Nova Scotia Health named recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Patient Experience Award
The Canadian College of Health Leaders is proud to announce that Nova Scotia Health’s STI Care Now initiative has been named recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Patient Experience Award for its groundbreaking work in transforming how Nova Scotians access sexual health services.
Developed by the Emerging and Re‑emerging Infections Network (ERIN), the program reimagines STI testing and treatment through a low‑barrier, stigma‑reducing model that centres dignity, autonomy, and inclusion. By offering self‑testing kits for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV, available by mail, through community‑based organizations, and in Youth Health Centres, STI Care Now removes traditional barriers such as clinic wait times, geographic distance, and concerns about privacy. Integrated virtual care, pharmacy‑led treatment pathways, and social work support ensure that patients receive timely results, seamless follow‑up, and compassionate navigation tailored to their needs. This innovative hybrid model reflects a deep commitment to improving the human experience in healthcare, particularly for underserved and disproportionately affected communities.
The impact of STI Care Now has been both measurable and meaningful. Thousands of Nova Scotians have already accessed testing and care through the program, with high satisfaction, repeat engagement, and timely treatment demonstrating its effectiveness. By shifting routine testing away from in‑person clinics, the initiative has also eased pressure on primary care and sexual health services, allowing resources to be directed where they are most needed. Its collaborative design, bringing together microbiology, laboratory services, pharmacy, public health, social work, patient navigation, evaluation specialists, infectious disease experts, and community partners, has created a sustainable, scalable model that aligns patient experience with system performance. STI Care Now exemplifies how innovation, inclusivity, and community partnership can reshape healthcare delivery, making it more accessible, equitable, and responsive for all.
The Excellence in Patient Experience Award is focused on honouring organizations and individuals who have set in place innovations that improve the human experience in healthcare. The award highlights and recognizes innovations that have made a change to how patients and their families experience healthcare services.
The award is sponsored by Abbott. From removing the regular pain of fingersticks as people manage their diabetes to connecting patients to doctors with real-time information monitoring their hearts, from easing chronic pain and movement disorders to testing half the world’s blood donations to ensure a healthy supply, Abbott's purpose is to make the world a better place by bringing life-changing health technologies to the people who need them.
This award is part of our CCHL National Awards Program and will be presented at the Honouring Health Leadership event on June 14, 2026.
For further information and/or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Christian Coulombe
Vice-President, Marketing & Membership
Canadian College of Health Leaders
613-235-7219, ext. 213
[email protected]