The Gasette

The provincial One Person, One Record (OPOR) initiative represents a major modernization of Nova Scotia’s healthcare system, aiming to unify patient information across the province. December 2025 marked a significant milestone with the launch of the new clinical information system at IWK Health, the first site in the province to transition to the new OPOR platform. The next major step is the upcoming implementation at Nova Scotia Health – Central Zone, scheduled to go live on May 9, 2026.

As with any system-wide digital transformation, the rollout at IWK Health continues to bring forward many challenges. Within our Department, the transition has required adaptability, patience, and learning from all - anesthesiologists, residents and anesthesia assistants - who rely on efficient workflows and real‑time data for safe perioperative care. While the new clinical system offers long‑term benefits for integrated patient management, the reality of implementation has not been without considerable growing pains. Workflow adjustments, documentation changes, and the need for new digital processes have posed hurdles for day‑to‑day clinical practice. “The resilience and teamwork of our anesthesia department members have been impressive during this period of significant change. We’re very proud of our members for their perseverance and commitment to their patients as they navigate the new system”, says Dr. Narendra Vakharia, Chief, Women’s and Obstetric Anesthesia.

A key element of change management within the Department was the great work done pre, during and post implementation by OPOR Anesthesia Champions, Drs. Tristan Dumbarton (Pediatric Anesthesia) and Bruce Macaulay (Women’s & Obstetric Anesthesia). According to Dr. Sally Bird, Chief Pediatric Anesthesia, “Tristan and Bruce’s leadership has been critical, helping guide and support departmental members try to address the bumps of a major system change. We express deep gratitude for their dedication, mentorship of colleagues and their firm advocacy for continued system improvements.”

With NSH Central Zone preparing for its own go‑live in May 2026, the experiences at IWK Health are already shaping the next phase of implementation. The lessons learned—both technical and cultural—will hopefully help streamline onboarding, anticipate common workflow hurdles, and prepare anesthesia teams more effectively. While the OPOR transformation remains a complex and challenging undertaking, it is also an important step toward a unified, patient‑centred health information system for Nova Scotia. The Department remains committed to contributing constructively to this process and ensuring that our department members and patients are supported at every stage.

We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Alexandra Neville, PhD, who joined the Department in January as an Assistant Professor advancing research into the health and well-being of children and families. Working closely with Dr. Christine Chambers, Professor & Canada Research Chair, Dr. Neville will also serve as Scientific Lead for Patient and Family Partnership for Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP). A native of Burlington, Ontario, Alexandra completed her graduate training in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine funded by a prestigious Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship award.

We asked Alexandra to share her journey to Dalhousie, her passion for pediatric research, and her goals for helping young patients in pain.

How are you enjoying Halifax so far, and how has the transition to Dalhousie been?

I’ve received an exceptionally warm welcome to both Halifax and Dalhousie University! Many of my mentors have trained at Dalhousie, and although my previous visits to the city have been brief, I have always felt a strong connection to Halifax. I am learning that it is true what they say about the kindness and generosity of the East Coast! I am especially grateful to be situated in a department with a clear commitment to improving patient care, which I’ve seen shine through in every conversation as I meet new colleagues!



What drives your passion for working with youth in chronic pain? 

Pain is a ubiquitous experience that co-occurs with and often precedes many mental and physical health issues. As such, it is an area of research that offers exceptional opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. My work has been fundamentally shaped and inspired by the youth, families, and health professionals with whom I have had the privilege of working. Their experiences continue to guide my research questions and priorities. I deeply value the lived experiences of patients and families and feel fortunate to be in a career that allows much of my time to be spent seeking to improve how care is delivered and understood.

What is your vision for your role in SKIP?

I am excited to contribute to Dalhousie's rich legacy in pain research and innovation, which is exemplified by the pivotal work of SKIP. SKIP is a patient-partnered, interprofessional pan-Canadian knowledge mobilization network dedicated to mobilizing evidence-based solutions in children’s pain. As the Scientific Lead of Patient and Family Partnerships, I aim to foster meaningful collaborations with patients and families that advance SKIP’s long-term goal of improving children’s pain management in Canadian institutions. I was drawn to this role because its mission aligns deeply with my commitment to partner with youth and families to improve care. SKIP’s collaborative, nationwide network offers a rare opportunity to translate evidence into clear, accessible, and patient-centered solutions. I’m especially inspired by SKIP’s dedication to meaningful patient partnership and ensuring that youth and families actively shape the priorities and direction of the work.

How will you advance the Department’s research mission?

I am thrilled to join the Department and contribute to the strong culture of research and education at Dalhousie. I hope to advance Dalhousie’s research mission by enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening inclusive and patient‑centered inquiry, and generating meaningful local and global impact. With a strong background in leading community-engaged studies, co-designing interventions with patient partners, and advancing approaches that centre youth and caregiver expertise in research, I plan to embed patient and family partnership directly into research design and knowledge translation to ensure real-world relevance. I plan to further the field by elucidating the role of diagnostic uncertainty in the maintenance of chronic pain disability, a concern that is highly relevant to pediatric chronic pain patients and clinicians and will directly inform treatment. Building collaboration and capacity is at the heart of my research program. One of the most appealing aspects of an independent research career is the focus on mentoring future generations of clinician-scientists. Overall, my goal is to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, equity‑oriented, and directly translatable into better care for children and families in Nova Scotia and beyond.