About
Dr. Alisha Rebecca Fernandes is a skilled General Surgeon, specializing in a comprehensive range of surgical treatments. Practicing at NeuPath Centre for Pain and Spine and performing surgeries at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Chatham, ON, she is a respected member of the surgical community. Her practice adheres to the high standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). She has expertise in diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the abdomen, digestive system, breast, skin, and endocrine system, among others. She performs both elective and emergency surgeries, often utilizing minimally invasive techniques to enhance patient recovery. Her approach is patient-centered, dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care from initial consultation through to post-operative recovery, employing modern surgical techniques and a collaborative approach.
Dr. Fernandes graduated with a Medical Degree from McMaster University in Canada. She has been practicing as a General Surgeon since 2019, accumulating over five years of experience in the field. She is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), reflecting her advanced training and commitment to surgical excellence.
Her professional philosophy centers on providing safe, effective, and evidence-based surgical care. Dr. Fernandes emphasizes clear communication and shared decision-making with her patients, utilizing minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate to facilitate quicker recovery. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient management and is dedicated to ongoing professional development to maintain surgical excellence. She provides surgical consultations and care in English, ensuring accessible, respectful, and personalized service for her patients in Chatham.
Dr. Alisha Fernandes provides surgical treatment for a diverse range of conditions, including:
Abdominal and Digestive System Conditions
Dr. Fernandes addresses common and complex diseases of the digestive system that may necessitate surgical procedures performed by a general surgeon.
- Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) and Gallbladder Disease (Cholecystitis): Symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice.
- Diverticulitis / Diverticular Disease: Management ranges from conservative treatment to elective or emergency colectomy.
- Bowel Obstruction (Small or Large Intestine): Blockage that prevents food or liquid from passing through the small intestine or large intestine (colon).
Cancers and Tumors (Surgical Oncology)
Dr. Fernandes addresses collaborative cancer care where general surgeons work with oncologists to manage solid tumors.
- Breast Cancer: Often involves sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection to assess cancer spread.
- Liver Tumors (Primary or Metastatic - select cases): Part of a comprehensive cancer management strategy.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your specific condition, a consultation with Dr. Alisha Fernandes is necessary.
- Post-operative Care and Follow-up: Guidance on wound care, activity restrictions, and return to normal activities post-surgery.
- Pre-operative Assessment and Planning: Thorough evaluation of patient fitness for surgery and detailed surgical planning.
- Breast Surgery (e.g., Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Biopsy): Includes breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), removal of the entire breast (mastectomy), and diagnostic biopsies.
- Appendectomy (Open or Laparoscopic): Surgical removal of the appendix, typically for acute appendicitis.
- Thyroidectomy / Parathyroidectomy: Surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands (typically for hyperparathyroidism).
- General Surgical Consultation: Evaluation of patients referred for consideration of general surgical procedures.
Note: This list provides an overview of common surgical areas. Specific procedures and treatment plans are determined on an individual basis after consultation with Dr. Fernandes.
All surgical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and relevant surgical best practices. A referral from a physician is typically required for consultation.
Dr. Fernandes's primary clinic is located at the NeuPath Centre for Pain and Spine, a modern medical clinic situated in a convenient neighborhood in Chatham. The clinic offers a welcoming, professional environment designed for patient comfort and privacy. Surgical procedures are typically performed at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, which is easily accessible from the clinic. The hospital is located near major healthcare facilities and is well-connected via local public transit routes. Parking is generally available at or near both the hospital and clinic, with designated accessible spots. The facility and hospital are wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all patients. The environment is designed to facilitate seamless consultation, surgical planning, and follow-up care, ensuring a high standard of patient-centered service.
- What types of surgical procedures does Dr. Fernandes perform?
- As a General Surgeon, Dr. Fernandes is skilled in a variety of surgical procedures. Common operations include appendectomies (appendix removal), cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal), hernia repairs, bowel resections (for conditions like cancer or diverticulitis), thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and surgeries for breast conditions. Many of these can be performed using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques, which often lead to quicker recovery. The specific procedures offered depend on Dr. Fernandes's areas of focus within general surgery.
- What does a General Surgeon like Dr. Fernandes do?
- A General Surgeon, such as Dr. Fernandes, is a highly trained physician specializing in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broad range of diseases affecting various parts of the body. Their expertise commonly includes conditions of the abdomen (e.g., appendix, gallbladder, intestines, stomach), breast, skin, soft tissues, and endocrine system (e.g., thyroid). They perform both elective and emergency surgeries and are skilled in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative patient care. As a General Surgeon, Dr. Fernandes provides comprehensive surgical management.
- What is the typical recovery time after a general surgical procedure performed by Dr. Fernandes?
- Recovery time after surgery performed by Dr. Fernandes varies greatly depending on the type and complexity of the procedure, whether it was open or laparoscopic, your overall health, and individual healing factors. For minor procedures, recovery might be a few days to a couple of weeks. For more major abdominal surgeries, it could be several weeks to a few months. Dr. Fernandes will provide you with specific post-operative instructions and an estimated recovery timeline for your particular surgery.
- When would I typically need a referral to see a General Surgeon like Dr. Fernandes?
- You would typically be referred to Dr. Fernandes if your primary care physician identifies a condition that might benefit from surgical intervention or a specialist surgical opinion. Common reasons include issues like gallstones, appendicitis, hernias, bowel problems, thyroid nodules, breast lumps, or certain skin lesions. General surgeons also perform diagnostic procedures like endoscopies or biopsies to help confirm a diagnosis before planning surgery.
- Do General Surgeons like Dr. Fernandes ever specialize further?
- Indeed. After completing general surgery residency, surgeons can opt for further fellowship training to subspecialize. Dr. Fernandes, as a General Surgeon, has a wide scope of practice, but some general surgeons focus more on specific areas like vascular surgery, pediatric surgery (if they have dual certification or focus), or cancer surgery (surgical oncology). General surgeons perform a wide variety of common surgical procedures and can manage many different types of conditions. This allows them to offer highly specialized care within those fields while maintaining their broad general surgical skills.
NeuPath Centre for Pain and Spine
372 Lacroix Street
Chatham, ON N7M 2W3
Clinic Phone: (519) 355-1555 | Clinic Fax: (519) 480-0383
The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy.
Dr. Fernandes is a licensed General Surgeon regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Fernandes for services covered by the provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)).
Verify Dr. Fernandes's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Fernandes-Alisha-Rebecca/0295952-103313