2026 NSCFP Annual Awards Banquet

You are cordially invited to the NSCFP Family Medicine Awards Banquet on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:30 pm at Pier 21 in Halifax.



This evening is dedicated to honouring the exceptional contributions of our award recipients and celebrating the many achievements within the discipline of family medicine. Join us as we recognize clinical excellence, leadership, teaching, and service that continue to advance the health and well-being of our communities.

The NSCFP Family Medicine Awards Banquet is proudly held in conjunction with the Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine Awards!

NSCFP Family Physician of the Year 2026

Dr. Suze Egar, CCFP

Inverness, Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians is proud to recognize Dr. Suze Egar as the 2026 NSCFP Family Physician of the Year. A dedicated clinician, mentor, educator, and community leader, Dr. Egar exemplifies the breadth and depth of rural family medicine.

Dr. Egar provides comprehensive family medicine to the community of Inverness, caring for patients in the office, emergency department, hospital, nursing home, and their homes. Their commitment to continuity of care and to the well-being of their patients and their families is at the heart of their practice.

They are also a steady and thoughtful leader within the Inverness physician community. During challenging times, they have helped foster a culture of respect, communication, and support among their colleagues, strengthening the team and helping ensure the community continues to receive high-quality care.

Dr. Egar’s commitment to education is another important part of their contribution to family medicine. They have played a significant role in the development of the family medicine residency program in Inverness, helping create an environment where residents gain strong experience in comprehensive, rural family medicine. Their mentorship and support extend to residents, medical students, nursing colleagues, and physicians.

Their leadership in emergency and trauma care has also made a meaningful difference in Inverness. In 2025, Dr. Egar was recognized by Trauma Nova Scotia as Rural Trauma Physician of the Year, reflecting not only their clinical skills but their commitment to building a strong team and ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

Dr. Egar’s dedication to their patients, colleagues, learners, and community reflects the very best of family medicine. They are a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration to those around them.

Dr. Charles & Mrs. Jean Gass Lifetime Achievement Award 2026

Dr. John Jenkins, CCFP

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

The Dr. Charles & Mrs. Jean Gass Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026 is proudly presented to Dr. John Jenkins, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to family medicine in Nova Scotia.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Jenkins has been a cornerstone of family medicine in Lunenburg and the surrounding community. His career reflects an extraordinary commitment to comprehensive care, emergency medicine, inpatient care, and long-term care.

Dr. Jenkins has provided leadership at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital for many years, serving as Head of Emergency Services and Site Head. He has also been a dedicated physician at LaHave Manor and a founding member of Lunenburg Family Health. Throughout his career, he has continued to respond to the needs of his community and beyond including providing primary care in New Germany and working in emergency medicine in Shelburne.

His commitment to teaching has also been an important part of his career. As an Associate Professor with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Jenkins has trained many medical students and residents, sharing not only his medical knowledge but also the experience and values that have shaped his own career.

Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Jenkins has earned the deep respect and gratitude of the patients and colleagues he has served. For more than three decades, he has been a reliable and compassionate presence in his community, building lasting relationships with generations of patients. One longtime colleague described him as “the most reliable friend and colleague that one could ask for” and said that he embodies all the qualities that a family physician should have.

Dr. Jenkins’ career is a remarkable example of service, leadership, dedication, and community commitment. His willingness to care for patients, support his colleagues, teach future physicians, and serve his community in so many different roles has left a lasting impact on family medicine in Nova Scotia. This award celebrates a lifetime of exceptional service and the difference Dr. Jenkins has made to the community he calls home.

NSCFP Award of Excellence 2026

Dr. Andrew Holmes, CCFP, FCFP

Baddeck, Nova Scotia

Dr. Holmes is recognized for his longstanding commitment to family medicine and improving access to emergency care in his community.

NSCFP Patient’s Medical Home: Outstanding Team-Based Family Practice Award 2026

Middleton Collaborative Practice 

Middleton, Nova Scotia

Middleton Collaborative Practice (MCP) is the recipient of the Patient’s Medical Home: Outstanding Team-Based Family Practice Award. MCP exemplifies team-based family medicine through its strong culture of collaboration, commitment to comprehensive care, and responsiveness to the needs of its rural community.

Serving approximately 7,667 patients, MCP providers extend their expertise across multiple care settings, including inpatient units, emergency departments, long-term care, and community-based services. This approach strengthens continuity of care and improves access for patients throughout the region.

Collaboration is central to the clinic’s model. Weekly interdisciplinary rounds allow the team to discuss complex cases, coordinate care plans, and provide comprehensive, person-centred care. MCP also responds to the broader needs of its patients through initiatives such as a community cupboard for those experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship, as well as group education and support sessions addressing topics including grief and bereavement, postpartum support, and infant feeding.

The team continually adapts its services to meet the needs of its community and to improve access to care. Recent examples include advanced footcare and home blood draws for patients who face barriers to accessing services. MCP also uses its EMR to monitor population health indicators, identify gaps in care, and support quality improvement initiatives.

Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to meeting patients where they are, the Middleton Collaborative Practice demonstrates the impact of a strong team-based approach to family medicine and is a deserving recipient of the Patient’s Medical Home Outstanding Team-Based Family Practice Award.

Team Members

Dr. Leslie Riberio, Family Physician

Dr. Michele Saxon, Family Physician

Dr. Sarah Surette, Family Physician

Dr. Omorede Osayande, Family Physician

Dr. AC Silver, Family Physician

Dr. Nima Fomani, Family Physician

Dr. Yasmin Sadri, Family Physician

Dr. Alex Smith , Family Medicine Resident

Dr. Jenna Nauss, Family Medicine Resident

Dr. Laura Pickett, Family Medicine Resident

Dr. Olusegun Odebode, Family Medicine Resident

Michael Kiefl, Nurse Practitioner

Luca Harris, Nurse Practitioner

Sona Thankachan, Nurse Practitioner

Sarah O’Reilly, Family Practice Nurse

Pamela Carrier, Family Practice Nurse

Laura Ashbourne, Licensed Practical Nurse

Loralee Smith-McFarlane, Social Worker

Kate Wentzell, Registered Dietician

Tyler Marchbank, Occupational Therapist

Melanie Taylor, Admin Manager

Cyndi Morrell, Office Manager

Margo DeWolfe, Administrative Assistant

Lisa Fleet, Administrative Assistant

Shari Silver, Administrative Assistant

Kara Dobbs, Administrative Assistant

Tonie Hooper, Administrative Assistant

Nancy MacLean, Administrative Assistant

Megan Magarvey, Administrative Assistant

NSH Support

Emma Foote, Practice Facilitator

Hilary Cullen, Health Services Lead

Jennifer Kelday, Health Services Manager

We are proud to celebrate this year’s Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine award winner, whose dedication to teaching and mentorship shapes the future of family medicine!

Dr. Craig Malone, from PEI is the recipient of the Ted Atkinson Award (Postgraduate Preceptor of the Year).

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday, October 23, 2026

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Rd, Halifax

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Conference Information:

2026 NSCFP Family Medicine Conference

Friday, October 23, 2026

Family Medicine Conference: 8:50 am - 4:30 pm | More Info | Agenda

Annual Meeting of Members: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | More Info

Awards Banquet: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Get Tickets!

Hotel Information

Make the most of your conference experience by staying at The Westin Nova Scotian—steps from Pier 21 and the Halifax waterfront. Enjoy the convenience, comfort, and charm of downtown Halifax right at your doorstep!

Last Day to Book: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Book at $279 CAD per night

Visit Halifax

The Discover Halifax Show Your Badge Program is a conference delegate appreciation program. Simply show your badge at participating local businesses, and earn special offers. From local food tours to souvenirs to local experiences, you’ll save on the best the city has to offer!  

Halifax Visitor Guide | Dining in Halifax