News release

Awards Recognize Cancer Health Professionals, Volunteers

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Cancer Care Nova Scotia will recognize a pharmacist, a palliative-care nurse, and a volunteer today, Nov. 18, at its annual Celebrating Excellence event.

The Excellence Awards in leadership and patient care are presented to those who help further cancer prevention, treatment, and care for Nova Scotia cancer patients and families.

"Patients, their families and their caregivers look to Cancer Care Nova Scotia and our health care system for the best levels of care and support available," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "I am honoured to join everyone here today in celebrating the exceptional contributions to patient care that the award recipients, the nominees and their co-workers make every day."

The 2015 Excellence Award for leadership goes to Philip Shaheen, Sydney, an oncology pharmacist at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, for his guidance in enhancing staff and patient safety in the areas of chemotherapy preparation and administration.

The award for patient care by a volunteer is for Murray Salsman, Grafton, Kings Co. Following his wife Margaret's death from cancer in 2004, Mr. Salsman started Marg's Glad Garden and the Margaret Salsman Cancer Memorial Fund to support cancer patients in his community who were in need.

Karen Hoben, palliative-care coordinator and consult nurse in Guysborough County, is receiving the health professional patient-care award. Ms. Hoben is being recognized for her vast knowledge of treatments and advances in palliative care and her caring and compassionate approach in working with patients and their families.

Full biographies of this year's recipients can be found at www.cancercare.ns.ca/awards .

"Today's recipients and all who work or volunteer in the field of cancer are ordinary people who do extraordinary things each and every day for cancer patients and families," said Bob Russell, chair, Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Excellence Awards Committee. "On behalf of Cancer Care Nova Scotia, congratulations to our 2015 recipients and a sincere thanks to all who help to ease the cancer journey of Nova Scotians."

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a program of the Department of Health and Wellness, was created in 1998 to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for Nova Scotians. Through professional education and developing clinical standards and guidelines, Cancer Care Nova Scotia supports health professionals in providing patients with high-quality care.