Dr. Réal Samson assumed the role of Board Chair for Cancer Care Nova Scotia in April 2008. In this role, he leads a team of individuals who provide strategic leadership and advice to the Nova Scotia government, and CCNS management and staff on matters related to cancer system improvement.
Throughout his career, Dr. Samson has been heavily involved in education and Acadian affairs. He completed his Ph.D. in College and University Administration at Dalhousie University during his seven years as Dean of the Department of Education at Université Sainte-Anne. He then became Founding President and Chief Executive Officer for Collège de l’Acadie, a position which he held for a further seven years.
In the last decade, Dr. Samson has held the positions of Coordinator of Public School Programs for the Tri-County School Board; Acting Executive Director for the Acadian Affairs Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and Director for the Nova Scotia Office of Acadian Affairs.
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Samson has owned and run businesses in organizational development, translation and research, construction and renovation, and hospitality. He is the co-author of two books, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Leadership in Evaluation Centre, a national organization based in Ottawa.
Dr. Samson can be contacted by emailing Belva Mills in the executive office of CCNS at ccns.nshealth.ca or by calling 902-473-4638.
Ms. Theresa Marie Underhill, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Cancer Care Nova Scotia. A senior executive with experience managing complex organizations and initiating large scale projects to effective completion in all sectors within the health system. Ms Underhill is elected Chair of CAPCA (Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies). In her current role as COO, she directs strategic, operational planning and policy development. In addition to supervising day-to-day operations, she analyzes trends in both the cancer system and the broader health care sector to ensure CCNS is responsive and appropriate in its programs and activities. She provides national leadership and advice on issues related to cancer control, working closely with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and all provincial cancer agencies.
Theresa Marie brings to this position extensive experience in planning, policy development and program management in many aspects of the health system. Her past professional experiences include work with Health Canada, Atlantic Region, in the areas of policy, planning and intergovernmental relations. Committed to disease prevention, she has also chaired national committees on tobacco control and lifestyle modification. She holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from Dalhousie University and a Masters in Health Services Administration from the University of Alberta.
Ms. Underhill can be reached at ccns.nshealth.ca
or (902) 473-4637.