Latest News
UPCOMING OFFICE CLOSURE:
Office closing early: Friday, October 11, 2024 open 9:00am to 12:00pm
Monday, October 14, 2024- OFFICE CLOSED, NO AFTER HOURS clinic
Monday, November 11, 2024 – OFFICE CLOSED, No AFTER HOURS CLINIC
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Important notice for Dr. Tenbergen’s patients:
July 19, 2024
Dear Valued Patients,
I hope this message finds you well. It is with mixed emotions that I inform you of my decision to permanently step away from my practice, effective August 30, 2024. This decision has been difficult but is necessary due to personal family reasons. Your understanding and support mean a great deal to me during this time.
Here is what you can expect:
• Dr. Tharindu Fernando has graciously agreed to assume all responsibilities within the practice starting September 2, 2024, on a temporary basis.
• You will continue to receive the same access and expertise in your medical care that you have come to expect from me.
• I am actively searching for a permanent replacement who will maintain the high standards of care you deserve.
• Until a permanent replacement is found, please continue to schedule tests and appointments using my name as your family doctor. Once the new doctor is in place, we will notify you so you can update your primary care provider accordingly.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for allowing me the privilege of being your family doctor. It has been an honor to serve you and your families throughout the years. Your trust and loyalty have meant the world to me, and I deeply value the relationships we have built.
As I transition away, I wish each of you continued health and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns during this period of change, please feel free to contact our office. Our staff is here to assist you.
Thank you once again for your understanding and support during this transition. Warm regards,
Dr . Melissa Tenbergen
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Please be advised as of April 1, 2024, per the Ontario Medical association guidelines, our NON-OHIP insured fees have increased.
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We are now at our new location 1–294 Talbot Street, St.Thomas On N5P4E3.
Our entrance is right at the corner of Metcalfe St and Talbot street, facing the Circle K
*** There is NO onsite parking. Please review the map below which shows the free parking near our clinic***
Our Team
Dr. Katrina Huszarik, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Annie Keeler, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Anusha Perera, MBBS., CCFP
Dr. Melissa Tenbergen, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Kimberly Thompson, MD., CCFP
Dr. Alison Wright, MD., CCFP
Dr. Mateusz Zajac, MD., CCFP
Dr. Katrina Huszarik, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Annie Keeler, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Anusha Perera, MBBS., CCFP
Dr. Melissa Tenbergen, MD., CCFP-EM
Dr. Kimberly Thompson, MD., CCFP
Dr. Alison Wright, MD., CCFP
Dr. Mateusz Zajac, MD., CCFP
Patient Booking Portal
To start your online booking, please click on the button below.
*Not all doctors may be subscribed to online booking .
New patients cannot book appointments online.
Non-Insured Services
We offer a variety of non-OHIP insured services. Please click the button below for details.
We accept cash, debit, or e-transfer. Payment is due at time of service. Updated as of April 1 2024.
Non-Insured Services
Sick Note/Return to Work/Daycare/School |
$25.00 |
Missed Appointment (without cancellation) |
$50.00 |
Travel Advice with an injection |
$65.00 |
Travel Injection with no consult |
$15.00 |
Liquid Nitrogen (except feet or genitals which are covered by OHIP) |
$15 up to 3 lesions, $25 for more than 3 lesions |
Certificate of Fitness to Work/Attend School etc. |
$40.00 *if physical required a higher fee will apply |
El Medical Certificate |
$30.00 |
Copy of Medical record onto USB |
$30.00 |
Photocopy of medical record or transfer of record |
$30 first 20 pgs, $0.25 each additional |
Fax Prescription without appointment (at Physician’s Discretion) |
$25.00 |
Disability Tax Credit |
$75.00 |
Pap Smear (outside of recommended interval) |
$40.00 (plus fee charged directly by lab to analyze sample) |
Driver’s Medical (including form) |
$175.00 |
Medical Certification for Sickness Benefit |
$45.00 |
Prescription for physio/massage/orthotics, etc requested outside of appointment |
$25.00 |
Physician Letter |
Billed Hourly at OMA hourly Rate plus any photocopying |
NSF Cheques |
$40.00 |
Late Payment Fee |
$3 (monthly past due date) |
Cosmetic Lesions – Excision |
$100 for first, $30 for each additional in same visit |
APS for Insurance |
$150.00 |
Children’s Aid Society Application for Prospective Foster Care Parents |
$55.00 |
Ear Syringing |
$25.00 |
Pregnancy test when not medically indicated |
$5.00 |
Pre-op Assessment |
$150.00 |
We are not accepting new patients.
For assistance finding a family doctor, please visit Health Care Connect.
Regular Clinic
Mon-Thurs
9:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 – 3:00 PM
Telephones are answered 9:00 – noon and again from 1:00 – 4:30 Monday to Thursday and Fridays 9:00am until noon.
This may vary occasionally without notice.
After-Hours Clinic
Mon-Thurs
5:00 – 7:45 PM
Saturday
9:00 – 11:45 AM
In case of an emergency please go directly to your nearest emergency department.
Please be aware that phones will not be answered during the after-hours clinic times.
Our Policies
Please review our office policies. If you have any questions, please contact us for clarification.
General Office Policies
● We provide primary care for our patients at the Elmdale Family Health Organization. You are assigned to one of our 7 physicians (Dr. Melissa Tenbergen, Dr. Kimberly Thompson, Dr. Mateusz Zajac, Dr. Anne Marie Keeler, Dr. Anusha Perera, Dr. Katrina Huszarik and Dr. Alison Wright). We are able to offer preventative care, chronic disease management, prenatal care, newborn and pediatric care, minor surgical procedures, palliative care and house calls when appropriate. We may occasionally have student or resident doctors learning in our practice.
● Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00am – 5:00pm and Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm for regular appointments. Telephones are answered 9:00 - noon and again from 1:00 - 4:30 Monday to Thursday and Fridays 9:00am until noon. This may vary occasionally without notice, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible.
● We are unable to give health advice over the phone. Please schedule an appointment to discuss health questions or concerns.
● If you no longer wish to be a patient, or if you move far away, we would appreciate it if you would please
notify the office so that we may open a spot for another patient who does not have a family doctor.
● We will not tolerate abusive behaviour in the office. Abusive behaviour will result in your discharge from this practice.
OHIP
Your health care is not free; it is insured by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This means you must bring your valid health card to each visit and present it to the receptionist. It is your responsibility to ensure that your health card remains valid by updating your address with the Ministry of Health if you move and renewing your card before the expiry date (if applicable). If you arrive for your appointment without your health card you will be billed $40 for your visit before the doctor will see you.
Afterhours Coverage
● We provide after hours care to our clinic patients only on a "walk-in" basis in our office on Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings and Saturday morning. Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis between 5:00pm and 7:45pm during the week and 9:00-11:45am on Saturday. In an emergency, you should go to the emergency department at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital. Please be aware that phones will not be answered during the after hours clinic times.
● After hours appointments are for urgent or acute issues only (ie. sore throats, bladder infections,
sprained ankles). Please schedule regular follow up appointments with your regular physician to
review chronic health problems and/or test results, renew long-term medications, fill out forms or discuss work issues. Inappropriate issues will not be dealt with during this time, even if your regular physician is working.
Prescription Policy
● Medications are prescribed for a specified duration at the discretion of your physician. It is your
responsibility to ensure you schedule regular follow up appointments at least 7 days before you run out to renew your medications. Your Pharmacist is authorized to give you an emergency supply of non-controlled drugs, if required. We will not generally renew prescriptions by phone or fax. Chronic medications require follow up appointments and monitoring. Under exceptional circumstances phone renewals may be done at the physician's discretion, with a charge to the patient of $20.
Narcotic prescriptions will require the patient to sign a narcotic prescription contract and breach of this contract will result in discharge from this practice. Prescriptions for narcotics must be filled with your regular physician only.
Appointment Policy
● Please give 24 hours notice to cancel a scheduled appointment. If you do not show for a scheduled
appointment you will be billed a missed appointment fee accordingly ($40 for a regular appointment).
Failure to pay for missed appointments or recurrent missed appointments may result in your discharge
from this practice.
● If you provide your email address, we may send general information from time to time. Provision of your email address to our staff implies your consent to receive these. We will not send personal health information via email and we cannot respond to emails sent to us.
● Most appointments are scheduled for 10-15 minutes, however certain types of appointments including those for mental health are booked for longer. Visits are intended to deal with one or two problems only so we ask that you please schedule another appointment if you have many issues to discuss. If other family members need to be seen the same day as your appointment, they must have their own
appointment. Please give the receptionist a brief description of your problem when booking so he/she
can book you for the appropriate time accordingly.
● We strive to be on time, however occasionally unforeseen circumstances arise which may occasionally put us behind. We appreciate your patience. Please keep in mind that next time it may be your crisis that needs our attention.
● Because our physicians have same day visit openings built into their daily schedules, please try to call our office for an appointment before going to the St. Thomas Walk-In Clinic or the STEGH Emergency Department as we are usually able to accommodate your visit. This is preferable as we know your medical history and this keeps your medical record here up to date.
● We no longer do annual “physicals”, instead we will do an annual/periodic health appointment which is
an updated version of what most know as a physical. This type of appointment gives you and your physician an opportunity to review your general health and focus on preventative medicine. OHIP covers one per year per patient. Please bring all medication bottles to this visit. These types of
appointments are generally booked a few months in advance, so try to plan accordingly.
● Please notify the receptionist when booking if your visit is for an injury or illness that is related to
work (WSIB) or if you have forms that need to be completed by the doctor. Please fill out your section of the form as best as possible before seeing the doctor.
Confidentiality
It is unethical to provide information on the health of other patients without their consent, even if this patient is your spouse, or adolescent child. Please do not ask for such information without written consent from that individual unless you are caring for a mentally incompetent person or young child.
Your confidentiality is always respected; however there are certain circumstances we are required by law to report (suspected child abuse or neglect, unfitness to drive, gunshot wounds, potential harm to yourself or others, certain infectious diseases, public health risks).
Test Results
Most blood and urine tests or swab results come back within 2-3 days. Others can take up to 2 weeks. Pap smears take about 2 weeks. X-rays and ultrasounds are usually reported within a week. Our office staff will only notify you about an abnormal result. If you wish to discuss test results, please schedule a follow up appointment.
Uninsured Services
Services which are not covered by OHIP will be billed directly to you at the posted rates which are suggested by the Ontario Medical Association. ** Updated Fees as of April 1, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Our new location
Talbot Family Health Organization
1-294 Talbot Street St, Thomas ON N5P 4E3