Staff led the development and implementation of the association’s inaugural EDI Framework (2022–24). That framework delivered valuable insights and helped DNS begin to address systemic inequities within the medical profession and health-care system. As a result, the organization focused on diversifying its staff and Board, re-evaluating governance structures and embedding an EDI lens into all aspects of its work. Highlights include:
- supporting internationally trained physicians (ITPs) with a mentorship program, providing resources to help ITPs transition into practice, and participating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia’s (CPSNS) Welcome Collaborative
- revamping the Medical Student Bursary to better support individuals from equity-deserving communities
- creating the Senior Diversity Advisor role
Doctors Nova Scotia has also reviewed governance practices and internal policies, reimagined the annual general meeting and motion processes, funded safe prescribing courses for physicians, hosted harm reduction–themed CPD sessions, embedded EDI(R)A principles in the Physician Leadership Development Program, and facilitated training and discussions for staff, the Board and the Section of Physician Leaders. Additionally, DNS has made strides in ensuring that voices from equity-deserving communities, particularly women, are amplified and featured in its internal and external communications materials. Efforts to highlight physician-led initiatives that positively impact patients and communities have also been made. But these changes are not enough.
Building on the momentum of the first EDI Framework, DNS is now renewing its commitment to this work. The 2025 EDI(R)A Framework reflects a deeper integration of EDI(R)A principles into every aspect of DNS’s operations, decision-making and advocacy work. This renewal emphasizes continuous reflection, education and accountability to ensure meaningful progress within the association and all the people it touches.
Doctors Nova Scotia is committed to fundamentally transforming the association and supporting members and staff by embedding EDI(R)A into all its work. This ensures that reconciliation, equity and inclusion remain at the forefront of all the association’s decisions and actions. By advancing inclusive policy, providing education and advocating for systemic change, DNS aims to foster a healthcare system that is equitable, accessible and reflective of Nova Scotia’s diverse communities. This is an ongoing process and DNS staff and Board members remain resolute in their commitment to this work, understanding that true progress requires an unwavering focus on both the lessons of the past and the opportunities of the future.
This framework weaves EDI(R)A principles into the fabric of the association’s operations, advocacy efforts and community engagement initiatives. It serves as a guide for DNS to champion anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity and reconciliation by fostering a healthcare environment that actively addresses systemic inequities and works to dismantle them. The framework prioritizes addressing systemic barriers and health inequities, focusing on how these are influenced by social and structural determinants of health. Doctors Nova Scotia is committed to establishing measurable goals with clear indicators and metrics to track progress, ensuring transparency and accountability to staff, members, partners and the communities the association is dedicated to supporting.
Areas of focus
The EDI(R)A Framework will focus on six areas central to the association’s mission to drive systemic change and advance equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility. Work in these areas will address disparities, promote inclusive practices and create a supportive environment for all. The areas of focus include:
- knowledge and awareness
- inclusive policies and systems
- supporting physicians
- advocacy work
- community engagement
- accountability and transparency
Measuring impact
Policy audits
Doctors Nova Scotia will conduct comprehensive reviews of its internal policies to ensure they align with EDI(R)A principles. This includes identifying and addressing historical disadvantages, systemic racism, and gaps in equity, accessibility and inclusion, with updates communicated to the Board. Progress will be tracked through a detailed report that documents the percentage of policies updated to address equity, accessibility and inclusion gaps, with results shared with DNS leadership and members annually.
Feedback mechanisms
Doctors Nova Scotia will incorporate additional equity-focused questions into the biennial Member Satisfaction Survey, allowing members to anonymously share their insights on organizational practices and suggest areas for improvement. Feedback will be summarized in the Member Satisfaction Survey report. The number of submissions will be monitored, with key themes identified and addressed in annual reports.
Community engagement targets
By 2027, DNS will host an event in collaboration with local organizations, particularly those from the Mi’kmaw, African Nova Scotian, 2SLGBTQIA+, immigrant and refugee, faith-based, and persons with disabilities communities, to strengthen relationships and foster culturally safe and anti-racist care practices. Doctors Nova Scotia will also allocate annual funding to support four community-led projects focused on reconciliation and equity. Community-led projects will be evaluated biennially for their effectiveness, including the number of people reached and feedback from community members.
The EDI(R)A Framework represents the association’s unwavering commitment to embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility into the association. Staff and Board members are committed to taking intentional, transformative steps to integrate these principles into every facet of their work. This framework ensures a deepening dedication to these values and a focus on creating lasting change that will positively affect DNS members, staff and Nova Scotians at large. With each action, we move closer to a healthcare environment where all individuals are not only welcomed but fully supported, empowered and honoured.
Review the full 2025 EDI(R)A Framework.
* Note: Reconciliation is not a subset of EDI, but a distinct and vital commitment. To acknowledge this, DNS is shifting from using EDIA to EDI(R)A, placing the “R” for reconciliation in parentheses to highlight its distinct importance and our responsibility to meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities. This language reflects our deepened commitment and accountability, particularly to the Mi’kmaw Nation and all Indigenous Peoples.
Meet Basma Deef, the DNS Senior Diversity Advisor
Basma leads EDI(R)A efforts at Doctors Nova Scotia, advising the entire team, including staff, leadership and members, on equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility. She chairs the internal EDI Committee and leads the organization’s Truth and Reconciliation work, in addition to launching and supporting the new Member EDI(R)A Committee. Basma supports staff and physicians who experience racism, discrimination or harassment, and she develops and oversees the association’s EDI(R)A Framework.
Her work includes delivering training, guiding peer support initiatives, and collaborating with Human Resources to advance inclusive hiring and retention practices. Basma also reviews organizational policies to ensure alignment with EDI(R)A principles, builds partnerships to address systemic racism in medicine and stays current on best practices to inform ongoing initiatives. If you have questions about anything related to EDI(R)A or are experiencing racism, discrimination or harassment in healthcare, contact Basma.
Contact:
Basma Deef
Senior diversity advisor
902-329-6689
1-800-563-3427
basma.deef@doctorsns.com
Other resources
EDI Framework (2022–24)
The association’s inaugural EDI Framework (2022–24) delivered valuable insights and helped DNS begin to address systemic inequities within the medical profession and health-care system. Read more
EDI Toolkit
This interactive toolkit is intended to help physicians continue their learning journey with equity, diversity and inclusion and apply those principles to their work. These guidelines are a starting point for DNS members who want to understand how they can apply an equity lens to their work, decision-making and interactions with others.
Safe Space poster
Take a stand against bigotry and discrimination and set the tone for respectful interactions between patients, providers and clinic staff with this “Safe Space” poster. Just download the PDF, print it out and hang it in your clinic.
Managing and De-escalating Discrimination and Bigotry from Patients
Discriminatory or bigoted actions from patients may make other patients, clinic staff and physicians feel unsafe. Managing these situations requires particular skills and resources. This guide is intended to be one tool that can help physicians create safer practice spaces.
Doctors Nova Scotia is committed to supporting equity-deserving physicians and patients in Nova Scotia’s medical community.
Monthly minutes
June 2025: Eid Al Adha
May 2025: Canadian Jewish Heritage Month
April 2025: Earth Day
March 2025: Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17 to 23)
February 2025: African Heritage Month
January 2025: Lunar New Year
December 2024: Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 to Jan. 1)
November 2024: Transgender Day of Remembrance
October 2024: Navratri
September 2024: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day/Mi'kmaw History Month
August 2024: Emancipation Day
July 2024: July is Pride Month/Halifax Pride
June 2024: June is National Indigenous History Month
May 2024: EDIA at Doctors Nova Scotia
April 2024: World Autism Month
March 2024: Ramadan
February 2024: African Heritage Month