This January, Cape Breton-based orthopedic surgeon, Kevin Orrell (BSc’76, MD’81) was named Nova Scotia’s deputy minister for health and wellness. The acting deputy minister at the time, Dr. Tom Marrie (MD’70), who had mentored Dr. Orrell while he was at Dalhousie Medical School and in training, had approached Dr. Orrell to consider the job.

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Dr. Kevin Orrell has been appointed deputy minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced the appointment.

Orrell has practised orthopedic surgery for 31 years in Cape Breton, where he grew up. He is a graduate of Dalhousie Medical School and has been an assistant professor with the university since 2007. For the past year, he has served as senior medical director for the Cape Breton Health Care Redevelopment project.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Dr. Orrell to this position and I look forward to working with him during this pivotal time in the redevelopment of our province’s health-care systems and infrastructure,” McNeil said in a news release. “He brings a wide range of experience that will help us continue to build a better health-care system for Nova Scotians.”

Orrell was the successful candidate after an extensive search that attracted candidates from across Canada and internationally.

The appointment is effective March 30.

Read more in “Cape Breton doctor named Nova Scotia deputy health minister” on thechronicleherald.ca.