News

The Cape Breton Medical Campus is pleased to welcome Dr. Carl Marshall to the role of Academic Director, Indigenous Health in Unama’ki. Dr. Marshall, a family physician, will support the development and implementation of Indigenous Health programming for learners, faculty and staff at the Cape Breton Medical Campus, ensuring alignment with Indigenous community priorities.

Originally from Cape Breton’s Potlotek First Nation, Dr. Marshall graduated from Cape Breton University before continuing his studies at McMaster University Medical School in Niagara, Ontario. He continued on to Newfoundland and Labrador, where he completed his family medicine residency at Memorial University. Dr. Marshall then set his sights on returning to Cape Breton to support his community.

“I have always felt a deep connection to our communities here in Cape Breton.  Working to help support the health and wellbeing of my people has been very fulfilling.  I am honored to have this opportunity to work at the Cape Breton Medical Campus and extend my support to indigenous learners.”

Dr. Marshall currently serves a thriving family practice at the Eskasoni Health Centre. Eskasoni is a rural community on Cape Breton Island, recognized as the largest Mi'kmaq community in the world. Dr. Marshall says its important to consider perspectives of Indigenous students, patients and communities in medical education.

“It has been a blessing to work in Eskasoni in the role of a family doctor.  The community members here have been incredibly kind and supportive to me,” says Dr. Marshall.  “I am excited to support the learning of our future community doctors.”

Dr. Jennifer Hall, CBMC Senior Associate Dean, says Dr. Marshall will not only support students, but will inform program development and implementation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Marshall to this role,” says Dr. Hall. “With expertise and dedication to advancing Indigenous health and education, Dr. Marshall will be instrumental in shaping inclusive and culturally responsive medical curriculum.”

In his new role, Dr. Marshall will serve as a liaison between resident and student affairs, develop learning plans for Indigenous learners and support overall program development. While he represents the Cape Breton Medical Campus, Dr. Marshall will forge a strong connection with Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine to advance strategic priorities related to serving and engaging society. He says he looks forward to collaboration to support positive outcomes for all.

“I look forward to working in collaboration with all of our staff, including those at the other medical sites. In addition to supporting our learners, we will work to promote factors of health equity in teaching, learning and practice.”

The Cape Breton Medical Campus is set to welcome its first cohort. Comprised of 30 students from across Nova Scotia, the inaugural group starts in September 2025 and will be eligible to graduate with medical degrees in 2029.