About NECHC

We offer a caring environment where people are treated with respect and dignity where there is equitable access to services.

The North End Community Health Centre (NECHC) has been a pillar of accessible healthcare for more than half a century. It was initially established in Halifax’s North End through the pioneering efforts of three visionary women who successfully engaged a team of physicians from Dalhousie Medical School to create the area’s first primary health clinic. Today, the NECHC has expanded its reach beyond Gottingen St, serving the broader HRM community through various satellite locations, supportive housing properties, and the mobile outreach.

Our Guiding Light

The North End Community Health Centres Strategic Plan reflects a renewed commitment to resilience, and purposeful growth. Building on the momentum of previous years, this plan outlines our vision to navigating the evolving landscape while staying true to our core values and to the community we serve.

Values

These values guide our decisions, shape our relationships, and ensure our strategic actions reflect who we are.

We Hold the Confidence of Our Partners

We act with integrity, transparency, and reliability to earn and maintain trust across all collaborations.

We Connect Primary Care, Mental Health, and Housing with Intention

We work across systems and sectors to create integrated, person-centered solutions that reflect the complexity of people’s lives.

We Respect Professional and Organizational Boundaries

We honor the expertise, mandates, and roles of our partners and colleagues, fostering respectful and effective collaboration.

We Value Equity and Diversity in Our Staff and Our Clients

We are committed to creating inclusive environments where diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives are recognized and celebrated.

We Meet Community Where They Are

We listen deeply, respond with humility, and adapt our approaches to reflect the realities and needs of the communities we serve.

Focus Areas

Intentional and Sustainable Growth

Growth that is deliberate, responsible, and aligned with long-term impact. We will embed sustainability principles in planning and operations.

Support Our People to Do Their Best Work

Empowering individuals through culture, tools, and leadership that foster a culture of trust, inclusion, and continuous learning.

Strengthen External Collaborative Relationships

Building meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships that deepen engagement with key stakeholders, partners, and communities which will position the organization as a trusted and proactive partner.

Through focused initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, we aim to strengthen our organizational capabilities and deliver meaningful impact for the community we serve. This continues to include those experiencing poverty and homelessness, African Nova Scotians, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2SIA+ communities, and our stakeholder.

This is not just a roadmap—it’s a call to action for every team member to contribute to a future defined by clarity, agility and excellence to ensure we move forward with a shared sense of direction.

Leadership Team

Marie-France LeBlanc, President and CEO mleblanc@nechc.com

EJ Davis, Director of Supported Housing ejdavis@nechc.com

Heather Hayman, NP, Director of Primary Care hhayman@nechc.com

Lana MacLean, MSW, RSW Director of Community and Mental Health lmaclean@nechc.com

Nathan N., Director of Human Resources and Administration nnobantu@nechc.com

John Wedderburn Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives jwedderburn@nechc.com

Jonathan Zinck, CPA, CA Director of Finance and Operations jzinck@nechc.com

The NECHC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of members of the community, who bring professional skills, knowledge and expertise to guide the organization. They oversee our strategic direction and financial management.

2024/2025 Board of Directors

Michael Sherwood, Chair
Jacob MacIsaac, Vice Chair
Fred MacGillivray
Ken Power
Lysa McGrath
Michael Haddad
Lisa Caron
Lisa Delaney
Mary Lynn Van Tassel
Alexa Yakubovich