal and professional experiences of anger to understand its evolution, impact and what happens when we let it go. Enter to win a copy of this book by completing this form before midnight on June 30, 2026. Medical Affairs will draw names in the first week of July.
Wishing you all the best for learning, connection and growth this National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Sincerely,
Nicole
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates | | |
OPOR updates at a glance:
Note: Active network credentials for Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health are required to access links above and below, unless otherwise indicated. More information beneath.
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Reminders for Waves Two
Wave Two physicians are encouraged to visit the OPOR Hub regularly for the latest Job Aids, Change Notifications and other resources to stay up-to-date and support your use of the new system.
For Wave Two physicians requiring post-hyperphase training, please visit the OPOR Hub’s Training Registration Portal to view required courses by role.
Having issues? Log a ticket! This can be done through the CIS Help link found on your desktop. Please avoid emailing the OPOR team with issues, as tickets are required to properly log and prioritize support.
Upcoming Webinar: CIS Tips and Demonstrations
On Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m., Doctors Nova Scotia will host a webinar featuring OPOR’s Dr. Ashley Miller. She’ll offer tips, tricks and demonstrations for physicians using the CIS in their daily clinical practice. Email Dr. Miller with requests for specific topics. Register today.
Wave Three – November 14
Registration for Wave Three training will open in July, and classroom training will begin in August. Details will be shared soon!
Call for Provider Peer Mentors
The OPOR team is seeking Provider Peer Mentors in Eastern, Northern and Western Zones. Provider Peer Mentors play a key role in supporting colleagues through the transition to the clinical information system (CIS), promoting readiness and providing local leadership before, during and after implementation.
Responsibilities include:
Before Go-Live
- Participate in advanced CIS training and practice opportunities to build confidence and expertise.*
- Attend Provider Peer Mentor information sessions (weekly beginning in August, scheduled before or after work hours).*
- Participate in workflow sessions, including Wave Three Provider Town Halls and applicable Express Sessions that review key provider and non-provider workflows.
- Share updates, resources and key information with colleagues.
- Guide peers in enhancing their CIS understanding through “tabletop” exercises and other engagement opportunities.
- Facilitate personalization sessions for your peers.
*Provider Peer Mentors will be remunerated for their time spent on these activities.
During and after Go-Live
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Support peers by helping troubleshoot common workflow challenges and connecting them with additional resources when needed (includes Provider Liaisons).
Learn more about becoming a Provider Peer Mentor on Provider Corner (NSH login required) Ready to get involved? Complete the registration form (NSH login required).
Note: Active network credentials for Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health are required to access links above, unless otherwise indicated.
| | Call for Applications: Fall QI Qualified Collaborative | | |
The Fall 2026 QI Qualified Collaborative is now accepting applications. Submissions are due by July 8, 2026.
The QI Qualified Collaborative supports physicians, leaders, and patient/family advisors in building quality improvement capability through practical learning, coaching and the application of improvement methods to address local priorities and improve care outcomes.
Healthcare as an industry is responsible for five per cent of global emissions, and Nova Scotia Health is committed to doing its part to reduce the environmental impact to ensure we have healthy communities for generations. All teams will be challenged to incorporate environmental sustainability principles into their improvement approach. Participants will benefit from learning opportunities with leading Nova Scotia Health experts.
Apply here no later than July 8. The full program overview, participation requirements, key dates and webinar information is available here. (NSH login required)
Mandatory Pre-Application Webinars
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Earn CME Credits
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 28.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits. 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 28.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated).
Questions? Please reach out to QualityImprovement@nshealth.ca.
| | Barriers to Care: Black Queer and Trans Health Experiences in the Healthcare System | | |
Join the Equity and Engagement team and presenter Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CIHR) in Black Health Studies and Professor at Dalhousie University, for a virtual session exploring the healthcare experiences of Black queer and trans people. This session, part of the Feed Your Mind lunch & learn series, will focus on the barriers, challenges and institutional practices that shape access to care and health outcomes within the health system.
🗓 Date: June 24, 2026
🕚 Time: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
Registration is not required. Join the session using this Teams link.
Pride Season in Canada is June to September.
| | March With Us: Pride 2026 | | |
Join colleagues from Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health and government partners as we celebrate Pride Season at parades across Nova Scotia.
🏳️🌈 Sign up to march
- Truro Pride Parade – June 27
- Lunenburg Pride (in Bridgewater) – July 5
- Halifax Pride Parade – July 18
- Cape Breton Pride Parade – August 8
A single registration form is available for all three events. Whether you're a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or an ally, everyone is welcome to participate. Register here. View the full pride parade listing here.
🏳️🌈 Share your Pride photos
Attending a Pride parade, festival, community event or workplace celebration this summer? We'd love to showcase the incredible staff, physicians, allies and volunteers supporting Pride across the province.
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Send your photo, name, role and event details to PrimaryHealthCare@nshealth.ca
- Photos may be featured in future Pride Season communications and celebrations
🏳️🌈 Stay connected
Visit the Pride Season SharePoint page (NSH login required) for upcoming events, resources, learning opportunities and ways to get involved throughout the summer.
Pride Season in Canada is June to September.
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Congratulations to two Nova Scotia Health teams who were nationally recognized at the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) National Conference in Montréal for their outstanding contributions to healthcare excellence.
🏆 Excellence in Patient Experience Award
STI Care Now, led by the Emerging Re-emerging Infections Network (ERIN), was recognized for improving access to sexually transmitted infection testing and care through self-referral, self-testing options and integrated virtual care. The program is helping reduce stigma and making services more accessible for communities across Nova Scotia.
🏆 Excellence in Patient Safety Award
Emergency Department Sepsis Improvement Package Initiative, led by the Sepsis Action Improvement Team (AIT), received national recognition for transforming how sepsis is identified and treated in emergency departments. The initiative has improved early recognition and treatment, helping achieve better outcomes for patients across the province.
Congratulations and thank you for your dedication, innovation and collaboration to make a meaningful difference in the care and health outcomes of Nova Scotians.
| Virtual Urgent and Emergent Care Nova Scotia wins Digital Health Canada Award | |
Nova Scotia Health received Digital Health Canada's 2026 Clinical and Care Delivery Transformation Award for Virtual Urgent and Emergent Care Nova Scotia.
Congratulations to the entire team led by Dr. Jan Sommers and Tanya Penney, with team lead, Joanne Sanford. This award was conferred at the e-Health26 conference and accepted on behalf of the organization by Nikolas Craik and Hossam Yassin (pictured), who have been with the team since the beginning. Great work!
| 2026 Year In Review: Advancing Frailty Care Together | |
This past year marked significant progress for the Frailty and Elder Care Network as we strengthened our system-wide approach to improving care for older adults—Nova Scotia Health’s largest and fastest-growing patient population. With 77 per cent of admitted patients over age 65, and many living with frailty, our work has never been more essential.
We are pleased to share the Frailty and Elder Care Network 2026 Year-in-Review that highlights Network activities and milestones for April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026. Please take a moment to review this summary and share any questions or feedback by emailing frailty@nshealth.ca.
| New Medical Affairs Podcast | | |
Courage, Data and a Seat at the Table: Leadership Lessons in Women’s Health
Far too often, women’s health concerns go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to poorer health outcomes. This podcast, featuring Dr. Stephanie Scott, Division Chief of Gynecological Oncology at the QEII and Executive Coach Lorie Campbell, explores what it really takes to move a health system forward, especially when the stakes are high, the barriers are real and the patients are women whose needs have been historically underserved.
Dr. Scott shares her leadership journey, reflecting on the power of asking questions, seeking help, working in partnership to effect real and sustainable change.
Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast platforms.
| | Physician Learning Opportunities | | |
Accredited/CME Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program – Fall 2026
Fall registration is now open for the Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program (BCCDP). Designed for Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Medical Residents, this award-winning program combines flexible self-directed modules with live virtual workshops to strengthen your ability to support patient self-management and behaviour change.
Certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, you can earn up to 28.5 certified Mainpro+® credits. This free program runs from September 10 to December 3, 2026, with evening virtual practice workshops on Thursdays October 8, November 5 and December 3 from 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Past participants report significant improvements in knowledge, skills and confidence – and nearly all have adapted their practice as a result.
“The most useful aspect of this program was the shift it brought to my understanding of behavior change. Before, I often focused on simply giving patients information or advice. This workshop opened my eyes to the power of exploring a patient's own ambivalence and motivations for change.” — Family Physician, Nova Scotia Health
Learn more or register now for Fall 2026!
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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.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | |
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.
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