Board Chair Appointed

Heather Hogg is the new chair of Cancer Care Nova Scotia's advisory board of directors.

The Department of Health and Wellness and Cancer Care Nova Scotia announced today, Sept. 23, that Ms. Hogg is replacing Dr. Réal Samson, who completed his term as board chair in June.

Currently, vice-president, commercial financial services at RBC Royal Bank, Ms. Hogg has held several senior positions with the organization since 2001. Before joining RBC, she spent 10 years as a registered nurse and three years as a genetic counsellor for hereditary cancers. She also led the development and growth of the Maritime Hereditary Cancer Program.

Ms. Hogg is also active in her community. As well as serving on the Cancer Care Nova Scotia board, she has led various fundraisers for health charities, coached a cancer survivors running clinic, and acted as a community mentor for youth, helping them develop leadership skills.

"Ms. Hogg will bring multifaceted expertise and a personal connection to her new role," said Health and Wellness deputy minister Kevin McNamara. "I would also like to thank Dr. Samson for his years of dedicated service to Cancer Care Nova Scotia. As he passes the torch to Ms. Hogg I wish them both my very best."

"As a Cancer Care Nova Scotia board member for the last two years, Heather has provided thoughtful and strategic advice to our leadership team," said Ms. Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "In her new role her leadership abilities, knowledge of the health system, and energy will serve us well as we continue our work to enable high quality care for Nova Scotia cancer patients and their families."

Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, chief medical director, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, said he is looking forward to working with Ms. Hogg.

"Her many and varied perspectives, particularly her insights as a two time cancer survivor, will be extremely valuable as we develop clinical standards of care to ensure all Nova Scotians receive the highest quality of care possible, regardless of who they are or where in the province they live," said Dr. Giacomantonio.

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 all Nova Scotians. It supports health professionals in providing patients with high quality care.