Chris Hillier Returns to Cancer Care as director for Eastern and Northern zones

Chris Hillier needs no introduction for many working at Nova Scotia Health. The new director of Cancer Care for Eastern and Northern zones is an experienced healthcare leader and team player who began his career as a radiation therapist at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in 1999.
 

In the last 26 years, Chris has held both clinical and leadership roles – all with the mindset of improving the experience and outcomes for patients.

“I’m not a fan of the status quo,” says Chris. “I’m interested in what is possible when we all work together to make healthcare better for patients and families.” 
 

He explains that a love of science, early experiences of family and friends with cancer and an interest in changing things for the better contributed to his initial interest in cancer care and radiation oncology. 

Thinking back on the progress made in cancer care in the last 26 years, Chris remembers being involved in early work in radiation oncology to provide cancer care closer to home through tele-oncology. 

He notes that care closer to home remains a priority for Cancer Care today. A boost in funding for community oncology and focus by senior leaders has resulted in 97 per cent of patients who need chemotherapy or immunotherapy today receiving that care close to their home community. 

The work now is to sustain successes and continue to look for improvements as Cancer Care teams explore other ways to improve and enhance cancer care. Key priorities going forward include supporting teams through a clinical information system (OPOR) transformation to enable enhanced communication between patients and providers, advancing a multi-year plan to strengthen community oncology -- including space needs -- and leveraging data and evidence to guide future planning. 

Chris will draw on his experience from past leadership roles in health services planning and most recently as director of clinical transformation for Eastern Zone as he works with other Cancer Care leaders and teams to continue improving the patient experience.

This will include seeing the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre finish and working with teams to provide care in this new and innovative space.

The Cape Breton Cancer Centre has extra meaning for Chris. “The opportunity to lead the engagement of 10 clinical teams in 2019 to facilitate their input into the design and build of the new Cape Breton Cancer Centre is among my most enjoyable and rewarding accomplishments to this point,” he says.

“As we get closer to moving into the new cancer centre, I’m so looking forward to seeing it finished and the realization of how our new home can support us in delivering modern, innovative and patient-centered care.”

Outside of work, Chris is equally engaged and busy, spending time with family, coaching baseball and basketball and when there is time and the weather is conducive, fishing and spending time on the Mira River. Chris and his wife Antoinette, have three children aged 21, 17 and nine. 

Photo of Chris Hillier, director, Cancer Care, Northern and Eastern zones

Chris Hiller replaces Valerie Nugent, who retired as director of cancer care for Eastern and Northern zones, on Dec. 31, 2025.