Knowledge Exchange

Archived Featured Champions

Dr. Peter Vaughan

When comes to fostering quality worklife (QWL) for health professionals at the South Shore District Health Authority (SSDHA) in Nova Scotia, leadership by example is the order of the day. “Culture is King, from the CEO and Board of Directors on down,” says Dr. Peter Vaughan, Vice President of Medicine. “The leadership has to walk the talk.”

Dr. Vaughan takes this philosophy so much to heart that he doesn’t just walk the talk, he runs it.

A committed marathon runner, Dr. Vaughan passionately believes in the value of exercise and diet as the personal base for a healthy individual work-life balance. He makes physical activity a priority and encourages SSDHA staff to follow his lead in making healthy choices.

“There’s nothing more demoralizing to staff than seeing an overweight, cigarette-smoking physician!” says Dr. Vaughan, who routinely goes for a run at noon from his office at the hospital.

Many staff see Dr. Vaughan heading out in his running gear over the lunch hour and comment on his level of physical activity. At the cafeteria, staff have been known to remark on his commitment to making healthy food choices.

“Everyone from the CEO on down is aware of my passion for a healthy lifestyle as the basis for a positive attitude, which ultimately translates into better patient care,” says Dr. Vaughan. “Nothing is better to motivate people than leading by example and inspiring through action.”

Dr. Vaughan first became interested in work-life balance during his time as CEO of the Canadian Medical Association. “I became concerned about physician morale and physician health and well-being,” he says. “The CMA was very involved in this area in the late 90s and they still are,” he says.

Later, as Chief Health Human Resources Officer for the Province of Nova Scotia, Dr. Vaughan became involved in several national QWL projects and Health Canada grant competitions.

When he joined the Accreditation Canada Board, he supported the Quality Work Life Quality Health Care Collaborative (QWQHC) for its value in driving the overall quality of care. “QWL is a major Health Human Resources issue for me,” he stresses.

He credits the Collaborative with helping to drive awareness, and says it’s the natural leaders he feels are present in every organization that will foster QWL at the grassroots level by their own example.

“These natural leaders don’t necessarily have a QWL-related title or position, but they are the folks that will drive the QWL initiatives laterally,” explains Dr. Vaughan. “These are the folks that people like to be around and like to work with; we need to understand what’s happening in our organizations and it’s these people who are the ones who can help us.”

This people-centred approach is key to success at South Shore District Health Authority, where Dr. Vaughan says “it’s all about patient care.” One of nine health districts in Nova Scotia under the Health Authorities Act, SSDHA provides community and hospital-based services to over 60,000 residents spread out over five counties. More than 850 employees and 100 medical staff work within the organization to provide quality health care.

“Compared to a single hospital entity, it’s challenging for a health care organization to be spread out over different geographical sites, but SSDHA has a CEO and Leadership Team that believe the QWQHC’s goals can improve our culture and benefit patient care,” says Dr. Vaughan.

“We’re in the dialogue stage, understanding the needs and looking at ways to enhance an already positive culture,” he says of the organization’s current QWL efforts. “Sure, policies are important but it’s people who really make a difference,” he insists.

With a philosophy like that, we’re confident Dr. Vaughan will continue to walk the talk and help the SSDHA team go the distance.

For more information about the South Shore District Health Authority, please visit www.ssdha.nshealth.ca.