Current Volunteer Members (click name for bio)

Cathy lives within our Central Zone and is currently taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Patient Family Advisory Council. After a lengthy career with the Workers’ Compensation Board of NS in several positions, she retired as Manager of Corporate Development. Working with staff and external clients, her focus was on streamlining processes, improving communication, and collaborating with other organizations and Provincial and Federal government departments to achieve these goals. Her personal family experience has sparked an interest to better understand and improve the healthcare system.

Kwasi is an enthusiastic and empathetic human services professional who works with Shelter Nova Scotia, a non-profit that helps people in crisis and transition. He knows the importance of stability, belonging and purpose in people’s lives and is dedicated to assisting them in achieving these goals and improving their wellbeing.

Kwasi recently graduated from University of Ottawa with a master’s degree in criminology. His belief in a just society where everyone is thriving, and crime and harm is at a lesser level drove him to pursue studies in this field. He hopes to work in Probation where he would help ex-offenders effectively integrate back into society.

Kwasi currently lives in Westphal, Nova Scotia and enjoys giving back to his community through volunteering with organizations and programs that promotes the health and safety of community.

Sandra was born and raised in Newfoundland but moved to Nova Scotia 34 years ago in search of employment. She graduated college with a journalism degree and worked at a newspaper in NFLD. 

After Sandra got married and had a daughter, she returned to college in 2001 and graduated with an administrative diploma. She has worked in different fields such as insurance, a podiatrist office and currently security sector with a software company. 

In 2021 Sandra discovered she had 2 benign brain tumors one which was removed that year. 

She loves being outside and hiking is something she really enjoys. 

Life is short you have to enjoy it while you can!

Gloria Samson lives in the Eastern Zone and is currently taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Patient Family Advisory Council. A combination of her professional and personal life experiences with workplace injuries, access to the health care system and family members in long term care, led to a desire for a more personal involvement. Gloria enjoys working with people and feels that becoming a Patient Family Advisor has led to a better understanding of the strengths, challenges and possible solutions within the health care system, changes & proposed changes for improving the delivery of health services to all Nova Scotians and the Value of partner engagement in the development of solutions.

Peggy recently retired from nursing after working 36 years full-time.  Her nursing career provided an opportunity to care for patients and their families of all ages from newborn to the elderly. Peggy feels that being a member of the Council is an excellent opportunity to continue to be engaged in healthcare from the perspective of a mother and grandmother, sister and daughter who has had various experiences within the healthcare system.  Peggy believes that public engagement is necessary for patient-centered care which leads to improved quality of care for everyone.

We are looking for a patient, family member or caregiver to join us on this team!

To apply or learn more about this opportunity:

• Call 1-833-732-5646 (PFA-JOIN)
• Email PFAjoin@nshealth.ca
• Visit www.nshealth.ca/pfa

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dr. Catherine Aquino-Russell, RN, BScN, MN, PhD, is a former nursing professor. She has lived, worked, and volunteered in 4 Canadian provinces and 3 countries. With a strong academic, clinical practice, administrative, and research background, Catherine brings in-depth patient and family experiences to contribute to the enhancement of health care.

Roger recently retired as Dean of Professional Programs (Education & Organizational Management) from Crandall University. Prior to academia, Roger worked in several industries including agricultural, financial, international development, & public service.  He has proudly worked in five provinces (Sask, Man, Ont, NS, & NB) and two other countries (Indonesia and Haiti). A highlight was managing a Canadian Co-operative development project with sites throughout Indonesia. Roger holds a PhD in Business and continues to keep his hand in academia by teaching “Managing Organizations across Borders and Cultures” to graduate students at Crandall. He is also active on the Board of Directors for the Stonehammer UNESCO Geopark. The healthcare industry is a new challenge for Roger.

Coming soon!

Fiona Campbell-Gavin is a retired RN who practiced in the UK as well as Ontario before retiring to the Annapolis Valley. She wants to use her recent experience as an NS Health patient to improve the system. Reasons for applying are to learn more about our health system, meet new people, make relationships, and pay back to the system. Fiona possesses experience working with diverse populations within London and Toronto.

Ray is a semi-retired pharmacist (Dal '03) who also substitute teaches and volunteers as a firefighter in his region. Ray loves to hunt, play sports and attempt to be a lumberjack in his new-found time.

We are looking for a patient, family member or caregiver to join us on this team!

To apply or learn more about this opportunity:

• Call 1-833-732-5646 (PFA-JOIN)
• Email PFAjoin@nshealth.ca
• Visit www.nshealth.ca/pfa

We look forward to hearing from you!