HealthCareCAN, through its professional development division CHA Learning, is proud to announce the launch of the second year of the Nova Scotia Health System Leadership Academy.

At its core, the Academy is about shaping the future of health leadership together using a one-of-a kind program design that truly strengthens leaders, organizations, and entire systems. The Academy is an example of how CHA Learning partners with health organizations across Canada to create programs that address their unique workforce challenges and goals.

This strategic, co-designed leadership program is strengthening leadership capacity at every level of Nova Scotia’s health system, bringing together emerging, experienced and executive leaders from our members, Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health, alongside the Government of Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness. By directly supporting our members and their provincial partners, the Academy builds the leadership bench strength needed to advance transformation across the province.

On September 16th, 99 health leaders gathered for the Academy’s in-person launch, themed Being, Belonging, Becoming. The day featured interactive facilitated sessions and several guest speakers, including the Honourable Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health and Wellness, signaling government’s strong support for leadership development as a driver of change. CHA Learning continues its partnership with lead coach, Amanda Bjorn, founder of Humanistic Systems at Work, to facilitate many of the Academy’s components.

Running from September to May, participants engage in a hybrid program that combines evidence-based learning with practical application including workshops, e-learning, group coaching, virtual discussions, leadership assessments, and one-on-one coaching to create immediate workplace impact. The Academy offers a psychologically safe, inclusive learning environment and remains Canada’s only program of its kind in healthcare.

Proven Results

A post-program survey of Year 1 participants showed measurable impact:

• 100% reported greater clarity on their leadership strengths and areas for growth
• 100% said the networks and relationships they built are a lasting benefit.
• All agreed the Academy positively enhanced their leadership capabilities and can be directly applied in their roles.

Why it matters

The Academy’s design principles directly benefit health organizations by:

• Creating cross-functional communities of learning that strengthen networks and collaboration.
• Embedding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism into leadership practice, aligned with organizational values and priorities.
• Providing leaders with practical tools and approaches they can apply immediately to improve team performance and patient outcomes.
• Balancing organization/system impacts with individual learning needs, using a 360-degree leadership assessment and coaching as a foundation.

This is how we shape the future of health leadership together, by investing in people, strengthening networks, and building confidence to lead change across the system.

Feedback from executives and participants underscores the results:

“Transformational care begins with transformational thinking. The Academy provides transformational, system-wide leadership development.” – Karen Oldfield, Interim President and CEO, Nova Scotia Health

“The Leadership Academy has strengthened my ability to drive meaningful change in healthcare with confidence and clarity.” – Dr. Aaron Smith, Provincial Medical Executive Director, Nova Scotia Health

“To transform a system, you must invest in people. The Academy has been a powerful way for us to do that.” – Anna Marenick, Vice President People, Culture and Belonging, Nova Scotia Health

A Trusted National Leader

For nearly 75 years, CHA Learning has supported the learning needs of Canada’s health system. Our programs are nationally informed, locally relevant and tailored to advance real-world system transformation.

If you’re interested in exploring how we can work with your organization or system to co-design a leadership academy tailored to your strategic and leadership development priorities, connect with us at leadershipdevelopment@healthcarecan.ca.

Download the Canadian Health Leadership Academy Program Overview.