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BAOHT Primary Care Network hosts third partner event
Pictured above: Dr. Ginette Poulin (left) and Dr. Louisa Marion Bellemare (right).
On May 27, 2026, the BAOHT Primary Care Network (PCN) hosted its third PCN event, bringing local primary care providers and partners together for an evening of learning, connection and shared discussion.
The event featured presentations from Dr. Louisa Marion Bellemare and Dr. Ginette Poulin, who spoke about substance use disorders and opportunities to support patients through informed, coordinated care. BAOHT extends its thanks to all who attended and contributed to the discussion. The Primary Care Network looks forward to continuing these conversations at its next event in Fall 2026.
Provincial funding supports expanded access to team-based primary care
Pictured above (left to right): Dr. Matt Orava, Family Physician and BAOHT PCN Co-Chair; Kimberly Vickers, Executive Director, BCFHT; Doug Downey, MPP Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte; Alex Nuttall, Mayor, City of Barrie; Kristen Hummel, Lived Experience Partner, BCHC; Christine Colcy, CEO, BCHC; and Andrea Khanjin, MPP, Barrie-Innisfil.
Provincial and municipal leaders recently joined BAOHT primary care partners to announce more than $6.6 million in funding to help connect more than 18,000 people in Barrie and Simcoe County to primary care. The announcement was hosted by the Barrie and Community Family Health Team included MPP Doug Downey, MPP Andrea Khanjin, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, Dr. Matt Orava, Kim Vickers, Christine Colcy, and Kristen Hummel.
The investment will support expanded team-based primary care through the Barrie Community Health Centre and the Barrie and Community Family Health Team, helping more residents access care from physicians, nurse practitioners and interprofessional team members.
For partners, this represents an important step toward improving local attachment, supporting residents without a primary care provider and reducing pressure on emergency departments. Residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect or call 811.
BAOHT participates at RVH IGNITE conference
Pictured above (left to right): Brianna Orava, Lisa Rhodenizer and Maureen Pierog.
Members of the BAOHT had the opportunity to present to attendees of RVH’s IGNITE Applied Health Research Conference.
Thank you to Lisa Rhodenizer, Project Management Lead; Brianna Orava, Performance and Evaluation Lead; and Maureen Pierog, former Long-Term Care Navigator; for presenting and demonstrating how the Long-Term Care Diagnostic Imaging Project developed pathways for diagnostic imaging, urgent blood work and IV supports for long-term care residents. The initiative helped residents receive timely care while reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
Additionally, BAOHT-supported research was on display during poster presentations, highlighting local work to improve integrated care, primary care access and connections to community supports.
Mapping Primary Care Access of Attached and Unattached Populations
Completed by Sara Shobeir, Chika Ekeh (pictured left), Sebastian Claro, Sydney McArthur (pictured right) and Dr. Matthew Orava, this project mapped primary care attachment across Barrie and surrounding areas. Findings showed significant variation in attachment across local communities, with approximately 37,876 people unattached at the time of the project.
Social Prescribing and Primary Care Provider Engagement
Completed by Sara Shobeir (pictured), Afreen Ahmad, Dr. Ravjot Julka, Dr. Ijeoma Azodoh and Dr. Matthew Orava, this project explored how provider awareness and engagement may support more referrals to community-based and non-clinical services.
BAOHT partners come together for Partnership Collaborative event
Pictured above (left to right): BAOHT Lived Experience Partners Daniela Fenicky, Melissa Griffith, Dawn Davidson, Virginia Doan and Joanne Kaattari.
On May 6, 2026, over 45 BAOHT partners and collaborators gathered at Lions Gate Banquet Hall in Barrie for Creating Connections – A BAOHT Partnership Collaborative, an in-person event focused on relationship-building, partner updates and shared planning opportunities.
Attendees participated in presentations and breakout discussions on shared priorities, including service delivery, shared space, system alignment, chronic disease prevention and management and ALC priorities. BAOHT thanks all partners who attended, presented and contributed to the discussions. Insights from the event will help inform future planning and continued collaboration.
BAOHT connects with residents at Barrie Wellness Fair
Pictured above (left to right): BAOHT staff, Caleb Hooper, Kaylee MacMillan and BAOHT Lived Experience Partner, Joanne Kaattari.
On May 9, 2026, BAOHT attended the Barrie Wellness Fair and Farmers’ Market, connecting with residents to share information about local health care navigation resources and how to register on Health Care Connect.
The event provided an opportunity to speak with residents face-to-face about primary care attachment, where to go for care and how BAOHT resources can support navigation. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the BAOHT table, asked questions and shared their experiences.
eReferral Updates
With increasing updates related to eReferrals, the Barrie and Area OHT is introducing a dedicated section to keep partners informed on key developments, support regional adoption and highlight tools and resources that strengthen coordinated, digital pathways to care.
May 2026 Update
Work continues to move forward on eReferral implementation across the BAOHT. The team continues to follow up with remaining sites to support onboarding, with the goal of having the majority of primary care providers in the BAOHT onboarded this year.
Current onboarding status:
Live sites: 19
In training: 3 sites are ready and require individual training sessions
Integration in progress: 8 sites are in progress, including API enablement requests or credential setup
Remaining sites: 11 sites have been contacted or require further follow-up
Ontario Health continues to work with Georgian Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic and the Barrie and Community Family Health Team to support their setup.
Upcoming Community Events
Sharing on behalf of Central East Stroke Network (CESN)…
CESN Regional Forum - June 2, 2026
Join the Central East Stroke Network for a regional forum featuring guest presentations, network highlights and “Brag & Steal” sessions showcasing quality improvement work across the region.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
12 to 2 p.m.
Virtual (MS Teams)
Presenters: Dr. Aleksandra Pikula and Dr. Michelle Nelson
Register and learn more: HERE
