About Us

Our Family Health Team consists of 6 Family Physicians, 2 Nurse Practitioners, a Social Worker, a Registered Dietitian, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses as well as our knowledgeable administrative staff and management. Our 2 locations are in Barry’s Bay and Killaloe. Our Barry’s Bay location at the St. Francis Heath Centre is attached to the St. Francis Memorial Hospital  and Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care.

Welcome to Our Family Health Team

As one of the newest Family Health Teams in Ontario, the MVFHT was established in April 2018 in Barry’s Bay.

After recruiting our new team members and setting up the office along side the physicians, our allied health professionals began seeing patients in December 2018. Since then, we have grown and continue to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of our community.

FHTs are tasked with providing patients with timely access to high-quality, comprehensive team-based primary care in their local community.  We are a small, rural Family Health Team (FHT) located in an area that has a high burden of chronic disease, low average socio-economic status and is historically under-served for health care services.  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.

Meet Our Physicians & Nurse Practitioners

Steven Chen, MD

Steven Chen, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with the Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization
  • Active Physician at St. Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Family Physician at Valley Manor Long Term Care facility

Dr. Steven Chen spent his early childhood years in St. john’s, Newfoundland before relocating to Kanata, Ontario. In 2015, he received the Medicinæ Doctorem et Chirurgiæ Magistrum degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec as a McGill Prestige Scholar. Finding an interest in many disciplines in medicine, he decided to become a generalist and pursued specialization in Family Medicine at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Having a liking for nature and the outdoors, Dr. Chen is thrilled to be living in this area surrounded by hiking trails, wildlife and lakes. He amazed by the area’s natural beauty and the friendliness of the people who live here.

Jason Malinowski, MD

Jason Malinowski, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with the Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization
  • Board Chair, Madawaska Valley Family Health Team
  • Chief of Staff and active physician at St. Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Medical Director, MV Hospice Palliative Care & Valley Manor LTC

Dr. Malinowski and Andrea, his wife, moved to Barry’s Bay in 2002 to enjoy the benefits of living and practising medicine in this beautiful area. Dr. Malinowski’s professional interests include Leadership In Medicine, Hospice Palliative Care, Medical Education, and Social Media in Medicine.

He and Andrea are raising two boys, Joseph and William, and as a family, are really enjoying all this community has to offer. Dr. Malinowski was awarded the CPSO Council Award in 2018, and the OCFP Community Teacher of the Year award in 2012.

He can be found occasionally jamming at the Wilno Tavern on Blues Night or playing with his Rock/Dance Band Odd Man Out at local events.  Find Dr. Malinowski on Facebook here.

Melissa Meeking, MD

Melissa Meeking, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization
  • Active Physician at St. Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Family Physician at Valley Manor LTC
  • Vice Chair of the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team

Dr. Meeking was born and raised in Calgary, AB. She moved to Ontario during high school where she received the Governor General Award for highest graduating average. She attended Western University where she completed a BSc in Psychology with Honours. She continued at Western and completed a MSc in Neuroscience. She completed her MD through McMaster University at the Waterloo Regional Campus. Dr. Meeking renewed her love for the outdoors and rural living while completing her residency program at Pembroke Regional Hospital.

Dr. Meeking and her family settled in Barry’s Bay in 2019 where she began practising rural medicine.

Erin Murray, MD

Erin Murray, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization
  • Active Physician at St. Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Family Physician at Valley Manor LTC

 

Daniel Ostapowicz, MD

Daniel Ostapowicz, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization
  • Active Physician at St. Francis Memorial Hospital
  • Family Physician at Valley Manor LTC

Dr. Daniel Ostapowicz was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. There he obtained a BSc in Biological Sciences before pursuing his medical degree at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. He completed his specialization in Family Medicine at Amita Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago, Illinois where he was chief resident. He has interests in medical education and enjoys the daily variability of Family practice.

Outside of work, Dr. Daniel Ostapowicz enjoys spending time with his family enjoying the outdoors. You may see him running, hiking, biking, or canoeing in the area in his free time.

Henry Tiedje, MD

Henry Tiedje, MD

Family Physician

  • Family Physician with Madawaska Valley Family Health Organization

 

Amy Felhaber, NP-PHC

Amy Felhaber, NP-PHC

Nurse Practitioner

Hi, I am Amy Felhaber, I started working as a Nurse Practitioner at the MVFHT in November 2022.

My nursing career began in 2016 after graduating from Nipissing University with my Bachelor Science of Nursing in 2016. I worked as Registered nurse in Almonte General Hospital for almost 2 years in the Emergency Department before transitioning closer to home at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital. I have worked at RVH since 2017 on the inpatient medical unit, special care unit and most currently in the emergency department. During this time I also completed a certification in critical care through Durham College.

I graduated from Laurentian University with a Master’s in Nursing with certification for Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care in 2022.

I have received warm welcome from the Madawaska Valley community; having grown up locally it was an easy transition into the new role as a nurse practitioner to serve the community and area from which I came from.

I aim to continue to provide ongoing primary care to my patients and assist the FHT where I can, and I look forward to future opportunities to grow professionally in this environment.

Elizabeth Polatynski, NP-PHC

Elizabeth Polatynski, NP-PHC

Nurse Practitioner

Meet our Allied Health Professionals

Sophie Brulé, RD, MPH

Sophie Brulé, RD, MPH

Registered Dietitian

Sophie is a dedicated Registered Dietitian with a passion for promotion health and wellness in diverse communities. Sophie is registered through the College of Dietitians of Ontario and received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Sophie then attended the University of Toronto to complete a Master’s Degree in Public Health, emphasizing in Nutrition and Dietetics. Her professional journey has taken her through various roles in oncology, renal care, and to community nutrition where she has experience implementing nutrition programs that address the unique needs of different populations and individuals. Sophie is a strong advocate for evidence-based practice and strives to stay abreast of the latest developments in nutritional science. Sophie is excited to continue her journey in promoting optimal health and well-being, and looks forward to making a positive impact with the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team.
Lindsay Kiervin, BSW, RSW

Lindsay Kiervin, BSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Lindsay is registered with the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and adheres to the College’s professional standards of practice and code of ethics. Lindsay operates from a client-centered and strengths based perspective that incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Counselling, to name a few. Lindsay’s educational background includes a social service worker diploma, a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree, and she is currently enrolled in Carleton University’s Master of Social Work program. Her experience lies in the many years of working with children and families, crisis interventions, and mental health. She believes in supporting clients in identifying and building upon their resilience and perseverance. She takes your privacy and confidentially seriously and is an excellent advocate for those she supports. Lindsay provides services in-person and virtually to deliver evidence-based practices that best suit your needs.

Alicia Rouleau, MSW, RSW

Alicia Rouleau, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Alicia obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Laurentian University and worked within the community providing wrap-around supports to individuals who were homeless and at risk of homelessness. She then completed her Master of Social Work with the University of Windsor. While completing her Master’s degree, she worked with the Canadian Armed Forces where she provided direct counselling to individuals, couples, and  families. Alicia then moved onto working in Child Welfare where she empowered families to build on their strengths, supported them to develop new skills and navigated them through the system to ensure the safety and well-being of their children.
Alicia is particularly passionate about supporting patients with their mental and physical health. She understand that patients and their situations are all unique and will use different modalities, tools and resources to achieve their goal(s) and improve their overall well-being.
Outside of work, Alicia loves being outside where she can garden, attending entertainment events and spending time with her family and friends.

Kristin Youngs, RPN

Kristin Youngs, RPN

Registered Practical Nurse

Kristin grew up south of Ottawa and moved to the Madawaska Valley in 2004 after meeting her husband.

In 2008, Kristin obtained her Practical Nursing Diploma from Algonquin College in Pembroke. Kristin started her nursing career at Pembroke Regional Hospital on the medical floor and later expanded her skills by working in the Ambulatory and Ortho Fracture Clinics.

Growing up in the small town of Kars, Kristin empathizes with the obstacles residents encounter in rural areas like Barry’s Bay.

Kristin joined the Madawaska Valley Family Health Team in 2020 and it has provided an incredible work life balance, enabling more treasured time outdoors with her husband and two children.

MVFHT Administration

Susan Farrar

Susan Farrar

Executive Director

Rebecca Pecarski

Rebecca Pecarski

Office Administrator

Meet our Board of Directors

Jason Malinowski, Board Chair

Melissa Meeking, Vice Chair

Matt Cruchet, Secretary

Amy Easton, Treasurer

Daniel Ostapowicz, Director

Our Mission Is to Deliver Team Based Comprehensive Primary Care in the Madawaska Valley and Area.

Your Health Starts Here

Our Mission

To deliver team based comprehensive primary care to the Madawaska Valley and area.

Our Vision

Patient centred primary care that helps everyone in the Madawaska Valley and area achieve their optimal health.