Mr. John Malcolm

Cape Breton University is pleased to recognize and honour John Malcom for his outstanding dedication to healthcare, and to improving the health of his fellow citizens. For John, it’s always been about teamwork.  He believes some of the most impressive advances achieved in public health were because of the dedicated individuals who believed in working together to achieve success.

John received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick in 1975 and his Masters in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa in 1978.  He began his career as an Administrative Officer with the Ottawa General Hospital before moving to several leadership positions with the provincial Department of Health, and the Grace Maternity Hospital.

Before becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Breton District Health Authority here at home, John was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Saskatoon District Health.  He also served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Health Authority.   John was awarded a Doctor of Laws from Cape Breton University and received the Outstanding Community Contribution Award in 2007 from Dalhousie University.

Some of the most impressive advances in public health were under John’s steady and strategic leadership.  He understood the importance of accessing care at home, and soon more than 200 people were receiving health services here at home rather than in Halifax.

There’s also a long list of firsts that mark John’s impressive career.  In 2001, all Island municipalities agreed to come together to ensure the entire Island adopted a smoke free policy in public places.  A year later, more than 80 percent of residents agreed it was the right thing to do.   The first satellite dialysis clinic was established in North Sydney.  Five years later, it was big news when Dartmouth did the same thing.  The first regional Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Health was created here.  Cape Breton was also the first to pilot the availability of the clot-busting drug on ambulances, a practice which would later become a province wide policy.   While with the Department of Health, John provided the funding for the first palliative care nurse, which became the catalyst for a long history of superior palliative care services for our area.

John and the collaborative teams he helped to nurture believed in finding solutions first, before seeking the support needed to make their groundbreaking initiatives a reality. And Cape Bretoners are healthier for it.  John and his wife Dorothy have a daughter Kathryn who is a child psychologist.  They all love to travel.

Cape Breton University is pleased to award Mr. John Malcom the Healthcare Award of Distinction and thank him sincerely for his work in creating healthier communities.