Meet Pat

Recently retired from the Royal Canadian Airforce after forty years of service, I have called Greenwood my home since 2006. My wife Patti, and I have two adult children. Ashley, who has just completed her BSW Degree through Dalhousie University, resides with her partner Brooke in Halifax. My son Rory, born with Down Syndrome, resides at home and works at Carleton Road Industries Association in Lawrencetown. 

I have been a member of the Kingston/Greenwood Community Health Board (KGCHB) since the fall of 2017 and have been Co-Chair/Chair for the past three years. In addition to my role as Chair of the Kingston/Greenwood Community Health Board (KGCHB), I am also on the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alternatives Society (CLAS), and President of the Kingston Lions Club including holding Lions Zone and Nova Scotia District positions. 

I love helping my community, it is a passion of mine.  I had considered volunteering with the KGCHB for many years, but five years ago an opportunity presented itself and I took it.  I am one who likes to be proactive in everything I do so, the roles and goals of the CHB fit perfectly.  We cannot afford, both economically and from a person perspective, to deal with health issues after they occur, whatever they may be.  We must deal with the upstream causes of ill health and wellness to build healthier communities (in all aspects) and this can only be done by building and fostering partnerships to do this.

CHBs are important as we are the people "boots on the ground" in our communities.  The CHBs are composed of a representative cross section of the communities we serve and bring many perspectives to the table.  These perspectives are invaluable when "informing" Nova Scotia Health and the government of Nova Scotia.   

To me, a healthy community is one where everyone benefits from being a member, feels valued by the community and yes, contributes to that community in whatever way they can.  A healthy community is diverse, free from stigma, welcomes everyone and recognizes that we all have a role to play in building a strong community.  To borrow a mantra from the military "no one is left behind".  

I have a strong interest in safe, affordable, appropriate housing for individuals and families. I believe people need a safe, appropriate base from which to live and thrive.  From this "base" they, as an individual or family, and we, as the broader community, can begin to address the social determinates of health. 

Youth are the future of our province, and it concerns me that many children live in poverty and go to school hungry every day. We must work towards overcoming this inequity and to this end we must work towards a National School Food program.