From COVID testing to coordinating care: Zachary Martin’s journey to making a difference

For Zachary Martin, healthcare wasn’t just a career; it was a calling. 

He stepped into the field during the height of the pandemic, driven by a deep desire to make a difference in people’s lives when it mattered most.

Zachary began his journey with Nova Scotia Health in 2021 at a COVID-19 testing centre, where he handled registration. It was a frontline role that gave him a firsthand look at the importance of efficient, compassionate care. 

With a diploma in business administration and the completion of the medical office administration program, where he earned the prestigious president’s award, Zachary was ready to dive into healthcare.

Since then, he’s worked across several departments, gaining a deep appreciation for the many roles that support patient care. Today, he serves as the clinical training lead for the Care Coordination Centre (C3) in Northern Zone, a role that blends technology, training and patient-focused innovation.

“Every day is different,” Zachary says. “I might be onboarding new users at North Cumberland Health Care Centre, supporting patient flow teams or on nursing units demonstrating new technology.”

C3 is transforming how care teams work together across the province. From the moment a patient is admitted to the time they’re discharged, the system helps simplify care, reduce time spent in emergency departments, and support smoother transitions home. With real-time access to patient needs, clinical teams can make faster, more informed decisions. 

“C3 brings interprofessional teams together in one system,” Zachary explains. “It helps identify and resolve challenges to care, making collaboration easier than ever.”

One of the standout moments in Zachary’s career has been helping launch C3 technology at the new discharge support unit at Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro. 

Zachary worked closely with the team to tailor the technology to fit their unique needs. Using the C3 system, the unit can quickly identify the supports patients need and help them return to the place they call home safely and confidently.

“Patients should feel confident from the moment they’re admitted knowing their care teams have the technology and tools to support them every step of the way,” says Zachary. “We work behind the scenes every day to make care better.”

Take a closer look at C3 here: Care Coordination Centre (C3) | Nova Scotia Health.

Photo of Zachary Martin.