Patient, Family & Public Advisory Council
Nova Scotia Health Authority is committed to engaging Nova Scotians in establishing priorities, ensuring that the decisions of Nova Scotia Health Authority are informed by their voice. We engage with Nova Scotians to create a healthier future and are grounded in a culture of patient, family and community-centered service. This approach fosters respectful, compassionate, culturally appropriate, and competent service that is responsive to the needs, values, beliefs and preferences of patients, families and communities.
Our Patient, Family & Public Advisory Council was formed in the fall of 2016 to advise senior leaders, health care providers, staff and physicians on policies, practices, planning and delivery of patient and family-centered care. It is a place to ensure patients, families and communities are meaningful partners at all levels of service planning, allowing their perspectives to be heard and thoroughly considered in decision making.
Learn how you can become a Patient, Family & Advisory Council member here.
Fiona Campbell-Gavin, Annapolis Royal
Fiona Campbell-Gavin is a retired RN who practiced in the UK as well as Ontario before retiring to the Annapolis Valley. She wants to use her recent experience as an NS Health patient to improve the system. Reasons for applying are to learn more about our health system, meet new people, make relationships, and pay back to the system. Fiona possesses experience working with diverse populations within London and Toronto.
Catherine Aquino-Russell, Amherst Point
Catherine Aquino-Russell is a nurse who teaches at the University of New Brunswick. She possesses a very strong background of academics, and has lived, worked, and volunteered in multiple countries around the world. She also brings great patient and family experience and is excited to contribute to change in the system.
Jack Smith
Jack Smith comes to us from the Western Zone and brings his family experience with many facets of the health care system. He wants to give back and learn about Nova Scotia Health and how the organization works. Retired from the air force, he has held many high-level professional and volunteer roles and is skilled in interpersonal relationships.
Carla Lewis
Carla Lewis lives in the Western Zone and brings a blend of experience and skills from her professional and personal life. Her experience supporting a family member through their journey at home, with home care and long term care provided valuable insights into the strengths and challenges of the system. She has a passion for people to succeed and grow in life and her work life had her leading people through change.
Roger Russell, Northern Zone
Coming Soon!
Cathy Belliveau
Cathy lives within our Central Zone and is currently taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Patient Family Advisory Council. After a lengthy career with the Workers’ Compensation Board of NS in several positions, she retired as Manager of Corporate Development. Working with staff and external clients, her focus was on streamlining processes, improving communication, and collaborating with other organizations and Provincial and Federal government departments to achieve these goals. Her personal family experience has sparked an interest to better understand and improve the healthcare system.
Cyril Campbell
Coming Soon!
Gloria Samson
Gloria Samson lives in the Eastern Zone and is currently taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Patient Family Advisory Council. A combination of her professional and personal life experiences with workplace injuries, access to the health care system and family members in long term care, led to a desire for a more personal involvement. Gloria enjoys working with people and feels that becoming a Patient Family Advisor has led to a better understanding of the strengths, challenges and possible solutions within the health care system, changes & proposed changes for improving the delivery of health services to all Nova Scotians and the Value of partner engagement in the development of solutions.
Peggy MacNeil
Peggy recently retired from nursing after working 36 years full-time. Her nursing career provided an opportunity to care for patients and their families of all ages from newborn to the elderly. Peggy feels that being a member of the Council is an excellent opportunity to continue to be engaged in healthcare from the perspective of a mother and grandmother, sister and daughter who has had various experiences within the healthcare system. Peggy believes that public engagement is necessary for patient-centered care which leads to improved quality of care for everyone.
Vacant: Eastern Zone
