Physician Leadership Learning Opportunities | Information and Wellness Portal

The Learning, Development and Support team within Medical Affairs plays a vital role in empowering Nova Scotia Health physicians with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in today’s complex and rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

The learning opportunities provided aim to improve leadership confidence, foster collaboration, and support continuous professional growth.

We offer a range of innovative, physician-centered learning opportunities through multiple formats, including:

Asynchronous modules available in the Learning Management System (LMS)
Live online seminars
In-person workshops
Communities of practice
Podcasts

All learning opportunities provided by Medical Affairs are peer-validated; developed by physicians, for physicians, ensuring relevance, credibility, and practical value. Many qualify for CME credits (see program details).

Fall 2025 & Winter/Spring 2026 Programs

2026 Medical Affairs (Provincial) Physician Leadership Development Program

The Medical Affairs Physician Leadership Development Program is an opportunity for physicians to participate in a customized leadership development program with access to world-class leadership assessment, Leadership Circle Profile™ (LCP). This program is available by Expression of Interest to current physician leaders across all zones with 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience, and who haven't previously participated in leadership development education.

Format: Bi-monthly virtual sessions + three in-person gatherings
Facilitators: Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell & Verna MacDonald
Dates: Apr. 22–Oct. 28, 2026, evenings.
Eligibility: Physicians in leadership roles across all zones
Capacity: 24 participants
Deadline to register: Feb. 13, 2026

Submit your Expression of Interest. Promotional flyer is available here .

This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 19.5 Mainpro+ Certified Activity and up to 4.5 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits.

This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) and an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 19.5 Section 1: Group Learning hours and 4.5 Section 3: Self-Assessment Program hours (credits are automatically calculated).

Approval Statement: Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.

Doctor’s Lounge Community of Practice for Nova Scotia Health Physician Leaders

All physicians in formal leadership roles within NS Health are invited to participate in the 2026 Doctor’s Lounge Community of Practice.

This is a virtual forum covering a series of facilitated topics, with accompanying interactive programing modules on each topic housed in our learning management system (LMS). Physician Leaders across the province can connect and build skills, competencies and confidence around complex leadership topics. The forum will provide leaders with the opportunity to build a network of support through colleagues and other experts in leadership development, workplace conflict and resilience.

Overall Program Objectives:

Participation in the program will provide participants the opportunity to:

Develop skills to prepare for, facilitate, and follow up after meetings concerning conflict and discord in the workplace (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Professional)
Recognize and demonstrate ways to navigate as leaders in a hierarchical system (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Professional, Collaborator)
Develop ways for effective communication in high stress environments (CanMEDS: Communicator, Leader)
Use trust building as a strategy for moving conflict into collaboration (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator)
Identify strategies to strengthen civility in teams, foster respect, engagement and burnout prevention (CanMEDS: Communicator, Leader, Collaborator, Professional)
Describe how to design meaningful alliances (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator)
Support team wellness through building resilient and supportive teams (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, collaborator; Health Advocate)
Define how to create psychologically safe spaces (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator, Health Advocate)
Review the LEADS framework for Physician Leaders (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Professional, Collaborator)
Identify the fundamentals of conflict resolution, including the dynamics of conflict and effective strategies for resolution (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator)
Engage with fellow participants to develop a deeper understanding of systems contexts (CanMEDS: Communicator, Collaborator)
Focus on capacity-building around peacebuilding and conflict navigation efforts (CanMEDS: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator)

This programming is fully accredited for Section 1 and Section 3 of the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as 1.0 Mainpro+® and 1.0 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits with the College of Family Physicians of Canada. See bottom of this section for more information.

2026

Jan. 21 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Navigating Hierarchy: Strategies for Physician Leaders – Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell & Verna MacDonald

In this interactive group coaching experience, participants will explore effective ways to thrive as leaders within structured healthcare systems. Together, we will consider how to lead with influence and adaptability in the face of external demands and organizational expectations. Case-based discussions and real-world examples will provide a foundation for open dialogue, shared learning and collaborative exploration of strategies for success. Through facilitated conversation, reflective practice and peer learning, this structured, hands-on approach is designed to strengthen self-awareness, emotional intelligence and collective problem-solving.

CanMEDs Roles: Leader, Communicator, Professional, Collaborator

Participants will be able to:

Recognize the impact of hierarchy in healthcare settings
Assess personal leadership style within hierarchical contexts
Develop strategies to lead effectively and foster psychological safety and open dialogue
Identify approaches for collective problem-solving
Commit to actional change through self-reflection and goal setting

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Feb. 25 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Managing Conflict: Communication in High-Stress Environments – Scott Furlotte

This interactive session will help equip physician leaders with practical tools and insights to navigate conflict effectively in high-pressure, clinical settings. Participants will explore strategies for appreciating diverse perspectives, regulating emotional responses and communicating clearly under stress. Through reviewing theories, evidence-informed practices and guided discussion opportunities, attendees will gain confidence in managing difficult conversations and fostering collaborative solutions.

Scott Furlotte is a Conflict Resolution and Mediation Consultant. Scott holds a Master of Science in Business Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire and an undergraduate degree from Harvard University. Scott serves as a faculty member with the Nova Scotia Community College in the School of Health and Human Services, and with Acadia University’s Department of Psychology. Scott has consulted on the topic of conflict and change both nationally and internationally.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Professional

Participants will be able to:

Apply practical tools and insights to help navigate conflict effectively in high pressure, clinical settings
Recognize and apply strategies for appreciating diverse perspectives, regulating emotional responses, and communicating clearly under stress
Illustrate ways of managing difficult conversations and fostering collaborative solutions

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Mar. 25 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): The Trust Prescription: From Conflict to Collaboration in Healthcare – Dr. Kristen Woods

Participants will navigate a realistic workplace conflict scenario using an integrated Trust Edge approach, applying Priority Alignment for assessment, PAWS (Posture, Action, Words, Solution) for communication, and Curious Questions for breakthrough moments.

In this interactive session, participants will engage in a dynamic exploration of conflict resolution strategies – following the ‘Priority Alignment’ assessment, they will diagnose the root causes of the case of a dispute through mapping of priorities and undercovering the deeper values and concerns found under the surface. Following the PAWS framework, they will practice navigating this high stress scenario. Participants will learn to transform conflict dynamics through crafting curious questions to begin fostering collaboration and build a bridge towards trust, and a plan for a more positive way forward.

Dr. Woods is an executive coach with 25 years of healthcare experience, transitioning from family physician to senior leadership roles. She led interdisciplinary care redesign and later drove strategic, financial and cultural transformation in national health systems. Her coaching blends cognitive-behavioural methods with real-world leadership insights to empower healthcare leaders.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Professional, Collaborator

Participants will be able to:

Apply practical tools and insights to help navigate high stress scenarios
Define root causes of a challenging situation, as opposed to symptoms
Create questions designed to foster collaboration, positivity and building trust

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Apr. 15 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Strengthening Civility in Healthcare Teams: Respect, Engagement and Burnout Prevention – Dr. Michael Leiter

Incivility has a high cost in healthcare, negatively impacting morale and patient care, and contributing to burnout. Participants will explore how small, intentional actions can foster a culture of respect and engagement in healthcare teams. Grounded in the SCORE (Strengthening a Culture of Respect and Engagement) framework, this session offers practical, research-based strategies to reduce burnout, improve team dynamics and enhance patient care.

In this interactive session, participants will gain insights into the powerful role physicians play in shaping workplace culture, learn scalable ‘civility nudges’ that can be applied immediately, and leave with tools to promote psychological safety, respectful communication and team cohesion across clinical settings.

Dr. Leiter is an organizational consultant leading expert in the psychology of work, with academic credentials from Duke University, Vanderbilt University and a PhD from the University of Oregon. He has held prominent academic roles, including Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health and Wellness at Acadia University and Professor at Deakon University in Australia. Renowned for his research on job burnout and work engagement, he now helps organizations use employee survey data to improve workplace well-being. Dr. Leiter developed the SCORE intervention to foster respect and reduce burnout. His recent publications with Christina Maslach include The Burnout Challenge and a Harvard Business Review article on job design.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator

Participants will be able to:

Recognize and apply small, intentional actions to foster a culture of respect and engagement
Apply the SCORE framework for practical, research-based strategies to reduce burnout, improve team morale and dynamics
Identify and understand the positive impact of scalable ‘civility nudges’
Apply practical tools and approaches to ensure teams feel psychologically safe, respected and in sync with other team members and colleagues

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

May 13 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Group Coaching: Designing Alliances – Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald

This interactive session invites participants explore and practice the art and impact of coaching conversations in clinical and leadership settings. Through guided dialogue, reflective exercises, and peer engagement, participants will learn how to intentionally design coaching alliances that foster trust, clarity and mutual commitment. The session will introduce foundational coaching principles, highlight the importance of co-creating agreements, and offer practical tools to enhance communication and collaboration.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator

Participants will be able to:

Design coaching alliances through guided dialogue
Apply the practice and art of coaching conversations in the clinical leadership setting
Apply techniques to intentionally design coaching alliances that foster trust, clarity and mutual commitment
Employ co-creating agreements and other practical tools to enhance communication and collaboration

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Sept 23 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Team Wellness for Physician Leaders: Building Resilient and Supportive Teams – Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald

There are a lot of great resources that speak to individual physician wellness. In this interactive session, participants will expand the wellness focus to overall team wellness. With a look to defining what is team wellness, recognizing signs for burnout and disengagement, participants will gain insight into strategies they can employ to foster psychological safety. Participants will learn best practices around delivering effective, compassionate feedback as a wellness tool, and also engage in reflective leadership practices. Embedding wellness practices into team routines by creating of culture of check-ins and debriefs and enhanced communication is a powerful approach to ensuring the health and wellbeing of team members. As a key takeaway, participants will be asked to consider a personal action plan, including ‘One thing I will do differently tomorrow’. Real life scenarios and cases will be discussed and participants will be encouraged to come with a case from their experience for discussion in small groups.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator

Participants will be able to:

Define team wellness
Recognize signs of burnout and disengagement
Apply strategies to foster psychological safety
Deliver effective, compassionate feedback (as a wellness tool)
Engage in reflective leadership practices
Embed wellness into team routines

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Oct 14 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Designing Psychologically Safe Spaces in Healthcare Leadership: Policy, Practice & Real-World Cases – Dr. Arla Day

In high-stakes healthcare settings, psychological safety is an important concept and law that is meant to protect individuals and create a safe environment for leaders and team members to have a voice and share concerns. Physician leaders play a pivotal role in shaping team culture. Psychological safety improves patient outcomes by encouraging error reporting and dialogue, reducing burnout and enhancing team performance. As of September 1, 2025, Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Act was amended to include psychological health and safety. Through this session, participants will become knowledgeable about this act, understanding that it not only helps physician leaders meet legal obligations, but fosters safer care environments and enables more effective, engaged teams. Real life scenarios and cases will be discussed, and participants will be encouraged to come with a case from their experience for discussion in small groups.

Dr. Arla Day is a Canada Research Chair and Full Professor in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary's University, and a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association. Dr. Day is a founding member of two research and community outreach centres: The CN Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and the Centre for Leadership Excellence. Arla chairs the Nova Scotia Psychological Healthy Workplace Program committee and is on the Steering Committee for the American Psychological Association’s Business of Practice Network, which oversees the state, provincial and national healthy workplace awards and programs.

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Health Advocate

Participants will be able to:

Recognize the historical, legal and policy framework
Explore leadership’s role in psychological safety
Discuss real cases and strategies

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Nov 18 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): LEADS Refresher – Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald

This session will offer participants a high-level overview of leading through the LEADS lens in the unpredictable, complex and dynamic context of healthcare. Through this overview, participants will assess the status of their LEADS capabilities within the five domains. This exploration will create an opportunity to be intentional in expanding the development of LEADS aspirational capabilities in their leadership practice. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect and identify strengths in their leadership practice around systems thinking, team leadership, change navigation and self-motivation. Examples of ‘living LEADS’ in clinical settings, academic environments and within the overall system will be shared. Participants will gain insights through self-reflection tools and peer sharing to identify growth areas for ongoing, intentional competencies in their leadership effectiveness. Real life scenarios and cases will be discussed, and participants will be encouraged to come with a case from their experience for discussion in small groups.

CanMEDS Role: Leader, Communicator, Collaborator

Participants will be able to:

Identify the aspirational capabilities that are demonstrated strengths in their leadership practice in systems thinking, team leadership, change navigation and as a self-motivated leader
Share examples of ‘living LEADS’ in clinical settings, academic environments and within the overall system
Utilize the self-reflection tools to identify growth areas for ongoing, intentional competencies in their leadership effectiveness

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

Dec 9 | Doctor’s Lounge (5–6 pm, Virtual): Practical Survival Skills for Physician Leaders: Efficiency, Delegation and Strategic Leadership – Dr. Steven Soroka

Very complex demands are placed on physician leaders. Physicians often ‘hit the ground running’ when they assume leadership roles. This interactive session is designed to equip leaders (new and not new) with important insights and skills to help them navigate as leaders in practical, helpful ways. Best practices drawn from real life experience, participants will learn how to apply co-leadership strategies for clarity and precision and embrace techniques to prioritize effectively in high-demand environments. They will gain clarity around what tasks can to delegated to supporting staff and ways to leverage administrative and executive assistants. Participants will reflect on identifying ‘time wasters’ and confidently say ‘no’ when appropriate. Ultimately, this interactive session will provide solutions and ideas for workflow improvements for better efficiency while also enabling and empowering physician leaders. Real life scenarios and cases will be discussed, and participants will be encouraged to come with a case from their experience for discussion in small groups.

Dr. Soroka is Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University and a Nephrologist in the Department of Medicine at Nova Scotia Health. He received his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1990 and has held several leadership positions at various levels of the healthcare system. He was a medical advisor to the Nova Scotia Provincial Renal Program, Physician Lead of the Capital District Renal Program, VP of Medicine for Capital Health, and the Executive Medical Director of the Central Zone of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. He was also the medical director of Nephrology clinical trials for 12 years. He was a medical advisor to the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Kidney Foundation from 2006–2012. Dr. Soroka has been a surveyor for Accreditation Canada since 2008 and the Senior Medical Director for the Nova Scotia Health Authority Renal Program and Pharmacy Services since 2016. In 2022, he was acknowledged as a Patient Safety Leader champion and was the recipient of the Nova Scotia Health 2022 Making Waves Award Program Leadership Excellence Award – Physician Leader. In March 2023, he was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia).

CanMEDS Roles: Leader, Communicator, Health Advocate

Participants will be able to:

Apply co-leadership strategies to improve team dynamics
Prioritize effectively in the high-demand clinical setting
Delegate tasks and leverage administrative assistants
Identify ‘time wasters’ and confidently say ‘no’ when appropriate

Implement workflow improvements for better efficiency

To Register: Contact Jane Bolivar, Manager, janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca

This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 1.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity and up to 1.0 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits.

This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) and an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 1.0 Section 1: Group Learning hours and 1.0 Section 3: Self-Assessment Program hours (credits are automatically calculated).

Approval Statement:

Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.

Leading Through Coaching Workshop

One day, (offered quarterly by zone) in person workshop for Nova Scotia Health physicians with over 3 years of formal leadership experience. Workshops facilitated by Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald.

Feb. 6 | Central Zone (9–4, Halifax): Leading Through Coaching Workshop

Register here.

Apr. 17 | Western Zone (9–4, Kentville): Leading Through Coaching Workshop

Register here.

Medical Affairs Webinar Series – Inspired Leadership for Physicians: Leading with Presence, Empathy and Purpose

2026

Jan. 22 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Grief Education Series for Physicians: Understanding Grief and Grief Literacy – Sarah Burm, PhD and Matt Fillier

The Grief Education Series for Physicians is offered as part of the NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series and Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Webinar Series. This series of four (4) virtual sessions are meant to support physicians in understanding the necessity and value of engaging in difficult conversations around the experience of loss. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will leave with a better understanding of grief literacy in the context of healthcare and recognize key challenges associated with expressing grief in clinical work environments. They will develop greater comfort and capacity to reflect on personal and professional experiences with grief and loss and identify actionable strategies to promote grief literacy within clinical settings.

Each webinar in the grief education series is eligible for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation.

Understanding Grief and Grief Literacy (Session 1 of 4)

Participants will learn to define different forms of grief in the context of medical practice and find methods to reflect on how grief is acknowledged – or not acknowledged – within clinical training and practice. Different examples of loss that physicians may encounter will be explored and discussed.

Facilitated by Sarah Burm, PhD, Associate Professor and Education Research Scientist in the Office of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University, and Matt Fillier, Grief Practice Lead, Palliative Care Network, NS Health.

Learning objectives:

Define different forms of grief in the context of medical practice
Reflect on how grief is acknowledged – or not acknowledged – within clinical training and practice

Register here.

Feb. 11 | 5–6:30 p.m.: AI Beyond the Buzzword: A Practical Discussion of AI in Medicine – Dr. Matthew Clarke

This session will provide the fundamentals on how AI works and its real-world applications in medicine today – from enhancing diagnostic imaging to reducing administrative workloads. This will include an exploration of why high-quality data is the essential engine for AI and how Nova Scotia’s data modernization strategy is building the foundation for future innovation. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the future of AI in healthcare, including its potential in predictive analytics, eliminating documentation with generative AI, and enabling personalized medicine. Discussion will be led around the practical steps NS physicians can take to become ‘AI-ready’ and their vital role in guiding the safe and effective integration of these powerful new tools.

Dr. Matthew Clarke is an Emergency Physician in Central Zone and the Associate Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) for NS Health and IWK Health. In these roles, he has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the system. He leads digital health projects with a core mission: to empower patients and providers by using technology to help people better manage their health and navigate our complex system. When he’s not working, his time is usually spent with his wife and their five young children, usually on a bike trail, at a campsite or at the rink.

Register Here.

Feb. 24 | 6–7:30 p.m.: Grief Education for Physicians: Talking about Grief in the Clinical Environment – Sarah Burm, PhD and Matt Fillier

The Grief Education Series for Physicians is offered as part of the NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series and Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Webinar Series.

This series of four (4) virtual sessions is meant to support physicians in understanding the necessity and value of engaging in difficult conversations around the experience of loss. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment, leaving with a better understanding of grief literacy in the healthcare context and recognizing key challenges associated with expressing grief in clinical work environments. They will develop greater comfort and capacity for reflecting on personal and professional experiences with grief and loss, and identifying actionable strategies to promote grief literacy within clinical settings.

Each webinar in the grief education series is eligible for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation.

Talking about Grief in the Clinical Environment (Session 2 of 4)

Participants will learn to identify barriers to discussing grief among physicians and within healthcare teams. A deep dive into the impact of medicine’s professional culture on expressions of vulnerability will also be explored.

Learning objectives:

Identify barriers to discussing grief among physicians, learners and within healthcare teams
Explore the impact of medicine's professional culture on expressions of vulnerability
Introduce language and strategies for initiating conversations about grief with colleagues and learners

Register here.

Mar. 4 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Building High-Trust Cultures in Medical Practice – Dr. Kristen Woods

This session equips physician leaders with actionable strategies to foster trust within their teams. Grounded in the Trust Edge model, the webinar explores how trust directly impacts clinical outcomes, team collaboration and organizational performance.

Participants will assess their current practice environment using the eight (8) Trust Edge pillars – Clarity, Compassion, Character, Competency, Commitment, Connection, Contribution and Consistency – to identify potential gaps affecting care and collaboration. They will learn and implement practical techniques to build trust with an emphasis on communication and care coordination. With a focus on trust-centred approaches, learners will be able to identify and develop systematic and measurable actions for creating improvements in overall team cohesion.

Dr. Woods is an executive coach with 25 years of healthcare experience, transitioning from family physician to senior leadership roles. She led interdisciplinary care redesign and later drove strategic, financial and cultural transformation in national health systems. Her coaching blends cognitive-behavioral methods with real-world leadership insights to empower healthcare leaders.

Register here.

Mar. 31 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Grief Education Series for Physicians: Grief, Self-Care and Physician Wellness – Sarah Burm, PhD and Matt Fillier

The Grief Education Series for Physicians is offered as part of the NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series and Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Webinar Series.

This series of four (4) virtual sessions is meant to support physicians in understanding the necessity and value of engaging in difficult conversations around the experience of loss. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will leave with a better understanding of grief literacy in the context of healthcare and ability to recognize key challenges associated with expressing grief in clinical work environments. They will develop greater comfort and capacity for reflecting on personal and professional experiences with grief and loss, and identify actionable strategies to promote grief literacy within clinical settings.

Each webinar in the grief education series is eligible for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation.

Grief, Self-care and Physician Wellness (Session 3 of 4)

Participants will examine the relationship between unacknowledged grief and physician burnout, moral injury, as well as compassion fatigue. They will gain insight into how to differentiate between performative and meaningful self-care. They will also identify personal practices and available resources intended to help physicians navigate their grief and loss in a compassionate manner.

Learning objectives:

Examine the relationship between unacknowledged grief and physician burnout, moral injury or compassion fatigue
Differentiate between performative and meaningful self-care
Identify personal practices and available resources intended to help physicians navigate their grief and loss in a compassionate manner

Register here.

Apr. 22 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Strengthening Civility in Healthcare Teams: Respect, Engagement and Burnout Prevention – Dr. Michael Leiter

There is recognition amongst the healthcare sector of the high cost of incivility and its negative impacts on morale, patient care and burnout. In this webinar, Dr. Leiter will explore how small, intentional actions can foster a culture of respect and engagement in healthcare teams. Grounded in the SCORE (Strengthening a Culture of Respect and Engagement) framework, this session offers practical, research-based strategies to reduce burnout, improve team dynamics and enhance patient care. Participants will gain insights into the powerful role physicians play in shaping workplace culture, learn scalable ‘civility nudges’ that can be applied immediately, and leave with tools to promote psychological safety, respectful communication and team cohesion across clinical settings.

A highly sought out speaker on this topic, Dr. Leiter is an organizational consultant and leading expert in the psychology of work, with academic credentials from Duke University, Vanderbilt University and a PhD from the University of Oregon. He has held prominent academic roles, including Canada Research Char in Occupational Health and Wellness at Acadia University and Professor at Deakon University in Australia. Renowned for his research on job burnout and work engagement, he now helps organizations use employee survey data to improve workplace well-being. Dr. Leiter developed the SCORE intervention to foster respect and reduce burnout. His recent publications with Christina Maslach include The Burnout Challenge and a Harvard Business Review article on job design.

Register Here.

Apr. 28 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Grief Education Series for Physicians: Honouring Your Grief and the Grief of Others – Sarah Burm, PhD and Matt Fillier

The Grief Education Series for Physicians is offered as part of the NS Health Medical Affairs' Webinar Series and Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Webinar Series.

This series of four (4) virtual sessions is meant to support physicians in understanding the necessity and value of engaging in difficult conversations around the experience of loss. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will leave with a better understanding of grief literacy in the context of healthcare and recognize key challenges associated with expressing grief in clinical work environments. They will develop greater comfort and capacity for reflecting on personal and professional experiences with grief and loss, and identify actionable strategies to promote grief literacy within clinical settings.

Each webinar in the grief education series is eligible for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation.

Honouring your Grief and the Grief of Others (Session 4 of 4)

Participants will explore culturally responsive and ethically grounded approaches to honouring grief in diverse healthcare teams, settings and communities. They will develop strategies for creating space for grief in clinical practice and organizational culture.

Learning objectives:

Explore culturally responsive and ethically grounded approaches to honouring grief in diverse healthcare teams, settings and communities
Develop strategies for creating space for grief in clinical practice and organizational culture

Register here.

May 6 | 5–6:30 p.m.: Leading the Way in Trauma-Informed Care – Dr. Aaron Smith, Rachel Askett, Luke MacMillan and Matt Fillier

Understanding empathic strain, secondary traumatic stress, grief and burnout, and associated symptoms, can be a game changer in terms of how physicians interact with their teams, patients and colleagues. This session offers practical tips and strategies on how to conduct formal and informal debriefs, including practical tools and techniques to promote wellness in the workplace. It also equips participants with an understanding of trauma-informed care and its application in health care. The ability to recognize signs of trauma in patients, colleagues and oneself allows for the application of appropriate, non-triggering interactions and responses.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Aaron Smith is a medical executive committed to improving health systems through innovation and continuous learning. He is also deeply focused on understanding the social determinants of health to foster more effective and equitable models of care. As the Provincial Medical Executive Director and Operational Lead for Primary Care Clinics and Health Homes, as well as Central Zone Medical Executive Director, Dr. Smith blends strategic leadership with active clinical practice in Hospitalist Medicine.

Rachel Askett is the Wellness and Education Lead within Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness (OHSW). She works alongside the OHSW team to advance psychological safety within the healthcare setting guided by the National Standard. Her approach to education is strengths-based and focuses on facilitating connections for knowledge sharing.

Luke MacMillan is the Provincial Wellness Manager within Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness at Nova Scotia Health. He oversees wellness initiatives across the province, leading efforts to improve occupational health and psychological safety for Nova Scotia Health staff and team members.

Matt Fillier is the Grief Practice Lead, Palliative Care Network, NS Health. In this role, Matt has developed a Grief Practice Support Program for physicians, health staff and volunteers

Register Here.

Recordings of previous webinars

Reflective Practice in Medicine for Anti-Oppression – Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed

Reflective Practice is a requirement for effective anti-oppressive practice and care. This webinar explores reflexive practice questions and practices that practitioners might employ in order to deepen their anti-oppressive practice. The recording is available here.

Planetary Health & Healthcare Leadership – Dr. Nabha Shetty

Physician accreditation organizations agree that contributing to planetary health is an important objective in healthcare. This webinar will get participants ‘up to speed’ on the concept of planetary health, why it's important and how we all have a voice in making it a priority. The recording is available here.

Podcast Series

Watch (and listen) for our monthly podcast series, “A Prescription for Leadership,” where executive coaches, Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, share insights around leadership and welcome subject matter expert guests to talk about a variety important topics!

This podcast is shared in Executive Vice President of Medicine and Clinical Operations, Dr. Nicole Boutilier’s newsletter. Subscribe here.

Visit our library of podcasts here!

Get in touch!

Reach out if we can help! To learn more about the learning and development opportunities provided by medical affairs, or request learning supports, please email:

Tanya Lush, Director, Physician Learning, Development & Support at Tanya.lush@nshealth.ca.