Dr. Samuel Hickcox
Dr. Samuel Hickcox was appointed Chief Officer of the Office of Mental Health and Addictions in July 2021 and continues this role in the Office of Addictions and Mental Health as of September 2021.
Biography
Samuel is a family physician who has practiced in a variety of clinical areas in Nova Scotia, including rheumatology, inpatient care, rural emergency medicine, addiction medicine, inpatient psychiatry and healthcare for Canadian Forces veterans and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with psychiatric disorders.
He’s a certified addiction medicine specialist and a practicing psychotherapist. He’s also a medical director with Atlantic Mentorship Network for Pain and Addictions. Before joining the Government of Nova Scotia, he worked for Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) as the Physician Lead for Addictions Medicine and provided training for clinicians related to stigma of mental illness, including addictions and chronic pain.
Current role
Chief Officer, Office of Addictions and Mental Health
The Chief Officer of the Office of Addictions and Mental Health is responsible for overseeing mental health and addictions services and programs. They’re also responsible for overseeing the office’s mandate.
Responsibilities include:
- overseeing mental health and addictions policy development
- working with partners and federal, provincial and municipal government to provide mental health services and support
- making sure that mental health and addictions are part of the healthcare system
- reducing the stigma of mental health and addictions
- overseeing funding for services provided by Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre and community organizations
Previous roles
- Chief Officer, Office of Mental Health and Addictions
- Physician Lead, Addictions Medicine, Nova Scotia Health Authority