Ottawa Valley Family Health Team

08/25/2026

Today, we recognize and thank Dr. Ninoshka Lobo for her outstanding contributions to the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team and the communities she has served.
Throughout her time in Carleton Place, Dr. Lobo has provided exceptional care to her patients with professionalism, compassion, and dedication. We are grateful for the positive impact she has had on so many individuals and families.

On behalf of the Ottawa Valley Health Team's Board of Directors, we extend our sincere appreciation for her leadership on the Board. During her two years as Vice Chair, she brought thoughtful insight, a collaborative approach, and a strong commitment to advancing team-based primary care.

Dr. Lobo and the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team are pleased to share that Dr. John Bradley will be taking over her practice beginning in September. Dr. Bradley has been working as a locum with the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team and is already familiar with the Carleton Place community. We feel very confident in entrusting the practice to him and know that he will continue to provide skilled, compassionate, and attentive care to all patients

As Dr. Lobo completes her last week at OVFHT and begins her next chapter, we thank her for her many contributions and wish her continued success. She has made a meaningful difference to our organization and our community, and she will be missed by her colleagues, the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, and the many patients whose lives she has touched.

Thank you, Dr. Lobo, and we wish you all the best in what comes next💜

08/24/2026

📖 Discover the OVFHT 2025–2026 Annual Report

We were so proud to share the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team's 2025–2026 Annual Report at our Annual General Meeting this past June.

Our Annual Report is more than just a collection of numbers. Instead, it tells the story of the people, programs, partnerships, and progress that have shaped our year. Over the past year, we have continued to grow together, expanding programs, strengthening connections, and finding new ways to support the health and well-being of our communities.

Within our report, you’ll find highlights of the dedicated individuals who make our work possible, and the many ways we continue to work together to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

We invite you to explore and learn more about the people and programs behind our success as a Family Health Team and how we continue to grow and evolve to better serve our communities.

🩵 Read the full Annual Report here:https://ovfht.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Annual-Report.pdf

08/20/2026

The Ottawa Valley Family Health Team is proud to be a part of Ontario's Primary Care Action Team. Follow the link below to find out more.

We encourage everyone in our community looking for a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to get registered on Health Care Connect.

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007901/ontario-connecting-more-patients-to-primary-care-in-Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team

Ontario Connecting More Patients to Primary Care in Ottawa | Ontario Newsroom

08/17/2026

📚🍎 Back-to-School Starts with Healthy Habits
As summer winds down, it's a great time to help children and teens ease back into their school routine.
Here are a few simple ways to prepare for a healthy start to the school year:
🌙 Reset sleep schedules.
Gradually moving bedtimes and wake-up times earlier.

🥗 Plan healthy lunches ahead.
Preparing lunches and snacks in advance can make busy mornings less stressful and help you avoid relying on last-minute, less nutritious options.

🏃 Keep active.
Engage in daily movement to support both physical and mental well-being.

💬 Talk about the new school year.
Check in on how your child is feeling-whether they're excited, nervous, or somewhere in between.

💉 Review your child's immunizations.
Ensure they are up to date and that you have reported any required vaccines to your local public health unit.

🩺 Plan ahead.
A little preparation now can help make the transition back to school smoother for the whole family. Inquire about scheduling appointments, requesting medication refills, and completing any school health forms.

Wishing all students, families, and school staff a happy, healthy, and successful school year! 🍎📚

08/14/2026

Today, we remember and honour Dr. Christiane “Chris” Deschenes, one of the founding members of the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team and a truly remarkable physician who dedicated nearly four decades to caring for the Almonte community.

Dr. Deschenes moved to Almonte in 1981 and became one of the community’s first female physicians. She spent 39 years caring for our community as a beloved Family Physician. During her remarkable career at Almonte General Hospital, she served three terms as Chief of Staff, worked countless hours in the Emergency Department, provided obstetrical care and performed numerous surgical assists.

Dr. Deschenes cared for generations of families—from birth through end of life. Her belief in the importance of continuity of care was at the heart of everything she did.

Chris will be deeply missed by our staff, colleagues, patients and the many people whose lives she touched. Her compassion, dedication, friendship and commitment to the Almonte community have left a lasting legacy that will continue to be felt for years to come. Although she retired from family medicine in June 2020, she would often stop by the clinic to visit and catch up with her former colleagues. Those visits were always special and a wonderful reminder of the connection she had with our team.

After a lengthy battle with cancer, Chris passed away on August 7, 2026 with her beloved husband, Roger, by her side. She is survived by her children, Christine (Julian), Alexander (Monica), David (Danielle) and Christopher (Stephanie), as well as her much-loved grandchildren Roger “Dodge,” Quinn, Dylan, Esme, Jacob and Lucas, and her extended family.

Outside of medicine, Chris was an avid gardener, skier and golfer, enjoying winters on the slopes at Calabogie and summers on the links at the Royal Ottawa Golf Course.

Our deepest condolences go to Chris’s family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We are grateful for the many years she gave to our community and honoured to have called her one of our own.

Celebration of Life
Saturday, August 29, 2026
2:00–5:00 p.m.
Kelly Funeral Home, Kanata Chapel
580 Eagleson Road, Kanata

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Almonte General Hospital Foundation are gratefully accepted.

Rest peacefully, Chris. You will be deeply missed. ❤️

08/12/2026

💙 International Youth Day

August 12 is International Youth Day! This day was established by the United Nations in 1999 to recognize the important role of young people and raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities that impact youth around the world.

This year’s theme highlights that while every young person’s experiences and circumstances may be different, all youth share a desire to feel supported, valued, healthy, and connected.

At the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, we are passionate about supporting the mental and physical health and well-being of young people in our communities. From creating safe spaces for conversations about mental health to providing access to compassionate healthcare, we believe youth deserve support at every stage of their journey.

Young people are active and valuable members of our communities, bringing creativity, perspective, and the energy that helps our communities continue to grow.
Today, we celebrate the voices, contributions, and potential of all young people. 🌱

08/06/2026

💙 Did You Know?

To improve access and wait-times for Mental Health services, OVFHT welcomed five psychotherapy students this year.

They have begun to provide hundreds of additional hours of counselling while completing their clinical training.

Supporting our learners helps build the future healthcare workforce while improving access right away

07/29/2026

💙 Did You Know?

OVFHT now supports over 31,000 active patients across Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place, and Beckwith.

Every day, our team works to ensure patients have access to compassionate, high-quality primary care close to home.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your healthcare journey.

07/27/2026

☀️🚶‍♀️ Stay Active Outdoors This Summer 🌳💙

Summer is a great time to get outside and get moving! Whether you're walking the trails, gardening, swimming, cycling, or simply enjoying a stroll around your neighbourhood, regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health.

Here are a few tips to help you stay active safely this summer:

🚶 Choose activities you enjoy.
You're more likely to stay active when it's something you look forward to.

💧 Stay hydrated.
Bring a water bottle and drink regularly, especially on hot or humid days.

🧢 Protect yourself from the sun.
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, and try to be active in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.

👟 Wear the right footwear.
Supportive shoes can help prevent slips, falls, and injuries.
🌳 Listen to your body.

Take breaks in the shade, slow down if you feel overheated, and don't push yourself beyond your limits.

💙 Every little bit counts.
Even short walks or a few extra minutes of movement each day can have lasting health benefits.

This summer, find ways to move that bring you joy—and remember that staying active doesn't have to mean intense exercise. Small, consistent steps can make a big difference.

07/24/2026

🌿 Mental Health Check-In: Beating Summer Burnout ☀️

Summer is often thought of as a time to relax—but for many people, it can feel just as busy as the rest of the year.
Between juggling work, caring for family, travel plans, social commitments, and trying to make the most of the season, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

💙 Take a moment to check in with yourself:
☀️ Have you been getting enough rest?
🌿 Have you spent time doing something you enjoy?
💧 Are you taking breaks and staying hydrated?
🤝 Have you connected with someone you trust?
🧠 How are you really feeling?
Remember, looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. It's okay to slow down, set boundaries, and make time for yourself.
Small moments of self-care can make a big difference.
Wishing you a healthy, balanced, and enjoyable summer from all of us at OVFHT. 😊