Nova Scotia is home to many dedicated physicians who are working hard to improve health care for their patients and communities.

This year, Doctors Nova Scotia recognized 10 physicians and one medical student for exemplary achievement.

Pictured above, from left to right: Drs. Sepideh Berhroozan, Kenneth Rockwood, Todd Dow, Paul Murphy, Agnes Chinelo Iwegbu , Oliva Ortiz-Alvarez , Cornelis de Boer, Kenisse Trotman and Amélie Maillet. 

Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Kenneth Rockwood
Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a geriatrician with Nova Scotia Health and Professor of Geriatric Medicine at Dalhousie University, has been awarded the 2025 DNS Distinguished Service Award. Over his career, Dr. Rockwood has made unparalleled contributions to health care, especially in advancing geriatric medicine. Dr. Rockwood’s achievements include more than 650 peer-reviewed publications, over $68 million in research funding, and the development of the Clinical Frailty Scale, used around the world to assess elderly patients’ health. His impact on improving the health of older adults has been widely recognized: he is an Officer of the Order of Canada, received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Service Medal and has been recognized with honours from New Zealand, England and China.

Community Family Physician of the Year Award : Dr. Amélie Maillet
Chéticamp family physician Dr. Amélie Maillet receives the 2025 DNS Community Family Physician of the Year Award in recognition of her professionalism, compassion and dedication to patient-centred care. Dr. Maillet has practised at the Chéticamp Medical Clinic for the last eight years. She also works in Chéticamp’s hospital, mentors young physicians, works with medical learners, and provides guidance and health-care services through the community’s Youth Health Centre. She delivers school presentations, educating students about health and wellness, and promotes community fitness through running initiatives.

Community Specialist of the Year : Dr. Oliva Ortiz-Alvarez
Dr. Oliva Ortiz-Alvarez is receiving the Community Specialist of the Year Award for her leadership and excellence in boosting health care access for children in the eastern and northern zones. Dr. Ortiz-Alvarez studied medicine and practised in Mexico, then Vancouver, before moving to Antigonish in 2006, where she began working as a general pediatrician at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital. As the head of pediatrics at the hospital, Dr. Ortiz-Alvarez has helped expand the department and strengthen pediatric care in the region. She provides inpatient and outpatient care, mentors medical learners and recruits new pediatricians for her community. She also travels to rural communities to provide specialised pediatric care to underserved areas.

Dr. William Grigor Award : Dr. Brent Young, MSc, CCFP
The 2025 recipient of the Dr. William Grigor Award, which recognizes physicians under the age of 50 who have made a significant impact on Nova Scotians’ health, goes to Dr. Brent Young, an Anishinaabe physician and a member of Sandy Bay First Nation, for his efforts to transform health-care delivery and medical education, and his advocacy for systemic change to address the impacts of colonialism and racism. Dr. Young practises family medicine in Nova Scotia, providing care to care to members of the Mi’kmaw community at the Sipekne’katik and Wije’winen Health Centres. As the first Academic Director of Indigenous Health at Dalhousie University, Dr. Young has led the launch of the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, which addresses barriers Indigenous students face in accessing medical education and has led to an influx of Indigenous learners. He also co-chairs the Doctors Nova Scotia Section for Indigenous Health, co-chaired the Anti-Racism Working Group for the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education, and serves on the executive of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

Physician Health Promotion Award : Dr. Agnes Chinelo Iwegbu
Family physician Dr. Agnes Chinelo Iwegbu receives the Physician Health Promotion Award for her outstanding work in healthcare advocacy and education. A U.K.-trained family physician who has practised for almost 24 years, Dr. Iwegbu has dedicated her career to providing patient-centred care, community outreach and preventative health care. She provides primary care in Middle Sackville, but her health care outreach extends beyond Nova Scotia. Her online series, “Talk with Dr. Agnes,” covers a range of wellness and health topics, sharing culturally relevant, evidence-based information with the public, including Black and racialized Nova Scotians, boosting health literacy and trust in the medical community. She has produced over 70 videos and has more than 2,000 YouTube subscribers. Dr. Iwegbu also served as a physician liaison with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and helped develop culturally inclusive dementia guidelines. Her book, Michael’s Memories, charts her father’s experience with dementia.

Dr. Clement Ligoure Award : Dr. Sepideh Behroozan, CCFP
Dr. Sepideh Behroozan receives the Dr. Clement Ligoure Award in honour of her dedication and leadership providing health care to newcomers in Nova Scotia. Dr. Behroozan initially trained and worked as a pediatrician. After moving to Canada, she returned to medical school and graduated as a Canadian medical graduate. She specialized in family medicine. Since 2017, she has practised at the Newcomer Health Clinic in Halifax. Described by colleagues as the backbone of the clinic, Dr. Behroozan provides culturally sensitive care to immigrants and refugees. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Behroozan is a mentor for internationally trained physicians. She has worked with ISANS to support physicians on the path to licensure in Nova Scotia and been chief examiner for the National Assessment Collaboration exam with the Medical Council of Canada in Nova Scotia; she currently serves as Simulated Office Oral examiner for the College of Family Physicians of Canada and is an assistant professor at Dalhousie University’s Department of Family Medicine.

Outstanding Resident Award : Dr. Todd Dow
Dr. Todd Dow is being honoured with the Outstanding Resident Award for his commitment to leadership, teaching and community service. A PYG-5 resident in plastic surgery at Dalhousie University, Dr. Dow chose his specialty because it combines his passion for medicine with his love for art, creativity and hands-on work. His passion for education led him to create the Pre-Clerkship Residency Exploration Program (PREP), which has become an invaluable resource for medical students to explore different specialties. More than 200 students have participated in the program. He has also served as vice-president of Maritime Resident Doctors, advocating for residents across all specialties.

Outstanding Medical Student Award : Kenisse Trotman, Class of 2026
The 2025 winner of the DNS Outstanding Student Award is Kenisse Trotman, who is being honoured for her work to champion student wellness, diversity and inclusion at Dalhousie Medical School. As President of the Dalhousie Medical Student Society in 2023–24, Ms. Trotman represented over 400 students in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Her work on the Independent Student Analysis Steering Committee enabled data-driven improvements in student experience and accreditation compliance. She has also been involved with the Black Medical Students’ Association, as the Vice President of events for the Dalhousie chapter and as the Director of Communications at the national level. Her leadership has advanced critical conversations on equity and representation within medical education.

Senior Membership Award: Dr. Cornelis de Boer
Dr. Cornelis de Boer receives the 2025 DNS Senior Membership Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry over more than 30 years in practice. Dr. de Boer’s leadership, teaching and clinical skills have benefited his patients, trainees and the psychiatric community. Dr. de Boer completed medical school in Amsterdam, then emigrated to Canada in 1995 and began providing mental health care to children and youth in the northern part of Nova Scotia. In 1997, he co-founded the Northern Child and Adolescent Psychiatry cooperative. Based in Truro, Dr. de Boer is a senior child and adolescent psychiatrist at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; he is also the primary psychiatric consultant to the Wood Street Centre Campus, Nova Scotia’s largest residential treatment program for children and youth. There, he is involved in providing patient care, designing treatment programs and training associated health care providers.

Senior Membership Award: Dr. Laurie Mallery 
Dr. Laurie Mallery is being honoured with the Senior Membership Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and leadership to improve health care for older Nova Scotians. Over her 37 years of practice in internal and geriatric medicine, Dr. Mallery provided holistic, patient-centred care. Along with her colleague Dr. Paige Moorhouse, she developed the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) program, a clinical and educational approach for patients with advanced frailty. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Mallery is an accomplished academic, administrator and researcher, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications.

CMA Honorary Membership Award : Dr. Paul Murphy, FCFP
Dr. Paul Murphy, a family physician in Sydney, has been awarded the 2025 CMA Honorary Membership Award in recognition of his 50-year career providing comprehensive primary care and his commitment to medical education. Over his career, Dr. Murphy has provided primary, obstetrics, emergency and in-patient care, as well as OR assists. Providing obstetrical care has been a highlight – he delivered almost 2,000 babies – and he is also proud of his teaching. Dr. Murphy has mentored medical students and family medicine residents, and supervised internationally trained physicians, receiving numerous awards for his teaching work. Dr. Murphy retired from office practice in 2024.

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