Nurses

The backbone of our primary care office has been our great nurses. Our Registered Nurses, Melissa and Danielle, and Registered Practical Nurses, Kaitlin, Mali, Claudia and Nicole, are here for our patients as advocates, and as promoters of health.

Markham FHT’s nursing staff are integral to meeting our patient care needs. RN’s Melissa and Danielle, together with RPN’s Kaitlin, Nicole, Stephanie and Claudia, work collaboratively to assist with the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic disease. They also provide acute episodic care, which means patients can have their care needs met without the need for a doctor’s visit.

Occupational Therapist

Jasdeep Chahal is an Occupational Therapist with the Markham Family Health Team. She completed her Bachelor of Science at University of Toronto Mississauga in Psychology with a speciality in Exceptionality in Human Learning. She then completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University.

With previous experience in community mental health, Jasdeep joined the Markham Family Health Team in 2014. She is currently providing services through the Aging at Home program and general practice. As an occupational therapist, Jasdeep works with clients to restore function in areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure. As well, Jasdeep is involved with facilitating our self-management program(s).

Diabetes Educator

Rebecca Coughlin is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. Originally from Nova Scotia, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She started her career working at a health centre in the small town of Wawa, Ontario. She now joins us at the Markham Family Health Team, as Program Lead for the Diabetes Program and facilitator of the Group Lifestyle Balance Program. Rebecca looks forward to supporting clients in self-managing their diabetes and to motivating the participants of the GLB Program to make sustainable healthy lifestyle changes.

Nurse Practitioners

MFHT is pleased to welcome our nurse practitioners, Agnes Okoniewska, Sheri Devereaux, Stephen Ng and Kelly Van Camp. For many of our patients this is new. What can a Nurse Practitioner do for you?

In Ontario, legislated Nurse Practitioners are able to diagnose and manage many disorders and chronic diseases, prescribe medications for you, order diagnostics, and refer you to specialists if needed. They are able to do complete physicals, and medicals required for most third party companies, and care for you during your pregnancy and after you deliver. They see many clients with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, osteoarthritis, and mental health concerns. They also see patients when they are acutely ill. Nurse Practitioners are able to see you, often the same day, if you have an earache, sore throat, or other condition that is keeping your from work or school.

Our MFHT NP’s work daytime as well as assist in the after hours care. They look forward to providing care to you.

Registered Dietitians

Rebecca Coughlin’s bio is detailed above under Diabetes Educator.

Karen Balko is a registered dietitian with over 27 years of clinical experience in both the hospital and outpatient clinic setting. She obtained her degree in Food and Human Nutrition from Ryerson University, then completed her internship at the Brantford General Hospital.

Karen has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families, adults in various areas such as feeding problems, obesity, genetic related nutrition issues, healthy eating and lifestyle and allergies. She has worked over 25 years with a pediatric nutrition team at both Toronto Western and North York General Hospital, specializing in childhood obesity, complex feeding disorders, Prader Willi Syndrome, nutrition related issues in autism, chewing and swallowing problems and promotion of healthy eating in children and families. Karen has a proven track record of helping children and their families to develop healthful eating habits for optimal health, growth, and development.
When Karen is not working at the Markham Family Health Team, she runs her own private nutrition practice, working with both adults, children, families and group homes. She has authored several nutrition publications, and has spoken at several conferences in the area of childhood obesity, picky eaters, autism and Prader Willi Syndrome. She is author of the Red Yellow Green System for the Management of Prader Willi Syndrome which is sold internationally.
Karen delivers nutrition advice in a compassionate, individualized approach, working with each person to guide them to make healthy eating choices that is optimal for good health. She believes that a positive approach to life is the key to getting past the challenges that we may face. To bring balance to her life, she practices yoga, meditation and hiking.

To book an appointment with Karen, speak to your doctor or health care provider about making a referral.

Pharmacist

Sheetal Desai is our clinical pharmacist at the FHT. She has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at McMaster University and then completed her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. Besides working at the FHT, Sheetal is also a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Pharmacy at UofT. The pharmacist’s role at the FHT involves collaborating with family physicians and other health care providers in order to optimize medication therapy for patient’s especially with chronic disease (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anticoagulation). Sheetal is a Certified Diabetes Educator and actively involved with our diabetes program. You may also see her if referred to our Aging at Home program as she is our dedicated Certified Geriatric Pharmacist. Sheetal can be seen for a medication assessment where she will review your medications to ensure you are receiving the most appropriate therapy. She can address your medication related concerns and consult with your primary care provider when needed. Sheetal’s expertise is available to you at the FHT, you can speak to your provider at your next visit or schedule your own appointment if you are interested.

Registered Chiroprodist

Shirley Cheung has joined the Markham Family Health Team (MFHT) as our part-time Registered Chiropodist/Foot Specialist. Shirley’s role at the Markham FHT will involve Chiropody assessment, treatment and foot care education. Some indications for a Chiropody visit can include:

Shirley will be involved with the diabets team and the Aging at Home Program, and will also be engaged in some educational foot care workshops.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Shirley, please speak with your health care provider.

Family Physicians

Each physician maintains a Roster of dedicated patients as well as shares in the responsibility to serve the group’s complete patient Roster.