Dr. Nanette Maher Gad – Family Doctor | Courtice, ON

Dr. Nanette Maher Gad is a Family Doctor. Practicing at Canadian Forces Health Service Cent in Courtice, 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. Her focus is 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. Nanette Maher Gad 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; empowering patients through clear communication, comprehensive health education, and fostering active participation in their own health decisions; a strong belief in patient-centered care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, values, and circumstances. She provides consultations in English.

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

Common Acute Conditions

• Common Acute Skin Conditions (Rashes, Infections, Bites, Minor Burns): Addressing sudden onset skin problems, providing effective treatment, advising on skin care and hygiene to promote healing, and identifying potential triggers for allergic or irritant conditions.
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs - Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis): Addressing symptoms such as cough, sore throat (including rapid strep testing where available), nasal congestion, facial pain/pressure, and fever associated with common URTIs.
• Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries (Sprains, Strains, Minor Back/Neck Pain): First-line care for everyday musculoskeletal injuries, supporting recovery, reducing pain and inflammation, restoring function, and providing referrals for imaging or physiotherapy if conservative measures are insufficient or red flags are present.

Mental Health Concerns

• Stress-Related Conditions, Burnout & Adjustment Disorders: Helping individuals build resilience, develop adaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., problem-solving, relaxation techniques, mindfulness), and navigate stressful periods effectively to protect their mental and physical health.
• Insomnia & Chronic Sleep Disturbances: Comprehensive primary care management of common sleep disorders to restore healthy sleep patterns and improve overall health and well-being.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Assessment & Management (All Ages): Conducting initial assessments and ongoing management for ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults, using validated screening tools and collateral information (from parents, teachers). Providing psychoeducation, behavioral strategies, lifestyle coaching, academic/workplace accommodation discussions, evidence-based medication management (stimulants, non-stimulants), and referral to specialists (pediatricians, psychiatrists) for complex cases, diagnostic confirmation, or co-occurring conditions.
• Depression & Other Mood Disorders (e.g., Dysthymia, Seasonal Affective Disorder - Management): Helping individuals navigate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive symptoms, aiming to restore emotional well-being, daily functioning, and prevent relapse.

Pediatric Common Issues

• Newborn Care & Infant Feeding Support (Breastfeeding, Formula): Supporting new parents in caring for their infant, addressing common concerns (colic, reflux, sleep patterns), and promoting bonding and healthy attachment.
• Pediatric Asthma, Eczema & Allergy Management (Primary Care): Primary care coordination for childhood asthma, eczema, and allergies, ensuring optimal health, growth, and development, with close collaboration with pediatric specialists when necessary for severe or complex cases.
• Well-Baby & Well-Child Check-ups (Growth, Development, Nutrition, Safety): Ensuring your child meets key developmental stages according to age, receives all recommended preventative health screenings (e.g., vision, hearing, anemia, lead - as per guidelines), and appropriate immunizations in a timely manner.
• Adolescent Health Care & Counseling (Physical, Mental, Sexual Health, Lifestyle, Substance Use): Creating a safe, non-judgmental, and youth-friendly healthcare environment where teenagers feel comfortable discussing their health concerns openly, receive accurate information, build a trusting relationship with their doctor, and are empowered to take charge of their health.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Differentiating between benign and potentially suspicious skin lesions is a key role, with prompt biopsy or referral to dermatology if any features suggest skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma).
• Primary Care Skin Cancer Screening & Early Detection (Suspicious Mole/Lesion Assessment): Performing opportunistic or targeted skin examinations, especially for patients with risk factors (e.g., history of sun exposure, family history of skin cancer, multiple moles, fair skin), to screen for suspicious moles or lesions that could indicate skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma - BCC, squamous cell carcinoma - SCC, melanoma). Utilizing dermoscopy if trained to improve diagnostic accuracy. Performing skin biopsies (punch, shave, excisional) of concerning lesions or providing timely referrals to dermatology for further evaluation, biopsy, and management if skin cancer is suspected.
• Fungal Skin, Nail & Hair Infections (Tinea species, Candidiasis, Onychomycosis): Diagnosis (clinical, skin scraping/KOH preparation, fungal culture if needed) and treatment of common superficial fungal infections including tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea capitis (scalp ringworm - requires oral therapy), tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor), cutaneous candidiasis (e.g., intertrigo, diaper rash), and onychomycosis (fungal nail infections). Treatment involves topical antifungal creams/lotions/shampoos (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole) or oral antifungal medications (e.g., terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole) for more extensive, resistant, or nail/hair infections.
• Bacterial Skin Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis, Cellulitis - uncomplicated): Effective antimicrobial therapy for common bacterial skin infections to resolve infection, prevent spread, and alleviate associated symptoms.

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

• Thyroid Disorder Management (Hypo/Hyperthyroidism, Nodules, Hashimoto's): Comprehensive primary care for patients with various thyroid conditions, including initial investigation of thyroid abnormalities and coordination with endocrinology if needed.
• Cancer Screening Coordination (Cervical, Breast, Colorectal, Prostate, Lung - as per guidelines): Coordinating appropriate cancer screening tests tailored to your age, gender, family history, and individual risk factors, facilitating early detection.
• Assessment & Management of Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders: Providing comprehensive assessment, empathetic counseling, lifestyle advice (exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene), evidence-based medication management (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs), and facilitating timely referrals for psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, etc.) or psychiatric consultation for common mental health conditions.
• Management of Common Adult Acute & Chronic Illnesses: Diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of acute illnesses commonly affecting adults (e.g., respiratory infections, UTIs, skin conditions) and providing ongoing management for prevalent chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma, arthritis).
• Hospital Discharge Follow-Up & Transitions of Care Management: Providing prompt and comprehensive follow-up care after hospital stays, emergency room visits, or specialist procedures to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to the community. This includes medication reconciliation, review of discharge summaries and specialist reports, management of ongoing issues, addressing any new concerns, and coordination of any further treatment, rehabilitation, or home care services.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Gad. 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 Canadian Forces Health Service Cent, 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. Gad frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• A frequent goal for patients seeing Dr. Gad about a painful, red eye that might be conjunctivitis (pink eye) or something else is to achieve feeling substantially more hopeful and less overwhelmed about managing a difficult or life-altering health condition after comprehensive consultations and collaborative care planning with Dr. Gad. This success paves the way for them to re-engage with joyfully and responsibly taking care of beloved family pets, which includes activities like daily walking, regular feeding, grooming, active playtime, and providing necessary veterinary care.
• Addressing difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a flare-up of their asthma or COPD that needs attention with Dr. Gad often leads to having their children's physical growth parameters, crucial cognitive and language development, and social-emotional well-being consistently and meticulously monitored by Dr. Gad during regular well-child visits, with any emerging concerns or developmental deviations addressed promptly, appropriately, and effectively, enabling patients to more freely engage in reliably getting a full night of good quality, restorative, and uninterrupted sleep on a consistent basis, which is absolutely foundational to their overall physical health, emotional balance, cognitive function, and daytime productivity.
• The path to wellness when facing a minor injury like a sprained ankle from a misstep playing sports, or a small cut from cooking that might need stitches involves working towards navigating the unique physical and emotional journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and the demanding postpartum period with excellent, comprehensive, and reassuring medical guidance, continuity of care, and unwavering supportive care from Dr. Gad. Dr. Gad guides patients so they can again enjoy easily and safely being able to kneel down to play on the floor with pets or young children, bend over to tie shoelaces or pick things up, or squat as needed for various daily tasks, gardening, or exercise routines without pain or instability.
• The focus for patients with their elderly relative seeming more confused or withdrawn lately at Dr. Gad's practice is achieving successfully navigating the initial emotional and practical challenges of a new, unexpected serious diagnosis with Dr. Gad's consistent, empathetic support, reliable information, and proactive care coordination, facilitating a return to meaningful activities like feeling profoundly secure, deeply supported, and well-understood in having a trusted, accessible, and long-term medical advisor and health partner in Dr. Gad for any and all health questions, new symptoms, or emerging concerns that arise throughout their lives.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Gad, 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. Gad practices at Canadian Forces Health Service Cent, situated in a family medical practice in the central Courtice neighborhood of Courtice. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Street parking and nearby public or paid lots typically offer convenient options for visitors.

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

Your family doctor (Ontario) is your primary healthcare provider, expertly trained to care for a wide spectrum of health issues, from newborns to seniors. She manages acute illnesses and injuries, oversees the care of long-term chronic diseases, provides routine health screenings and lifestyle counseling, administers vaccinations, and ensures you get access to specialized medical services through referrals when needed. The continuity of care she provides, understanding your health history and individual needs, is fundamental to effective family medicine.

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 helpful 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.

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 health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes, insurance forms, and driver's medicals, may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with Canadian Forces Health Service Cent if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

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 if they are accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor accepting new patients can be difficult. Resources like Health Care Connect in Ontario or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website may be helpful. A referral from your family doctor is usually needed to see specialists.

Can Dr. Gad help with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression?

Family doctors like Dr. Gad are integral to supporting patients' mental health. She can assess symptoms of common mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD - initial screen), offer initial treatment options including counseling and medication if suitable, and connect you with more specialized mental health professionals or resources within the community if your needs are more complex. Your overall well-being, both physical and mental, is important to Dr. Gad.

How long do appointments with Dr. Gad typically last?

Appointment lengths vary. Standard appointments are often 10-15 minutes. Longer appointments (20-30 minutes or more) are needed for complex issues, physical exams, new patient visits, counseling, or procedures. When booking, mention the reason for your visit so the appropriate time can be allocated. If you have multiple issues, you may need to book separate appointments.

Canadian Forces Health Service Cent
1450 Durham Regional Hwy 2
Courtice, ON, L1E 3C3

Phone: (905) 721-4051

Dr. Nanette Maher Gad 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: 105907

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Gad-Nanette-Maher/0302784-105907

Family doctors like Dr. Gad 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.