News release

Chief Medical Director Appointed for Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

As part of the commitment to make health care better for Nova Scotia families, the province has appointed Dr. Carman Giacomantonio as chief medical director of Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

The chief medical director will work with district health authorities, doctors and other health-care professionals to ensure consistent cancer care across the province. Dr. Giacomantonio will share responsibility for managing Cancer Care Nova Scotia with Theresa Marie Underhill, the program's chief operating officer.

"The right leadership is critical to ensuring our health system provides better health care in every region," said Minister of Health Maureen MacDonald.

"Cancer prevention and care are important priorities of government. We are pleased to have such a distinguished professional for this new position. We know that Dr. Giacomantonio's knowledge and experience will prove an important asset to Cancer Care Nova Scotia and ultimately cancer patients."

"As the clinical lead for Cancer Care Nova Scotia's surgical oncology network, Dr. Giacomantonio has improved the quality of surgical care across the province and demonstrated his expertise as a leader, educator and clinician," said Dr. Réal Samson, board chair, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "We are pleased to welcome him in this new and enhanced role."

The position of chief medical director will provide clinical leadership for Cancer Care Nova Scotia to facilitate quality cancer care and prevention.

"In Nova Scotia, we have some of the highest incidence of cancer in the country. I am excited by the challenge this office brings," said Dr. Giacomantonio. "During the past 11 years, I have had the privilege of working on the 'front line' of cancer care delivery.

"I look forward to working more closely with the team at Cancer Care Nova Scotia, and the many talented and dedicated clinicians and health care providers across the province to enhance and improve cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians."

A surgical oncology specialist, Dr. Giacomantonio received his medical training at Dalhousie University, Memorial University and the University of Calgary.

He has practiced general surgery and surgical oncology at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, and general surgery at the IWK Health Centre, since 1999. He is associate professor in the departments of surgery, pathology, and microbiology and immunology at Dalhousie University. Dr. Giacomantonio is president of the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a provincial program of the Department of Health, was created in 1998 to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians.