Meet the Team
Our Staff
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Roger joined the OHC team in 2023 after moving with his family to Nova Scotia from the Yukon. Prior to this, Roger worked in both the non-profit sector and in emergency services. He has spent much of his career focused on fostering partnerships, supporting the growth of communities’ innate strengths and leaders, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of programs and services. Outside of work, Roger enjoys teaching first aid, volunteering with his local fire department, or hiking with his wife, dog, and sometimes even his cat.
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As well as being a stay-at-home parent, Darren comes from a background in music production, having worked as senior engineer and producer in one of the largest and most recognized recording facilities in Eastern Canada before building out their own production services company. Coupled with a love for the creative vein, they thrived in an environment where calm, patience and the ability to draw on individual artists’ strengths and desires to come together for a singular creative goal were central tenets. Darren is a busy & dedicated parent of 4 neurodiverse kiddos, and is openly queer/transgender.
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Cindy saw much of her youth on the South Shore in Birchy Head before making the decision to further her education at Scotia Career Academy. Her extensive work experience crossed a wide range of industries, from auto dealerships to construction to petroleum distribution before transitioning into the healthcare field in 2011. Since then, Cindy has worked with numerous healthcare professionals across various specialties including family physicians, walk-in clinics, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), psychiatry, hematology, and vascular surgery. In 2018, she joined the OHC upon the opening of our then “walk-in” clinic and has since remained a dedicated member of the team. She continues to provide excellent patient care and offers patient navigation services to those in need. Cindy currently calls Chester home and is a proud mother to two daughters. Her professional journey and personal life reflect a deep commitment to service and a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Our Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for OHC's strategic direction. The Board is made up of people from the communities we serve. We operate through a governance model. Directors are elected at the annual AGM. Any member of the association is eligible to be nominated for a role on the board.
For more information about joining the board, please email: ed@ourhealthcentre.ca
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Drew completed a successful career in Thoracic Surgery, having practiced in Halifax for 35 years prior to his retirement in 2020. By the close of his professional career he was positioned as Medical Director of the Cancer Program at Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Halifax, and for the last 5 years acted as Senior Medical Director of the Nova Scotia Cancer Program. Drew is particularly interested in organizational efficiency, systems of care delivery and holistic care, and brings his extensive background and experience to his seat as Chair of the Board of Directors.
CHAIR
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Jill has 35 years experience in Health Care leadership roles, with a focus on patient/client transitions from acute care, rehab care, home & community care and nursing homes. Jill has held positions as Director of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Service, then Integrated Continuing Care at Capital Health, followed by Project Advisor with the Canadian Home Care Association. She has also served as President of the Canadian Home Care Association Board, as well as board member with the Nova Scotia Association of Occupational Therapists and the Halifax Bengal Lancers. Jill brings a wealth of experience involving teamwork, collaboration, integration of care within a fiscal accountability framework and forging community partnerships. Jill holds a BSc in Occupational Therapy (UofT) and a Masters Degree in Health Administration (Dalhousie U).
DIRECTOR
VICE CHAIR
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Joanne comes to us with a background in Nursing and Oncology, having studied genetics and genomics at Stanford University with a focus on applications for implementation of precision medicine programs and gene related cancer therapies. Joanne has a passion for improving the lives of patients and joined the board with a particular desire to help with projects that aim to attract physicians to serve our community.
DIRECTOR
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Following retirement from a career that saw him become sole owner of Haber Blain Insurance Brokers, Leo Blain & his wife Deborah made the permanent move to Chester from Hamilton, Ontario in 2018. Over the course of his career Leo was involved with numerous charities, and was also an elected trustee for 12 years. Leo brings a wealth of experience plus a dash of familiarity as our new Treasurer, having already held this seat for 3 years in an earlier panel of our board. In addition to this Leo has continued to contribute to our community through volunteer work with the local food bank as well as being a sponsor with the Chester Playhouse.
TREASURER
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Kelly is a seasoned Registered Nurse with a diverse background in clinical practice and nursing education across several provinces, including experience in the challenging environment of Canada’s high north. She has held leadership roles at NSCC, which included developing pathways to licensure for internationally educated health professionals in Nova Scotia. A dedicated advocate for health promotion and literacy, Kelly continues to pursue these interests beyond retirement.
DIRECTOR
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Jenny holds a degree in Environmental Science and is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. She is an associate with the local law firm Chester Law, where she combines her legal expertise with her passion for serving the community. Jenny brings her dedication to social justice and interest in the connection between health and the environment to her role on the Board of Directors for Our Health Centre Association. Originally from Martin’s River, Jenny now lives in Western Shore, where she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking with her dog, and exploring the beautiful South Shore.
CORPORATE SECRETARY
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Nate is a lifetime volunteer focused on providing services and programs to the community. He currently serves as a Mental Health Advisor with the Canadian Red Cross and is a board member to the Clinical Research Society of Canada while also acting as research consultant to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, Dalhousie University MicroResearch Institute and the Human Research Accreditation Canada Agency. He has also served previously on the board of Church Memorial Park. Over his 30 year career Nate has held senior management positions within the Department of Medicine at McMaster and Dalhousie Universities and several Life Sciences Companies. Nate and his family moved to Chester in 2010, where you may also see him as one of the starters at the Chester Golf Course.
DIRECTOR
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Although retired, Barb continues her passion for patient centered care and quality health service delivery. She received her BN from Dalhousie University and Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. Drawing upon her experience as a former nurse educator, nurse manager, consultant, keynote speaker and author, she worked across Canada and in the UK while continuously advocating for excellence in our health care environments. Over the years Barb has served as a volunteer on several community boards including the Chester Playhouse, Neptune Theatre, and the QEII Foundation.
DIRECTOR