The Section of Family Doctors Council advocates for the business and interests of primary care physicians. The council's work involves developing strategies for dealing with key issues affecting the role, responsibilities, and capabilities of primary care physicians.
Influencing change
The Council has submitted letters to and met with key health policy leaders, including the CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Minister of Health and Wellness. They have provided feedback on new College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia standards of practice, as well as consultations on changes in scopes of practice for other primary care providers. They regularly discuss key concerns for family physicians in the province such as virtual care, COVID policy changes, and remuneration models.
Honoraria and travel
Council members receive a $600 honorarium for each meeting and are reimbursed for travel expenses. Physicians have the option to connect to meetings via video-conference. The Council meets about four times a year, usually on Saturday mornings.
Membership
| Executive | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Dr. Katherine Quackenbush | 2021-2023 |
| Chair-Elect | Dr. Jen Gillis | 2022-2023 |
| Past Chair | Dr. Mary Gorman | 2021-2023 |
| Treasurer | Dr. Michel Chiasson | 2022-2024 |
| Secretary | Dr. Jennifer Gillis | 2021-2023 |
| Grants Coordinator | Dr. Yousaf Sulemankhil | 2022 - TBD |
| Other Members | ||
|---|---|---|
| Board of Directors representative | Dr. Patricia Menard | 2022-2023 |
| NSCFP representatives |
Dr. Tim Woodford (NSCFP President) |
2022-TBD |
| Maritime Doctors representative | Dr. Vladislav Evdaev | 2022-TBD |
| DMSS representative | Miranda McConnell | 2021-2023 |
| Flex positions | vacant | |
| IMG physician | Dr. Jessica Mitchell | 2021-2023 |
| Elected seats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| County | Name | Year elected | Term ending |
| Halifax counties (rural and Metro) | Dr. Jennifer O'Connell (rural) | 2021 | 2023 |
| Dr. Shalini Veerassamy (Metro) | 2021 | 2023 | |
| Dr. Andrew Cumming (Metro) | 2021 | 2023 | |
| Inverness/Victoria/Cape Breton and Richmond counties | Dr. Michel Chiasson | 2022 | 2024 (second term) |
| Dr. Emmanuel Ajuwon | 2022 | 2024 | |
| Colchester/Hants counties | Dr. Stephen McCarthy | 2021 | 2023 (second term) |
| Cumberland County | Dr. Yousaf Sulemankhil | 2021 | 2023 |
| Pictou County | Dr. Osemekhian Eriakha | 2021 | 2023 |
| Annapolis/Kings counties | Dr. Jennifer Gillis | 2021 | 2023 |
| Antigonish/Guysborough counties | Dr. J. Howard (appointed) | 2022 | 2023 |
| Digby/Yarmouth/Shelburne counties | Dr. Emma Leon | 2022 | 2024 |
| Lunenburg/Queens counties | Dr. Asim Akhtar (appointed) | 2022 | 2023 |
Please email Sonia Abi-Ajab if any information is incorrect or out of date.