Dr. Simraaj Kaur Powar

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

Mental Health Concerns

• 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.
• 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.
• Anxiety Disorders (Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety - Management): Ongoing management and support for anxiety disorders, helping patients develop coping strategies, achieve symptom remission or reduction, and improve overall well-being.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• 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.
• Bacterial Skin Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis, Cellulitis - uncomplicated): Diagnosis and treatment of common superficial bacterial skin infections such as impetigo (honey-crusted lesions), folliculitis (infected hair follicles), and uncomplicated cellulitis (localized skin infection with redness, warmth, swelling, pain) or erysipelas. Management includes topical antibiotics (e.g., mupirocin, fusidic acid) for localized infections or oral antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin, cloxacillin, clindamycin) for more extensive or systemic involvement. Advice on wound care and hygiene.
• Viral Skin Infections (Common Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster/Shingles): Primary care management for common skin infections caused by viruses, including patient education on the nature of these infections and strategies for managing recurrences.
• 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.

Common Chronic Conditions

• 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.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Primary Care Management: Helping individuals understand and manage their IBS symptoms to improve digestive comfort and quality of life.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD - Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis): Comprehensive management strategies for COPD, focusing on smoking cessation support (critical for slowing progression), appropriate pharmacological therapy (bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids), supplemental oxygen therapy assessment (if needed), pulmonary rehabilitation referrals, influenza/pneumococcal vaccinations, and proactive management of exacerbations to improve quality of life, reduce symptoms (breathlessness, chronic cough, sputum production), and slow disease progression.
• 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.

Pediatric Common Issues

• Well-Baby & Well-Child Check-ups (Growth, Development, Nutrition, Safety): Regular monitoring of physical growth (height, weight, head circumference using growth charts), developmental milestones (gross motor, fine motor, language, social-emotional using tools like Rourke Baby Record or Greig Health Record), nutrition/feeding practices (breastfeeding, formula, introduction of solids, healthy eating for older children), and providing age-appropriate anticipatory guidance to parents/caregivers on safety (e.g., car seats, safe sleep, poison prevention, injury prevention), behavior, sleep, dental health, and fostering healthy habits from infancy through school age.
• Pediatric Asthma, Eczema & Allergy Management (Primary Care): Helping children and their families manage long-term health conditions effectively, enabling active participation in all aspects of childhood including school, sports, and play, while minimizing symptoms and exacerbations.
• Developmental, Behavioral & Learning Concerns in Children (Screening, Initial Assessment, Guidance & Referral Coordination): Performing routine developmental surveillance and targeted screening (e.g., using Ages & Stages Questionnaires - ASQ) when parents or educators raise concerns regarding potential developmental delays (in speech/language, gross/fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, social-emotional development). Offering initial assessment and guidance for common behavioral issues (e.g., significant tantrums, sleep problems, childhood anxiety, aggression), symptoms suggestive of ADHD, or learning difficulties.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Mechanical Low Back & Neck Pain (Acute, Subacute, Chronic - Uncomplicated): Primary care coordination for back and neck pain, including referral to physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, or specialist pain services when appropriate for persistent or disabling symptoms.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) - Diagnosis, Management & Monitoring (Often with Rheumatology Co-Management): Long-term management of PMR involves a very slow and gradual tapering of corticosteroids over 1-2 years (or longer), carefully monitoring for clinical relapse (recurrence of symptoms) and adjusting steroid dose accordingly. Also includes monitoring for and managing potential corticosteroid side effects (e.g., osteoporosis - bone protection with calcium/vitamin D, bisphosphonates if needed; hyperglycemia; hypertension; weight gain; mood changes; skin fragility).
• 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. Powar. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.

• Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Childhood Illnesses: Providing prompt, effective, and child-friendly care for common infections and acute conditions to ensure quick recovery and prevent complications.
• Management of Common Adult Acute & Chronic Illnesses: Expert management of prevalent adult health concerns to support optimal health, function, and quality of life.
• Stress Management, Burnout & Adjustment Disorder Support: Helping patients build resilience, develop adaptive coping mechanisms, and navigate stressful periods effectively to protect their mental and physical health.
• Fungal, Viral & Bacterial Skin Infections: Effective remedies for bothersome infections of the skin, hair, and nails.
• Sexually Transmitted & Blood-Borne Infection (STBBI) Screening, Counseling & Treatment: Confidential screening for common STBBIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B/C) based on risk factors and guidelines. Includes counseling on prevention, safe practices, partner notification if applicable, and providing treatment for common STIs.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Powar. 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 Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, 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. Powar frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Dr. Powar supports patients through needing to get their routine immunizations updated or the annual flu shot for the whole family, aiming for outcomes like successfully achieving their specific, meaningful, and personal health goals, whether it's achieving sustainable and healthy weight management, successfully quitting smoking or vaping after multiple attempts, consistently maintaining improved physical fitness levels, or achieving significantly better daily pain control and function, so they can return to activities such as 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.
• Patients experiencing ongoing digestive issues like persistent heartburn after meals, uncomfortable bloating, or frequent stomach upset often seek Dr. Powar's help to improve their quality of life. A key goal is feeling confident, secure, and proactive in their health because their preventative health screening needs (e.g., for cervical, breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers, as well as screening for AAA, STBBIs, or domestic violence when appropriate) are being diligently and appropriately addressed according to current, evidence-based Canadian guidelines by {preferred_name}, supporting their return to activities like faithfully taking their cherished dog (or other pets) for long, brisk, enjoyable walks in the neighborhood park, through local trails, or along the beach every single day, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, for mutual benefit.
• Patients with their elderly relative seeming more confused or withdrawn lately can find relief and 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 {preferred_name} under Dr. Powar's care, often allowing them to resume actively and diligently engaging in their prescribed recovery process and rehabilitation program after an unexpected injury, a planned surgery, or a significant medical event by consistently following all professional advice and exercises without former limitations.
• Addressing a follow-up visit after being discharged from the hospital for an illness or surgery to ensure recovery is on track with Dr. Powar often leads to feeling deeply understood, consistently validated, and never dismissed by {preferred_name} when discussing sensitive, personal, or emotionally difficult health topics or life circumstances, enabling patients to more freely engage in consistently maintaining good, ergonomic posture and avoiding musculoskeletal discomfort while working for extended periods at a computer station, office desk, or in other sedentary job roles.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Powar, 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. Powar practices at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, located in the Bronte West neighborhood of Oakville. The clinic is conveniently located near Downtown Oakville and is accessible via Oakville Transit. Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

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

Yes, as your family doctor, Dr. Powar plays a crucial role in mental healthcare. She is often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress-related issues, sleep problems, or concerns about substance use. Dr. Powar can provide an initial assessment, offer supportive counseling and lifestyle strategies, prescribe medication if appropriate and indicated, and make referrals to specialized mental health services such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or community mental health programs if more intensive or specialized care is needed. Dr. Powar can provide ongoing support and management for many common mental health conditions.

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.

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 may be helpful in your search. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most medical specialists.

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

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. Powar's office. Please allow at least 2-3 business days for these requests to be processed. 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. Powar, 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.

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

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario often has a 'Find a Doctor' tool or list. In Ontario, you can register with Health Care Connect. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. Finding a family doctor may take time and effort.

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. Some services (e.g., cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes, insurance forms, driver's medicals) may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

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

Preventative care provided by Dr. Powar aims to stop health issues from occurring or to catch them at an early, more manageable stage. This includes regular physical exams, vaccinations, screenings for common conditions like certain cancers or heart disease risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol), and personalized advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking. It’s about being proactive with your health rather than just treating problems as they arise, and Dr. Powar can help guide you in these efforts.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
2441 Lakeshore Rd W
Oakville, ON, L6L 5V5

Phone: (905) 847-2021

Dr. Simraaj Kaur Powar 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: 116871

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Powar-Simraaj-Kaur/0325607-116871

Family doctors like Dr. Powar 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.