Welcome Dr. Pardisnia

We would like to announce that Dr. Sara Pardisnia will be taking over Dr. Marla Ash’s practice as of January 2024.  Dr. Paradisnia has been working in our office for the last couple of years. We are grateful for the excellent care she has provided and will continue to provide. Dr. Ash will continue to be associated with the practice on a part time basis. 

Patients will be contacted over the next few weeks to consent for Dr. Pardisnia to be their new family physician. Please reach out to our office should you have any questions. 

Fall Newsletter

For those without email who have not received our fall newsletter, please see below for a few updates.

Expired Health Cards

Did you know that Service Ontario is NO LONGER sending out reminders for health card renewals? PLEASE check your health card to ensure it is not expired. To avoid unnecessary interruptions in your health care, please sign up for digital reminders at ontario.ca/page/get-serviceontario-digital-reminders.

RSV Vaccine

New this year, Health Canada has approved a vaccine for RSV for people over the age of 60. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs, similar to the cold or flu. According to clinical trials, a single dose of the RSV vaccine, AREXVY, was over 82 per cent effective in preventing RSV lung infections in people age 60 and older and over 94 per cent effective in preventing serious illness in that age group. If you are over age 60, have underlying medical conditions, and are interested in the vaccine, please let us know and a prescription can be faxed to your pharmacy. The cost of AREXVY is about $300. Please note a 14 day period is needed between receiving AREXVY and other vaccines, such as COVID-19 and the flu shot. To learn more about RSV and AREXVY, click here.

Pharmacy Treatment for Minor Ailments

Ontario pharmacist are now authorized to prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments such as acne, allergies, canker sores, cold sores, pink eye, eczema, diaper rash, reflux, hemorrhoids, tick bites, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections. For the full list visit the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Flu Shots

We encourage all our patients to get vaccinated against the flu. Flu shots can be safely given at the same time as your COVID vaccine through your pharmacy or public health clinic. If you prefer to receive your flu shot through our office, please call to book with our nurse. Similar to previous years, both regular flu shots and high dose flu shots are available. If you are over age 65 and have received your flu shot elsewhere, please call our office so we can update your chart. 

Launch of Toronto Health and Social Services Directory

Should I get my "check-up"?

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Longterm Care replaced annual check-ups with Periodic Health Exams, or "PHE". These reviews are at regular intervals, but do not necessarily require a yearly visit. 

The PHE is an opportunity to organize cancer screening, update vaccinations, discuss strategies for health promotion, and address other non-urgent health issues relevant to your medical history and lifestyle. It is typically scheduled every 1-3 years, depending on the individual's medical complexity. Children 2-15 years old should be seen every year. 

PHEs were postponed during the COVID19 Pandemic. As a result, we recognize that there is a backlog of patients wanting to book for their PHE, however these are considered non-urgent appointments. We appreciate your patience when booking these types of appointments. As always, should you have an urgent concern, please advise the office.

New colon cancer screening test

As of June 24th, 2019, Ontario has replaced the previous guaic fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) with the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). It is a safe and painless test that checks your stool (poop) for tiny drops of blood, which can be caused by colorectal cancer or some pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer over time). You can do this test at home and it only takes a few minutes. Unlike the previous gFOBT poop test, you do not have to change your diet or stop taking medication to do the test. It is also a single poop sample which is more convenient.

FIT is offered to all average risk patients age 50-74 and is typically done every 2 years. If you’re due for your colon cancer screening (or unsure), call our office and the kit can be ordered if due. Please ensure your mailing address on file is up to date as the FIT package will be mailed directly to your home.

To find out more about colon cancer screening and FIT, please visit Cancer Care Ontario.