Dr. Yolanda D’Intino

Cape Breton University is pleased to recognize Dr. Yolanda D’Intino for her dedication and commitment to her patients and community.

Dr. D’Intino graduated from the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine in 1978.  She completed her dermatology residency training at McGill University in 1989. She received her certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons that same year and became a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology.

Dr. D’Intino began her career with the Dermatology Departments at the Montreal General Hospital and the Montreal Children’s Hospital where she participated in teaching clinics and hospital consultations. She also worked in various offices in the Montreal area.

Dr. D’Intino returned to her hometown of Sydney in 1990 and hit the ground running in establishing her practice in adult and pediatric dermatology.  She provided consultations in her office and in Sydney City and St. Rita’s Hospitals and later at the Cape Breton Regional. Dr. D’Intino went where she was needed, and saw patients in the ER, ICU and ambulatory care clinic.  Her office may have been based in Sydney, but she provided care to many patients from Inverness, Richmond and Victoria Counties, as well as those from the other side of the Causeway and western Newfoundland.  She also did travelling clinics for many years in Inverness and Cheticamp. These trips made her appreciate the beauty of the Island even more and gave her unique insight into her patients and their respective communities.

For many years, Dr. D’Intino was the only dermatologist in Nova Scotia practicing outside of Halifax but she says her prior experience in general practice proved invaluable. Realizing the desire of local family physicians for continuing medical education in dermatology, Dr. D’Intino made many educational presentations to them in the early years of her practice. Dr. D’Intino also participated in the presentation of dermatology refresher courses at Dalhousie and Memorial Universities and was involved in the local family medicine teaching program.

Dr. D’Intino says returning home was one of the highlights of her career and allowed her to give back to the community in which she was born and educated.  She enjoyed working alongside her healthcare colleagues – nurses, physios, pharmacists – many of whom she knew from her school days.  She was especially gratified to have worked alongside her father, Dr. Carmen D’Intino, who was a highly respected general practitioner.

Dr. D’Intino enjoyed treating patients of all ages, recalling one memorable day when she treated an infant in the morning and a 103-year-old in the afternoon. Proud moments occurred when she could use her training and expertise to diagnose obscure illnesses and manage patients with challenging conditions. This was intellectually satisfying but Dr. D’Intino is quick to point out that it was always about the patient, – their uniqueness – and finding ways to improve their situation.

Dr. D’Intino considers it a privilege to be a physician and to have practiced dermatology for more than 30 years.

Cape Breton University is privileged to present her with the Healthcare Award of Distinction and thank her for her commitment to her patients and dedicated service.