Dr. Neil Clifton is the Chief of Surgery for the Eastern Zone and the Medical Site Lead for Martha's Regional Hospital at Nova Scotia Health. Dr. Clifton specializes in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Dalhousie University.
Raised in South Africa, Dr. Clifton completed his medical education at the University of Pretoria School of Medicine in South Africa in 1979. Initially, he pursued a career in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and then started residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology before moving to Otolaryngology/ Head and Neck Surgery. Before medicine he had been in the military and had also obtained a degree in business management. Additionally, Dr. Clifton expanded his medical training by pursuing opportunities in various countries. He received further medical training in France, Germany, England, and the United States, allowing him to broaden his expertise and gain insights from different medical perspectives and practices.
Driven by his passion for performing specialized surgeries, including image-guided sinus surgery, Dr. Clifton made the decision to relocate to Nova Scotia. His current research includes Eustachian Tuboplasty.
One of Dr. Clifton's favorite aspects of his work is the opportunity to interview and hire doctors in the Eastern Zone. He finds it intriguing to learn about their backgrounds and motivations, as he believes that keeping the patient at the forefront of one's motivation is crucial. Dr. Clifton aims to ensure that the medical professionals he employs share a commitment to patient-centered care. This focus on maintaining patient well-being as the primary motivation aligns with his values and the high standard of care he upholds.
Dr. Clifton enjoys working with patients, particularly children. He finds joy in his work and believes that if you are passionate about what you do, the effort put into it is worthwhile. He believes that teamwork and supportive staff, including doctors and nurses, are essential for success.
In his spare time, Dr. Clifton indulges in his passion for diving and finds immense enjoyment in the activity. Not only does he pursue diving himself, but he also takes pleasure in sharing his expertise by teaching others how to dive.
