New Appointments to the Nova Scotia Health Authority Board


Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey announced new members to the Nova Scotia Health Authority board of directors, including a new board chair, today March 27. The outgoing chair completes his term March 31.

New board member Frank van Schaayk has been appointed to the role of chair. Mr. van Schaayk lives in Marion Bridge, Cape Breton Regional Municipality and is the former regional president of the Americas for McCain Foods Limited and former president and chief operating officer of Ben’s Bakery.

“Mr. van Schaayk has established himself as an impressive leader throughout his career,” said Mr. Delorey. “He has demonstrated his commitment to Nova Scotia’s health-care system since returning home to the province through his service on the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.”

Having heard from Nova Scotians that they want more transparency when it comes to the authority, Mr. Delorey has asked the new chair to work with board members to determine the best way to make board information more accessible to the public.

“I look forward to serving my native province of Nova Scotia as chair of the Nova Scotia Health Authority,” said Mr. van Schaayk. “Over the coming weeks I’ll be getting to know the people, the systems, the successes and the challenges, so that I can work with the board and authority leadership to provide effective oversight and support.”

Today’s appointments also include – for the first time – a practising physician. Dr. Cynthia Forbes will be a non-voting member of the board. Dr. Forbes, from Halifax, is a family physician, former president and board member of the Canadian Medical Association and current serving member of the Doctors Nova Scotia Master Agreement Management Group Committee.

The remaining new members joining the board of directors adds a mix of clinical expertise with a retired physician and a nursing professor. The new members are:
–- Dr. Louise Cloutier, Wolfville, retired, former nurse and family physician, past-president and chair of Doctors Nova Scotia and former chair of the Canadian Medical Association Board
–- Dr. Patricia Hansen-Ketchum, Maryvale, Antigonish Co., nurse educator in the School of Nursing at St. Francis Xavier University
–- David Graham, Dartmouth, executive director of the Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society and former board member of Recreation Nova Scotia with experience in business and finance
Mr. Delorey thanked all new members, and the following members who have accepted a second term, for their volunteer commitment to governing health care:
–- Vicki Harnish, Hubbards
–- Marie McCully Collier, Truro
— Jaime Smith, New Glasgow
–- George Unsworth, Sydney

Mr. Delorey also recognized the commitment and service of outgoing members Steven Parker(chair), David Dow, Anna-Marie Stuart, and John Young for their volunteer service overseeing the implementation of the authority.

Steven Parker led the board of directors through the transition of nine health authorities into one provincial health authority when it was created in 2015. Mr. Delorey expressed gratitude to Mr. Parker for his volunteer service over the last three years.

“Steven Parker has led an evolving organization through an enormous transition,” said Mr. Delorey. “I commend Mr. Parker for the incredible volunteer commitment he has made to improving the health care of Nova Scotians over the past three years.”

“I have served a full 3-year term as chair. As expected, it has been a considerable challenge, but also most worthwhile. Nova Scotians need the health system to be better and more patient focused,” said Mr. Parker. “The incoming chair is someone I have known for many years and highly respect. He will be an effective leader of a strong board.”

The standing committee on human resources approved the appointments today and they will be finalized shortly, with an effective start date of April 1.

The board of directors is a volunteer board that holds half of its meetings in the four health zones. The annual general meeting is open to the public.

The board members 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 and services.


Source: Release

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