Our team of family physicians and interdisciplinary health providers serve people in Mississippi Mills and the surrounding area.

Our mission is to increase the level of and access to primary care services by building an integrated team of health care professionals, so that all residents will have access to timely, high-quality primary care medical services, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention and improved management of chronic disease.

Please visit our Patient Info page if you are interested in becoming a patient of our Family Health Team.

 

NEWS AND EVENTS

Effective Tuesday May 26, 2020, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) located at the Almonte General Hospital will expand their efforts to reach more people requiring COVID-19 testing.

 

The CAC will now offer appointments to residents living in North Lanark, this includes Mississippi Mills, (Packenham, Almonte and Ramsay), Carleton Place, Beckwith and Ashton.

 

Who Can Be Tested?

• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19
• Anyone concerned about exposure to COVID-19
• Anyone who may be at risk from exposure, ( essential workers, health care workers, etc.)

 

People seeking testing are required to call 613-325-1208 and leave a message.  One of our COVID-19 Assessment Centre nurses will call you back to book your appointment. 

 

Please note the Assessment Centre is still by appointment only and operates Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm. 

 

The CAC is located at the corner of Spring Street and State Street in the brick building behind Almonte General Hospital Emergency Department.  Results are obtained through provinical on-line portal at https://covid-19.ontario.ca.  If there are no results in 7 days, please call Public Health at 1800-660-5853 ext 2222 for assistance.  The Covid Assessment Centre does not assist in obtaining results.   

 

If you want to discuss your symptoms with your provider please call the clinic 613-256-9370 ext 1 to book a telephone appointment.

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Happy Retirement Dr. Franz Ferraris!

His last day in the office will be Friday May 29, 2020.

In the past when a physician retires, patients will often book an appointment to come in and see their doctor one last time, frequently to say thanks and to wish them well. During this pandemic, this is simply not possible for your safety and his. We want you all to stay healthy and we want Dr. Ferraris to enter into his retirement healthy and happy.

 

We do understand that some of you may want to give your well wishes to Dr Ferraris as we have set up a temporary email so you can send messages directly to him.  NO MEDICAL INFORMATION PLEASE!  

 

If you wish to send a message please use this email DrFerrarisretirement@ovfht.ca 

 

COVID-19 Update as of Monday May 11, 2020

All patients being seen in-person at the clinic will be required to wear a face mask for the duration of your appointment. If you have a face mask please wear it to the clinic.

If you do not have one, you can purchase a reusable one for a donation of $5.00 by debit or credit card (we will not accept cash at this time). We will also have disposable masks available for patients.

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We are excited to have Dr. Amy Toderian join the OVFHT Team!  Dr. Toderian will continue the family practice of Dr. Sophie-Danielle Perron who left in early 2019.  For those patient in her practice who have not yet completed and signed a roster form, those were mailed out this week. We ask that you return it to the clinic in the self-addressed stamped evelope provided at your earlist convienience. Each family member over the age of 15 must complete their own forms.

Dr. Toderian also joins Dr. McGarry and Dr. Stewardson as part of our Family Medicine Obstetrical Progam providing obstetrical care for women with low risk pregnancies in the community.  Welcome to the team Amy!

Pictured Dr. McGarry, Dr. Toderian and Dr. Stewardson

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According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as of March 11, 2020 there are 103 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada of which 42 are in Ontario.  1 person has died.  PHAC considers the public health risk associated with COVID-19 to be low for the general population, but there is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians who:

• are aged 65 and over 
• have compromised immune systems 
• have underlying medical conditions

The health of our patients and our community is always our first priority.  We are entering some challenging times with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) having been declared a world pandemic.  The Ottawa Valley Family Health Team is taking steps to limit your exposure to keep you healthy and as safe as possible. 

As of Friday May 8, 2020 the following actions will be implemented at the clinic;

• Phones will be answered 8:30 - noon and 1pm - 3pm Monday to Friday
• Patients requesting appointments will be offered telephone appointments, if applicable
• If your provider thinks it is necessary to have you seen in person, a separate time will be scheduled for you to come to the clinic.  Please be aware you will be asked screening questions before entering the clinic.
• No appointments for routine screenings will be booked until further notice, this includes Periodic Health Visits, Annual Physicals, PAP tests.
• All currently booked appointments for routine screening will be postponed, you will be contacted by our staff.
• All groups visits will be postponed until further notice, this includes, Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Diabetes Education Classes, Heart Health Class.

BEFORE YOU COME TO THE CLINIC:

• if you are running out of medication, please ask the pharmacist to give you an extension.  If they are unwilling to do that, please ask them to fax the renewal request to the clinic
• if you still need to see a healthcare professional, please call the clinic.  Our on-line booking module will be disabled until further notice.
• if you have a cough, fever or difficulty breathing; please call the clinic.  DO NOT COME TO THE CLINIC
• if you are sick, stay at home if possible.  If you need a sick note for your employer, we have a standard letter that can be emailed to you. 
• If you are experience shortness of breath please seek appropriate medical attention.

IF YOU COME TO THE CLINIC: 

• please wear a face mask for the duration of your appointment - if you have a face mask, please wear it to the clinic.  If you do not have one, you can purchase a reusable one for a donation of $5.00 by debit or credit card (we will not be accepting cash at this time).  We will also have disposiable masks available for patients.
• you will be asked screening questions when you arrive
• try and stay 2m (6ft) away from other people
• do not touch any surfaces

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just washed your hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand.  Also, make sure to wash your hands afterward
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick

 For more information about COVID-19 click on the links below:

• Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit:  https://healthunit.org 
• Ottawa Public Health: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx 
• Public Health Agency of Canada:  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

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We are excited to annouce the launch of our on-line booking portal - Health Myself!  As of today Dr. Rossi, Dr Turcotte, Dr. Quackenbush, Dr. McKillop, Dr. Deschenes, Dr. Tiffany, Dr. Stewardson, Dr Milko, Dr. McGarry,  and Krista Kennedy's patients will be able to book regular appointments to see their family physician on-line. Other physicians will be implemented in the following weeks.  

If you would like to have access to on-line booking, please make sure we have your up-to-date personal email.  

Following is the link to the patient portal for those patients who are registered. www.portal.healthmyself.net

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