Parteek (Gunny) Brar - Board Chair, Registrant
Parteek (Gunny) Brar is an RN working for Nova Scotia Health at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Emergency Department in Sydney. New to the profession, Parteek brings a fresh and diverse perspective to the NSCN Board, along with his significant governance experience. Parteek has held leadership roles as the President of the Cape Breton University Students’ Union and was a member of the Senate and the Board of Governors at Cape Breton University. In these roles, Parteek demonstrated his skill and capacity to foster collaborative relationships with each organization’s respective community of stakeholders. He is also skilled at implementing successful strategies that mentor and coach new board members. Parteek also supports and prioritizes the creation of diverse, inclusive and equitable environments as a nurse and as a board member.
Krista Smith - Board Vice-Chair, Registrant
Krista Smith, an RN, is the Director of Integrated Health – Eastern Zone Critical Care and Respiratory and Acute Medicine for Nova Scotia Health at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Krista comes to the Board with a range of experience working with health organizations, including the Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society, Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists, Canadian College of Health Leaders and more. In these roles, Krista has demonstrated her strong leadership and communication skills and collaborated with others to positively impact change and progress. Krista seeks opportunities for professional and personal growth and believes evaluation is an important part of work. She works continuously to challenge her self-awareness to bring her best self to the nursing profession and patients.
Alana Baxter – Public Representative
Alana Baxter of Halifax, Nova Scotia, brings her diverse career and expertise as a civil servant to the NSCN Board. Alana has significant experience working with legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks, as well as experience working with diverse populations. During her career, Alana worked closely with nurses during her employment as a Settlement Program Officer for the NS Office of Immigration and as the Funding Agreement Manager for the Pathway to Success for Internationally Educated Nurses. As the Labour Mobility Coordinator with the NS Department of Labour and Advanced Education, she worked with domestic and international regulated professionals and regulatory bodies to support fair registration practices, including the development of pathways to licensure for international applicants in several professions. Alana also has significant Board experience, currently volunteering as a public representative of the NS College of Counselling Therapists Board of Directors and member at large of the Halifax Regional Municipality Grants Committee.
Ashley Clements - Registrant
Ashley Clements is an RN for Nova Scotia Health, Public Health in Dartmouth. Ashley has been nursing for 16 years and brings her diverse set of knowledge and leadership to the NSCN Board. Ashley loves to share the joy of nursing and has been an educator and mentor to her nursing colleagues for the past 10 years. For three years, Ashley also sat on the board of a local daycare where she worked closely with key stakeholders and partners to develop collaborative relationships. Ashley believes in fostering a workplace of inclusion of all backgrounds to promote health equity for the public. She also strives to enhance positive outcomes for the public by displaying strong leadership and sound knowledge of population health, social determinants of health and current nursing trends.
Andrew Heighton - Registrant
Andrew Heighton, RN is the Director of Integrated Rural Health at Nova Scotia Health. With over 16 years of experience in clinical, educational and management positions, Andrew is a health care leader who is committed to professional development and continuous learning as a catalyst for change. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to serving the public and advocating for the improvement of health care services. Andrew has actively engaged with various organizations including municipalities, hospital foundations, community health boards, etc., which has allowed him to effectively collaborate with a range of stakeholders and flex his communication and interpersonal skills. Andrew has a proven track record of successful leadership in various health care settings, from leading multidisciplinary teams to managing organizational change. Andrew brings to the Board his skills in identifying opportunities and implementing innovative solutions to address challenges and help support the continuous growth of the profession in Nova Scotia on behalf of the public.
Paulette Anderson - Public Representative
Paulette Anderson of Plymouth, Nova Scotia, has extensive board experience and currently serves on the Nova Scotia Law Foundation Board, Midwifery Regulated Council, the Review Board of the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act, and as Chair of the Complaints Review Committee of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Through her 16 years of board experience, Paulette understands the importance, expectations and commitment required of the public representative – a key role in protecting the public we serve. Paulette brings a rural perspective to the NSCN Board and is dedicated to ensuring self-regulated professionals succeed for the benefit of all Nova Scotians. Before becoming an NSCN Board member, Paulette was a member of the CRNNS Council and served on the CRNNS Complaints, Professional Hearing and Fitness to Practice Committees.
Robyn Schleihauf - Public Representative
Robyn Schleihauf of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has a professional background as a lawyer with her practice focusing on professional regulation. Robyn brings a special skill-set to the NSCN Board, sharing her broad interest in professional ethics, codes of conduct, and effective public interest regulation. In addition to being a lawyer, Robyn is an associate professor at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, where she recently taught the first-year legal ethics course. Robyn is also a writer and CBC contributor. Robyn comes to the Board with experience working on social justice initiatives, including the North Preston Land Pro Bono, and she continues to leverage her skills to advocate on behalf of the public.
Susan Earle - Registrant
Susan Earle is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who currently works as a Case Aid with Jordan’s Principle at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. After graduating as an LPN in 2017, Susan’s nursing career has been focused primarily in mental health, and she has spent time working in roles in psychiatric acute care, community health, supportive transition housing and forensic nursing in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Through her past experience and current work with Indigenous children and families, Susan brings a diverse perspective to the NSCN Board. She aspires to ensure that everyone receives equal access to health care, support, and education, despite systemic barriers, oppression, and discrimination. Susan recognizes the importance of fostering trust through meaningful engagement, and she is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the nursing profession’s integrity and standards while advocating for the well-being of the public.
Tricia Lane - Registrant
Tricia Lane is a pediatric nurse practitioner in Orthopaedics at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. With over 30 years in the nursing profession, Tricia's philosophy of nursing practice is founded in patient-centered care and she is committed to providing high-quality health care for all Nova Scotians. As a strong advocate for patients and their families, Tricia believes serving on the NSCN Board is the next step in caring for her community by regulating how nursing care is delivered across Nova Scotia in the public’s interest.
Contact:
Email: board@nscn.ca
Phone: 902-444-NSCN (6726) or 1-833-267-NSCN (6726) [Please ask for the Governance Team]
Fax: 902-377-5188
Suite 300 – 120 Western Parkway
Bedford, Nova Scotia, B4B 0V2