The Eating Disorders Support Program, new to MVFHT patients in Fall 2025, was developed as a multidisciplinary approach to support members of the community struggling with disordered eating and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED). 

Please contact the MVFHT office for self-referrals at 613-756-9888 Ext.5.

Self-referrals of enrolled patients are welcome. Call 613-756-9888 ext. 5 for more information.

→ Want to Quit Smoking for Free.pdf

Picture Yourself in Barry’s Bay and Area.

Are you interested in a learning experience in a community that is rich in cultural diversity and only minutes away from Algonquin Park?

We are a teaching facility, welcoming learners from all disciplines including medical students, clerks and residents, nurse practitioner students and social worker students. Our collaborative approach to teaching gives the learner a well-rounded experience in our community.

If you are interested in a learning experience within our team, please can contact us directly.

• Dr. Jason Malinowski at MalinowskiJ@sfmhosp.com for medical students, clerks or residents
• Diane Cross, MVFHT Executive Director at dcross@madawaskavalleyfht.com for Nurse Practitioner and Social Work students.

For information on the Eastern Regional Medical Education Program and to apply for core or elective placements, please go to:

Barry's Bay | ERMEP

45 Mill St.
Killaloe, Ontario. K0J 2A0

We are a multidisciplinary primary health care team serving the Barry’s Bay and area communities in Renfrew County.

Click HERE to visit Health Care Connect or call 1-800-445-1822.

Please Note:

If you do not have a doctor or nurse practitioner as your primary care provider, please register with Health Care Connect, an online service that assists in connecting you with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area.

Click HERE to visit Health Care Connect or call 1-800-445-1822.

PATIENT VISITS

• Please bring your valid health card to every appointment as you will be asked for this card at check-in by the receptionist.
• Please try to arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow for check-in.
• Before you take a seat in the waiting room, check-in with the receptionist.  If we do not know that you have arrived, you may wait longer than needed to see your provider.
• If possible, please provide us with 24 hours’ notice of cancellation if you cannot attend an appointment. This allows us to contact another patient who is in need of care.
• If you require the completion of forms, please let the reception person know at the time of booking your appointment.  It may take additional time for the provider to complete forms.  See below for information on uninsured services.

PRESCRIPTION RENEWALS

• If you are running low on your medications and do not have an appointment, please contact your pharmacy and they will send your request to the clinic. Please allow at least two weeks for your prescription renewal.
• Providing sufficient time for your doctor to send in a renewal request ensures that there is no lapse in your medications.
• Please bring medication bottles or blister packs at each visit to ensure accurate refills.

UNINSURED SERVICES

• Uninsured services are those services provided to patients that are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The Ontario Ministry covers insured medically necessary services provided by physicians, however, Ontario Health does not pay for services that are not medically necessary. These may include: writing sick notes, cosmetic procedures, charges for missed appointments, completing forms for insurance, CPP applications, disability tax credit, legal or employment forms, or your health card is not valid.
• It is the patient’s responsibility to pay for uninsured services.

URGENT CARE

Did you know that when you call Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC), your family physician gets charged?

If you require urgent care, please contact our office before contacting RCVTAC to see if there is any availability for a same-day/next-day urgent care appointment.

If you need immediate medical attention, please visit your local emergency department.

AI SCRIBE

AI Scribe is a relatively new program/technology being used by healthcare professionals to automate the patient visit notes and accurately capture medical information.  This allows the clinician to focus entirely on you, the patient, during your visit while ensuring a comprehensive and precise record of your care.

Your consent is required before a clinician will use the AI scribe the first time during your visit. Your conversation with your healthcare provider is transcribed simultaneously.  The notes that a clinician reviews and saves are included in your electronic health record; and the recording of your visit is then deleted.  Your participation is voluntary and you can decline or withdraw consent for the use of AI Scribe at any time. All MVFHT clinicians continue to adhere to our privacy and confidentiality policies when using AI Scribe technology.

Please make a selection from the sub-menu.

Our knowledgeable staff are here to care for our patients to help them achieve their optimal health.

Please see the physician and nurse practitioner office contact information to schedule appointments.

Our physician clinics are available for patients who are enrolled/rostered with a specific family doctor.  If you do not have a family doctor, you can register with Health Care Connect, which will assist in connecting you with a family physician who has capacity to accept more patients.

Click HERE to visit Health Care Connect or call 1-800-445-1822.

A Nurse Practitioner is an experienced registered nurse with additional graduate-level university education and training.

Nurse practitioners work autonomously and collaborate with members of the team as required. Our nurse practitioners can diagnose health problems; provide medical services such as annual physicals, preventative health and common procedures; prescribe and renew medications; order, interpret and communicate diagnostic test results; refer to health team members, specialists and health services in the community, and many other care services. The Nurse Practitioner offers a Women’s Health clinic for individuals who do not have a family doctor (see Women's Health).

Call 613-756-9888 ext. 5 for more information.

Madawaska Valley Midwives, 15 Lake Street, Killaloe, ON  and 154 Civic Centre Drive, Petawawa, ON
Phone: 613-687-6333
Toll free: 1-833-687-6333

Renfrew County and District Health Unit, 141 Lake Street, Pembroke, ON
Information and resources regarding pregnancy and after birth.
Phone: 613-732-3629
Toll Free: 1-800-267-1097

A Family Health Team (FHT) is a group of healthcare professionals that work together to provide comprehensive primary health care to patients. The Madawaska Valley FHT is located in a small rural community that includes six family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health counsellors and a dietitian. The team focus includes health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management, offering a patient-centered approach to healthcare. The Madawaska Valley is known for its beautiful scenery of lakes, rivers and forests characteristic of the Algonquin Park area, ample outdoor recreation opportunities, and a strong sense of community.

• Eastern Ontario Community Paramedic Programs – Paramedics provide in-home services to help vulnerable adults remain healthy at home.
  Phone: 1-844-860-2778

• Pikwakanagan Health Centre, Pikwakanagan Ontario
  Phone: 613-625-2800

• Rainbow Valley Community Health Centre, Killaloe Ontario
  Phone: 613-757-0004

• Whitney Medical Centre, Whitney Ontario
  Phone: 613-637-2170

• Barry’s Bay and Area Home Support Services
  Phone: 613-756-2772

• Champlain Gardens, Barry’s Bay Ontario
  Phone: 647-637-5606

• Eganville & District Seniors
  Phone: 613-628-2354

• Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care, Barry’s Bay Ontario
  Phone: 613-756-3045

• Opeongo Seniors Centre, Barry’s Bay Ontario
  Phone: 613-756-0554

• Osteoporosis Canada

• Valley Manor, Barry’s Bay Ontario
  Phone: 613-756-2643

• Health Care Connect - Register here if you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
  Phone: 1-800-445-1822

Call 613-756-9888 ext. 5 for more information.

Self-referrals are accepted from enrolled and unattached patients in our community. Please contact us for self-referrals at 613-756-9888 Ext.5

Programs and services are available, in addition to the care provided by your family physician.

These teams typically include family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, mental health counsellors, dietitians, and other allied health professionals.

Family Health Teams focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management, offering a patient-centered approach to healthcare. 

The Madawaska Valley Family Health Team (MVFHT), located in Barry’s Bay, was established in April 2018. Ontario Health provides annual funding for allied health professionals and administrative staff of the MVFHT (physicians are not funded through this agreement). Currently, our Family Health Team consists of six family physicians, two nurse practitioners, two mental health counsellors, a registered dietitian, a registered practical nurse, as well as our administrative staff.

Our allied health professionals support physicians and their patients in two locations; Barry’s Bay and Killaloe.

Clinical services are available to members of the community who do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner for their primary health care. We also host medical residents and students primarily from the University of Ottawa and Queen’s University.

Picture Yourself in Barry’s Bay and Area.

Are you interested in practicing Family Medicine in an area that is rich in cultural diversity and only minutes away from Algonquin Park?

Practice where you can live!

SHARING YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION WITH OTHERS

At the MVFHT, we collect personal health information from you or from the individual acting on your behalf. The personal information we collect may include, your date of birth, health card number, address, health history, etc. 

We may use or disclose your personal health information to:

• Provide health care to you
• Collect payment for your treatment and care (OHIP, WSIB, private insurance company)
• Plan, administer and manage our internal operations
• Conduct risk management and quality improvement activities
• Ensure you are up to date with preventative care procedures applicable to your care
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law
• Educate our staff and teach students

Your information is only shared with people that you have expressed your consent to do so. This means that your family members, employer, or friends, do not have automatic access to your information. If you would like us to share your information with someone, you must inform us.

In the case of an individual who cannot make their own healthcare decisions, a substitute decision maker will be appointed. For children, this is usually their parent(s). Once a child is able to make their own medical decisions their parents do not have access to their information unless their child gives us consent.

If you have any questions regarding your privacy and health information, please contact your primary care provider’s office

Protecting Your Health Information

MVFHT takes all reasonable steps to protect your personal health information from unauthorized collection, use and disclosure. Physical, administrative and technical safeguards are in place to protect your information.

How to Access Your Information:

You have a right to access and/or request to see your health information. This can be done by calling your primary health care provider’s office. Please call in advance to allow our staff some time to complete your request. In some cases, there may be a fee associated with providing you a copy of your health information. Please make sure that your health information is accurate and up-to-date and let our offices know if any information has changed.

The Nurse Practitioner is a key member of the interdisciplinary team at the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team (MVFHT). The NP provides primary care services, including direct clinical care, education and coordination of care for patients experiencing medical issues, episodic illness and chronic disease. The NP works both independently (patients enrolled with the NP), and with our associated group of six family physicians.

The Madawaska Valley FHT is a small, rural team located in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. The area is known for its beautiful scenery of lakes, rivers and forests characteristic of the Algonquin Park area, ample outdoor recreation opportunities, and a strong sense of community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide evidence-based assessment, screening, prevention, and management to individuals, utilizing best-practice guidelines.
• Perform health assessment and diagnosis; health care management and therapeutic intervention; health promotion and prevention of illness, injury and complications in the care of complex medical patients, pediatrics and geriatric patients.
• Autonomously diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform procedures within the RN (EC) legislated scope of practice, as appropriate.
• Provide patients with appropriate clinical advice, education and counselling, based on relevant best-practice guidelines.
• Accurately document in the patient record all assessments, observations, conversations, interventions and clinical discussions relating to patient care.
• Collaborate and liaise with physicians, office staff and other team members to optimize patient outcomes.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Current registration (or eligible for registration) with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Nurse Practitioner – Primary Health Care (NP-PHC).
• Graduate of a recognized Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program.
• Current registration with the NPAO and evidence of liability insurance.
• Demonstrated experience in community and/or primary care medicine.
• Skilled in leadership, organization, evaluation, time management, verbal and written communication and critical thinking.

Terms of Employment:

• Start date immediate.
• Permanent with a probationary period of 3 months.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary and benefits including HOOPP pension plan.

How to Apply:

Forward your curriculum vitae and cover letter to Diane Cross, Executive Director, via email at: dcross@madawaskavalleyfht.com.

Complete job description available upon request.

The Madawaska Valley Family Health Team is committed to employment equity, diversity and a supportive environment.

• Dr. S. Chen
• Dr. J. Malinowski
• Dr. M. Meeking
• Dr. E. Murray
• Dr. D. Ostapowicz
• Dr. H. Tiedje
• A. Felhaber, Nurse Practitioner
• E. Polatynski, Nurse Practitioner

Our Allied Health Professionals:

• L. Kiervin, Mental Health Counsellor
• I. Sernoskie, Mental Health Counsellor
• J. Walsh, Registered Dietitian
• K. Youngs, Registered Practical Nurse

Madawaska Valley Family Health Team Administrative Staff:

• D. Cross, Executive Director
• R. Pecarski, Office Administrator
• L. Hewson, Medical Receptionist

• Killaloe Food Bank (Community Resource Centre)
  Phone: 613-585-3689

• Madawaska Valley Food Bank, Barry’s Bay Ontario
  Phone: 613-756-1014

• Epiphany Clothing Bank, 32 Dunn St, Barry’s Bay, Ontario
  Epiphany Fashions | Outreach | Parish of the Valley

St. Francis Health Centre
21 St Francis Memorial Dr.
Barry's Bay, ON.
K0J 1B0

p: (613) 756-9888 ext. 5
e: info@madawaskavalleyfht.com

21 St. Francis Memorial Drive
Barry’s Bay, Ontario. K0J 1B0
Phone: 613-756-9888 ext. 5
Fax: 613-756-6900

• L. Kiervin, Mental Health Counsellor
• I. Sernoskie, Mental Health Counsellor
• J. Walsh, Registered Dietitian

Madawaska Valley Family Health Team Administrative Staff:

• D. Cross, Executive Director
• R. Pecarski, Office Administrator

As a Family Health Team (FHT) we are registered as a not-for-profit corporation with a Board of Directors that is responsible for providing governance and stewardship over the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team. With a mixed governance model, our Board of Directors consists of both family physicians and members of the community. The diversity of our Board of Directors fosters different perspectives of health care needs within the community.

Meet Our Board of Directors:

• Jason Malinowski, Board Chair
• Melissa Meeking, Vice Chair
• Joanne Olsen, Secretary
• Amy Easton, Treasurer
• Daniel Ostapowicz, Director
• Sarah Lorbetskie, Director

• Diabetes Canada
  Phone: 1-800-226-8464

• Dietitians of Canada

• Nutrition Connections: Feeding Your Baby

• Renfrew County and District Health Unit
  Phone: 613-732-3629

• CAMH Smoking Cessation

• ConnectWell
  Phone: 613-628-2523

• Government of Canada: About Vaping

• Pikwakanagan Smoking Cessation Counselling
  Phone: 613-625-1175

• Self Help – Nicotine Dependence Service

• Smoker’s Helpline

• Hypertension Canada

• Heart and Stroke Foundation

• Quinte Health – North Hastings Hospital, Bancroft Ontario
  Phone: 613-332-2825

• Pembroke Regional Hospital, Pembroke Ontario
  Phone: 613-732-2811

• Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Renfrew Ontario
  Phone: 613-432-4851

• Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre – Virtual assessment with a primary care provider (For individuals who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner).
  Phone: 1-844-727-6404

• Health811 – Telephone Support with a Registered Nurse
  Phone: 1-866-797-0007

• Renfrew County and District Health Unit
  Phone: 613-732-3629

• Immunization Canada

• Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule