This week, we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Canadian Women Physicians Day on March 11. In this four-part series, we’re excited to introduce you to four women physicians who are making a difference across Nova Scotia Health’s zones.
Dr. Emily Rice has always been a helper. She says the feeling that comes from helping others – coupled with the opportunity to drive meaningful change – is what drew her to a career in palliative care medicine.
“Medicine seemed like somewhere I could be a leader and a helper at the same time. I wanted to be part of that,” says the Baddeck native, who is actively involved in Nova Scotia Health’s physician and recruitment retention effort as an MD lead.
Emily is based out of Antigonish’s St. Martha’s Regional Hospital but her work takes her across the Eastern Zone, connecting her with new and existing patients in hospital, her office, nursing homes and their own homes in the community.
“Being able to do home visits and meet people where they live changes the dynamic of the physician-patient relationship. It’s special to be welcomed into someone’s home and it helps me know them in a way that allows me to provide better individualized care,” she says.
Emily feels fortunate to be part of an “amazingly compassionate, intelligent and dedicated team of health providers,” which includes nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, pharmacists, administrative staff, the community palliative care society and others.
“We show up every day and give our best to provide high quality care, together – helping each other help patients get what they need,” she says.
This commitment to uplifting others is reflected in her thoughts on Canadian Women Physician’s Day. “We need to provide examples and celebrate the stories of how brilliant women got to where they are, so that girls and young women can imagine themselves in the same ways,” Emily says.
When Emily isn’t at work, you can find her with her family, taking in nature and spending time in the garden. “I’m a better doctor because of my family and I also know that I’m better at home because of the experiences and fulfilment I get at work,” she says.
Visit https://physicians.nshealth.ca/news to read other profiles in this four-part series.
