New Appointments to NSHA Board

Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill announced new appointments to the Nova Scotia Health Authority board of directors, including a new board chair, today, March 30.

New board member Janet Davidson has been appointed to the role of chair. She lives in Halifax Regional Municipality and is an in-demand expert on health-care governance in Canada, has been deputy minister of health in Alberta and led an Ontario health centre. She was acting CEO at NSHA in 2019 after the then-CEO retired. She replaces Frank van Schaayk, who has been board chair since 2018.

Four other appointments were also made to the board.

“Janet Davidson will make an excellent board chair and brings a wealth of experience in the health-care system in Canada to the job. Ms. Davidson’s time as CEO of NSHA was exemplary, and we look forward to working together with her and the board on our shared effort to make NSHA the best health authority in Canada,” said Mr. Churchill. “I also want to thank Mr. van Schaayk for his dedication, hard work and thoughtful guidance over the past three years.”

The appointments are effective April 1.

“I am honoured to be board chair of such an important part of all Nova Scotians’ lives,” said Ms. Davidson. “I am looking forward to working with the CEO and staff of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and with our partners to advance the delivery of high-quality care and service to Nova Scotians."

In addition to Ms. Davidson, today’s appointments include these new directors:

• OmiSoore Dryden, Halifax Regional Municipality, is an associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University and also the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at the university
• Gary Osborne, Halifax Regional Municipality, is chief financial officer at Chorus Aviation Inc. and has extensive experience in financial matters in the airline and travel industries
• Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, is a former president and vice-chancellor of University College of Cape Breton
• Dr. Rex Dunn, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, non-voting director, is a surgeon who works in Eastern Zone of NSHA and has 40 years of experience in the field

The standing committee on human resources approved the appointments today.

Retiring board members are Mr. van Schaayk, Dr. Louise Cloutier and David Graham. John MacL. Rogers’s appointment expired last August.

The board members are volunteers who work to ensure proper governance in the health system by focusing on people and outcomes to make sure Nova Scotians receive the best health care. The appointments are for three years.

Quick Facts:

• Nova Scotia Health Authority employs more than 23,000 staff who provide health services to Nova Scotians and some specialized services to Atlantic Canadians
• Nova Scotia Health Authority was established by legislation and began operations in 2015
• previous board chairs were Steve Parker (2015-2018) and Frank van Schaayk (2018-2021).

Additional Resources:

http://www.nshealth.ca/about-us/board-of-directors