Senior exec behind major changes to N.S. health system resigns

The senior executive who had a hand in establishing virtual care in Nova Scotia and setting up clinics in pharmacies, in addition to being a driving force behind the YourHealthNS app, is quitting her job.

In an email to staff Tuesday, Gail Tomblin Murphy said she is resigning from her role as vice-president of research, innovation and discovery as well as innovation partnerships with Nova Scotia Health's Innovation Hub.

She said the decision was the result of "careful consideration," and came with "mixed emotions."

Speaking with CBC News in her office, Tomblin Murphy said it was time to let someone else lead.

"I came here from Dalhousie University and I agreed to come here for five years and it's hard to believe that I'm into my sixth year," said Tomblin Murphy. "It's time for somebody else to take this to the next level.

"And it's also time for me to find different things to do and to spend time with my family and things that are important."

Although the news came as a surprise to her staff — as well as senior government officials, including the deputy health minister — Tomblin said she had been talking about leaving with the interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health, Karen Oldfield.

Health innovations in Nova Scotia

Tomblin Murphy said her resignation is strictly personal.

"I am not being asked to leave," she said. "There hasn't been any kind of a conflict or anything at this point.

"In fact, I have been asked to consider staying longer than what I have agreed to."

Dana MacKenzie, deputy minister of health, paid tribute to her colleague following an appearance before a legislature committee Wednesday.

"She's served 30 years in academia and we're quite grateful for her service, in particular the wonderful, incredible thing she's been able to do at the Innovation Hub in a very short period of time," MacKenzie told reporters.