Nova Scotia is proud to recognize recipients of two national awards, along with four teams who have completed the EXTRA: Executive Training Program.
EXTRA offers a unique, hands-on learning experience in which fellows build leadership skills and form meaningful connections across provinces and organizations over 18 months. A key part of the program is working closely with people who have lived experience with the health care system, such as patients, families and caregivers, so that real voices help shape better care.
Teams of up to five leaders work alongside experts, faculty and coaches to take on real health system challenges. Through this process, teams co design, put in place and evaluate improvement projects that directly benefit patients, families and communities, while supporting Nova Scotia Health’s priorities for better care and stronger health services.
Graeme Kohler receives the Naimark Fellow Award
Graeme Kohler, senior director, Health Beyond Hospital, Integrated Access and Flow Network, Nova Scotia Health, is among this year’s honourees and was named a Naimark Fellow.
The Naimark Fellow Award recognizes outstanding leadership in Canada’s health system and is awarded to an EXTRA participant who demonstrates exceptional achievement throughout the program.
Established in 2004, the award honours Dr. Arnold Naimark, founding chairman of Healthcare Excellence Canada’s board of trustees. Naimark was widely respected for his leadership across the health, academic, community and private sectors, both in Canada and internationally. He is remembered for his compassion, insight and sense of humour, in addition to his accomplishments.
Each year, one fellow is selected by their peers from the graduating cohort. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to the program, achievement of core competencies and active engagement in learning.
Nova Scotia Health Primary Health care team receives Rochon Award
Nova Scotia Health’s Primary Health care (provincial) EXTRA team received the Rochon Award.
This award recognizes the EXTRA fellowship team whose improvement project shows the greatest potential to improve population health and demonstrates early readiness to be expanded and applied more broadly.
Team members:
• Katie Heckman, director, Primary Health care, chronic disease management clinical network
• Ashley Harnish, executive director, health services, Central Zone
• Michelle Robinson, professional practice manager- Primary Health care, Department of Interprofessional Practice and Learning
• Grayson Fulmer, senior director, Medical Affairs
• Dr. Aaron Smith, Central Zone medical executive director
Their project, “Strengthening leadership and governance in primary care”, focuses on improving how primary care is organized and delivered across Nova Scotia.
This project delves into Nova Scotia Health's shift from standalone clinics to a more connected model of care known as health homes and health neighbourhoods. This approach requires stronger collaboration among leaders within the organization and with external partners to better meet patient needs.
To support this shift, the team is developing and testing a framework that standardizes clinical and administrative leadership across primary care. The goal is to strengthen team-based care, improve access to services and achieve better health outcomes for patients.
Congratulations to the recent graduates!
In addition to the award-winning team, three additional teams completed the program.
Nova Scotia Health fellowship team
Team members:
• Cindy Connolly, senior director, perioperative clinical network
• Cathy Lynn Howley, Eastern Zone director of perioperative & pain services
• Karen Doherty, perioperative network leader
• Elizabeth Michael, project manager, strategy, performance & analytics
Project title: Improve patient outcomes through implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to optimize pre-, intra-, and post-operative surgical care
This project focuses on implementing (ERAS) an evidence-based approach that improves patient experience and outcomes by optimizing care before, during and after surgery.
The team is working to develop a sustainable framework to support ERAS care pathways, such as improving care delivery, supporting multidisciplinary teams and establishing measures to track success and support long term improvements.
Nova Scotia Health fellowship team
Team members:
• Phương Nguyễn, network leader, planning, development & system performance integrated access and flow network
• Dr. Amanda MacDonald Green, physician, primary care
• Graeme Kohler, senior director, Health Beyond Hospital, Integrated Access and Flow Network
• Andrea Muenster, senior director, Care Coordination Centre
Project title: “Health beyond hospital”: addressing access and flow challenges to improve care for patients on discharge
This project addresses challenges related to patient flow and timely discharge from hospital. It supports the “Health beyond hospital” program, which aims to improve coordination, patient experience and transitions in care.
The team is working to strengthen governance, define best practices and support system wide coordination, including the development of the Care Coordination Centre.
Nova Scotia Health fellowship team
Team members:
• Kathy Spurr, senior strategist, quality and patient safety, Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
• Danika Woodburn, director, provider supports, One Person One Record (OPOR)
• Erin Gisborne, director, clinical standardization, OPOR
• Michelle Helliwell, director of policy, Nova Scotia Health
• Dr. Natalie Cheng, medical site lead, Dartmouth General Hospital, Nova Scotia Health
Project title: Using a computerized clinical decision support system to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI)
This project focused on improving patient safety by using digital tools within Nova Scotia’s OPOR system. A clinical decision support system will help identify patients at risk and support care teams in preventing pressure injuries. The project revealed the importance of centering human experience and expertise of both patients and providers to support a more standardized approach to support the reduction of HAPI.
About EXTRA
EXTRA™ is Healthcare Excellence Canada’s team-based, bilingual, action-oriented leadership development program that supports ongoing system transformation. It focuses on building the capabilities of leaders to improve quality and safety in healthcare. Learn more about recent projects here.
📸 Photos of (left) The Primary Health Care team received the Rochon Award for a project with strong potential to improve population health across the province; (right) Graeme Kohler has been named the Naimark Fellow Award recipient, recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in Canada’s health system.
