One Person One Record (OPOR) program updates | |
OPOR: Are you included in Wave One?
Are you a radiologist? If so, you’re included!
Do you practice at IWK Health? If so, you’re also included!
Wave One of the One Person One Record (OPOR) implementation is just around the corner, launching at IWK Health on December 6. It is important to note that Wave One includes not only the OPOR Clinical Information System (CIS) at IWK Health, but also the Novari Medical Imaging Requisition Management solution for both IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health.
Who at Nova Scotia Health needs training:
Radiologists and radiology residents require Novari Medical Imaging Requisition Management system training as that is a provincial implementation.
OPOR has engaged with Department and Division leadership across IWK and Central Zone to ensure physicians who absolutely need OPOR-CIS Training prior to Wave 1 are offered this Training. You only need Training now if you anticipate being called to see a patient (including a patient in Women’s Health) between December 6 and the end of February. If this is not likely for you, hang tight and get your Training with the Central Zone Classrooms which begin in February!
Without completing OPOR training, you won’t have login access to document, order, or review patient information in the new system.
What to do:
If you’re likely to provide care during this period, and your department and division leadership agree, register now in LMS for the appropriate course. (Training for Nova Scotia Health clinicians in the Central Zone will begin in February 2026.)
Need help?
Email OPOREducation-GL1@nshealth.ca or book Office Hours via OPOR Classroom Registration Support
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Important update for Radiologists and Radiology Residents!
Novari MIRM training for Radiologist and Radiology Residents will now be offered virtually!
The sessions will remain synchronous and instructor-led, meaning participants will join a live-facilitated session. The virtual format will allow our radiologists to attend from home (via Virtual Desktop) or from an on-site workstation in their office or usual workspace.
The Education and Learning Team will update the LMS postings to reflect this change and will connect with currently registered physicians.
| | Single entry point now available for Nova Scotia’s Preschool Autism Services | | |
The Provincial Preschool Autism Service (PPAS) has launched a single-entry point for services for preschool-age children (before Grade Primary). Led by IWK Health, the PPAS Clinical Intake and Care Coordination Service is a single point of contact for preschool autism services offered by all PPAS partners – Autism Nova Scotia, Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health, and IWK Health – for families seeking autism-specific services and supports for their child.
By calling a single phone number, 1-833-200-7817, families can speak with someone who will listen, learn about their child’s needs and family’s priorities, and guide them to the available services and supports based on eligibility criteria for services. Families and service providers can now access all PPAS services through one phone number and a single referral hub, simplifying navigation and ensuring coordinated access to assessments, interventions, and supports across Nova Scotia.
For more information, visit Autism Assessment Referrals.
| | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia Council approves professional standards | | |
On October 17, 2025 the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia Council approved the following standards:
| Scott McKenna named CIO of the Year - Public Sector by the CIO Association of Canada | | |
Congratulations to Scott McKenna, chief information officer at Nova Scotia Health for being named CIO of the Year - Public Sector by the CIO Association of Canada. This award recognizes a leader who is modernizing government or public institutions, making services more accessible to communities.
Scott’s commitment to innovation and excellence continues to make a meaningful impact on healthcare delivery in Nova Scotia.
To learn more about Scott's vision for digital transformation, check out his conversation with Nova Scotia Health Interim President and CEO Karen Oldfield on Chats on Change podcast.
| | Celebrating excellence: Shining the spotlight on Certified Health Executives | | |
In an effort to highlight and celebrate the dedication of health leaders across the organization, Nova Scotia Health is recognizing employees who have earned the prestigious Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation. This Canadian leadership credential, conferred by the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), is the gold standard for health leadership across the country.
Recognizing excellence to attract and retain talent
Achieving a professional designation like the CHE is more than just a personal milestone, it validates expertise, enhances credibility, and fosters a culture of appreciation within the organization. It also plays a vital role in attracting and retaining top talent, driving innovation and strengthening employee engagement. Formally acknowledging these achievements also encourages lifelong learning and leadership development, which are critical components in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
“By celebrating these leaders, we not only honour their commitment but also reinforce our collective dedication to excellence in healthcare leadership.” Says Dr. Nicole Boutilier, executive vice president of Medicine and Clinical Operations at Nova Scotia Health.
Read more here about what it takes to gain the certification, and see who in our organization has already achieved it.
| | Nova Scotia Health supports National Take Our Kids to Work Day, Wednesday, Nov. 5 | | |
National Take Our Kids to Work Day is a job-shadowing opportunity for Grade 9 students that offers them a view of the work world and gives them an understanding of its demands and opportunities. More importantly, it emphasizes that education goes beyond the classroom and will help prepare younger generations for future opportunities with Nova Scotia Health.
This year, several sites and programs across our zones will host coordinated, site-based events for part or all of the day on Wednesday, November 5. Where appropriate and approved by the supervisor or manager, students may also have the opportunity to shadow a physician or staff member for the remainder of the day. Please check with your zone contact listed below to see if there is an organized event at your site.
Physicians and clinical leaders are encouraged to support participation where feasible. If you or a member of your team wishes to host a Grade 9 student—either for a site event or for individual shadowing—please ensure the following forms are completed and submitted to your zone contact by end of day Wednesday, October 29:
Zone contacts:
Central Zone – Rachel Kendell (Rachel.kendell@nshealth.ca)
Northern Zone - Sheri Fiddes-Lane (Sheri.fiddes-lane@nshealth.ca)
Eastern Zone – MaryLynn MacLeod (MaryLynn.MacLeod@nshealth.ca)
Western Zone – Terri Newton (Terri.newton@nshealth.ca)
Your support helps inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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Nominations for the 2025 Making Waves Awards are officially open! Co-sponsored by belairdirect, these awards are designed to recognize outstanding efforts made by Nova Scotia Health employees, physicians, researchers, and volunteers across the province.
Time is limited for you to get in your nominations, they’ll be closing Nov. 15. We encourage you to nominate an employee or colleague you feel is deserving today! We’re happy to share that we have revamped the categories and awards this year. We feel these changes help reflect the ever-changing healthcare landscape and better highlight our hard-working team members. There are up to 15 awards in 5 different categories: Learn more here
| | 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.
View the application document or Quality Awards online.
| | 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. | | |
Medical Affairs Webinar Series: Inspired leadership for physicians: Leading with presence, empathy & purpose
November 3, 2025 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Online
Why healthcare leaders need to care about planetary health with Dr. Nabha Shetty
Physician accreditation organizations such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as well as the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada, have formally acknowledged that contributing to planetary health is an important objective in healthcare. All centers need to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their strategic and operational excellence planning. There is a movement afoot among inspired healthcare professionals to unite and have a voice in making planetary health a priority. This webinar will get participants ‘up to speed’ on what is happening in this important realm.
About Dr. Nabha Shetty
Dr. Nabha Shetty is a member of the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University with a specialty in General Internal Medicine, with an academic focus on Quality Improvement and clinical expertise in Obstetrical Medicine.. An active researcher, presenter and advocate, Dr. Shetty focusses on Planetary Health, Systems Transformation and Quality Improvement on the Medicine Teaching Unit (MTU).
Please register for the webinar here
| | 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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