Nova Scotia Health Authority names interim leader

The provincial health authority is bringing in a veteran health-care executive to steer the ship while the search continues for a new president and CEO.

Janet Davidson will take the helm of the Nova Scotia Health Authority on an interim basis on Sept. 3.

Most recently, Davidson has been chair of the board of the Canadian Institute for Health Information and worked as a health-care consultant.

She was Alberta's deputy health minister from 2013 to 2015 and before that served as official administrator with Alberta Health Services. Davidson was president and CEO of Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, Ont., where she presided over the merger with Credit Valley Hospital.

Frank van Schaayk, the health authority's board chair, said Davidson's name rose to the top of the list following a cross-Canada search.

"The breadth and scope of her experience is a big plus for Nova Scotia and she'll, we anticipate, do a great job," he said.

"She's been on all sides of the desk, if you will, in the health-care industry."

The salary last fiscal year for the CEO job was $372,031, plus benefits.

Van Schaayk said Davidson, who signed a professional services contract, would be paid in line with that rate but not receive benefits and her contract would remain in place until the role is filled permanently. He expects that will happen by the end of the year or in early 2020.

According to the terms of her contact, Davidson will be paid $34,583 per month. She will also be paid for travel from British Columbia, three days accommodation and meals to arrange housing in Nova Scotia. Any business-related travel or accommodation expenses would be the same as what's paid to health authority employees and must be approved.

Unclear whether Davidson could apply for permanent role

Van Schaayk said the board hasn't discussed whether Davidson would be eligible to apply for the full-time role, but noted she's spent recent years working as a consultant and in interim roles and considers herself semi-retired.

"It's unlikely that she would show interest in the full-time role," he said.

The health authority's original CEO, Janet Knox, will retire at the end of the month.