Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr – Family Doctor | Calgary, AB

Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr is a Family Doctor (Palliative & Supportive Care Focus). Practicing at a family doctor practice in Calgary, AB, he is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. He is registered with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine. He focuses on providing compassionate, comprehensive medical care focused on improving quality of life for patients facing serious or life-limiting illnesses, and their families. This includes expert symptom management (pain, nausea, breathlessness), psychosocial and spiritual support, and coordination of care with specialized palliative services and community resources throughout the course of illness and at end-of-life. He serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr completed his MD Doctor of Medicine (University of Manitoba, 1993). He brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. He has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as Family Practice with a Focus on Palliative & Supportive Care within family practice. He is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of his practice philosophy include a dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion, aiming to identify risks early and support patients in maintaining long-term wellness; empowering patients through clear communication, comprehensive health education, and fostering active participation in their own health decisions; a commitment to evidence-based medicine, integrating the latest research with clinical expertise to provide the highest standard of care. He is fluent in English and also offers consultations in Cantonese.

Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr provides comprehensive family medical care for a wide variety of health concerns affecting patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Adult Common Health Issues

• Allergic Conjunctivitis & Dry Eye Syndrome - Primary Care Management: Helping patients find relief from itchy, irritated, or dry eyes through appropriate primary care interventions and guidance.
• 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.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Infection - Testing & Eradication Therapy: Confirmation of eradication testing post-treatment to ensure successful clearance of the infection and reduce risks of H. pylori-related gastroduodenal diseases.
• Venous Insufficiency & Varicose Veins (Conservative Management & Lifestyle Advice): Primary care support for managing discomfort and preventing complications associated with venous disease. Referral to vascular specialists or phlebologists for more advanced treatments (e.g., sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, surgery) if symptoms are severe, progressive, or complicated by ulceration or recurrent phlebitis.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Tendinopathies & Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) - Initial Assessment & Conservative Management: A first point of contact for work-related or activity-induced repetitive strain injuries, guiding effective conservative management, facilitating return to function, and providing documentation for workplace accommodations if necessary. Referral to specialists (e.g., sports medicine, orthopedics, physiatry) if symptoms are persistent, severe, or require further investigation/intervention.
• Gout & Pseudogout (Crystal Arthropathies) - Acute Attack Management & Chronic Prevention Strategies: Providing effective treatment for acutely painful crystal-induced arthritis, focusing on rapid symptom relief during flares, and implementing robust long-term preventative measures for chronic gout to improve joint health and overall well-being.
• Fibromyalgia & Other Widespread Chronic Pain Syndromes - Primary Care Diagnosis & Multimodal Management: Initial assessment and diagnosis of fibromyalgia or other widespread chronic pain syndromes based on established clinical criteria (e.g., ACR criteria for fibromyalgia), after appropriate investigation to rule out other underlying systemic inflammatory or medical conditions. Developing a comprehensive, multimodal management plan focusing on patient education about the condition (central sensitization, pain neurophysiology), promoting self-management, graded exercise therapy (low-impact aerobic, strength, flexibility, aquatic therapy), optimizing sleep hygiene, stress management techniques (mindfulness, relaxation, CBT principles), pain coping strategies, and judicious use of medications targeting central sensitization and associated symptoms (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, SNRIs like duloxetine/venlafaxine, gabapentinoids like gabapentin/pregabalin). Avoidance of long-term opioid therapy is generally emphasized.

Geriatric Health Issues

• Polypharmacy Review, Medication Optimization & De-Prescribing Initiatives for Older Adults: Performing systematic and regular comprehensive medication reviews (CMR) of all medications (prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbals) taken by seniors to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs using Beers criteria, STOPP/START criteria, or other tools), drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, adverse drug events, duplicate therapies, and opportunities for de-prescribing unnecessary or harmful drugs.
• Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions (Multimorbidity) in Seniors: Comprehensive primary care for elderly patients juggling multiple interacting health problems, ensuring care is person-centered, evidence-informed, and aligned with their evolving goals and preferences.
• Falls Risk Assessment, Comprehensive Prevention Strategies & Management of Gait/Balance Disorders in Seniors: Helping seniors stay steady on their feet, improve their balance, strength, and confidence in mobility, and significantly reduce their chances of fall-related injuries (fractures - especially hip, wrist, vertebral; head injuries; 'long lie'), thereby preserving independence, preventing hospitalizations, and improving quality of life.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Viral Skin Infections (Common Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster/Shingles): Diagnosing and managing common viral skin infections. This includes common/plantar warts and molluscum contagiosum (observation, cryotherapy, topical agents like salicylic acid or cantharidin). For Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV - cold sores/fever blisters, genital herpes): antiviral therapy (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) for acute outbreaks or suppressive therapy for frequent recurrences, plus counseling on transmission. For Herpes Zoster (Shingles): prompt antiviral therapy to reduce severity/duration and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), along with pain management. Shingles vaccination advice for eligible adults.
• Acne Vulgaris (Mild to Moderate) & Rosacea Management: Helping adolescents and adults manage these common and often distressing inflammatory skin conditions effectively to improve skin appearance, reduce symptoms (redness, papules, pustules, flushing), prevent scarring (acne), and enhance quality of life.
• Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Evaluating common benign (non-cancerous) skin growths like skin tags (acrochordons), seborrheic keratoses ('age spots'), cherry angiomas, dermatofibromas, epidermal cysts, and lipomas. Providing reassurance regarding their benign nature and offering in-office removal (e.g., cryotherapy, snip excision, curettage, simple excision for cysts/lipomas if trained/equipped) for cosmetic reasons, if causing irritation, or for diagnostic certainty if there's any ambiguity.

Common Acute Conditions

• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (Acute Bronchitis, Community-Acquired Pneumonia): Care for acute lung infections, focusing on appropriate antimicrobial therapy when indicated, supportive measures (rest, hydration, symptom relief), and guidance for a full recovery, with escalation to hospital care if severe.
• Gastrointestinal Infections (Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning): Managing acute episodes of vomiting and diarrhea to support recovery, ensure adequate hydration, and rule out more serious underlying causes.
• Headaches (Tension-type, Migraine - Acute Symptomatic Relief): Assessment of acute headaches to differentiate types (e.g., tension headache, migraine, cervicogenic), provide initial pain relief strategies (analgesics, NSAIDs, triptans for migraine), identify potential triggers, and rule out serious underlying causes requiring urgent investigation.

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

• Thyroid Disorder Management (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism, Nodules, Hashimoto's): Adjusting thyroid medication based on symptoms and regular blood tests (TSH, free T4, etc.) to maintain optimal thyroid function.
• Medication Renewals, Adjustments & Long-Term Monitoring: Providing timely prescription renewals for ongoing medications, often requiring a follow-up visit to assess continued need, effectiveness, and screen for any adverse effects or interactions, ensuring continuity of care.
• Hospital Discharge Follow-Up & Transitions of Care Management: Helping you navigate your health journey effectively after a hospital discharge, ensuring all aspects of your care plan are understood, implemented, and monitored.
• Referrals to Medical Specialists, Subspecialists & Specialized Programs: Ensuring seamless access to specialized medical care through efficient and well-documented referrals, acting as your central coordinator and advocate within the healthcare system.
• Management of Acute Dermatological Conditions (Rashes, Hives, Shingles): Providing care for various acute dermatological concerns, offering treatment options (topical or oral) and referrals to dermatology if needed for severe or complex cases.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Marr. 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 AB and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

At Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr's practice, 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. Marr frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Many patients have successfully addressed experiencing unexplained joint swelling or stiffness, especially in the mornings with Dr. Marr's support. This often leads to feeling a genuine, strong, and enduring sense of partnership and close collaboration with Dr. Marr in working consistently and effectively towards their mutually agreed-upon, meaningful health goals and overall state of well-being and the ability to fully participate in 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 once more.
• When wanting to understand if genetic testing is appropriate for them based on family history affects a patient's ability to independently and efficiently performing all personal grooming and hygiene tasks (bathing, dressing, toileting) without any difficulty, assistance, or associated pain, maintaining their dignity, Dr. Marr works with them to develop a plan. Success means reaching experiencing substantially reduced anxiety and apprehension about specific medical procedures or tests after Dr. Marr took the time to explain them thoroughly, patiently answered all questions, and directly addressed their specific fears and concerns and getting back to their valued pursuits.

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

Dr. Marr practices at a family medical clinic in Calgary, situated in the NW: Hillhurst, Westmount, Sunnyside (Kensington) neighborhood of Calgary. The clinic is conveniently located near Stampede Park Access and is accessible via Calgary Transit (CTrain LRT, Bus, BRT). Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

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

A family doctor, often called a general practitioner (GP), is a medical doctor specializing in comprehensive primary healthcare for individuals and families across all ages and life stages. They serve as your first point of contact for most health concerns, offering preventative care (like check-ups, immunizations, and health screenings), diagnosing and treating acute illnesses (such as infections or minor injuries), managing chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma), providing mental health support, and coordinating your care by referring you to specialists when necessary. A key aspect of their role is building long-term relationships with patients to promote overall health and well-being.

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

Dr. Marr practices as part of a team-based practice, which often 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. Marr, 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. Marr for complex or ongoing issues where that continuity is most crucial.

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

Generally, you do not need a referral from another doctor to see a family doctor in Alberta if the doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can sometimes be challenging, and using provincial resources like the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta website may be helpful. A referral  is usually required from a family doctor to see most medical specialists.

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

To find a family doctor in Alberta who is accepting new patients, you can check the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (they often have a "Find a Doctor" tool or list). You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It can be challenging and may take time.

What should I do if I have an urgent medical issue when the clinic is closed?

If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. For urgent, non-life-threatening issues that cannot wait until our clinic reopens, you may consider visiting an urgent care centre or a walk-in clinic. Please check with our clinic or Dr. Marr during regular hours to see if after-hours on-call services are in place for their practice. Our clinic voicemail [(403) 944-2304] may also provide instructions or resources for after-hours care.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for eligible residents with a valid provincial health card. 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 our clinic if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

1403 29 St NW, Room 710 South Tower Palliative Care
Calgary, AB, T2N 2T9

Phone: (403) 944-2304

Dr. Hubert Kin-Ming Marr is regulated by the Health Professions Act (Alberta) in AB and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

Registration Number: 012870

Verify registration with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=c970067b-33fb-4f25-9ea2-63fc553d86ca&i=936

Family doctors like Dr. Marr 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.