Description
About Dr. Samuel Ko
Specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Samuel Ko (an OBGYN) is committed to delivering personalized and evidence-based care to patients in Scarborough, fostering a supportive healthcare environment. Practicing at a clinic and/or hospital setting in Scarborough, ON, he offers accessible and high-quality care to the community. The facility is located in areas near central Scarborough, easily accessible via local public transit. It is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfort and convenience for all patients. Metered street parking is available nearby, providing additional options for those visiting the practice.
Dr. Ko provides comprehensive care across the full scope of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including routine and complex conditions. His approach emphasizes patient-centered care, addressing women’s health needs at every stage of life—from adolescence through menopause and beyond. With a focus on creating a supportive environment, he aims to empower women to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Dr. Samuel Ko graduated with a Medical Degree from Queen's University in 2003 in Canada. He has been practicing as a specialist in Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) for over 16 years since 2008. He is certified as a RCPSC Specialist, reflecting his dedication to maintaining high standards of medical expertise and ethical practice. His extensive experience allows him to manage a wide range of women's health issues with compassion and professionalism.
His clinical philosophy centers on providing patient-centered care, promoting shared decision-making, and utilizing the latest evidence-based practices. Dr. Ko is dedicated to improving women’s health outcomes in Scarborough, offering services in multiple languages including Cantonese, Chinese, English, and Mandarin, to ensure effective communication and culturally sensitive care.
Common Conditions Dr. Samuel Ko Addresses
Dr. Samuel Ko provides care for a wide spectrum of women's health issues, including:
Menstrual and Hormonal Disorders
- Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods): Cramping and pelvic pain associated with menstruation, which can range from mild to severe and impact daily activities.
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (Heavy, Irregular, Prolonged Periods): Menstrual bleeding that is different in frequency, duration, or amount than what is typical for an individual, requiring investigation.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and/or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.
Gynecologic Cancers and Precancerous Conditions
- Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VAIN) & Vaginal Cancer: Precancerous changes (VAIN) or rare cancers affecting the vagina.
- Endometrial Hyperplasia & Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Precancerous thickening of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia) or cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
- Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN) & Vulvar Cancer: Precancerous changes (VIN) or malignant tumors affecting the external female genitalia (vulva).
Common Benign Gynecological Conditions
- Adenomyosis: A condition where endometrial tissue exists within and grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often causing heavy, painful periods.
- Vaginitis (Yeast Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis): Inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching, and pain, commonly caused by infections or imbalances in vaginal flora.
- Ovarian Cysts (Functional, Dermoid, Endometriomas): Fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary or on its surface, which are common and often benign but can sometimes cause pain or require intervention.
This list highlights some common conditions managed within Obstetrics and Gynecology and is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific health concerns, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Samuel Ko or your primary care physician for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate referral if needed.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Services Offered by Dr. Samuel Ko
- Surgical Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (e.g., Colporrhaphy, Sacrocolpopexy): Reconstructive surgical procedures to correct the descent of pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum, often utilizing native tissue repair or mesh augmentation.
- Menopause & Perimenopause Symptom Management: Personalized guidance and treatment options for symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep issues, and discussion of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal alternatives.
- Annual Gynecological Exams & Well-Woman Care: Routine check-ups including pelvic exams, clinical breast exams, preventative health screenings, and discussion of overall gynecological health.
- Diagnostic & Operative Hysteroscopy: Procedure using a thin, lighted scope to examine the inside of the uterus and perform minor surgical treatments such as polyp removal, fibroid resection, or septum correction.
- Management of Menstrual Disorders & Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Diagnosis and treatment for conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), irregular periods, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), amenorrhea (absence of periods), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/PMDD.
- Pap Tests, HPV Testing & Cervical Cancer Screening (Colposcopy, LEEP): Cervical cancer screening through Pap tests and HPV testing, with follow-up diagnostic procedures like colposcopy and treatment for precancerous changes (e.g., LEEP - Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure).
- Hysterectomy (Abdominal, Vaginal, Laparoscopic, Robotic-Assisted): Surgical removal of the uterus, performed through various approaches including minimally invasive techniques, depending on the medical indication and patient factors.
Note: This list may provide an overview of common services in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Ko provides a wide array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical options tailored to individual patient needs within women's health, pregnancy, and childbirth. Specific services offered can be confirmed by contacting the clinic.
All medical and surgical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). A referral may be required for insured services.
Practice Location & Accessibility
Dr. Samuel Ko's practice is situated within a modern clinic in a convenient location in Scarborough, ON. The facility is in close proximity to key local points of interest and is easily accessible via multiple modes of transportation, including local public transit. The clinic is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all patients. Metered street parking is available nearby, providing flexible options for those visiting by car. The practice is located in an area that balances ease of access with a welcoming environment, dedicated to delivering quality women's health services to the community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Obstetrics and Gynecology Care
- Are services from Dr. Ko, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Medically necessary consultations, prenatal care, delivery, gynecological surgeries, and diagnostic procedures performed by a licensed Obstetrician and Gynecologist like Dr. Ko are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON when you have a valid referral from your family doctor or another referring physician. Some elective procedures, certain fertility treatments, or non-medically indicated services may not be covered. It's always recommended to confirm specific coverage details with Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or the clinic.
- Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Ko, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist?
- Yes, for services to be covered by your provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)), a referral from your family physician or another specialist is typically required to see an Obstetrician and Gynecologist like Dr. Ko for most consultations and treatments. This ensures coordinated care. Some specific services or clinics (e.g., some sexual health or contraception clinics) might have different access pathways, but for ongoing obstetrical or gynecological care, a referral is standard. Please check with Dr. Ko's office or your referring doctor.
- At which hospital(s) does Dr. Ko deliver babies or perform surgeries?
- Dr. Ko is affiliated with affiliated local hospitals. You can confirm the specific hospital(s) where he performs deliveries and gynecological surgeries by contacting Dr. Ko's office directly. This information is important for planning your care and delivery.
- What does an Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) like Dr. Ko do?
- An Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN), like Dr. Ko, is a medical doctor specializing in women's reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. They provide care throughout a woman's life, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum support, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions (e.g., infections, fibroids, endometriosis, menstrual disorders), family planning, contraceptive management, preventative screenings like Pap tests, and management of menopausal symptoms.
- Does Dr. Ko manage high-risk pregnancies?
- Many OBGYNs manage a range of pregnancies, including some with moderate risk factors. Dr. Ko has a particular focus on/experience with managing high-risk pregnancies, which may include conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, multiple gestations (twins/triplets), or pre-existing maternal health issues. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk due to specific maternal or fetal conditions, Dr. Ko will provide comprehensive care and may work closely with, or refer you to, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist if needed for highly specialized management. It's best to discuss your specific situation with Dr. Ko.
- Does Dr. Ko discuss or offer the HPV vaccine?
- The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is highly effective in preventing infections with HPV types that cause most cervical cancers, as well as other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Dr. Ko can discuss the benefits of the HPV vaccine, current recommendations for different age groups (including catch-up vaccination for adults), and can either provide the vaccine or refer you to where it can be obtained, depending on clinic services and provincial programs.
Contact & Licensing Information
Unit 13, 4190 Finch Avenue East
Scarborough, ON M1S 4T7
Phone: (416) 773-0102 | Fax: (416) 773-0103
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Ko is a licensed Obstetrician and Gynecologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from your family physician or another qualified healthcare provider is typically required for provincially insured consultations and treatments.
Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Ko-Samuel/0200888-79185