New President installed, President-elect named; six physicians honoured

Dartmouth, NS – Physicians welcomed Dr. John Sullivan as the new President of Doctors Nova Scotia. The Halifax cardiovascular surgeon was installed during the association’s annual conference on Saturday, May 31 in Halifax.

“I look forward to the year ahead, advocating on behalf of physicians and patients,” said Dr. Sullivan.  “Physicians have an important role in health system transformation and in particular advocating for improved services for Nova Scotians,” he added.

For 35 of his 40-year career, he’s performed heart surgeries for countless Nova Scotians. Since 1983, he’s been an academic clinician at Dalhousie University. Dr. Sullivan has been a Director on the Doctors Nova Scotia Board and he’s served on various committees as well as chair of his surgical section.  

In addition to welcoming Dr. Sullivan, Halifax-based anaesthesiologist, Dr. David Milne, was endorsed as the association’s president-elect.  Dr.  Milne has served on the association’s Board of Directors for the past three years and he participates on numerous committees.

The association recognized six physicians for outstanding service.  

Halifax paediatrician Dr. Kenneth Wilson received the association’s distinguished service award. The award is given to a physician who has made an outstanding contribution to the medical profession and Nova Scotians, resulting in raising the standards of medical practice or an outstanding contribution to the art and science of medicine.  

Dr. Brian Ferguson, an Amherst family physician, received the association’s rural physician of the year award.  The honour is given to a physician who has made an outstanding contribution to the health of individual, various community groups and/or to non-profit organizations in rural communities.

The association’s senior membership award was given to Musquodoboit family physician, Dr. Wayne C. Brown, which serves as official recognition of the great respect and high regard physicians have earned in the province’s medical community.  

Halifax-based paediatric surgeon, Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen received the association’s Dr. William Grigor award.  This award is given to a physician under the age of 50 who has made an outstanding contribution benefiting the health of Nova Scotians.

The association’s physician health promotion award was given to Antigonish family physician, Dr. John Chiasson.  The award is given to a physician who has made an outstanding contribution to health promotion, safety and preventative care among Nova Scotians.

Dr. Jim Fitzgerald received the Canadian Medical Association’s senior membership award.  The award serves as official recognition of the great respect and high regard these physicians have earned in the medical community of the province.

For broadcast use

Dr. John Sullivan was installed as the new president of Doctors Nova Scotia. The Halifax cardiovascular surgeon was installed during the association’s annual conference on Saturday, May 31 in Halifax.

For 35 of his 40-year career, he’s performed heart surgeries for countless Nova Scotians. Since 1983, he’s been an academic clinician at Dalhousie University. He’s been a Director on the Doctors Nova Scotia Board and he’s served on various committees as well as chair of his surgical section.  

In addition to welcoming Dr. Sullivan, Halifax anaesthesiologist, Dr. David Milne, was endorsed as the association’s president-elect.

Awards were given to six Nova Scotian physicians for outstanding service:

• Halifax paediatrician, Dr. Kenneth Wilson received the association’s distinguished service award.
• Dr. Brian Ferguson, an Amherst family physician, received the association’s rural physician of the year award.
• The association’s senior membership award was given to Musquodoboit family physician, Dr. Wayne C. Brown. 
• Halifax-based paediatric surgeon, Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen received the association’s Dr. William Grigor award. 
• The association’s physician health promotion award was given to Antigonish family physician Dr. John Chiasson. 
• Dr. Jim Fitzgerald, a family physicians practicing in Lower Sackville, received the Canadian Medical Association’s senior membership award.

Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association representing all doctors in the province. It is the oldest medical association in Canada. The association represents about 2,500 physicians serving patients across the province, and 700 medical students and residents.

Additional information on Dr. John Sullivan and the six physician award winners is available.