Nova Scotia Family Physician of the Year 2011

Dr. Shelagh Leahey, MCFP

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Recognized for her outstanding contributions to her family practice as well as her significant leadership to the development of the new Ocean View Family Practice in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Dr. Shelagh Leahey is nominated for her contributions that led to the medical centre successfully opening its doors to serve patients who were previously without a family physician.  The new medical centre provides a new model for health care delivery in Nova Scotia, and supports efforts to recruit more physicians to the district.  So dedicated to this project, Dr. Leahey postponed her retirement to remain involved while serving as a physician supervisor and mentor to international medical graduates. 

A graduate from Dalhousie Medical School in 1975, Dr. Leahey moved to Yarmouth in 1976 to establish her home and family practice. Over the years, her practice has included in-patient care, emergency care, obstetrics and palliative care services. Since 2003 Dr. Leahey has served as a Continuing Medical Education Coordinator at Dalhousie University and is currently the Medical Administrator of Ocean View Family Practice working on a pilot program mentoring International Medical graduates (IMGs) and Palliative Care medicine.

Dr. Leahey is a dedicated volunteer to the medical community both locally and provincially. She has volunteered for the Nursing Task Force and to Doctors Nova Scotia for 24 years.  Dr. Leahey has served as Medical Staff Vice President and President; Chair of General Practice; Accreditation Committee member; local and district Chief of Staff.  Dr. Leahey has served as President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons from 2008-2010 and has participated on the Board of Cancer Care Nova Scotia and the Reproductive Care Advisory Committee.

In her spare time, Dr. Leahey enjoys travelling and cooking healthy, gluten free meals for her family and friends.

Celebrations will take place on a national level in Montreal in November

The NSCFP will hold a celebration during the annual general meeting on 02 December, 2011 at the WTCC in Halifax.

"The variety is stimulating, enriching and rewarding. In sharing the intimacies of birth, death and triumph over illness,

I have been privileged to learn a tremendous amount about the human spirit. Some things are measured, some things are taught,

but other things require that we call upon the lessons of life. Be there for your patients - both physically and in spirit – in sorrow and in joy – be genuine in your compassion. Sometimes a hug, well timed, is good medicine. Celebrate a wonderful birth and a life well lived.

Do your best to assure a good death – without pain and with dignity.

I hope that you are as fortunate as I have been in being able to provide care to a wonderful group of human beings – my patients."

Dr. Wayne Phillips, CCFP FCFP, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, FPOY 2006