Dr. Emily Celeste Drake – Family Doctor | Kenora, ON

Dr. Emily Celeste Drake is a Family Doctor. Practicing at Hamilton General Hospital in Kenora, ON, she is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. She is registered with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine.

Dr. Drake's role focuses on providing continuous and comprehensive primary medical care for individuals and families across all ages and stages of life. This includes preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, and management of ongoing health needs, serving as the central point for patient care. She serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Dr. Emily Celeste Drake completed her Medical Degree. She brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. She has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as comprehensive primary care within family practice. She is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of her practice philosophy include a commitment to evidence-based medicine, integrating the latest research with clinical expertise to provide the highest standard of care; a dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion, aiming to identify risks early and support patients in maintaining long-term wellness. She provides consultations in English.

Dr. Emily Celeste Drake provides comprehensive family medical care for a wide variety of health concerns affecting patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Preventative Health Topics

• Occupational Health Screening & Advice (Basic Pre-placement, Return-to-Work): Primary care support for general occupational health questions, routine employment-related medical screenings, and facilitating a safe return to work after illness or injury.
• Travel Medicine Advice & Routine/Travel Vaccinations: Providing pre-travel consultations for individuals travelling to common and some less common international destinations. This includes a detailed risk assessment based on itinerary (country, region, urban/rural, length of stay, type of travel); advice on food and water safety, insect bite prevention (e.g., for malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya), altitude sickness prevention, and management of common travel-related ailments (e.g., traveler's diarrhea). Also includes administration of necessary routine immunizations (MMR, Tdap, Polio, Flu) and specific travel vaccinations (e.g., Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever if a designated center, Rabies pre-exposure, Japanese Encephalitis considerations). Malaria chemoprophylaxis prescription if indicated. Complex itineraries or immunocompromised travelers may require referral to a specialized travel clinic.
• Weight Management & Obesity Prevention/Treatment: Personalized advice and comprehensive care plans for healthy weight loss, prevention of unhealthy weight gain, or management of obesity and its related health conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, certain cancers).

Adult Common Health Issues

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) - Initial Assessment & Management: Providing initial management strategies for RLS, including lifestyle modifications (e.g., regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, avoiding caffeine/alcohol close to bedtime), checking and correcting iron deficiency (ferritin levels), and considering pharmacological options (e.g., dopamine agonists like pramipexole/ropinirole, gabapentin enacarbil) for moderate to severe, frequent symptoms that significantly impact sleep or quality of life. Referral to neurology or sleep specialist for complex or refractory cases.
• Venous Insufficiency & Varicose Veins (Conservative Management & Lifestyle Advice): Management includes advising on leg elevation, regular exercise (calf muscle pump activation), weight management, avoidance of prolonged standing/sitting, and recommending/prescribing appropriately fitted graduated compression stockings. Patient education on skin care to prevent venous ulcers.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Symptom Management & Monitoring: Management includes lifestyle advice (fluid management, avoiding bladder irritants), behavioral therapies (timed voiding), and prescription of medications such as alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin, alfuzosin) to relax prostate/bladder neck muscles, or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride, dutasteride) to shrink prostate volume. Monitoring for symptom improvement and medication side effects.
• Anemia (Iron Deficiency, Vitamin B12/Folate Deficiency - Diagnosis & Management): Investigating causes of anemia (e.g., symptoms like fatigue, pallor, dyspnea on exertion, dizziness, palpitations, restless legs) through thorough history (diet, medications, menstrual history, GI symptoms), physical examination, and targeted blood tests (Complete Blood Count - CBC with differential and red cell indices, iron studies including ferritin, serum vitamin B12, serum folate, reticulocyte count, LDH, bilirubin if hemolysis suspected).

Common Chronic Conditions

• Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides): Personalized treatment plans for managing elevated lipid levels, incorporating regular monitoring, patient education, and strategies for long-term cardiovascular disease prevention.
• Asthma (All Ages) & Allergic Rhinitis: Working collaboratively with you (or your child) to achieve optimal asthma control, minimize symptoms (wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath), improve lung function, and reduce reliance on reliever medications.
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - Early to Moderate Stages: Primary care strategies to protect and preserve kidney health, including tight blood pressure and glycemic control, and education on kidney-friendly habits.

This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Drake. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.

• Insomnia & Sleep Disorder Management (Primary Care Approach): Helping you identify factors contributing to poor sleep and develop effective, sustainable strategies to improve sleep quality, duration, and daytime functioning.
• Evaluation of Acute Headaches & Dizziness / Vertigo: Initial medical evaluation to determine the cause of acute head pain or balance disturbance.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Care (All Ages - Initial & Ongoing): Initial assessment and ongoing management for ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults, which may involve diagnostic screening tools, collaboration with schools/families, behavioral strategies, lifestyle coaching, medication management (stimulants, non-stimulants), and referral to specialists (pediatricians, psychiatrists) for complex cases or co-occurring conditions.
• Driver's Medical Examinations & Other Third-Party Medical Reports: Assisting patients with necessary medical documentation for third-party requests.
• Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Infections (Respiratory, Urinary, Skin, GI): Expert assessment and management of everyday acute illnesses affecting respiratory, urinary, skin, and other systems to help you recover quickly and prevent complications.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Drake. For a comprehensive understanding of all services, or to discuss your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Family Doctors in ON and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At Hamilton General Hospital, family medicine is centered on a collaborative partnership to help individuals like you achieve significant improvements in your health, manage ongoing conditions effectively, and enhance your overall well-being. Dr. Drake frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Many seek Dr. Drake's help for concerns about thinning hair or hair loss that seems more than normal. The collaborative goal is benefiting from Dr. Drake's proactive and systematic approach to mental health screening and discussion during routine visits, leading to earlier identification and support for emerging psychological distress, allowing a return to valued activities like fully and enthusiastically engaging in a wide range of desired social activities, valued community events, and spending quality, meaningful time with close friends and loved ones without being frequently limited or sidelined by bothersome or unpredictable health concerns.
• When feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or experiencing vertigo (spinning sensations) more often than usual impacts daily life, Dr. Drake helps patients strive for achieving significantly better control over chronic inflammatory or allergic conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema, leading to markedly fewer disruptive flare-ups, reduced reliance on rescue medications, and an improved daily experience free from constant symptoms, making activities such as boldly taking on new, exciting challenges or ambitious, multi-stage projects either at work or in their personal life with a strong sense of self-efficacy, physical capability, and mental preparedness possible again.
• A frequent goal for patients seeing Dr. Drake about preparing for international travel and needing advice on health precautions, necessary vaccinations, or malaria prevention is to achieve receiving compassionate, understanding, and effective support and strategies from Dr. Drake for managing a spectrum of mental health challenges including persistent anxiety, significant depression, debilitating grief, overwhelming life stress, or initial symptoms of more complex psychiatric conditions. This success paves the way for them to re-engage with proficiently and safely operating specialized tools, intricate machinery, or complex equipment required for their specific line of work, skilled trade, or demanding technical hobbies without risk of injury or error due to health limitations.
• Dr. Drake's care for dealing with chronic constipation despite trying home remedies is designed to result in successfully navigating the initial emotional and practical challenges of a new, unexpected serious diagnosis with Dr. Drake's consistent, empathetic support, reliable information, and proactive care coordination, so patients can resume activities such as patiently, effectively, and enjoyably helping their school-aged children or young grandchildren with challenging homework assignments, creative school projects, or extracurricular learning activities that require sustained patience, focus, and clear communication with confidence.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Drake, will be thoughtfully designed to help you reach your specific functional, preventative, and wellness objectives. She believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and support needed to take an active role in their health journey.

Dr. Drake practices at Hamilton General Hospital, situated in a family medical practice in the central Kenora neighborhood of Kenora. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

What happens if Dr. Drake determines I need to see a medical specialist?

As your family doctor, Dr. Drake acts as your primary care coordinator. If she believes your condition requires specialized assessment or treatment, she will explain why a specialist consultation is necessary and will arrange the referral. Dr. Drake will send your pertinent medical details to the specialist. The specialist's office will then typically contact you to book the appointment. It's important to keep Hamilton General Hospital informed of any specialist appointments you attend and any new diagnoses or treatments recommended by the specialist so Dr. Drake can continue to coordinate your overall care effectively.

Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON?

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor in Ontario if that doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging. Resources like Health Care Connect in Ontario, your local health unit's website, or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's patient-doctor matching service (if available) may be helpful. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most medical specialists.

What if Dr. Drake works in a Family Health Team or group practice? Will I always see Dr. Drake?

Dr. Drake practices as part of a team-based practice at Hamilton General Hospital, which means you have access to a range of healthcare professionals like nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, or pharmacists working together. While the goal is always to promote continuity with your primary family doctor, Dr. Drake, for some urgent issues, routine follow-ups, or specific services, you might be seen by another trusted member of the team. This collaborative approach can enhance access to care and provide comprehensive support. The clinic will always strive to have you see Dr. Drake for complex or ongoing issues where that continuity is most crucial.

How can I find a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON who is accepting new patients?

Finding a family doctor in Ontario who is accepting new patients can be challenging, but here are some suggestions: Check the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; they often have a "Find a Doctor" tool or list. In Ontario, you can register with Health Care Connect. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It may take time to find a doctor.

Does Dr. Drake at Hamilton General Hospital offer virtual (video) or phone appointments?

Yes, Dr. Drake at Hamilton General Hospital offers virtual (video) and/or phone appointments for certain types of consultations when clinically appropriate. These can be convenient for discussing some test results, managing stable chronic conditions, prescription renewals for ongoing medications (not controlled substances), or for certain mental health follow-ups. However, many conditions, new problems, or situations requiring a physical examination will still necessitate an in-person visit for accurate assessment and diagnosis. Please discuss with our reception staff or Dr. Drake if a virtual appointment might be suitable for your specific needs. Provincial health plan coverage for virtual visits may vary; please check with Hamilton General Hospital regarding any potential fees for uninsured virtual services.

How do I get a prescription refilled by Dr. Drake?

For most prescription refills, please contact your pharmacy first, at least 5-7 days before you run out of medication. Your pharmacy can often fax a refill request directly to Dr. Drake's office. Please allow at least 2-3 business days for these requests to be processed by Dr. Drake. For certain medications (e.g., narcotics, controlled substances, or medications requiring close monitoring), or if it has been a while since your last review with Dr. Drake, an appointment will be required to assess your condition and ensure the medication is still appropriate and at the correct dose. It is always best to request refills proactively.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for eligible residents with a valid provincial health card. However, some services (e.g., cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes for work/school, insurance forms, driver's medicals) may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with Hamilton General Hospital if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?

A family doctor (in Ontario) is a physician who has completed post-graduate training in family medicine. They are skilled in providing continuous and comprehensive medical care, health maintenance, and preventive services to patients of all ages. This includes diagnosing and treating a vast array of illnesses, managing complex long-term health conditions, offering health education and counseling on lifestyle choices, and acting as your advocate and guide within the broader healthcare system.

Hamilton General Hospital
524 1st ave s
Kenora, ON, P9N 1W5

Phone: (807) 468-3600

Dr. Emily Celeste Drake is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario) in ON and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Registration Number: 107971

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Drake-Emily-Celeste/0302944-107971

Family doctors like Dr. Drake are skilled in managing a wide range of health issues. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your family doctor about all aspects of your health, including any treatments received from other practitioners.