Dr. Brendan Carr appointed head of NSHA

HALIFAX, N.S. – Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and its board of directors have announced that Dr. Brendan Carr (pictured) will start his work as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer effective Dec. 16, 2019.

“After an extensive national search process, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Carr back to Nova Scotia,” board chair Frank van Schaayk said.

“Dr. Carr has earned a reputation as an innovative leader who delivers exceptional operational performance,” van Schaayk said. “He has the right balance of experience, knowledge and expertise both in healthcare, as well as in running a large organization. We are confident we have identified the right leader to take NSHA into the future.”

As both an emergency department and family physician, Dr. Carr has spent much of his medical and leadership career in Nova Scotia.

Dr. Carr served as vice-president of medicine with the former Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, and as an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax from 2007 to 2012, when he left to pursue a career opportunity in British Columbia.

While in B.C. from 2013 to 2017, Dr. Carr served as president and chief executive officer of Vancouver Island Health Authority, now Island Health, and is currently president and chief executive officer of the William Osler Health System in Brampton and Etobicoke, Ont.

“My experiences have prepared me well for this role,” Dr. Carr said. “I’ve learned firsthand about the benefits of system integration, effective partnerships, as well as the critical importance of leadership in a large geographically distributed health system.”

“Nova Scotia Health Authority is at a critical point in its evolution,” he added. “I consider it a privilege to be taking on this role and am looking forward to returning to the province I call home.”

Dr. Carr graduated from Dalhousie University with a medical degree in 1989. He completed his medical residency in emergency medicine and family medicine at the University of Ottawa. He also completed a Master of Business Administration in 1985 and an undergraduate degree in 1983, both from Dalhousie University.

Dr. Carr is also a certified physician executive, certified healthcare executive and has completed a research fellowship with the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation. He serves as a director for both the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health and the Canadian Society for Physician Leadership. He is an active member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and an advocate for transformation in healthcare.

Interim president and CEO Janet Davidson will continue to lead NSHA until Dr. Carr assumes his position this Dec. 16.

About Nova Scotia Health Authority
Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) provides health services to Nova Scotians and a wide array of specialized services to Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians. NSHA operates hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province. Our team of health professionals includes employees, doctors, researchers, learners and volunteers. We work in partnership with community groups, schools, governments, foundations and auxiliaries and community health boards. Visit www.nshealth.ca for more information.