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Purpose-Led CEO Interview Series, Jamie Marcellus, CEO, Novus Health


Melissa From, President & CEO of Calgary Food Bank
Jamie Marcellus, CEO, Novus Health

Meet Jamie Marcellus, CEO of Novus Health, a purpose-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, in both public and private systems. A Registered Nurse by training, Jamie has dedicated his career to improving healthcare outcomes and delivering exceptional customer experiences. At Novus Health, he is passionate about simplifying access to care, leveraging technology to address healthcare challenges, and creating impactful programs that support well-being and equitable healthcare for all.


What was your first job and what did you learn from it?


I have two. My first real job was mowing lawns for my grandfather’s business. The first couple of lawns I mowed were awful - I left strips of uncut grass and missed patches. My grandfather made me go back and fix it. From that experience, I learned the importance of delivering good service and doing things right the first time. The second job was as a PSW (personal support worker) in a long-term care home while I was a nursing student. It was a demanding role where I had to manage a lot of tasks in a short time, all while providing care and empathy. The work was meaningful and made a real difference in people’s lives.

Choosing a career in nursing and healthcare was the second-best decision of my life - the first was marrying my wife!

If you think back on leaders who inspired you in your career or leadership style, who were they and why were they inspiring?


Lutfi Haj-Assaad from SickKids really left a mark on me. When I was a new manager at SickKids Emergency Department, he was my director. Eager to learn what it takes to be a good manager, I wanted to understand, “What does success look like for a manager?” and “How can I become one?” Lutfi gave me two invaluable pieces of advice. First, be decisive: “Make decisions using the information you have in front of you,” he said, especially in a high-pressure environment like an emergency unit. Second, get things done: In a large, complex organization like SickKids, he taught me the value of “hallway meetings.” These informal conversations that happen between formal meetings are important for moving agendas forward.


What motivates you every day?


Two things. First, really great coffee - and I’m only half kidding. We have a really big kitchen and the great coffee encourages team members to gather and talk – like a kitchen party. Second, really great customer service. We want to hear and share many successful stories of our customers’ experience with us. It is the biggest indicator of success and motivates us to keep going. These stories prove that our model works, our team is living our values, and the people we support are truly benefiting. It’s important for all of us to feel proud of the work we do and know it’s making a difference.


What do you want to change in the world and why?


A world that is focused on well-being and equitable access to healthcare for all. While we know, what needs to be done, making it happen is challenging. On an individual level, it demands behaviour change. At an institutional level, it calls for policy reform and collaboration across national and provincial lines.

Equal access to healthcare is important, yet today, it remains neither equitable nor easily accessible.

What is the purpose and vision of Novus Health? And how has being clear about your purpose and vision benefited you and your company?


“We connect people with care.”

Healthcare in Canada is complex. Federal programs, provincial policies, private clinics, and other organizations all influence how care is delivered, making it difficult to navigate the system. Many struggle to find the services they need or a general practitioner - there’s no easy-to-use national registry of doctors accepting new patients. We simplify this process, helping people access care with empathy and efficiency. By leveraging technology, we’re finding better ways to deliver care, freeing nurses to focus where they’re needed most. Our mission is to create impactful health programs that address the most pressing healthcare challenges.


What one piece of advice would you give other CEOs and leaders regarding leading with purpose?


Communicate and listen more than you speak. We learn by paying attention, actively listening, and seeking clarification. Be curious and ask questions, even if it you might think it is a silly question. Our team asks really good questions. We definitely prefer to be in person, as it helps with non-verbal communication.


What one question would you like to ask other purpose-led CEOs?


How do you balance the drive for business results while focusing on purpose and the greater good?


One question from the CEO we interviewed before you, Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank.


What is the best idea you've ever had in your life? Not the best decision you’ve made, but rather the best idea. Maybe you haven’t implemented it yet - but it still is a great idea.


Another CEO and I joked about opening quirky, unique lunch spots with limited menus. Mine would serve great coffee, champagne, and amazing bacon sandwiches, while theirs would focus on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, perfect for transit commuters. We made a pact to launch both as a non-traditional franchise - two locations, different sandwiches, and a hilariously absurd name.

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