Risk Prevention

Heart Health

Blood Pressure Management

We offer blood pressure monitoring and education that can help you understand what hypertension is; the risks and the strategies for lowering your blood pressure. We offer support for lifestyle adjustments that have been proven to help reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of many cardiovascular diseases.

The learning objectives include:

  • Blood pressure check with BP TRU
  • What is hypertension?
  • Causes and risks of hypertension
  • Self-monitoring of blood pressure and what the numbers mean

Meet with our Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian to learn ways to manage your blood pressure through diet, exercise, stress reduction, and smoking cessation.

No physician referral is required, just call and make an appointment!

Cholesterol (Lipid) Management)

Meet with our Registered Dietitian and Registered Nurse to determine your cardiovascular age and risk. Learn what your cholesterol levels are and what that means. Learn ways to manage your cholesterol levels through lifestyle adjustments such as diet and exercise. Clients are followed at minimum every 6 months while in the program.

How Do I Register?

If your health care provider has already requested that you attend this program, you will be contacted by our Program Assistant with an appointment. If not, and you are interested in attending this program, please ask your Physician or Nurse Practitioner for a referral.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Meet with our Registered Nurse to learn what CHF means, what the causes are and ways to manage your condition at home.

How Do I Register?

If your health care provider has already requested that you attend this program, you will be contacted by our Program Assistant with an appointment. If not, and you are interested in attending this program, please ask your Physician or Nurse Practitioner for a referral.

Laura Blair

Registered Psychotherapist

Hello, I'm Laura Blair!

I graduated with my Honours Bachelor of Psychology through Lakehead University, and subsequently completed my Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. I am now a Registered Psychotherapist providing mental health therapy with the Dryden Area Family Health Team, which is where I originally completed my placement during my Master's program. It was during that time I recognized the power of a Family Health Team in being able to provide a holistic approach in providing a circle of care for clients, and how well it was received by the people in our community. It's important to work together with the different professionals of the health care field to provide clients with an array of treatment options. I'm excited to be part of this circle of care with the Family Health Team.

I was born and raised in Dryden, and have felt the ebbs and flows of community engagements, tragedies, and triumphs. I am happy to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to bring their struggles, and work together with a collaborative, client-centered approach to help you gain the tools you need to find some relief. We could all use a little help sometimes.

Connect with us so that we can support you and your mental health.

Kerry Gagne

Registered Dietitian

Kerry graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Human Ecology in Foods and Nutrition in 1991. She completed her Clinical Dietetics at the University of Alberta in 1992 and is a member of the Dietitians of Canada.

Previous work experience as Consulting Dietitian based out of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and servicing area communities, Certified Diabetes Educator, Clinical Dietitian at the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Hospital before accepting a position with the Dryden Regional Health Centre/Dryden Area Family Health Team in 2005.

Reaghann McGinn

Registered Nurse

Reaghann was born in Dryden, Ontario and raised in both Dryden and Sioux Lookout. She graduated from Confederation College in Thunder Bay as a Registered Nurse in 2004.

After graduating, Reaghann worked in London, Ontario on a busy medical ward for a few months before returning back to Thunder Bay to work in the Stroke and Acquired Brain Injury Rehab floor at. St Joseph's Hospital.

Reaghann accepted a position with the Dryden Regional Health Centre in 2005 and enjoyed working there as a staff nurse in the Maternity, Critical Care Area, Surgical and Medical/Chronic care areas. In 2012, Reaghann started working at the Family Health Team as a primary care nurse in the Healthy New Beginnings and Heart Health programs.

Keri Stemkoski

Patient Care Navigator

Keri was born in Dryden, Ontario and raised enjoying the vast lakes and the beautiful outdoors. She graduated from St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario and is a Registered Social Services Worker.

Keri has a considerable amount experience as a front line counsellor and responder; she has spent most of her professional career, assisting local communities and those most vulnerable. "I strongly believe in working with integrity, always being mindful and having compassion for those who are in need of support and services". As the Patient Care Navigator, she is able to provide a patient centered approach. Focusing on enhancing and coordinating care for individuals while providing support and resources for patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Patient advocacy is coordinated to include family members, heath care provides, social services and other supports that may be required to ensure a full care team approach. Keri also provides support through the Dryden Area Family Health Team Cardiac Education program, the Dryden Regional Health Centre Cancer Support Team and Palliative Care Committee; providing linkages, referrals and case management.

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