About
Dr. Cara Simone MacRae is a dedicated Pediatrician committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare for infants, children, and adolescents. Practicing at a pediatric clinic in Waterloo, ON, she is an integral part of the local pediatric healthcare community. Her practice adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring high-quality, ethical medical care. She focuses on preventive care, well-child check-ups, immunizations, and the management of common childhood illnesses, promoting healthy growth and development from infancy through adolescence. The clinic environment is designed to be welcoming and child-friendly, fostering a positive experience for young patients and their families.
Dr. MacRae graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Toronto, Canada. She has been practicing as a Pediatrician since 2022 and is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). With over two years of experience, she brings a strong foundation in pediatric health, continually updating her knowledge with the latest evidence-based practices to ensure optimal care for her young patients.
Her clinical philosophy emphasizes family-centered care, collaboration with parents, and a commitment to evidence-based medicine. She believes in preventive health strategies and working closely with families to support their child's physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. Dr. MacRae provides care in English and is dedicated to serving the diverse community of Waterloo with kindness, professionalism, and a child-friendly approach.
Dr. Cara MacRae provides care for a wide range of childhood conditions, including:
Common General Pediatric Conditions
- Otitis Media (Ear Infections): Inflammation or infection of the middle ear, very common in young children.
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis - general management): A chronic skin condition causing dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs - uncomplicated): Bacterial infections affecting the urinary system, common in children.
Developmental & Behavioral Conditions
- Learning Disabilities (e.g., Dyslexia, Dyscalculia): Challenges in specific academic areas despite normal intelligence.
- Sleep Disorders in Children (Behavioral & Mild): Difficulties with initiating or maintaining sleep, or other sleep-related problems often managed with behavioral strategies.
- Anxiety & Mood Disorders in Children: Conditions like generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, or childhood depression affecting emotional well-being.
Adolescent Health Concerns
- Substance Use Issues (Screening & Brief Intervention): Addressing concerns related to alcohol, tobacco, or drug use in adolescents.
- Menstrual Disorders (e.g., irregular periods, dysmenorrhea): Irregular, heavy, or painful periods in adolescent girls.
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa - initial assessment & coordination): Serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact health, emotions and ability to function.
This list provides examples and is not exhaustive. For personalized advice, please discuss your child's specific situation with Dr. Cara MacRae.
- Vision & Hearing Screening: Basic screening tests to detect potential vision or hearing problems in children.
- Parental Guidance & Support: Providing education and support to parents on various aspects of child health, safety, behavior, and development.
- Mental Health Screening & Initial Support: Basic screening for common pediatric mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression) and providing initial support or referrals as needed.
- Diagnosis & Management of Acute Childhood Illnesses: Evaluation and treatment for common illnesses such as colds, flu, ear infections, sore throats, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
- Routine Immunizations & Vaccinations: Administering vaccines according to provincial immunization schedules to protect children from preventable diseases.
- Lead Exposure Risk Assessment & Screening: Evaluating risk factors for lead exposure and performing screening tests as indicated by guidelines.
- Developmental Screening & Surveillance: Assessing developmental milestones (motor, language, social, cognitive) and identifying potential delays for early intervention.
Note: This list provides a general overview of services offered in Pediatrics (Comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents). Care plans are highly individualized to meet each child's specific health needs. Please discuss with Dr. MacRae or your healthcare team for details relevant to your child's care.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant pediatric care guidelines. Contact the clinic regarding new patient intake and referral processes.
Dr. MacRae practices at a child-friendly pediatric clinic located in the Waterloo East (Glenridge, Lincoln Heights) neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently situated near the Moses Springer Community Centre and Weber St North Commercial Area, making it accessible to families in the area. Public transit options include Grand River Transit (GRT) bus and ION Light Rail, providing easy access for families using transit. The facility is wheelchair accessible and aims to be welcoming to children and families, with parking available at or near the location to facilitate easy visits for patients and caregivers.
- Are pediatric services with Dr. MacRae covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Medically necessary consultations, well-child visits, immunizations, and treatment for illnesses provided by a licensed Pediatrician like Dr. MacRae are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON. Some specialized tests, procedures, or medications prescribed by a subspecialist may require pre-authorization or might have specific coverage criteria. It's always a good idea to confirm coverage details with Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or Dr. MacRae's office, especially for subspecialty care.
- Do I need a referral to see Dr. MacRae, a Pediatrician?
- For a general Pediatrician, you may be able to book an appointment directly for your child, particularly if Dr. MacRae is accepting new patients or for newborn care. However, if Dr. MacRae is a pediatric subspecialist (e.g., a Pediatric Cardiologist or Developmental Pediatrician), a referral from your child's family doctor or a general pediatrician is usually required for services to be covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It's best to check with Dr. MacRae's clinic directly regarding their new patient and referral policies. you may be able to book an appointment directly, especially if the practice is accepting new patients, or for newborn care.
- My child is a picky eater. What advice can a pediatrician offer?
- It's very common for toddlers and young children to go through phases of picky eating. Dr. MacRae can offer practical advice, such as maintaining a regular meal and snack schedule, offering a variety of healthy foods without pressure, involving your child in food preparation, and modeling healthy eating habits. She can also assess your child's growth and development to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition and rule out any underlying medical concerns. If needed, a referral to a dietitian may be considered.
- What can I do if my child is having trouble sleeping?
- Sleep is crucial for a child's development. If your child is having trouble sleeping, establishing a consistent bedtime routine is very important. This includes a calming wind-down period, a set bedtime, and ensuring their sleep environment is comfortable, dark, and quiet. Limiting screen time before bed can also help. Dr. MacRae can discuss age-appropriate sleep needs, common sleep problems, and strategies to address them. Sometimes, underlying issues like anxiety or medical conditions can affect sleep, which Dr. MacRae can help assess.
- What are the current screen time recommendations for children, and how can Dr. MacRae help?
- Current guidelines generally recommend no screen time for children under 18-24 months (except for video-chatting with family), and limiting high-quality programming to about 1 hour per day for children aged 2-5 years, co-viewed with a parent. For older children and teens, it's important to balance screen time with other healthy activities like physical activity, social interaction, and sleep. Dr. MacRae can discuss these recommendations, help your family create a media use plan, and address concerns about the impact of screen time on your child's health and development.
- What immunizations will my child receive from Dr. MacRae?
- Dr. MacRae follows the recommended provincial immunization schedule for ON. This schedule outlines the vaccines your child should receive at different ages to protect them from serious preventable diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), chickenpox, hepatitis B, influenza, rotavirus, pneumococcal, and meningococcal diseases. She will discuss the specific vaccines due at each visit and answer any questions you may have about them.
304-430 The Boardwalk
Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4
Phone: (519) 578-3500 | Fax: (519) 741-0286
The facility is wheelchair accessible and aims to be welcoming to children and families.
Dr. MacRae is a licensed Pediatrician regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. Dr. MacRae may accept new patients directly for general pediatric care or via referral, depending on clinic policy. Please contact the clinic for information on new patient registration and any referral requirements for services covered by the provincial health plan.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/MacRae-Cara-Simone/0318520-112583