News release

Cancer Specialist Vacancies Filled in N.S.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia's eighth and ninth medical oncologists have been successfully recruited this month, ending a year-long search that will give the province a full complement of cancer specialists by the fall of 2000. The new recruits also mean there will be more specialists serving cancer patients here than ever before.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Department of Health and Dalhousie Medical School announced that Dr. Daniel Rayson from Ontario's London Regional Cancer Centre and Dr. Lori Wood, a Canadian medical oncologist working at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex., have accepted appointments for May and September respectively.

Over the last year Nova Scotia has gone from having six vacancies in medical oncology to a team of nine specialists -- seven in Halifax and two at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, which is part of the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex. Dr. Michael Goodyear joined from Ontario in December 1998, Dr. Mark Dorreen from Newfoundland in July 1999, Dr. Leonard Reyno of Ontario became head of the Division of Medical Oncology in September 1999, and Dr. Rajbir Pahil joined the Cape Breton Cancer Centre from Cincinnati, Ohio, also in September.

For cancer patients, timely access to oncology specialists was a critical concern addressed by cancer centres even during the shortage.

"Our priority has been to regroup and recruit so that cancer patients see required specialists promptly," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner of Cancer Care Nova Scotia and head of the Cancer Care Program at the QEII. "With these recruitment successes,we will now tackle quality of care initiatives such as outreach clinics and reducing wait times."

Health Minister Jamie Muir said: "Our success in the face of the high demand for medical oncologists across Canada is a direct result of teamwork and focused effort. The Department of Health, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, the QEII, Dalhousie University and the Cape Breton Cancer Centre have all worked hard to make Nova Scotia an attractive location for oncology practice and career development. Quality cancer care is a priority in Nova Scotia."

Dr. Noni MacDonald, dean of the Dalhousie Medical School, said:
"Medical oncologists here have the opportunity to combine medical practice with teaching and research for career development and satisfaction. Our academic environment makes it attractive to come to Nova Scotia and encourages highly trained professionals to stay."

The contributions of the three medical oncologists who maintained clinical service during a period of staff shortages and heavy recruitment were commended.

"Drs. Mimi Davis and Bruce Colwell at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, and Dr. Ron MacCormick at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, have been devoted to quality patient care during a stressful time," said Dr. Leonard Reyno, head of the Division of Medical Oncology at QEII. "We're all looking forward to additional staff and more balanced commitments to patient service, education and research to further develop the cancer program in Nova Scotia."

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a new program of the Department of Health, was important for the recruitment success, said Dr. Padmos.

"Nova Scotia's clear and strong commitment to enhanced cancer care through this program creates confidence that oncologists will be valued and supported in their careers here," he said.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia has a mandate to co-ordinate, strengthen, and evaluate cancer services in Nova Scotia through integrated research, education, and treatment programs that are patient- centred, cost effective and based on sound evidence.


NOTE TO EDITORS: A backgrounder on medical oncologists in the Nova Scotia health care system is available; please e-mail <Release@gov.ns.ca.>