Meeting medical learners where they are

Sometimes the best way to find those who are genuinely interested in Nova Scotia is to meet them where they are. That’s exactly what recruiter Andrew Steele Moore did this fall – travelling across Eastern Canada on a coordinated, strategic ‘road show’ to meet medical learners and show them why working in Nova Scotia is more than medicine.

Andrew spent close to a decade in the medical education sector before moving to Nova Scotia Health, including eight years at Dalhousie’s medical school. He calls his role as a physician recruitment consultant for medical learners a perfect fit. “I feel like it’s an extension of my previous work. I helped a lot of students set their career paths and now I'm on the other end helping them actualize them,” he says.

On the road  

This inaugural recruitment ‘road show’ spanned Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and included job fairs, events, booths at conferences and more. The team took advantage of locations near one another to minimize cost while maximizing impact.  

Andrew says his goal was to plant a seed and provide a friendly point of contact for medical learners considering Nova Scotia as a place to work and live – particularly among those who already have an interest or tie to Nova Scotia.

“I provide consistent visibility to help build and foster connections. When they get to the point where they want to make a decision, this empowers them to reach out to me and know that I will provide them with the information they need,” he says.

In Ottawa, Andrew connected with a student who’d brought a full page of questions to the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Retreat. Andrew sat with the student, who had completed their undergraduate degree at Dalhousie, answering their questions and providing a direct line to Nova Scotia Health when their training is done.

Nova Scotia stood out in Quebec City at the prestigious International Conference of Resident Education as the only province with a presence. “Nova Scotia physicians were pleasantly surprised when they saw the Nova Scotia Health logo…they were like ‘my goodness, it feels like I’m at home’,” he says. And it wasn’t just current Nova Scotia doctors – many with Nova Scotia ties commented on how special it was that the province was there.  

The strategic value in attending this conference is multifold. In addition to connecting with physicians in Eastern Canada, it also helps bring attention and provide opportunities to interact with physicians across Canada and from key international markets like Australia, Ireland and the U.K.  

“We have attended this conference annually, and it has been successful at showcasing how Nova Scotia is at the forefront of both domestic and international physician recruitment,” says Andrew, adding that it provides an important avenue to highlight Nova Scotia’s unique value proposition. “Nova Scotia has been leading the country with our innovative practices and expedited licensure pathways for physicians. This conference is a wonderful way to connect and showcase this,” he says.

Physicians play a pivotal role in Nova Scotia Health’s recruitment strategy. Executive vice president, medicine & clinical operations, Dr. Nicole Boutilier and Kentville-area family physician and Western Zone MD recruitment and retention lead Dr. Marni Goodman joined Andrew at conferences and events across the journey, answering questions and sharing their experience with prospective recruits. “Participation from Nova Scotia physicians is integral to our recruitment strategy and physician recruitment goals.  

“I can talk about Nova Scotia until I’m blue in the face, but it doesn’t hold the same weight as hearing from someone who has had the lived experience of moving to Nova Scotia and practising here,” he says.

All hands on deck for Nova Scotia

This road show is just one prong of a proven recruitment strategy, which also includes marketing, a team of physician recruitment consultants, talent acquisition specialists and onboarding support.  

The exceptional recruitment team partners with Nova Scotia’s Department of Health & Wellness, the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, the Department of Labour Skills & Immigration, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University and the Cape Breton Medical Campus, medical departments, community groups and other key interest holders to attract top talent and ensure a smooth transition into both their professional roles and community life.  

And their work is paying off.

The 2025 Physician Recruitment Report showed 253 new physicians recruited between April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. This net gain of 187 physicians, including 89 family doctors and 164 specialists, has helped decrease the number of individuals on the Need a Family Practice Registry and supported improved access to specialty care.

The team’s work recruiting medical learners is equally impressive, with strong year-over-year results recruiting Atlantic Canada-based residents to Nova Scotia Health. The 2025 Physician Recruitment report showed that 56 per cent of Atlantic Canada-based Family Medicine Residents were successfully recruited by Nova Scotia Health and that 67 per cent of residents at Nova Scotia sites were retained by the province.

Get involved

Andrew loves his job and encourages anyone interested in this work to reach out. Interested physicians can get involved by contacting Andrew.SteeleMoore@nshealth.ca or learn more at www.nshealth.ca/doctors.  

Photo of (L-R) participant and Andrew Steele Moore.