Dr. Mary Catherine Sheehan

Dr. Mary Catherine Sheehan 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.
• Weight Management & Obesity Prevention/Treatment: Supporting individuals in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight through non-stigmatizing, patient-centered approaches that focus on sustainable lifestyle habits, improved metabolic health, and overall well-being rather than solely on rapid weight loss or restrictive dieting.
• Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Discussion & Resource Navigation: Advocating for patients facing health inequities and working to connect them with resources that can improve their overall health outcomes and reduce disparities.
• Infectious Disease Prevention & Outbreak Management Support (Community Level): Promoting individual and community resilience against infectious diseases through education, vaccination, and adherence to public health measures.

Adult Common Health Issues

• Anemia (Iron Deficiency, Vitamin B12/Folate Deficiency - Diagnosis & Management): Managing common types of nutritional anemia such as iron deficiency anemia (oral or intravenous iron supplementation, dietary advice to increase iron intake and absorption, investigation for source of chronic blood loss if suspected - e.g., GI bleed, heavy menses) and megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (oral or parenteral supplementation, dietary counseling, investigation for underlying causes like pernicious anemia, malabsorption syndromes - celiac disease, Crohn's, post-gastric surgery, medication effects - metformin, PPIs).
• 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.
• 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.

Mental Health Concerns

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Assessment & Management (All Ages): A comprehensive and collaborative approach to ADHD care, addressing core symptoms and associated impairments across the lifespan, often involving a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Stress-Related Conditions, Burnout & Adjustment Disorders: Supportive counseling and practical guidance for stress-related symptoms and adjustment disorders, promoting well-being and preventing escalation to more severe mental health conditions.
• Insomnia & Chronic Sleep Disturbances: Thoroughly evaluating persistent sleep problems (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, non-restorative sleep), offering education on optimal sleep hygiene, principles of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or facilitating referrals for it, addressing underlying contributing factors (e.g., anxiety, pain, medications, restless legs syndrome), and judiciously considering short-term medication if necessary.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) - Diagnosis, Management & Monitoring (Often with Rheumatology Co-Management): Often co-managed with or referred to rheumatology, especially for atypical presentations, diagnostic uncertainty, difficulty tapering corticosteroids, frequent relapses, or suspected GCA. Primary care plays a key role in ongoing monitoring, patient education, and supportive care for PMR.
• Fibromyalgia & Other Widespread Chronic Pain Syndromes - Primary Care Diagnosis & Multimodal Management: Working collaboratively with individuals experiencing chronic widespread pain to develop personalized self-management strategies, set realistic functional goals, and coordinate care effectively with other healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and rheumatologists (for diagnostic confirmation or complex cases).
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Tendinopathies & Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) - Initial Assessment & Conservative Management: Providing advice on activity modification (relative rest, avoiding aggravating activities), ergonomic adjustments (workstation setup, tool use), simple analgesia (NSAIDs - oral/topical, acetaminophen), ice/heat application, and appropriate referral to physiotherapy or occupational therapy for specific exercises (stretching, strengthening), manual therapy, splinting, and further rehabilitation or prevention strategies.
• 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.

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

• Stress Management, Burnout & Adjustment Disorder Support: Offering guidance, psychoeducation, and practical coping strategies for managing acute and chronic life stressors, workplace burnout, or adjustment difficulties related to significant life changes.
• Smoking & Tobacco Cessation Programs & Support: Providing evidence-based resources, behavioral strategies, and relapse prevention planning to overcome nicotine addiction and achieve long-term cessation.
• 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.
• Osteoporosis Screening, Prevention & Management: Screening for osteoporosis based on risk factors and age, ordering bone density scans (DXA) when appropriate, and managing osteoporosis with lifestyle advice (calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise), fall prevention strategies, and prescription of bone-building medications.
• Hospital Discharge Follow-Up & Transitions of Care Management: Supporting patients post-hospitalization with continuity of care, clear communication with hospital teams, and proactive management to prevent complications, reduce readmissions, and optimize recovery.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Sheehan. 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 BC and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

At Dr. Mary Catherine Sheehan'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. Sheehan frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• A key objective when treating questions or concerns about their child's growth, developmental milestones, or specific behaviors at Dr. Sheehan's clinic is experiencing significantly improved physical function, greater ease of mobility, and markedly reduced daily pain as a result of managing complex musculoskeletal issues or sports injuries under Dr. Sheehan's comprehensive guidance, treatment plan, and care coordination with allied health professionals, supporting a comfortable return to being able to fully focus on, deeply appreciate, and thoroughly enjoy life's simple, everyday pleasures like listening to favorite music with undivided attention, watching a beautiful sunset in awe, spending quiet, contemplative time in nature, or losing themselves in a captivating book.
• Dr. Sheehan often sees patients whose a follow-up appointment to manage their diabetes, review their blood sugar log, and adjust their medications if needed limits their enjoyment of simply and thankfully getting through each and every day without their physical or mental health being a primary, constant source of pervasive worry, nagging discomfort, significant functional limitation, or a barrier to their desired activities. The goal of care is to achieve noticeably reducing their reliance on, and need for, urgent care clinics or hospital emergency room visits for conditions that are now being effectively managed or prevented through proactive, continuous, and comprehensive primary care with Dr. Sheehan and restore their active lifestyle.
• Patients experiencing it being time for their regular comprehensive health check-up and physical exam often seek Dr. Sheehan's help to improve their quality of life. A key goal is receiving appropriate, tailored, and thorough care and advice for travel health from Dr. Sheehan, including all necessary vaccinations and preventative measures, ensuring safer, healthier, and more enjoyable international trips for leisure or work, supporting their return to activities like fully enjoying intimate moments and maintaining healthy, satisfying sexual relationships without the intrusion of physical pain, health-related anxiety, medication side effects, or concerns about performance.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Sheehan, 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. Sheehan practices at a family medical clinic in Penticton, situated in the Penticton Central, South End, Kaledon, Okanagan Falls, Naramata Bench (Rural South) neighborhood of Penticton. The clinic is conveniently located near South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) and is accessible via South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System (BC Transit). Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance; please observe local signage.

How long do appointments with Dr. Sheehan typically last?

The length of an appointment with Dr. Sheehan can vary. Standard appointments for a single issue or a routine follow-up are often scheduled for 10-15 minutes. Appointments for more complex issues, a comprehensive periodic health exam (physical), a 'meet and greet' for new patients, counseling, or a minor procedure will usually be longer, perhaps 20-30 minutes or more. When booking your appointment at the clinic, it's always best to briefly mention the reason for your visit so the staff can allocate the appropriate amount of time with Dr. Sheehan. If you have multiple unrelated issues to discuss, you might be advised to book a longer appointment or separate appointments to ensure each concern is addressed adequately.

What does 'preventative care' involve with a family doctor like Dr. Sheehan?

Preventative care with Dr. Sheehan focuses on keeping you healthy and identifying potential health problems before they become serious or cause symptoms. This involves a range of services tailored to your age, gender, and risk factors, such as routine check-ups (periodic health exams), age-appropriate cancer screenings (e.g., Pap tests, mammograms, colon cancer screening, PSA discussions), immunizations (flu shots, travel vaccines, routine boosters), blood pressure and cholesterol checks, screening for diabetes, counseling on healthy lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, responsible alcohol use), and risk assessments for various conditions. The primary goal is to prevent illness, detect diseases early when they are most treatable, and promote your long-term health and well-being.

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 the clinic reopens, you may consider visiting an urgent care centre or a walk-in clinic. Some family health teams or groups offer after-hours on-call services for their registered patients; please check with the clinic or Dr. Sheehan during regular hours to see if such arrangements are in place for her practice. The clinic voicemail may also provide instructions or resources for after-hours care.

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

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

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

You can check the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC; they often have a 'Find a Doctor' tool or list. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It can be challenging and may take time.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC in BC?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC for eligible residents with a valid provincial health card. Some services, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with the clinic if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

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

Dr. Sheehan may practice as part of a team-based practice, which means you have access to a range of healthcare professionals. While the goal is to promote continuity with your primary family doctor, Dr. Sheehan, for some urgent issues or routine follow-ups, you might be seen by another trusted member of the team. This approach can enhance access to care. The clinic will strive to have you see Dr. Sheehan for complex or ongoing issues.

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, diagnosing and treating illnesses, managing chronic conditions, 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.

603-110 Ellis St
Penticton, BC, V2A 4L5

Phone: (250) 809-9276

Dr. Mary Catherine Sheehan is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

Registration Number: 6618

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/304888/Sheehan%2CMary

Family doctors like Dr. Sheehan 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.