Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Kenneth Rockwood

Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a geriatrician with Nova Scotia Health and Professor of Geriatric Medicine at Dalhousie University, has been awarded the 2025 DNS Distinguished Service Award. Over his career, Dr. Rockwood has made unparalleled contributions to health care, especially in advancing geriatric medicine. 

“I chose my specialty – indeed went to medical school to become an academic internist and geriatrician – because I was inspired by two of the best: professors John Brocklehurst and Duncan Robertson,” said Dr. Rockwood, who was working at the time as a health policy analyst in Saskatchewan. After returning to Memorial to study medicine, he qualified in internal medicine in 1990 and in geriatric medicine in 1991. While he spends most of his time in Halifax, over the last 10 years he has spent up to four weeks per year doing outreach clinics in Baddeck and Sydney.  

Dr. Rockwood’s achievements include more than 650 peer-reviewed publications, over $68 million in research funding, and the development of the Clinical Frailty Scale, used around the world to assess elderly patients’ health. His impact on improving the health of older adults has been widely recognized: he is an Officer of the Order of Canada, received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Service Medal and has been recognized with honours from New Zealand, England and China. However, he says his work “on quantifying frailty and translating the results for clinical and public health care and with my wife, the biophysicist Dr. Susan Howlett, for work in pre-clinical models, is that which I’m most grateful to see taken up in several places, including Nova Scotia.” 

Dr. William Grigor Award: Dr. Brent Young

The 2025 recipient of the Dr. William Grigor Award, which recognizes physicians under the age of 50 who have made a significant impact on Nova Scotians’ health, goes to Dr. Brent Young, an Anishinaabe physician and a member of Sandy Bay First Nation, for his efforts to transform health-care delivery and medical education, and his advocacy for systemic change to address the impacts of colonialism and racism. 

Known across the province for his dedication to ensuring high quality primary care for Indigenous communities, Dr. Young now lives and practises family medicine in Nova Scotia, providing care to care to members of the Mi’kmaw community at the Sipekne’katik and Wije’winen Health Centres. He played a key role in establishing the Wije’winen Health Centre, helping create a culturally safe space for members of the urban Indigenous community to receive health care. Health-care providers at the centre utilize a two-eyed seeing approach, blending traditional knowledge with Western medicine to holistically address Indigenous patients’ needs. “Working with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society to open Wije’winen Health Centre has been the most immediately impactful accomplishment of my career,” he said. 

As the first Academic Director of Indigenous Health at Dalhousie University, Dr. Young has led several important initiatives, including the launch of the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, which addresses barriers Indigenous students face in accessing medical education and has led to an influx of Indigenous learners. Dr. Young also promotes Indigenous health provincially and nationally; he co-chairs the Doctors Nova Scotia Section for Indigenous Health, co-chaired the Anti-Racism Working Group for the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education, and serves on the executive of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. 

Dr. Young has been recognized provincially and nationally for his work, with honours including the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians Award of Excellence, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Indigenous Health Advocacy Emerging Leader Award, and the Canadian Medical Association Award for Young Leaders.  

Physician Health Promotion Award: Dr. Agnes Chinelo Iwegbu

Family physician Dr. Agnes Chinelo Iwegbu receives the Physician Health Promotion Award for her outstanding work in health care advocacy and education. 

A UK-trained family physician who has practised for almost 24 years, Dr. Iwegbu has dedicated her career to providing patient-centred care, community outreach and preventative health care.  

She provides primary care in Middle Sackville, but her health care outreach extends beyond Nova Scotia. “Health is more than just treating illness,” she said. “I love the opportunity to educate and empower communities through health promotion initiatives.” 

With that in mind, she launched “Talk with Dr. Agnes,” an online series that covers a range of wellness and health topics, including mental health, nutrition, vaccination and menopause. She has produced over 70 videos and has more than 2,000 YouTube subscribers. 

Dr. Iwegbu uses her platform to share culturally relevant, evidence-based information with the public, including Black and racialized Nova Scotians, boosting health literacy and trust in the medical community. She also loves showcasing the expertise of her family physician colleagues as guests on her podcast. 

She devotes much of her work and community outreach to dementia, including participating in speaking events, media interviews and workshops.  

She served as a physician liaison with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and helped develop culturally inclusive dementia guidelines, ensuring dementia care is “equitable, accessible and reflective of diverse communities, particularly those that have been historically underserved.” 

The publication of her forthcoming book, Michael’s Memories, is one of her proudest accomplishments. The book charts her father’s experience with dementia. “It reflects both my professional expertise as a physician and my lived experience as a daughter navigating my father’s dementia.”  

Beyond medicine, she loves travelling and trying new recipes. “There’s something magical about food – it brings people together, just like health care does.” 

Community Specialist of the Year Award: Dr. Oliva Ortiz-Alvarez

Dr. Oliva Ortiz-Alvarez is receiving the Community Specialist of the Year Award for her leadership and excellence in boosting health care access for children in the eastern and northern zones.  

A pediatrician for 35 years, Dr. Ortiz-Alvarez studied medicine and practised in Mexico before her career took her to Vancouver for subspecialty training in pediatric rheumatology. “I always have a tender spot for children and marvel at their resilience in the most difficult situations,” she said. 

She met her husband and had their son in Vancouver, where she practised for 10 years. In 2006, she and her family moved to Antigonish, where she began working as a general pediatrician at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital and quickly became a fixture of the local medical community. 
 
As the head of pediatrics at the hospital, Dr. Ortiz-Alvarez has helped expand the department and strengthen pediatric care in the region. She provides inpatient and outpatient care, mentors medical learners and recruits new pediatricians for her community.  

What she loves most about her job is “the feeling that I can do something to improve my patients’ quality of life by providing treatment and support when they need it.” 

Dr. Ortiz-Alvarez travels to rural communities such as Guysborough to provide specialised pediatric care to underserved areas. Dedicated to improving services and access for patients in her community, she often spearheads initiatives to address gaps in care. 

Her greatest accomplishment has been collaborating with different multidisciplinary teams locally, provincially and nationally. An active member of the Canadian Pediatric Society, she also enjoys writing and implementing guidelines for treatment of common illnesses, such as asthma, croup, anxiety and hyperbilirubinemia. 
 
“Nova Scotia has given me the opportunity to succeed professionally and personally. I am very grateful to the people that I work for and with.” 

Community Family Physician of the Year: Dr. Amélie Maillet

Chéticamp family physician Dr. Amélie Maillet is the recipient of the 2025 DNS Community Family Physician of the Year Award. She was nominated by her colleagues in recognition of her professionalism, compassion and dedication to patient-centred care. 

Dr. Maillet attended earned her undergraduate degree at Université de Moncton and her medical degree at the Université de Sherbrooke, then completed her residency in Sydney. She chose her specialty – family medicine – strategically, knowing that her goal was to return to her home community of Chéticamp. Eight years ago, she joined the team at Chéticamp Medical Clinic, where she has practised ever since. 

Dr. Maillet also works in Chéticamp’s hospital, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that her patients receive the highest standard of care, managing complex cases with skill and compassion. 

In addition to her work as a family physician, Dr. Maillet mentors young physicians, works with medical learners, and provides guidance and health-care services through the community’s Youth Health Centre. She delivers school presentations, educating students about health and wellness, and empowering them to make informed decisions about their well-being. Her efforts in promoting community fitness through running initiatives have been instrumental in encouraging individuals of all ages to lead healthier, more active lives. 

“My greatest career accomplishment so far is definitely the relationships I have developed with various patient populations in my practice,” said Dr. Maillet. “There is really something special about having that deeper connection with patients and their families.” 

Dr. Clement Ligoure Award: Dr. Sepideh Behroozan

Dr. Sepideh Behroozan receives the Dr. Clement Ligoure Award in honour of her dedication and leadership providing health care to newcomers in Nova Scotia.  

Dr. Behroozan initially trained and worked as a pediatrician in Iran for many years. After moving to Canada, she returned to medical school and graduated as a Canadian medical graduate. She specialized in family medicine, a field that aligned with her life experience. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve made, allowing me to care for entire families and support them through different stages of life,” she said. 

Since 2017, she has practised at the Newcomer Health Clinic in Halifax. Described by colleagues as the backbone of the clinic, Dr. Behroozan goes the extra mile to provide culturally sensitive care to immigrants and refugees, helping them navigate the health-care system and settle into their new lives. 

“The most rewarding part of my work is forming meaningful connections with my patients and witnessing the impact of preventive care and patient education on their overall well-being,” she said. “It’s satisfying to see my patients grow into self-sufficient individuals who can confidently navigate the health-care system on their own.” 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Behroozan is a mentor for internationally trained physicians. She has worked with ISANS to support physicians on the path to licensure in Nova Scotia and been chief examiner for the National Assessment Collaboration exam with the Medical Council of Canada in Nova Scotia. 

She currently serves as Simulated Office Oral examiner for the College of Family Physicians of Canada and is an assistant professor at Dalhousie University’s Department of Family Medicine.

Outside of medicine, she loves spending time near the water, learning about other cultures and playing pickleball with her husband. “We absolutely love it – it’s a fun way to stay active and connect with others.”  

Outstanding Medical Student Award: Kenisse Trotman

The 2025 winner of the DNS Outstanding Student Award is Kenisse Trotman, who is being honoured for her work to champion student wellness, diversity and inclusion at Dalhousie Medical School.  

As President of the Dalhousie Medical Student Society in 2023–24, Ms. Trotman represented over 400 students in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Her work on the Independent Student Analysis Steering Committee achieved an extraordinary 90% participation rate, enabling data-driven improvements in student experience and accreditation compliance. She has also been involved with the Black Medical Students’ Association, as the Vice President of events for the Dalhousie chapter and as the Director of Communications at the national level. Her leadership has advanced critical conversations on equity and representation within medical education. 

Ms. Trotman completed BSc degrees in Neuroscience and in Health Promotion at Dalhousie before joining Dal Med. “Medicine blends my love of science and people,” she said. “I want to help give people more precious time with their loved ones.” 

Ms. Trotman hopes to work in a specialty that combines preventive medicine and addictions care.  “My priority is to find a program that promotes respect, collaboration and continuous improvement,” she said. “I want to work at an academic centre one day.” 

Ms. Trotman cited the important role of mentors in her education, including faculty and fellow students. “I want to thank Drs. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Leah Jones, Evelyn Sutton, David Anderson, as well as Tyler Hall for challenging me and supporting me to develop in that way. As a first-generation medical student, it feels good to know that I have folks in the medical community who are rooting for me.”  

Outstanding Resident Award: Dr. Todd Dow

Dr. Todd Dow is being honoured with the Outstanding Resident Award for his commitment to leadership, teaching and community service. 

A PYG-5 resident in plastic surgery at Dalhousie University, Dr. Dow chose his specialty because it combines his passion for medicine with his love for art, creativity and hands-on work. “I love applying problem-solving skills to a range of complex patient conditions,” he says. “The ability to care for patients facing significant challenges adds profound meaning to the work.” 

His passion for education led him to create the Pre-Clerkship Residency Exploration Program (PREP), which has become an invaluable resource for medical students to explore different specialties. More than 200 students have participated in the program.  

He also enjoys mentoring and supporting his peers and learners, including medical students interested in plastic surgery. He provides guidance, fosters their skills and connects them with research opportunities. He has also served as vice-president of Maritime Resident Doctors, advocating for residents across all specialties.  

Volunteering is another guiding light for Dr. Dow. He has joined medical missions with Global Brigades in Honduras, coached high school football, served on the Halifax Community Health Board, and supported patients and families at Ronald McDonald House.  

Looking ahead, the next stage of his training will be at Harvard Hand Fellowship in Boston, where he will specialize in complex upper extremity surgery. His goal is to return to Atlantic Canada to provide world-class care, while also giving back to his community as an educator, mentor and researcher.  

Dr. Dow credits his parents for instilling in him the values of hard work, creativity and giving back. He is also supported by his wife, who is a constant source of love and inspiration as they raise their daughter together. “These relationships help keep me grounded as I pursue both my professional and personal goals.” 

Doctors Nova Scotia Senior Membership Award: Dr. Laurie Mallery

Dr. Laurie Mallery is being honoured with the Senior Membership Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and leadership to improve health care for older Nova Scotians.

Over her 37 years of practice in internal and geriatric medicine, Dr. Mallery has made it her mission to provide holistic, patient-centred care. Along with her colleague Dr. Paige Moorhouse, she developed the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) program, a clinical and educational approach for patients with advanced frailty.

Dr. Mallery describes the program as her greatest achievement. “We developed PATH after seeing, far too often, how patients with dementia or nearing the end of life were subjected to aggressive treatments that caused more suffering than benefit. The program ensures that patients and families are not walking blindly into interventions that may compromise function, memory or dignity.”

Clinicians across disciplines are now trained in the model, bringing compassion and clarity to some of the most complex and challenging decisions in medicine. 

A tireless advocate for the people in her care, Dr. Mallery has transformed how patients and families are supported when facing complex decisions, giving them the clarity they need to understand what lies ahead and the confidence to make choices that align with what matters most. She extends the same dedication to her colleagues and has influenced countless trainees, physicians and other providers, helping teams navigate care within a strained health-care system.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Mallery is an accomplished academic, administrator and researcher, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Mallery is proud of the book she wrote, The Salami Salesman and His Daughter Falafel. “It chronicles my father’s last year of life and how to understand the whole person as they approach the final chapter of life,” she said. “My experience with patients made me acutely aware of this need, but my dad’s last year of life drove the point home in a way that I could not ignore.”

Doctors Nova Scotia Senior Membership Award: Dr. Cornelis de Boer

Dr. Cornelis de Boer receives the 2025 DNS Senior Membership Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry over more than 30 years in practice. Dr. de Boer’s leadership, teaching and clinical skills have consistently set a high standard for excellence and have benefited his patients, trainees and the psychiatric community.

Dr. de Boer completed medical school in Amsterdam, then completed C&A psychiatry training in England. He emigrated to Canada in 1995 and began providing mental health care to children and youth in the northern part of Nova Scotia. In 1997, he co-founded the Northern Child and Adolescent Psychiatry cooperative, to ensure equitable distribution of child and adolescent psychiatric services in the three northern districts. The cooperative continues to provide continuing medical education, quality improvement and peer support.

Based in Truro, Dr. de Boer is a senior child and adolescent psychiatrist at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; he is also the primary psychiatric consultant to the Wood Street Centre Campus, Nova Scotia’s largest residential treatment program for children and youth. There, he is involved in providing patient care, designing treatment programs and training associated health care providers, including youth workers, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and psychologists. He has traveled the province to provide child psychiatric services for other districts.

Colleagues describe Dr. de Boer as an outstanding educator whose approach to teaching is grounded in clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the unique needs of learners. His clinical work is characterized by a compassionate and holistic approach that ensures each child and family's needs are addressed. Colleagues and patients consistently praise his thoughtful, patient-centered care and celebrate his devotion to ensuring young people in northern Nova Scotia receive the excellent care they deserve.

Canadian Medical Association Honorary Membership Award: Dr. Paul Murphy

Dr. Paul Murphy, a family physician in Sydney, has been awarded the 2025 CMA Honorary Membership Award in recognition of his 50-year career providing comprehensive primary care and his commitment to medical education.

Born and raised in Newfoundland, Dr. Murphy studied at Dalhousie Medical School. After graduating in 1974, he practiced rural family medicine in Trepassey, Nfld., and then worked as a casualty officer – the British term for emergency department physician – in St. John’s. In 1977, he moved to Sydney to take over the family practice of his colleague, Dr. Gerald P. Reardon. 

Over his career, Dr. Murphy has provided primary, obstetrics, emergency and in-patient care, as well as OR assists. “What I relished most over the past 50 years was that I was held on a high pedestal by the vast majority of my patients for the role that I played in their lives and also the respect that I gained from my colleagues for the role that I played in our medical community.”

Providing obstetrical care has been a highlight. “I delivered nearly 2,000 babies over my medical career,” he said. He is also proud of his teaching. A gifted educator, Dr. Murphy has mentored medical students and family medicine residents, and supervised internationally trained physicians, receiving numerous awards for his teaching work.

Dr. Murphy retired from office practice in 2024, but maintains his medical licence and currently works with a research group. He looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Jo-Anne, their three children and seven grandchildren. “In this twilight time of my life, they provide me the solace and stamina one needs to carry on.”

Awards presentation

The awards were presented at Doctors Nova Scotia’s 2025 annual conference in June 2025.

2026 nominations

Nominations for the 2026 Achievement Awards will open in summer 2025.

Past winners

Doctors Nova Scotia honoured 11 physicians and one medical student for their contributions to the medical profession in 2024. For a complete list of all physicians honoured in past years, check out this list of achievement award winners.