About
Dr. Armela Ovidia Dicu, a respected Internist / Geriatrician, focuses on evidence-based medicine and personalized care plans. Practicing in Kitchener, ON, she serves the surrounding communities with a commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate medical care. She adheres strictly to the standards and ethical guidelines established by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring high-quality service for all patients.
Dr. Dicu graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in 2010.0 (Canada) and completed extensive post-graduate medical training, including residency in Internal Medicine and additional specialization in Geriatric Medicine. Her training emphasizes thorough clinical evaluation, diagnostic precision, and holistic patient management.
Her clinical philosophy centers on clear and educational communication, empowering patients through understanding their health conditions and involving them actively in decision-making. She is dedicated to serving adult patients, including older adults and seniors, with a focus on optimizing health outcomes. Fluent in English and Romanian, Dr. Dicu strives to make her patients feel comfortable and well-informed during every visit.
Dr. Dicu provides expert care for adults with a wide range of medical conditions, including:
Select Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions
- Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers: Investigating elevated inflammatory markers (like ESR or CRP) to identify potential underlying systemic conditions.
- Complex Infections Consultation: Providing diagnostic and management expertise for challenging infections, often in consultation with primary care.
- Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) Workup: Systematic investigation to determine the cause of prolonged, unexplained fevers.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
- Osteoporosis & Metabolic Bone Disease: Diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment strategies for conditions affecting bone strength and metabolism.
- Calcium and Parathyroid Disorders: Evaluation and management of conditions related to abnormal calcium levels and parathyroid gland function.
- Thyroid Disorders: Management of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and other thyroid conditions.
Complex Diagnostic & Multi-System Issues
- Syncope (Fainting) Evaluation: Comprehensive work-up to determine the cause of fainting spells or loss of consciousness.
- Investigation of Anemia: Diagnosing the underlying cause of low red blood cell counts.
- Management of Patients with Multiple Comorbidities: Coordinating care and treatment plans for individuals managing several complex health conditions simultaneously.
Dr. Dicu manages a wide range of complex adult and geriatric health conditions. This list highlights common areas of focus. If your condition is not listed, please note that internal medicine specialists address diverse and often multi-systemic diseases. Consultation is typically initiated via referral from your primary care physician.
- Frailty Evaluation and Management: Assessing for frailty (increased vulnerability) and developing interventions to enhance resilience, function, and independence.
- Coordination of Specialist Care: Acting as a central point of contact to help manage and coordinate input from various medical specialists for patients with multi-system diseases.
- Falls Risk Assessment and Prevention: Identifying factors contributing to falls in older adults and implementing strategies to improve balance, strength, and home safety.
- Management of Acute Medical Issues (Inpatient Focus): Diagnosis and treatment of serious acute illnesses requiring hospital admission (often a primary role in hospital settings).
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment: In-depth evaluation for adults with complex, unclear, or multi-system medical conditions, involving detailed history, physical examination, and coordination of necessary investigations.
Note: This list represents some of the key services offered by Dr. Dicu. As a specialist in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, she provides comprehensive diagnostic and management services. For specific inquiries about whether your condition falls within Dr. Dicu's scope of practice, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
Dr. Dicu's practice is located in the downtown Cedar Hill neighborhood of Kitchener, within the Curans Heart Centre. The clinic is conveniently situated near the Laurentian Power Centre and Sunrise Shopping Centre, making it accessible for patients from the surrounding areas. It is well-connected via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus and ION Light Rail services. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available at the facility.
- How is payment handled for appointments with Dr. Dicu? Is it covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?
- In ON, medical consultations with specialists like Dr. Dicu are typically covered by your provincial health insurance (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)) when you present a valid health card and have the required referral. You generally do not pay directly for the consultation service itself. Some specific procedures, forms, or administrative tasks might not be covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and may incur a separate fee according to provincial guidelines. Please inquire if you have questions about uninsured services.
- Can I book an appointment directly or do I absolutely need a referral?
- A referral from your family physician or another medical specialist is required to see Dr. Dicu. As experts in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, Internists and Geriatricians see patients based on specific medical questions posed by the referring doctor. This ensures continuity of care and that the consultation is appropriate for your needs. Please have your doctor forward the referral information.
- What kind of tests might Dr. Dicu order?
- Depending on your specific medical situation, Dr. Dicu may order various tests to aid in diagnosis or management. These could include blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies (like X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans), electrocardiograms (ECGs), or referrals for other specialized tests (like pulmonary function tests or bone density scans). She will explain why any tests are being recommended.
Curans Heart Centre
835 King St West
Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3
Phone: (519) 748-6976 | Fax: (519) 749-4378
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Dicu is a licensed physician regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. Patients are typically seen by referral from their primary care physician.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Dicu-Armela-Ovidia/0287543-100029