Dr. Malak El Ess’s journey from Lebanon to Nova Scotia as a hospitalist

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For Dr. Malak El Ess, the decision to settle in Nova Scotia was as much about lifestyle as it was about professional opportunity.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Malak grew up surrounded by the vibrancy of a small but beautiful country along the Mediterranean. After completing medical school in Beirut, she moved to Qatar, where she received training in internal medicine. Her career path eventually brought her to Canada, specifically Nova Scotia, where she is now a hospitalist physician at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.

“Nova Scotia, with its welcoming people, beautiful nature and ocean views, made me feel at home instantly,” she says.

Being near the water provides Malak with a source of comfort and renewal. “I am a beach person,” she says. “Whenever I feel tired or homesick, I drive to the nearest beach, and I instantly feel better.”

Moving across continents wasn’t without its challenges. Leaving behind family, friends and familiarity required courage. “Change always makes me feel uncomfortable because I am stepping out of my comfort zone,” she admits. “The first few months were challenging. But I was blessed with wonderful people who supported me, family and friends back home and a supervisor here who guided me professionally and made sure I was comfortable during my first months of practice.”

Medicine was always her dream. From a young age, Malak felt drawn to helping others. “Being a doctor was my first choice when I applied to college,” she says. She was especially attracted to hospitalist medicine because of its fast pace and broad scope. “As a hospitalist, I take care of patients who are too sick to go home,” she explains. “We see a wide range of acute illnesses, from infections to heart failure exacerbations to complications of cancer. The variety keeps me engaged and allows me to use knowledge from all fields of medicine.”

Nova Scotia Health has successfully filled multiple hospitalist vacancies within the Central Zone, welcoming nine new physicians to the team in 2024-25. This recruitment effort strengthens the ability to deliver timely, patient-centered care, ensuring individuals admitted to the hospital receive the dedicated attention they need throughout their stay.

A typical day for Malak begins with rounds, checking in on patients, reviewing lab results and imaging, and working with other specialties to create care plans. She also emphasizes the importance of communication; keeping patients and their families informed is a key part of her role.

Like many in healthcare, Malak faces challenges. Short staffing and increasing patient volumes due to a growing and aging population put pressure on hospital resources. “Balancing workload with delivering quality care is challenging,” she says. Still, what keeps her motivated are the moments of progress. “Witnessing my patients improve and hearing their heartfelt ‘thank you’ before they go home is incredibly rewarding,” she shares. “And I’m lucky to have the best colleagues. We support one another, and that teamwork makes all the difference.”

The spirit of collaboration extends beyond physicians. “I practice in a multidisciplinary environment with allied health professionals. Each morning, we review patients together and come up with holistic care plans. That collaboration is essential for enhancing outcomes.”

Her advice to anyone considering hospitalist medicine is simple: “Go for it! It’s fast-paced and demanding but equally rewarding. If you’re interested in acute care and thrive in an inpatient environment, it’s a great opportunity.”

For Malak, Nova Scotia has become more than a workplace; it’s a place where she feels at home, by the ocean, doing the work she loves.

Looking to advance your hospitalist practice in Nova Scotia? Find opportunities and apply today!

Photo of Dr. Malak El Ess.