Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) has a new president who is looking to prioritize family medicine and physician retention across the province.

Dr. Colin Audain was appointed to the role for the 2023-24 year during the DNS annual conference June 10. 

Audain becomes president as Nova Scotia’s primary care waitlist surpasses 148,000 and many residents seek a family physician's care.

“You hear that on a daily basis, that people don’t have access to a family doctor,” Audain says.

DNS is a medical association that represents more than 3,500 physicians across the province. The association works as the medical profession’s united voice on healthcare issues.

Although Audain couldn’t comment on the contract negotiations between DNS and the provincial government, he says they are aligned with bringing Nova Scotians the best access to healthcare and optimistic they will reach a deal soon. The deal also focuses on physician retention which Audain says in turn will cut down surgery and emergency room wait times. 

Audain received his medical training at Dalhousie Medical School and completed his specialty training at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has worked as a general anesthesiologist at the Victoria General and the Halifax Infirmary since 2007.

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