Board Chair Appointed

The Department of Health and Cancer Care Nova Scotia announced today the appointment J. G. (Jack) Keith as chair of the board for Cancer Care Nova Scotia. Mr. Keith replaces Peggy Davison, who has served as chair of Cancer Care Nova Scotia since it was formed in 1998.

A key member of the senior executive at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Mr. Keith held several domestic and international postings during his 44-year career. He was appointed senior vice-president of the Atlantic region in 1986 and held that position until his retirement in October 2001.

Throughout his career, Mr. Keith has played an active role in the community. In addition to the business sector, his volunteer interests span education, the arts, not-for-profit organizations and health care. He has played a leadership role in the Terry Fox Run since the mid-1980s. He is a member of the board of directors for the Halifax Foundation and chair of the Commerce Advisory Board for the Frank H. Sobey faculty of commerce at Saint Mary's University.

"Jack Keith brings a wealth of professional and volunteer experience to his role as chair of the board for Cancer Care Nova Scotia," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "He will provide the leadership needed to move Cancer Care Nova Scotia from the planning and development phase to implementation."

"We are grateful to Peggy Davison and her inaugural team of board members from across the province, who have made a tremendous contribution to cancer care in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Muir. "Jack and his team will build on the very solid foundation Peggy and her board have built. Jack's business acumen and community spirit will serve Cancer Care Nova Scotia well as it moves forward to enhance the availability, quality and accessibility of cancer care for all Nova Scotians."

"I look forward to working with Jack Keith," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "Peggy Davison's dedication, energy and vision provided us with exceptional leadership over the last three years. Jack Keith's track record in voluntarism and management will be a crucial asset as we move forward with our mandate."

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health care system through prevention, screening and research and to lessen the fear of cancer through education and information. Its programs are centred in the community, compassionate to patients, cost-effective and based on sound research.