Cancer Care Nova Scotia Commissioner Resigns
Dr. Andrew Padmos has resigned as commissioner of Cancer Care Nova Scotia. Dr. Padmos was recruited in 1998 to lead the newly created Cancer Care Nova Scotia.
Dr. Padmos leaves to assume the position of chief executive officer for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
"I want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Padmos for his unwavering commitment, vision and leadership to enhance and improve the quality of cancer treatment and care for patients and families," said Jack Keith, chair of Cancer Care Nova Scotia's board of directors. "Since 1998, Dr. Padmos and his team have worked tirelessly with government and health districts to introduce programs, which support high-quality cancer care."
Cancer Care Nova Scotia was created by the Nova Scotia government to develop a comprehensive, integrated, quality-based and patient-centered cancer system for the province. Under the leadership of Dr. Padmos, Cancer Care Nova Scotia has developed and introduced standards and guidelines to improve the consistency of care delivered.
"While Cancer Care Nova Scotia will miss Dr. Padmos' expertise and leadership, I am confident that our team, under the leadership of our board and Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, will continue its work to support high-quality cancer care for all Nova Scotians," said Mr. Keith. "We wish Dr. Padmos every success in his new role at the college."
A practicing hematologist, Dr. Padmos will spend the next few months wrapping up his medical practice and his work with Cancer Care Nova Scotia, in addition to his roles as vice-president of research and academic affairs at Capital Health and associate dean of cancer programs at Dalhousie University. He assumes his position with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada on Sept. 1.
Since 1998, Cancer Care Nova Scotia has developed continuing education programs for physicians, nurses and other health professionals to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure patients continue to receive quality, evidence-based care.
In addition, Cancer Care Nova Scotia has helped to introduce outreach clinics, and has recruited cancer specialists to improve access to care. Cancer research has also expanded since the program began and a new collaborative approach was developed, making Nova Scotia a national leader in cancer research.
Perhaps best known among Cancer Care Nova Scotia's services is the nationally and internationally recognized Cancer Patient Navigation Program. The program, introduced in 2002 to support health professionals, patients and families in navigating through the cancer system, has improved access to care and understanding of treatment options in five health districts.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia will work closely with Health Minister Chris d'Entremont and the Department of Health in filling the position of commissioner.
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, education and research.