Honorary Trustees
Dr. Jack Yazer
Dr. Jack Yazer (1913-2015) was the driving force behind the creation of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and he and his legacy continue to be an inspiration to this day.
Dr. Yazer had a vision of a healthier Cape Breton. Joined by a strong group of community leaders, Dr. Yazer rallied the Cape Breton community to come together and lobby for the build of what is now known as the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Cape Breton Cancer Centre.
Along with lobbying for the build of the Hospital and Cancer Centre, Dr. Yazer also initiated and led a $6 million fundraising campaign to contribute directly to these monumental projects.
Dr. Yazer’s leadership and commitment to the Cape Breton community was evident throughout his tireless efforts to improve healthcare for Cape Breton. Without his guidance, perseverance and dedication to healthcare in Cape Breton, our community would not be what it is today.
Mahmood Naqvi
Since Mahmood Naqvi came to Cape Breton Island in 1962, his vision has been to improve the healthcare for the people of the Island. From his early days of treating injured coal miners, to his instrumental role in the opening of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, Dr. Naqvi worked hard to see his vision come to life.
With the support of his fellow physicians and nursing colleagues, Dr. Naqvi developed an Intensive Care Unit at the Sydney City Hospital. He served as co-chair of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation and his goal of consolidating the services of Sydney City and St. Rita’s Hospitals was realized when the CBRH opened in 1995.
Dr. Naqvi pioneered the use of laparoscopic surgery at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and has travelled throughout Nova Scotia teaching surgeons hands-on laparoscopic procedures. Retiring from surgical practice in the mid 90’s, Dr. Naqvi took on a new challenge as Medical Director of the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex and, in this capacity, helped open the Cape Breton Cancer Centre.
Dr. Naqvi has been honoured by the Medical Society, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and many other organizations. His passion for doing good, and his quality of excellence, inspires others to carry on with his vision.
George Unsworth
A former board member of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, a crucial part of the movement to have a regional hospital built on our Island, and former Vice Chair of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, George Unsworth has made great strides to support healthcare in Cape Breton.
Serving on our board from 2010 – 2014, George simultaneously chaired our Foundation’s first ever ental Health campaign. This campaign raised over $1.35 million to support at-risk youth, inpatient health and wellness, and housing and transportation.
George also volunteered on the cabinet of our Foundation’s capital campaign to raise funds to expand Cape Breton’s Cancer Centre.
George is a financial chartered accountant, with an honourary Doctor at Laws from the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB, now CBU), and a partner in a chartered accounting firm.
Along with 14 other incredible philanthropists, our Foundation honoured George in 2017 with a Because You Care Tartan tie, representing his dedication to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
