Gerard MacDonald

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Candidate statement

I feel privileged to have the opportunity of submitting my name as candidate for Nova Scotia Council position and would like to give special thanks to my colleagues for supporting this pathway of nomination.
While I am a candidate in Division B as an FRCSC specialist, earlier in my career I was a family doctor in rural Cape Breton and understand their perspective as well. We live in very challenging times. The increasing demands of an aging population, coupled with financial pressures of governments and the shortage of both primary care physicians and specialists and resources has placed unprecedented pressures on our cherished health care system. This has led to overworked health care workers with resultant burnout and in some cases early retirement. Coupled with this, increasing regulatory College complaints and litigation with associated legal fees and compensation payouts have further complicated the landscape leading to even more distress among physicians. More than ever we need to continue our mission to provide sound medicolegal advice and support for physicians at all times including our excellent proactive CMPA education resources to minimize claims and promote safety, but to never to lose sight of our patients. This requires oversight by an informed board with strong governance skills, awareness of the changing medicolegal landscape, knowledge of risk management but also being prudent financial stewards.
My years of service in clinical practise along with past roles as Chief of Perioperative Surgery in my community hospital and later roles in Doctors Nova Scotia as Board Member including Chairs of Audit, IT Steering and CEO Compensation Committees and current roles as CMA Board Director, Chair of Appointments Committee and member of Audit and Finance Committee have provided me with a rich and rewarding governance experience which I hope to bring as your Council representative when these terms end this spring. The Rotman Directors Course and ICD.D designation have helped reinforce my understanding of the roles and responsibilities a director. I have fully supported the goals of Equity Diversity in and Inclusiveness in these roles, and professional and private life and will continue to do so, while recognizing my white privilege and I will continue to provide regular locum coverage in underserved remote communities in NWT and Nunavut as well as my work in Nova Scotia. If chosen I promise to serve in whatever roles I am asked to the best of my ability.