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This Week’s Action Item(s):

• Register for a virtual education session on Code Silver and active shooter procedure updates and review the pamphlet regarding upcoming changes to these plans.

Further details are provided below.

We are under 4 weeks until the implementation of the revised Code Silver-Person with a Weapon plan, and the implementation of the new Active Shooter plan for all of Nova Scotia Health.

In the leadup to the go-live date for both of these plans, March 31, 2025, Emergency Preparedness will continue providing virtual education sessions; available to all staff and physicians with Nova Scotia Health domains (email addresses). To register, go to the Emergency Preparedness education page.

For those programs with volunteers, learners or others that do not have access to a Nova Scotia Health domain, or, for those sites, departments, and programs that are interested in other means of education sessions, please reach out to your Emergency Preparedness team.

Click here for a pamphlet that can be printed and shared for familiarization on the upcoming changes to these plans.

March 25, 2025  5:00 pm to 6:30

Virtual: Zoom

Should leaders to be true to themselves - or does this impede their ability to respond to the challenges of leadership? In this session, we will explore how temperament, values and experiences shape a leader's identity. Drawing upon a cognitive-behavioral framework, we will consider how leaders' cognitive schemata arise from their core values and self-concept, and how this influences the choices they make in their leadership roles. We will discuss how society's view of what a physician leader should be like has changed over time (or not), and how this may affect the credibility of some leaders more than others. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own leader identity and consider how they can act authentically in their leadership practice while still being flexible and open to making necessary changes.

Register here.

After the session participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of leader identity.
• Explain how models of physician leadership in medicine have evolved over time.
• Reflect upon their own identity as leaders and how this shapes their practice of leadership.         

About the Speaker

Dr. Lara Hazelton is a professor and director of education for the Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry. She has been a psychiatrist for over 25 years and currently practices community mental health at the Cobequid Health Centre in Lower Sackville, NS. She has a Master of Education from Acadia University and worked in faculty development at Dalhousie’s faculty of medicine from 2013 – 2024. Dr. Hazelton has written extensively on topics related to medical education and leadership and is the host of the Faculty of Medicine podcast, Leadership PRN.

This presentation is part of Medical Affairs' 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.

There continues to be a substantial increase in global measles cases. While the risk of ongoing community transmission remains low in Nova Scotia, Canada anticipates an increase in measles cases and continuous outbreaks, many of which are associated with travel to countries where measles is prevalent.

Dr. Ryan Sommers, Senior Regional Medical Officer of Health and Senior Medical Director Population and Public Health, Nova Scotia Health, sent an MOH Bulletin on February 27, 2025 with guidance for healthcare providers on Measles. You can read the detailed bulletin here.

In collaboration with Central Zone Operations, the Integrated Acute and Episodic Care Network is launching a project to streamline and standardize access to ambulatory specialty care services in Nova Scotia Health. This initiative will ensure consistent processes for referral intake, triaging and scheduling, and support the adoption of electronic systems to ensure seamless access to specialists while improving both patient and provider experiences. 

As we begin the project your input is essential, and we encourage you to participate in our survey to share your insights and contribute to this important project. Your feedback will help shape a more efficient, patient-centered healthcare system. 

Complete the survey here.

The latest episode of Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership is here! Join hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald as they dive into the art of effective leadership coaching and the strategies that drive real impact in healthcare.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Two key skills to master coaching as a leadership style.
• The three best questions to stimulate thinking, understand motivations, and inspire new perspectives.
• A simple framework to structure your conversations and move people to action.

Whether you're a seasoned physician leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you lead with confidence.

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

Learn more about Leadership Development Coaching here.

A young patient once dressed up as Dr. Nag for “Dress Like Your Favourite Celebrity Day” at her elementary school. While her classmates chose athletes and movie stars, she put on a white coat and said, “I’m Dr. Nag. How can I help you today?”

That moment says everything about the kind of doctor he is - one who leaves a lasting impression on his patients, not just through medical care but through real connection. His office at Dartmouth Medical Centre is filled with heartfelt gifts like this card and drawing, reminders of the many lives he has touched.

Swipe to see how his patients show their appreciation and read more about Dr. Nag’s story here.

Delirium is a significant threat to Nova Scotians’ independence and quality of life. More than 1 in 5 Nova Scotians in hospital screen positive for delirium on any given day.

Delirium is associated with accelerated cognitive and functional decline, increased rates of nursing home placement and mortality as well as longer hospital stays. Delirium can be a MEDICAL EMERGENCY, and early diagnoses and treatment offer the best chance of recovery. Delirium is largely under-recognized and under-managed.

To shine a light on this important issue, volunteers are conducting delirium assessments on patients at select hospitals across the province from March 3 - 7. This is the first year all zones are participating in this annual event coordinated by the Frailty and Elder Care Network.

Learn more about how to recognize delirium 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.

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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