nova scotia health names new president and ceo, oldfield becomes ceo at accelerate nova scotia
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dr. nicole boutilier, will take over the role of president and ceo of nova scotia health july 1, 2026. contributed
nova scotia health
nova scotia health is turning to one of its senior leaders as the next president and chief executive officer.
dr. nicole boutilier, the health authority’s executive vice-president of medicine and clinical operations, will take over the role wednesday, succeeding karen oldfield after nearly five years as ceo.
in a news release announcing the appointment tuesday, health and wellness minister michelle thompson said boutilier’s ability to lead collaboratively made her the right fit as ceo.
“dr. boutilier is known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to bring people together around a shared vision,” she said. “she will lead a very capable team there.”
thompson also thanked oldfield for her years of service.
longtime health leader
currently, boutilier oversees medical and clinical operations at nova scotia health and has played a role in health-care delivery across the province.
raised in pictou county, boutilier graduated from dalhousie university’s medical school and has practised family medicine in several rural nova scotia communities.
according to the province, she has been at the helm of many initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement by doctors, supporting innovation and advancing health-care information.
the release also highlighted that she is a certified executive coach who mentors new health-care leaders. earlier this year, she received the chris carruthers excellence in medical leadership award from the canadian society of physician leaders.
in the statement, boutilier said she was grateful for the opportunity.
“health care is my life’s work, and i am deeply honoured by the opportunity to lead nova scotia health,” she said. “i look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been created and continuing to improve access, quality and experiences for nova scotians through innovation, research and ongoing transformation.”
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oldfield to new provincial agency
oldfield, who has served as nova scotia health’s president and ceo since 2021, will become the chief executive officer with accelerate nova scotia, a newly established provincial agency focused on commercializing health-care innovation.
minister of health and wellness michelle thompson and karen oldfield, nova scotia health ceo, chat before the future of health care in nova scotia event hosted by the halifax chamber of commerce in halifax on may 14, 2026. oldfield will be moving to accelerate nova scotia. tim krochak
tim krochak
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the chronicle herald
the province says the new agency will help bring health-care innovations developed in nova scotia to market while bringing investment and supporting growth in the sector.
“it aims to secure strategic partnerships, attract investment and create new markets, establishing the province as a national and international leader in health innovation,” the release said.
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