News Release Archive
HEALTH--NEW TEAM IN PLACE IN HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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Significant personnel changes in the senior management of
the provincial Health Department, along with a realignment
of the department's structure, were announced today by
Health Minister Bernie Boudreau and Deputy Minister Ed
Cramm.
Last week the minister outlined plans for the next phase of
health care renewal, to span some 18 months. "This week we
put the team in place to deliver on that plan," the
minister said.
The changes will add experience and expertise to the
department's senior management team and bring a fresh
perspective on many issues. The realignment is designed to
improve accountability and marry program planning and
policy development with operations.
Former Nova Scotia Medical Society President Rick LeMoine
has joined the department, as executive director for
insured programs management and clinical rationalization.
That job gives Dr. LeMoine a leadership role in delivery
of many vital health services.
"Dr. LeMoine brings a wealth of experience and unquestioned
expertise to the department and to the health care renewal
process," the minister said. "Nova Scotians are fortunate
that a health professional of his calibre has agreed to
serve the province at this important time in our history."
Dr. LeMoine taught at Dalhousie University Medical School
and the University of California at San Diego. He has
practised medicine in Halifax, California and most recently
in his native Cape Breton. Dr. LeMoine was president of the
medical society when health care renewal was launched three
years ago.
As executive director of insured programs management and
clinical rationalization, Dr. LeMoine's responsibilities
will be broad, including physician payments, pharmacare,
and acute care (hospital) services.
Vicki Dimick has been named executive director,
administrative services. Ms. Dimick comes to Health from
the Department of Finance where she was a senior official
whose responsibilities included the internal audit division
and, previously, the provincial budget.
The minister and deputy also announced that Mary Jane
Hampton has been named executive director for strategic
planning and policy development. Ms. Hampton had been
responsible for health systems reform.
Mike Murphy is executive director of Emergency Medical
Services. That division has been brought into the
department. It had been functioning as a special operating
agency, under Dr. Murphy's direction.
Bob Fowler assumes responsibility for the operations and
regional support division of the department. That division
will integrate policy and planning functions with
operations. It includes responsibility for a variety of
health services, including home care, mental health, public
health, long term care, drug dependency and tobacco
control. Mr. Fowler had been a senior director in the
planning division of the department.
The deputy minister also announced that George Raine has
been appointed director of human resources. He comes to the
department from the Queen Elizabeth Health Sciences Centre.
The Health Department's communications director, Chris
Hansen has moved to Communications Nova Scotia where she
assumes responsibility for internal communications within
government.As a result, the department will hold a
competition to fill the communications director's position.
Mr. Boudreau said the department has assembled a team of
senior managers that can drive the health reforms planned
for the next 18 months, while ensuring that existing
services are maintained and enhanced. Last week, when the
minister announced the next phase of health care renewal he
said hospital governance and some primary care services
will be transferred to regional health boards.
A large part of Dr. LeMoine's job will be working with the
regional boards and with health care professionals to
ensure the right mix health services are available and
accessible in every part of the province.
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Contact: Jim Vibert 902-424-4886
