Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday:
Clinic 8am - 5pm
Phones are answered
8:30 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sat/Sun: Closed
After-hours care provided at the Almonte General Hospital
Welcome to the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team website!
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
WE are HIRING - check out our CAREERS page!!!!
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We are seeing a spike in respiratory illness, especially in children and receiving a high volume of calls for appointments. Here is some helpful information from the Ontario College of Family Physicians to help you understand what you can do at home, when you should call our clinic and when you need to go to the emergency room.
What you can do at home
Most people with respiratory symptoms - whether from flu, COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or other infections - will recover on their own and do not require prescription medication. We recommend patients self- isolate and rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics (as needed) for headaches or muscle aches until they are better.
When to call our clinic
There are specific considerations for respiratory illness in children. Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms is a resource which answers many common questions - including when to call your doctor's office.If you or your child are at higher risk for complications from respiratory illnesses, please call our clinic right away so we can determine whether you need to be seen and should be prescribed treatment.
You may be offered a virtual appointment if it is appropriate for you. This is one way we can determine if you need to be seen in person.
When to go to the emergency room
Emergency rooms are currently facing capacity issues. However, in some cases, it is the only place to get the right care. Click on the following link to help determine if your child needs to visit an ER.
Wear a mask
Please be reminded that masking is required in our clinic - masking reduces the spread of viruses and protects others, including our patients who have cancer, are elderly or are especially vulnerable for other reasons. Please bring your mask or get one at the front door and wear it throughout your visit, including when you are alone in an exam room.
Our clinic (like most clinics at present) is handling much higher numbers of patient calls and visits than usual, including care "backlogs" from the pandemic. For some routine, non-urgent care (eg well child visits not associated with immunization, followup for chronic disease that is stable), wait times for your appointment may be longer - we appreciate that you continue to be patient with us as we work hard to help you.
We are always here for you and will ensure you get the care you need, when you need it!
Stay tuned for some very informative videos that we will be posting soon.
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Our triage nurses get alot of questions from concerned patients and family members this time of your regarding antibiotics and the difference between viruses and bacteria - here are some resources to help you out.
Antibiotic Q&A and What's got you sick? Viruses or Bacteria
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The Ottawa Valley Family Health Team is excited to announce the addition of two new members to our physician staff, Dr. Lawrie Ray, and Dr. Sylvia Almeida.
Dr. Ray first worked with the OVFHT in 2015 and loved it so much she chose to make us her permanent home. She has extensive experience having worked and trained in many rural communities from Trail, and Haida Gwaii, British Columbia to St. John’s Newfoundland and Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Dr. Ray’s practice is specifically focused on geriatrics, caring for residents at Orchard View in Almonte where she is the house physician, as well as residents of Fairview Manor. She will also care for patients admitted to the Almonte General Hospital.
Dr. Almeida hails from Brazil and is now making the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team her new home. Having worked in Obstetrics before coming to Canada, Dr. Almeida is joining our Family Medicine Obstetrics team with Drs. Stewardson, Toderian and Fortune. Dr. Almeida will initially be building her practice from our Obstetrics program.
On behalf of the entire Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, we’d like to welcome Dr. Ray and Dr. Almeida!
Currently the clinic is not generating a waitlist. Stay tuned for more details!
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Please note: due to the increased clinical obligations at the Family Health Team and the Almonte General Hospital - prescription renewals may now take up to 7 days to renew.
Local pharmacies are aware of this and will utilize their good judgement with their expanded scope for any delays that might occur.
Please plan ahead - if you are running out of a medication contact your pharmacy sooner for the renewal.
Thank you for your understanding.
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For more information on COVID-19 Vaccine appointments visit the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit website
https://healthunit.org/coronavirus/
ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 18 can book a 4th dose booster shot - book now!!!!!
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Now offering Medical FootCare Services for patients of the clinic - $40 per appointment or $60 for couples (must live in the same house).
Includes: Foot Assessment, Nail Care, Callus/Corn Treatment (if required), Moisturizing
For more information or to book an appointment please call Katrina at 613-256-9370 ext 4041.
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POMELO/Health Myself Secure Patient Portal
We are excited to announce that on-line booking is back up and running - Pomelo/Health Myself is a secure patient portal that will allow you to book and manage appointments on line with your provider, receive reminder emails of upcoming appointments and clinic updates, message the clinic directly for NON-urgent questions and requests and attached pictures and documents for your upcoming appointments.
As of today Dr. Rossi, Dr Turcotte, Dr. Forbes, Dr. Quackenbush, Dr. McKillop, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Tiffany, Dr. Stewardson, Dr Milko, Dr. McGarry, Dr. Toderian, Dr Dawson, Dr. Fortune and Krista Kennedy's patients will be able to book regular telephone appointments with their primary care provider 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. You can call 613-256-9370 ext 4109 if you have any quesitons.
Following is the link to the patient portal. https://portal.healthmyself.net/ovfht#/
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Ottawa Valley Family Medicine Obstetrics - NEW WEBSITE
Provide comprehensive pregnancy care to low risk women in west Ottawa, the Ottawa Valley and Lanark county. The group has privileges for delivery at the Almonte General Hospital. The unit has five private postpartum rooms with their own washroom and shower, two labour and delivery rooms, showers, and an operating room for cesarean sections. Ultrasound services are available on site.
A full range of pain management options are available, including 24-hour epidural service. With a commitment to best practice, they have the distinction of being Ontario's top performer in Maternity care.
If you wish to become a patient you can have your doctor refer you to the group for pregnancy care, or you can complete the intake form on the website and a team member will contact you within 7 days.
Visit our website - www.ottawavalleyfmob.ca
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