Cybersecurity: Protecting Our Information | | |
We have a shared responsibility to protect confidential business and patient information as part of our everyday actions.
Read this message from Scott McKenna, Chief Information Officer, which shares some important reminders for everyone working out of Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health.
If you haven't already done so, Nova Scotia Health and IWK providers are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete this mandatory LMS Cybersecurity course by:
- Going to https://elearning.nshealth.ca/
- Log in using your NSH/IWK network login and password
- Find the Cyber Security course listed in the mandatory training section
Thank you for doing your part to protect our information.
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates | | |
OPOR Updates This Week 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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CZ Provider Readiness Hubs start April 1
Provider Readiness Hubs are self-directed, drop-in spaces across Central Zone where providers can practice workflows, explore the CIS and connect with Provider Peer Mentors and the Provider Adoption Team before Wave Two on May 9. These Hubs support hands-on, peer-to-peer learning and allow providers to complete personalization in the live domain. Plan time to visit a Readiness Hub and bring your team to practice together. Learn more here.
Reminder: Wave Two learning and practice opportunities
If you’re part of Wave Two and haven’t yet registered, it is critically important that you visit the OPOR Hub’s Training Registration Portal and register now. Remember: CIS training = CIS access. Training must be completed to receive access before Go-Live.
Virtual Practice Labs are available daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until May 8, 2026, offering self-paced workflow practice in a safe environment. Register here.
Workflows and related resources are available on the OPOR Provider Corner. Visit the Provider Education and Learning pages to quickly find the information most relevant to your practice area.
Family physicians and nurse practitioners who do not provide non-primary care within a Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health facility are not included in CIS training and will continue to have view-only access through the Provider Portal.
Go-Live support streams and Provider Peer Mentors
Support at Go-Live, and the weeks after, will be provided to you—whether through At-the-Elbow support, through a Provider Liaison or Provider Peer Mentors. Helpful tools like Launch Pad and IT Self Service make accessing training, getting support and troubleshooting easier than ever. More details about Provider Peer Mentors, including their roles and a list of Provider Peer Mentors from your unit or department, can be found on the OPOR Hub.
Incident Management Teams (IMTs): What Physicians Can Expect
Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are being established at each site and at the zone level (Ops Central) to support physicians and clinical teams ahead of CIS Go-Live. These teams include operational and physician leaders and OPOR staff and will be available on-site and virtually. IMTs will be active through Go-Live and the early stabilization period. They will check in regularly, help address workflow or access issues, connect you with the right supports and escalate broader concerns to Ops Central. Updates on key issues and resolutions will be shared regularly.
Access to the OPOR Hub, including all links above, requires active Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health network credentials. This communication is intended for Nova Scotia Health providers, clinicians and staff in relation to OPOR.
| | Clinical Information System Baseline Provider and Clinician Experience Survey | | |
As we get ready for the provincial CIS Go-Live, Nova Scotia Health's Implementation Science Team is gathering a quick snapshot of providers' and clinicians' experiences: how work is done today and what you expect to change.
We invite providers in all Nova Scotia Health zones to take part in a short, voluntary survey (about 7 minutes). Responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate; nothing will be shared in a way that identifies individuals.
Take the survey here. Survey closes May 8, 2026.
Please note: This survey is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Health Implementation Science Team and is not connected to the CIS Change Readiness survey you may have recently completed.
| Tap and Go Access Now Available in Central Zone | |
Card readers are being deployed to some shared devices across Nova Scotia Health Central Zone, providing users with the ability to tap-in and tap-out of their accounts. Users may also tap-in and tap-out on a WOW (Workstations on Wheels). This technology is not exclusive to the CIS implementation, and people can begin using it immediately.
Be ready, enroll now!
Need support?
- Central Zone IT Service Desk: 902-473-3399
- IT Client Self-Service on Compass
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C3 is pleased to share the Care Coordination Centre (C3) Year in Review, highlighting key achievements from the past year and recognizing the people, processes and technologies that support our strategic priorities.
Page 18 highlights several of C3's physician engagement efforts, including:
- Physician flow leadership session
- Physician innovation with C3
- Developing a new learning module to support physician onboarding to C3
This report reflects our collective progress in getting patients the care they need, where and when they need it, by improving access and patient flow through advanced technology and strong collaboration with C3 and frontline staff. Thank you to all partners and team members whose continued collaboration and dedication help drive improvements in patient flow and system-wide care coordination.
| Neurology Strength in Eastern Zone | |
There are currently three neurologists in Cape Breton, serving patients across the Eastern Zone – a record number for this region.
We are excited to introduce you to this dynamic team and share what this infusion of expertise and care means for patients in this area. Read more.
| Register: Atlantic Pain Conference | |
Registration is now open for the Atlantic Pain Conference, with topics related to the pain diagnosis and management, novel interventions and patient-centred care practices.
🗓 Date: April 24, 2026
🕚 Time: 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
💻 Locations: CHEB Building, 5793 University Ave, Halifax or online
Registration Costs:
In-person: $125.00 (includes breakfast, lunch and snacks at the venue)
Virtual: $75.00
The full program is available here.
Register here by Friday April 17, 2026 to secure your place.
| Register: 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Care Conference | | |
This annual conference, hosted by prideHealth brings together physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, learners, leaders and invited community partners for focused learning on 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare. Registration is now open for the event, which supports continued education across our health system and reflects a shared commitment to advancing EDIRA in clinical practice.
🗓 Dates: April 28-30, 2026
💻 Location: Virtual
Visit the conference event page for a full list of presenters and sessions.
Day 2 sessions will run from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to better accommodate clinical schedules, allowing physicians to participate in practical, case-informed learning.
Register here or email conference.pridehealth@nshealth.ca with any questions.
| | HealthyNS Spring/Summer Offerings | | |
The HealthyNS Spring/Summer 2026 program flyer is now available, featuring a wide range of free online health and wellness programs for Nova Scotians. Programs are created and led by healthcare professionals from Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health and are designed to help people build healthy habits, manage chronic conditions, and support their mental and physical wellbeing.
New offerings this season include programs like Coping with Cancer, Meal Planning Workshop, Understanding Grief, and Substance Use and Your Teen, along with many returning favourites. HealthyNS also offers one-on-one virtual supports, including Physical Activity Counselling with a kinesiologist and Health Goal Coaching with a healthcare provider. Most programs are for adults (18+), with some available for youth. A valid Nova Scotia health card is required to register.
View full Spring/Summer program flyer here. Please share these programs with patients, clients and community members who may benefit.
| | New Medical Affairs Podcast | | |
Feedback That Actually Helps: How to Give It, Receive It and Use It Well
In fast-paced clinical environments, feedback isn’t just a courtesy: it’s essential. Understanding how to communicate feedback effectively – and how to receive it – makes a powerful difference in building trust, strengthening teams and improving patient care.
In this episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald explore three types of feedback, why receiving feedback can feel so threatening, and how three common feedback triggers derail even well-intended conversations. Listeners will learn how to receive feedback without getting defensive, how to deliver feedback that lands and how to ask for input, even in cultures where feedback is rare.
Listen on Spotify or Apple podcast platforms.
| | Physician Learning Opportunities | | |
Strengthening Civility in Healthcare Teams: Respect, Engagement and Burnout Prevention – Dr. Michael Leiter, PhD
The cost of incivility in healthcare is high, with negative impacts on morale, patient care and burnout. This webinar explores how small, intentional actions can foster a culture of respect and engagement in healthcare teams. Grounded in the SCORE (Strengthening a Culture of Respect and Engagement) framework, this session offers practical, research-based strategies to reduce burnout, improve team dynamics and enhance patient care.
🗓 Date: April 22, 2026
🕚 Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
Dr. Leiter is an organizational consultant and leading expert in the psychology of work, with academic credentials from Duke University, Vanderbilt University and a PhD from the University of Oregon. He has held prominent academic roles, including Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health and Wellness at Acadia University and Professor at Deakon University in Australia.
Register Here
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Managing Unprofessional Behaviour: A Fully Accredited Workshop for Physician Leaders
Nova Scotia Health is partnering with CMPA to present this fully accredited, in-person workshop for physician leaders. Participants will have an opportunity to learn approaches to managing unprofessional behaviour and practice their skills in a safe, supportive environment.
🗓 Date: April 24, 2026
🕚 Time: 8:00a.m.-4:00 p.m.
💻 Location: 90 Lovett Lake Crt, Halifax
CMPA Members Register Here
CMPA Non-Members Register Here
This full-day session will be facilitated by CMPA Physician Advisors Dr. Cheryl Hunchak, MD, CCFP (EM), MPH, FCFP and Dr. Heather Murray, MD, MSc, FRCP, along with Colin J. Clarke, K.C., Partner, Cox & Palmer. Deadline to register is April 22.
Please note that catering will not be provided for this session. Participants are invited to bring their own morning coffee and lunch or purchase lunch off-site.
Event poster and more information can be found here.
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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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