Dr. Candace Rypien – Infectious Disease Specialist | Calgary, AB

Dr. Candace Rypien is a dedicated Infectious Disease Specialist, committed to providing expert medical care for patients with infectious diseases. Practicing at an infectious disease clinic in Calgary in Calgary, AB, she is a trusted provider of specialized infectious disease care in the community. The clinic adheres to the standards and guidelines set forth by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care. Dr. Rypien’s role as an Infectious Disease Specialist involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a broad spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The clinic provides expert consultation and management for a wide range of infectious diseases, supported by advanced diagnostic capabilities and adherence to current treatment guidelines.

She graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Calgary in 2012. Following medical school, she completed residency training in Internal Medicine, followed by a specialized fellowship in Infectious Diseases. With extensive postgraduate training in infectious diseases, she is an experienced Infectious Disease Specialist with the necessary certifications to practice in Alberta. Dr. Rypien has completed rigorous postgraduate training and holds certification from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), license number 020089, confirming her credentials and compliance with provincial standards.

Dr. Rypien’s professional philosophy centers on accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of infectious diseases using evidence-based medicine. She is committed to educating patients about their conditions and infection prevention strategies, promoting antimicrobial stewardship to combat antibiotic resistance, and focusing on vulnerable populations and complex infection management. She values collaborative care, working closely with primary care physicians, public health agencies, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive patient and community health. Her dedication is reflected in her attentive communication and personalized approach to infectious disease management in Calgary. All patient interactions and care are conducted in English, ensuring clear and effective communication.

Dr. Candace Rypien provides expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of infectious diseases, including:

Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

Dr. Rypien manages focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, and aggressive management of infections.

• Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Balancing infection treatment with maintaining graft function.
• Primary Immunodeficiency-Associated Infections: Coordination with immunologists.
• Infections in Patients on Biologics or Immunomodulatory Drugs: Includes screening for latent TB and hepatitis B before starting therapy.

Fungal and Parasitic Infections

Dr. Rypien manages diagnosis can be challenging and often requires specialized laboratory tests.

• Malaria: Treatment with appropriate antimalarial drugs based on species and resistance patterns; chemoprophylaxis for travelers.
• Toxoplasmosis: Management involves specific antiparasitic drugs.
• Giardiasis and Other Intestinal Parasitic Infections: Diagnosis via stool microscopy or antigen tests; treated with specific antiparasitic medications.

Viral Infections and Syndromes

Dr. Rypien manages infectious disease specialists manage complex or severe viral illnesses.

• COVID-19 and Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID): Management of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in complex or high-risk cases.
• Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E): Focus on chronic Hepatitis B and C, utilizing modern antiviral therapies to achieve viral suppression or cure.
• Herpesvirus Infections (HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV): Management of infections caused by herpes simplex virus (cold sores, genital herpes), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox, shingles), cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.

This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, a consultation with Dr. Candace Rypien is necessary.

• Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis and Management: Management of complex TB treatment regimens, including drug-resistant TB.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship and Management: Development and implementation of antimicrobial guidelines and protocols.
• Management of Common and Uncommon Infections: Expertise in selecting targeted therapies to optimize outcomes and minimize resistance.
• Bone and Joint Infections (Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis): Diagnosis and long-term antimicrobial management of infections affecting bones and joints.
• Management of Infections in Immunocompromised Hosts: Expertise in managing complex drug interactions and atypical presentations.
• Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases Consultation: Pre-travel risk assessment, vaccinations, and advice on preventing travel-related infections.

Note: This list provides an overview. Specific diagnostic and treatment plans are determined after a thorough consultation with Dr. Rypien.

All infectious disease services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and relevant Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI Canada), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and relevant provincial guidelines. A referral from a physician is generally required for consultation.

Dr. Rypien practices at an infectious disease clinic located in the NW neighborhoods of Calgary, including Bowness, Montgomery, and Greenwood. The clinic is conveniently situated near Calgary's Pedestrian Mall Downtown, accessible via Calgary Transit (CTrain LRT, Bus, BRT). The facility is equipped for infectious disease consultations and follow-up care in a professional and discreet environment. Patients can generally find on-site or nearby public parking. The location offers easy access for patients seeking specialized infectious disease services in Calgary.

What is Dr. Rypien's role in antibiotic stewardship?

Infectious Disease Specialists like Dr. Rypien play a crucial role in antibiotic stewardship, which is the effort to optimize the use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes and reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This involves ensuring patients receive the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right duration, and only when necessary. Dr. Rypien may provide consultations on complex antibiotic choices and help develop guidelines for appropriate antibiotic use.

When should I see an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Rypien?

You should see an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Rypien if you have an infection that is severe, persistent, recurrent, difficult to diagnose, or not responding to standard treatments. This includes conditions like fevers of unknown origin, complex infections after surgery or travel, HIV, viral hepatitis, or if you are immunocompromised and develop an infection. A referral from your family doctor or another specialist is typically required.

What does an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Rypien specialize in?

An Infectious Disease Specialist, such as Dr. Rypien, is a medical doctor (MD) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illnesses caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They manage a wide range of complex infections, including those that are difficult to diagnose, are severe, or occur in patients with weakened immune systems. A Infectious Disease Specialist, specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

What are some common conditions treated by Dr. Rypien?

Dr. Rypien treats a wide spectrum of infectious conditions. Common areas include HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis (B and C), tuberculosis, complex bacterial infections (like sepsis, endocarditis, or osteomyelitis), fungal infections, parasitic diseases, fevers of unknown origin, and infections in immunocompromised patients. She specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Are services from Dr. Rypien covered by provincial health insurance?

Medically necessary services provided by an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Rypien, such as consultations, diagnostic tests, and management of conditions like HIV or hepatitis, are generally covered by your provincial health plan, Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). Consultations with an Infectious Disease Specialist like Dr. Rypien, as well as medically necessary diagnostic tests and treatments for infectious conditions, are generally covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). This includes management of chronic infections like HIV or viral hepatitis. Some travel medicine services or specific vaccinations for travel may not be covered and could be an out-of-pocket expense or covered by private insurance. It's advisable to confirm coverage for any non-urgent or preventative services with Dr. Rypien's office or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Rypien?

For most consultations with Dr. Rypien that are medically necessary and covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is typically needed. This helps in coordinating your care effectively and ensures all relevant information is shared. In urgent inpatient situations, referrals are often made directly by the hospital team. Please have your referring doctor's office contact Dr. Rypien's clinic for referral instructions.

an infectious disease clinic in Calgary
28 Oki Dr NW
Calgary, AB T3B 6A8

Office Phone: (403) 955-2953

Dr. Rypien is a licensed Infectious Disease Specialist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in Alberta. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Rypien, particularly for services covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).

Verify Dr. Rypien's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=f9eb6d7f-fb4d-4ae9-8765-51bed507410f&i=1257