The vision of the Lower Outaouais Family Health Team is to be responsive to community needs.

In order to offer high quality complementary health care, our skilled health care providers, called Interdisciplinary Health Professionals (IHPs), see patients referred by any of the 23 family physicians of the Family Health Team.

To help patients make positive changes in their lives, our IHPs offer a wide variety of programs and services both in health promotion and disease prevention. They take their patients’ well-being to heart by providing education, tools and support.

The following IHPs work collaboratively with your family physician to provide you with the best primary care:

Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Mental Health Counsellors, Dietitian, Health Promoter, Pharmacist.

Nurse Practitioners:

René Déjoie PHC-NP and 1 Vacant Position

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced university education who provides a full range of personalized health care services to individuals and families. Our Nurse Practitioners work in partnership with physicians and other health care professionals like our nurses, mental health counsellors, pharmacist, dietitian and health promoter.

As members of our health care team, they offer a variety of health care services including the ability to:

• Diagnose and treat illness and/or injuries,
• Perform physical check-ups,
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests,
• Write prescriptions,
• Provide counselling and education,
• Provide supportive care through illness,
• Provide treatments and/or procedures,
• Make referrals to physicians and other health professionals, and
• Manage chronic diseases.

(Excerpts taken from the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario brochure)

Registered Nurse:

Sonia Cloutier RN, BSN, CRE  - Caroline Lahaie RN - Valerie Bellefeuille RN - Karine Berthiaume RN

The Registered Nurse holds a degree in nursing. She provides screening test services (spirometry, ABI (ankle-brachial index), tympanogram, cognitive assessment and nursing services (immunization and ear irrigation). She educates, empowers and advocates for patients. Our RN is involved in our Respiratory Health Program (COPD ‒ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and smoking cessation) as well as diabetes services.

Mental Health Counsellors:

Jacinthe Lamoureux MA CCC and 1 Vacant Position

The Mental Health Counsellors provide assessment and short-term counselling for psychosocial and mental health problems for individuals and their families including children, teenagers, youth, adults and seniors.

Services include strategies to cope with:

• Depression and/or anxiety
• Trauma/stress/burnout
• Couple relationship problems
• Teen/youth related issues
• Work related problems
• Self-esteem difficulties
• School related problems
• Loss/grief/bereavement

Registered Dietitian:

Julie Ladouceur Dt.P

The Registered Dietitian is uniquely trained to offer individual medical nutrition counselling to help manage diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and many other health issues. The dietitian offers science-based diet and nutrition information as well as practical solutions for healthy eating, weight loss and preventing various chronic conditions. Group sessions are also offered to increase knowledge and skills on a variety of topics including: good and bad fats, where to find fibre, menu planning, label reading and grocery shopping. 

Health Promoter:

Vacant Position

The Health Promoter focuses on keeping people well and preventing disease from occurring by providing education and counselling programs that promote physical activity, improve nutrition or reduce the use of tobacco. Our Health Promoter will empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices, be proactive for their health and to become better self managers.

Pharmacist:

Vacant Position

Our Pharmacist works in collaboration with your family doctor, other members of the health care team and your local community pharmacists to ensure the most appropriate use of medications. During the first visit, the Pharmacist will review your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and minerals and herbal or natural remedies. She will then work with you and your doctor to resolve any problems and prevent future problems. Our pharmacist’s goal is to help ensure that you are using your medications safely and effectively.

Foot Care Nurses:

Caroline Lahaie RN, Jacinthe Loiselle RN, Karine Berthiaume RN, Cecilia DelaCruz Larocque RN

The part-time registered nurse has received certification to provide foot care and the following services to a specific clientele of patients who are unable to carry out their own foot care. Priority is given to patients with diabetes or circulatory problems, as well as patients over 70 not accepted by the Hawkesbury & District General Hospital foot care clinic.

Services include:

• regular foot care
• toenail trimming
• treatment of bunions
• calluses and funguses
• assessment and treatment of infections

Physiotherapist

Patrick Lalonde, PT (FCAMPT)
The physiotherapist is certified to assess, treat and prevent musculoskeletal and neurological injuries using a variety of treatment modalities. The aim is to provide short-term outpatient services for our patients aged 19-64 years (not covered by OHIP), which are not on the Ontario Works program or the Ontario Program Disability Support (ODSP). A reference of the family physician is required.