QEII Foundation

10/23/2026

Oluwafeyikemi Adesola grew up in South Africa, moving to Nova Scotia in 2017 where she later finished high school in her new hometown of Antigonish.

Moving to Halifax for university, Oluwafeyikemi completed a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience, with a minor in biology. Now a student at Dalhousie University School of Occupational Therapy, Oluwafeyikemi is one of 80 recipients of this year’s QEII Foundation Diversity in Health Care bursaries.

During her undergraduate degree, Oluwafeyikemi became interested in how the brain affects the way we function in our daily lives. Drawn to occupational therapy (OT) because of its patient-centred approach, she also wanted to be in a healthcare field that recognizes people come from diverse backgrounds with different experiences, values and circumstances that shape their needs. She experienced this firsthand during her first clinical placement in acute care at a Fredericton, N.B. hospital.

“I was constantly learning and gaining a better understanding of how OT fits into the bigger picture of patient care and how the approach is tailored to each individual’s needs.”

In Nova Scotia, OTs work in hospitals, community healthcare settings and private practice. With a goal of supporting Nova Scotians in regaining their independence and improving their quality of life, Oluwafeyikemi is also passionate about advocating for inclusive, equitable care.

“By combining clinical knowledge with empathy and creativity, I aim to provide culturally sensitive care that ensures patients feel seen, understood, and valued,” she says. “Representation in health care fosters trust, improves communication and encourages inclusive approaches that benefit all communities.”

October is National Occupational Therapy Month. 💜

10/22/2026

Francis MacIsaac, from Port Hood in Cape Breton, is grateful to be cancer free, beating the hereditary cancer that took his father’s life thanks to the care he received at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

The QEII's Dr. Amy Trottier specializes in hereditary blood cancers and diagnosed Francis in 2024 at age 27 with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Francis was cured after a bone marrow transplant from his brother, who did not carry the same gene that Francis and his father had.

Dr. Trottier is working to improve genetic testing for even more blood cancer patients with something as simple as using a person’s nail clippings. Dr. Trottier was the winner of the 2026 QEII Foundation’s Innovation Den for this research. Watch the CTV segment: https://bit.ly/4BiA3Sd

10/21/2026

The donor-funded da Vinci Xi is one of the main reasons that gynecological oncology surgeon, Dr. Chuck Dietrich, was recruited to the QEII Health Sciences Centre. He describes the robot as a powerful tool within gynecologic oncology for providing minimally invasive surgical options.

"The da Vinci Xi is a really powerful tool, and its application in gynecologic oncology is amazing. Pretty much all endometrial cancers are done minimally invasively, and the robotic platform is well suited for the staging that is required. You just have better visualization and a better ability to dissect," he explains.

Fundraising efforts from last year’s Orchid Women’s Health Initiative’s Orchid Gala raised nearly $2 million in support of the da Vinci Xi and advancing gynecological oncology surgeries at the QEII. 💜 Read more:

Donors to the QEII Foundation are playing a big role when it comes to physician recruitment.While bringing advanced and innovative medical equipment to the QEII Health Sciences Centre has been made possible by donors to the QEII Foundation’s We Are campaign, it has also resulted in attracting phys...

10/19/2026

Dr. Lana Šačiragić, a gynecological oncology surgeon at the QEII, sees firsthand how her patients are benefitting from the da Vinci Xi and other surgical robots as the QEII Foundation and Nova Scotia Health work to establish Canada’s first Centre of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.

QEII Foundation donors supported bringing the da Vinci Xi to the QEII in early 2026, including crucial funds raised through the Orchid Women's Health Initiative.

In this Q&A, Dr. Šačiragić tells us about the incredible advancements in care with the da Vinci Xi she is hearing and witnessing from her patients facing gynecological cancers. Read more:

Surgeons tackling gynecological cancers are seeing the game-changing results the donor-funded da Vinci Xi robot is having within its first year of operation at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.Thanks to generous donors of the QEII Foundation, the da Vinci Xi has been advancing surgical opportunities....

10/16/2026

Construction of the new acute care tower at the QEII Halifax Infirmary has reached another milestone, with the Level 8 podium structure now in place. The podium is the lower, wider portion of the building and forms the base of the 14-storey acute care tower.

This project was named Best Social Infrastructure Project at the 2026 P3 Awards, which recognizes excellence in public-private partnerships. Judges recognized the collaboration among Build Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Health, the Department of Health and Wellness, Plenary PCL Health and other partners in advancing one of Atlantic Canada’s most complex healthcare infrastructure projects while construction continues within an active hospital campus.

“This is a significant milestone in the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness.

“Since construction began, we’ve seen tremendous progress as the building takes shape and the podium is now complete. Over the next year, it will be exciting to watch the acute tower rise towards its full 14-storey height. The Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project will ensure Nova Scotians have access to cutting-edge care in state-of-the-art facilities for generations to come.” 💜

10/15/2026

When Deanne Reeve passed away in 2020 following a late diagnosis of cervical cancer, her closest friends knew they wanted to do something meaningful in her memory. Their determination to help ensure other women have access to the care they need sparked the creation of the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative (OWHI).

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative will welcome hundreds of supporters to the sold-out Orchid Gala, presented by TD, at Steele Wheels Motor Museum. This year’s event will support personalized cancer testing for gynecological cancers at the QEII through the QEII Foundation.

“Having access to this level of genomic information — and the ability to generate it right here at the QEII — has the potential to transform how we approach treatment for certain women with gynecologic cancers,” says Dr. Michael Carter, an anatomical and molecular pathologist and Medical Director of the QEII's Molecular Diagnostics Lab.

The 2026 Orchid Gala is sold out, but the opportunity to make an impact has never been greater. Bid on exclusive and exceptional experiences, packages and unique items, with all proceeds helping transform cancer care for women receiving treatment at the QEII:

HOW THE ORCHID WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE IS TRANSFORMING WOMEN’S CANCER CAREWhat started as a tribute to one extraordinary woman has become a powerful movement transforming health care for women across Nova Scotia.When Deanne Reeve passed away in 2020 following a late diagnosis of cervical cance...

10/13/2026

Today, researchers can trace Fabry disease, a rare, inherited metabolic disorder through 17 generations of one Nova Scotian woman’s family, with an estimated 3,200 descendants spread across Nova Scotia, Canada, and the United States. Nova Scotia is now believed to have one of the highest concentrations of Fabry disease in the world.

Symptoms may begin in childhood and can include episodes of severe burning pain in the hands and feet, reduced sweating, red skin spots, gastrointestinal pain and diarrhea. Without treatment, the disease can significantly shorten life expectancy due to stroke, kidney failure and heart disease. QEII nephrologist Dr. Michael West has spent more than four decades caring for patients and supporting research.

Dr. West didn’t originally specifically focus on the disease, but as he began to see more patients, and the need for specialization in care grew, so did the Fabry clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

“As we identified more patients across the Atlantic Provinces, it became evident there was an important opportunity not only to improve care, but also to better understand how Fabry disease presents within different patients,” says Dr. West.
Dr. West now treats approximately 120 patients through his clinic serving Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. 💜 Read more: https://bit.ly/3WnmYqA

Story credit: Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub

10/10/2026

We’re wishing Negar Mohammadi a happy 2nd workiversary with the QEII Foundation! 🎉

As our Financial Coordinator, Negar supports our team with invoices, payments, reconciliations, and day-to-day financial tasks that keeps things running smoothy.

“I really enjoy being part of a team that contributes behind the scenes to making a difference in healthcare,” she says.

Negar’s work extends beyond finance, as she volunteers within our organization. She has especially enjoyed being involved in BMO Ride for Cancer, hosted by the QEII Foundation: “I’ve enjoyed being part of BMO Ride for Cancer, especially seeing how our community comes together to support such an important cause.”

Outside of work, Negar enjoys swimming, and trying new cafés and restaurants. Negar and her husband are both musicians and sometimes enjoy evenings playing music together at home. Negar also loves travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Happy 2nd workiversary, Negar! Thank you for choosing our QEII Foundation team. 💜

10/09/2026

The 2026 Orchid Gala is sold out, but the opportunity to make an impact has never been greater. Bid on exclusive and exceptional experiences, packages and unique items, with all proceeds helping transform cancer care for women receiving treatment at the QEII: https://bit.ly/4hUtYCE

10/09/2026

A new heliport taking shape as part of the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project will replace the existing heliport, providing a modern, future-ready facility to support EHS LifeFlight air ambulance arrivals from across Nova Scotia and beyond.

The heliport will strengthen an important connection between communities across the province and specialized care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

“Nova Scotia has a unique geography, and air transport plays an important role in connecting patients with specialized care,” says Shane Todd, heliport manager, and chief power engineer with Nova Scotia Health. “The new heliport is being designed to support that connection and provide a reliable point of arrival for patients coming to the QEII.” 💜

Story credit: Nova Scotia Health