In the bustling healthcare landscape of Nova Scotia, registered nurse Sonya Deal has stood as a beacon of dedication and compassion for over three decades. Deal's journey culminated in a pivotal role as an Organ Donor Coordinator with Legacy of Life, a program facilitating organ and tissue donation across multiple provinces. She credits her diverse experiences, from critical care units to emergency medical services, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of organ and tissue donation.

Public Health supports access to COVID-19 and influenza testing, and COVID-19, influenza and measles immunization across the province. To help ensure all Nova Scotians have access to these important services, Public Health will be holding testing and immunization clinics next week. All upcoming clinics can be found online at www.nshealth.ca/PHMU.

Public Health supports access to COVID-19 rapid test kits across the province. To help ensure all Nova Scotians have access rapid tests, we will be holding an additional clinic today:

Mayflower Mall
800 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney
Friday, April 26 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Drop in to pick up COVID-19 rapid test kits. Booked appointments, COVID-19 and influenza PCR tests not available.

All upcoming clinics can be found online at www.nshealth.ca/PHMU.

Please note:

On Monday, April 29, the Advisory Committee for Black Public Health will be offering a Black Health and Wellness Event at New Beginnings Ministries in Dartmouth. The event will include a variety of services provided by a team of healthcare professionals and community leaders working together to provide a positive, Africentric health and wellness experience.

All are welcome to attend and take advantage of the services offered, as well as the opportunity to congregate with diverse Black and African Nova Scotian community members in a culturally competent space.

The Youth Health Centre (YHC) at Citadel High School recently hosted some special guests: Nova Scotia Health interim-President and CEO, Karen Oldfield and Minister of Health and Wellness, Michelle Thompson. They were joined by Public Health leadership, including Senior Director, Marcia DeSantis and Central Zone Director, Shelley Radford and Youth Health Centre Coordinators (YHCC), Erin Poirier, Lorraine Gavin and Vicki Caines.

Like with many professions, sometimes physicians leave our province to pursue other opportunities within Canada and abroad. When they decide to return, Nova Scotia Health is happy to welcome them back with open arms.

Dr. Colin Sutton is one such example.

Northern Zone Mental Health and Addictions Program has recently welcomed three psychiatrists, who will join their seasoned team of medical specialists and Mental Health clinicians. Dr. Lilly Lines, Dr. Adedamola Fasehun and Dr. Tareq Abdel Ghani – who have all arrived since September 2023 – are very happy to settle into their homes and workplaces in the Northern Zone. The zone serves people in Colchester County, Pictou County, Cumberland County and the Municipality of East Hants. 

Nova Scotia Health is hosting its first provincial career fair on Friday, April 26, offering in-person opportunities for job seekers in 11 communities. 

Representatives from various departments will be in Amherst, New Glasgow, Truro, Sydney, Inverness, Antigonish, Sheet Harbour, Halifax, Bridgewater and Yarmouth to discuss career and volunteer opportunities across the organization.

The career fairs will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

This very special story is written by an organ donor's family member for Nova Scotia's Organ and Tissue Donation Program, Legacy of Life.