Team-Based Care FAQ

Team-based care means that instead of seeing just one doctor or nurse practitioner, you will have a small, dedicated team of healthcare providers working together to support your health. Everyone on your team shares information and collaborates to give you the best possible care.    Before moving to Green and Blue Teams, patients have been seeing either mostly Dr. DiPenta, Dr. Archibald, or been attached to the clinic and seeing one or more of the Nurse Practitioners. The move to Green and Blue provides a better team skill mix, better availability, and makes it more functionally collaborative.

Many patients today have complex health needs that benefit from different types of expertise. A team approach means you have access to the right knowledge at the right time. It also supports providers’ professional engagement and longevity, so your care team stays healthy and present for you.

🔵 Blue Team — Shauna Archibald (MD), Courtney Wicklund (NP), Amy Harnish NP, Stephanie Durfee (RN), Allison MacDonald (RN), and Taj Kaur (Admin)    🟢 Green Team — Jillian DiPenta (MD) , Martina Isse (MD), Theresa Hubley (NP), Molly Morinville (RN), and Janette Yeadon (Admin)

Most patients will be assigned to the team of the primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner) they see most often. If you are unsure which team you belong to, just ask at the front desk or at your next visit.

Mentor Clinic is very fortunate to have a knowledgeable and skilled group of interprofessional healthcare providers which make up Mentor Clinic’s purple team.     ●   Purple Team -  Jenelle MacIsaac - Registered Dietitian; Supriya Arora - Social Worker; Alyson Pickard-Tattrie – Occupational Therapist; Joy Chiekwe – Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP); Moira Devereaux and Drew Bourret – Physiotherapists.     Purple Team supports ALL Mentor Clinic patients and are frequently referred to by Physicians and Nurse Practitioners BUT patients can directly request appointments without referral.    Dietitian – Offers guidance on healthy eating, meal planning, and managing health conditions through nutrition.  Social Worker – Supports mental health, connects you to resources, and helps with social and practical challenges.  Occupational Therapist – Assists with daily activities, adapting routines, and overcoming physical or mental challenges.  Exercise Physiologist – Guides you in developing a realistic and sustainable movement plan to enhance your physical health, support recovery, and build lifelong wellness habits.  Physiotherapists – Focuses on injury recovery, pain reduction, and restoring mobility.

Worth far more than their weight in gold, our Medical Office Administrators (MOA) and Clinic Manager are referred to by Canadian Primary Care Physician and Researcher Dr. Tara Kiran as ‘unsung heroes.’ They are your first point of contact on the phone or in-person at the clinic. They are system navigators, manage appointments, complete tasks, manage the flow of people, tests, forms, and everything that makes the clinic function.    🟡 Gold Team – Janette Yeadon (Medical Admin), Samira Khan (Medical Admin), Mo Maher (Medical Admin), Kyla Allison (Medical Admin), Ta Kaur (Medical Admin), Karishma Kishor and Courtnay McIntyre (Clinic Manager).     While ‘the system’ usually focuses on doctors and nurses, there would be no system, and we would grind to a halt without the Gold Team.    Q: Can I still see my regular doctor or nurse practitioner?  Yes! Your relationship with your primary care provider does not go away. The difference is that you now also have other trusted providers available to you on your team.    Q: What if my usual provider is away — who will I see?  Any member of your care team can see you. Because they all have access to your health records and will likely have met you before, they will already be familiar with your health history and goals. You won't have to start from scratch.

Team-based primary care is more efficient and effective, as it can reduce the need for more costly services like emergency department visits or specialist referrals. Healthcare providers feel better supported, and have better work-life balance, so can stay working in the healthcare system for longer.

Not necessarily. You are part of a small, consistent team — not the entire clinic staff. Over time, you will get to know the members of your team, and they will get to know you. You may see different providers depending on your healthcare needs.  For example, our nurses do pap tests, give vaccinations, and do well-baby checks, and other procedures.

No. All team members share access to your confidential electronic medical record, so they are up to date on your medications, test results, and health goals before they see you.

Yes.  Each team will alternate providing the Same Day Urgent appointments, so these will always be available for all patients.  The “duty clinician” will have access to your medical information and will communicate with your care team about the care they have provided to you.

Your input matters to us! If you have any feedback, questions, or concerns about our team-based care approach, please share them. You can bring your questions to your next appointment, call the clinic to speak directly with your care team, or submit feedback online at:  https://www.mentorclinic.ca/patient-feed-back