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We are now in week three of the One Person One Record (OPOR) Change Readiness Survey! This survey is open to all providers clinicians, and employees of Nova Scotia Health across the province. Regardless of your familiarity with OPOR, you are encouraged to complete the survey.
Currently, Western Zone is sitting in the top spot with the greatest response rate! Nearly 10% of their staff have participated! We will check the numbers again next week to see who takes the lead.
- Eastern Zone: 6%
- Northern Zone: 11%
- Central Zone: 11.2%
- Western Zone: 15%
The survey is open until Tuesday, October 7th. Responses are anonymous, but after you complete the survey, you can enter a draw for a coffee gift card if you like.
Please share this email and survey link among your teams. We greatly appreciate your participation! Link to OPOR-CIS Change Readiness Survey
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) program update | |
OPOR-CIS Training: Are you included in Wave One?
Wave One of the One Person One Record Clinical Information System (OPOR-CIS) implementation launches with IWK Health on December 6. Nova Scotia Health physicians who are cross-credentialled and have privileges at IWK Health may require training as part of Wave One!
If you are covering call or consult for your division between December 6 and January 31, you may be called to provide care for an IWK Health patient—most likely an adult.
If this is a likely probability for you, please register for the applicable course on LMS as soon as possible. Without this training, you will not receive a CIS login and will not be able to document, place orders or see clinical information for IWK Health patients.
Only take this training now if you are reasonably certain you will need it. Central Zone Training will begin in February 2026, with a Train domain that will resonate more with the NSH clinicians. If you’d like to discuss your scenario with someone, please connect with OPOREducation-GL1@nshealth.ca or your division/department leadership.
How to register:
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Available classes are posted on LMS for registration. A step-by-step guide on how to register on LMS can be found here. The Provider Guide lists the course numbers you can use to find the courses if needed.
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If you need help, please contact OPOREducation-GL1@nshealth.ca, or book Office Hours with them using this link: OPOR Classroom Registration Support
- The classroom sessions include time for personalization where you can log into the live domain and Dragon Medical One (everyone gets DMO!)
Reminder: Complete the OPOR Change Readiness Survey! It is open to all Nova Scotia Health physicians, clinicians, and employees until October 7. Enter to win a coffee card after you submit your survey responses.
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Dr. Aaron Smith named Central Zone
Medical Executive Director
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We are excited to share with you that Dr. Aaron Smith was the successful candidate in our search to fill the Central Zone Medical Executive Director position. His new role will be effective as of October 15, 2025.
Dr. Smith brings a vast amount of leadership experience to this role, having served as a Zone Medical Executive Director previously and most recently as the Provincial Medical Executive Director and Operational Lead for Primary Care Clinic and Health Homes, where he played a key role in helping transform primary care in our province. Read full memo.
| | Temporary Access Changes to QEII Emergency Department | | |
Vehicle, transit, and pedestrian access to the QEII emergency department (ED) via Bell Road will be temporarily changed to accommodate overnight construction work as part of the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project.
Key changes during the night of Thursday, October 2 into the morning of Friday, October 3 (9 p.m. – 6 a.m.):
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Emergency department access will be available from westbound Bell Road only, via a left turn into the ED driveway.
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Bell Road will be one-way westbound only.
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Robie Street will be reduced to a single northbound lane.
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Vehicle detour: Patients and visitors traveling eastbound will need to detour via Robie Street-> Veterans Memorial Way -> Summer Street -> Bell Road.
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Halifax Transit: The bus stop at the ED driveway will be closed. Routes 9A/9B will instead drop passengers at the bus stop outside the Summer Street entrance.
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Temporary signage will be in place to support drivers, pedestrians, and transit users.
This work is proceeding under an approved traffic safety plan by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Motorists, pedestrians, and transit users are advised to expect delays and plan their routes accordingly. For complete Halifax Transit detour information, including maps, visit the Halifax Transit website.
We appreciate your patience as this essential work is completed. Please see the below graphic for reference.
| | QEII Renew: Join us on October 16 at our Community Open House | | |
With excavation finished and cranes now in position, the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project is transitioning into a key phase focused on vertical construction.
Next up: construction of the building’s framework—including floors, walls, and exterior—with the goal of reaching Robie Street height by the end of the year.
Join us to learn more about the progress and what’s coming next.
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Atlantica Hotel: Guild Hall 1980 Robie St., Halifax
We look forward to seeing you there!
| | Nova Scotia Health 2026 Quality Awards submissions | | |
We are seeking submissions for the annual Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards. Share the great quality work that your team is doing within our organization and showcase your team’s commitment to excellence in innovation, quality improvement, mental health and addictions, diversity, equity and inclusion, patient experience and patient safety! These awards are modeled on the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) National Awards. Apply by 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025. All details can be found in the Quality Awards.
| | National Day of Action on Planetary Health | | |
On October 6, health professionals are launching Canada's first-ever National Day of Action on Planetary Health.
This initiative, led by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) in collaboration with healthcare organizations across Canada, invites your support and action. Learn more
| | Apply by Oct. 31: Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) Credential | | |
The Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) credential recognizes and advances physician leadership and excellence through a national, peer-generated, standards-based assessment process. The credential is based on the tenets of the LEADS in a Caring Environment Capabilities Framework.
The most important component of either route — Academic or Practice Eligibility — is the quality of the applicant's senior or executive leadership roles. The Peer Assessment Panel is looking for impact across the healthcare system at multiple levels.
If you are interested, please visit the CCPE credential website or email Deirdre for more information.
The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025.
| | October is Continuing Care Month | | |
This October, in collaboration with the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care and the Health Association of Nova Scotia, Continuing Care is proud to spotlight the theme: Standing Alongside Nova Scotians with Compassion, Comfort and Care.
Continuing Care plays a vital role in helping Nova Scotians live well—wherever they call home. Whether through direct care, supporting families, coordinating services or advocating for person-centered approaches, our teams make a meaningful difference every day. Compassionate, individualized care is at the heart of everything we do.
Throughout the month, we’ll be celebrating and raising awareness about Continuing Care and our programs and services through:
- Digital signage at facilities across the province.
- Sharing stories and resources via internal newsletters and social media to showcase the impact of Continuing Care and how to access our programs and services.
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A live webinar on October 22, designed to deepen understanding of our program
s and our role within the broader health system. Webinar details & registration. Please print, post and share the following webinar poster with your team members and colleagues in employee areas.
How you can help:
For more information, visit Continuing Care Month - Health Association Nova Scotia and our Continuing Care Compass site.
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Dr. Malak El Ess’s journey from Lebanon to
Nova Scotia as a hospitalist
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Meet Dr. Malak El Ess, a hospitalist physician at the QEII who found a new home in Nova Scotia after moving from Beirut and Qatar.
From caring for patients with complex, acute illnesses to recharging by the ocean, Malak is passionate about both her work and the province she now calls home.
Read her story and learn why she says being a hospitalist is “challenging but so rewarding.”
| | Physician Learning Opportunities | | The Medical Affairs Physician Learning, Development, and Support Team is pleased to share upcoming opportunities designed to support all physicians and physician leaders in their growth and practice. To learn more and register for sessions, click here. | | |
Apply by Oct. 20: Physician Leadership Development Program
Calling physicians with 3–5 years of leadership experience!
Enhance your leadership impact with Nova Scotia Health’s customized program featuring the Leadership Circle Profile™ (LCP). Limited to 24 physician leaders across the province.
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Program runs Jan 2025 – Jun 2026, sessions are scheduled in evenings.
- Hybrid model: in-person gatherings in Truro (dinner included) + virtual sessions
- ~30 hours total commitment
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Includes 360° assessment, group coaching, and peer learning
Earn up to 19.5 Mainpro+® Certified Activity and up to 4.5 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits
📅 Apply by Oct 20, 2025
🔗 Submit your Expression of Interest here. Promotional flyer with more details is available here.
Questions? Contact lorie.campbell@nshealth.ca or verna.macdonald@nshealth.ca.
💡 When leaders transform, organizations follow.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | | | |
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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