New Deputy Minister of Health Named

The Department of Health has a new deputy minister. Premier John Hamm today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Ward.

"Dr. Ward is a senior health care administrator with an impressive list of credentials. His experience as both a doctor and administrator will no doubt bring insight, understanding and a balance to the position of deputy minister of health in Nova Scotia."

Dr. Ward has 14 years of senior administrative experience leading large and complex health care organizations. Currently, he is a senior consultant on strategic planning and policy development with the British Columbia Ministry of Health. He has been acting president and chief executive officer for the Vancouver Catholic Health Care Group and St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, and has held senior administrative positions with other hospitals and health care organizations in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Dr. Ward replaces Dr. Nuala Kenny, whose resignation was effective Nov. 1, 1999. Dr. Ward will assume the post on Nov. 15. In the interim, Bill Lahey, assistant deputy minister of general administration for the Department of Health, is serving as acting deputy minister.