Dr. Robert MacKenzie is the co-Chief of Emergency Medicine in the Eastern Zone.
Dr. MacKenzie has been a fulltime emergency medicine physician working in his native home of Cape Breton since 2008, fulfilling the role of site chief since 2012. A graduate of Dalhousie Medical School, he went on to complete the Dalhousie Family Medicine Residency Program where he received a National Award for Leadership. More recently he received his Designation in Sports and Exercise Medicine from the Canadian College of Family Physicians. His undergraduate background includes a degree from Dalhousie Law School and a science degree from Acadia University.
Being involved in his community is characteristic of Dr. MacKenzie's career to date. As a youth he began coaching baseball and hockey in his hometown of Albert Bridge and subsequently coached minor hockey while at Acadia University. Upon moving to Halifax, he volunteered with the Meals on Wheels Program as well as with the Canadian Red Cross Trauma and Emergency Response Teams which included duties with the Swissair Flight 111 Response Team. When he returned home, he volunteered as a coach with Cape Breton County Minor Hockey for over 10 years.
Dr. MacKenzie has a busy career working with several local and national organizations. He works at the Riverview High School Youth Health Center, Cape Breton University Max Bell Center and as a Civilian Physician with the Canadian Armed Forces Base, Sydney. He is the team physician and medical coordinator for Cape Breton Eagles and was involved with the World Junior Club Championships in Russia (2014). He has volunteered with the Canadian PGA Tour tournament at the Lakes G&CC, the Legion National Track and Field Championships and was the chief medical liaison for Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Sydney. In 2019 he joined Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence – working with the National Men's Under-17 teams for the past 4 years and with the Men's National Under-18 team in the summer of 2021.
He considers himself lucky to have the support of a dedicated group of colleagues who support each other in their busy medical careers. Most importantly he values his friends and family. Living “Out on the Mira” with his wife Colleen and two sons Kaden and Braedy and being involved with their own life’s passions provides an important balance to a busy career.
