To be eligible for the program, you need:
- To be 18 years of age or older
- Have a valid OHIP card
- Have a primary care provider willing to continue therapy after discharge from the Gender-Affirming Care Clinic
Referrals can be made by a primary care provider who will also provide follow-up care. Once eligibility is confirmed, the referral will be reviewed, and you will be contacted by a member of our team to schedule an appointment.
You will need to bring:
- Valid OHIP card
- List of medications or medication bottles
If you need to reschedule your appointment, please let us know 24 to 48 hours in advance by calling 613-241-3344.
Referral criteria:
Reason for referral: Hormone starts and/or surgical readiness assessment
Criteria: 18+ with a valid OHIP card
Our clinic accepts referrals by fax. Please complete all fields in the referral
form and fax to 613-241-2755.
Dr. William Caron, MD, CCFP Physician (pronouns: he/him)
Dr. Caron graduated from medical school at McMaster University in 2016 after completing his Bachelor of Science through McGill University. He also completed his family medicine residency in 2018 through McMaster, where he developed his interest in gender affirming care. Dr Caron brings nine years of experience in gender affirming hormone care and surgical assessments, and is deeply passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ health.
Dr. Caron currently has his practice at the Bruyère Health Academic Family Medicine Team, where he is deeply involved in medical education, and ensures that future family physicians feel comfortable, and confident, in gender affirming care. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. In his spare time, he loves to run, curl, read, and be in the company of his husband and their dog.
Tawnya Shimizu, Nurse Practitioner - PHC (pronouns: she/her)
NP Shimizu graduated from the Nursing program at Algonquin College before completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa and her Master of Nursing at Athabasca University. She has been a Registered Nurse for 12 years and has practiced as a Nurse Practitioner since 2008.
NP Shimizu works full-time at the Bruyère Health Academic Family Medicine Team and teaches the final two courses of the Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Ottawa. She is deeply passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ health and is committed to providing inclusive, gender-affirming, and patient-centered care. Her work in the Gender Affirming Care Clinic allows her to combine her clinical expertise with her dedication to fostering safe, affirming healthcare spaces for all.
Kathleen Burgess, Nurse Practitioner- PHC (pronouns: she/her)
NP Burgess graduated from the Master of Nursing/Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care program at the University of Toronto in 2022 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017. She has 8 years of nursing experience and has been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner since 2022 when she joined the Bruyère Health Academic Family Medicine Team.
In Kathleen’s full-time clinical role, she provides comprehensive, patient-centred primary health care. She is passionate about NP education and supervises NP students in their clinical placements. Kathleen has a special interest in 2SLGBTQ+ health and gender affirming care. She has been providing gender affirming hormone care and surgical assessments since January 2023. She is committed to reducing barriers to accessing gender affirming care and supporting future primary care providers to develop competency in caring for gender diverse individuals.
How long do I have to wait for an appointment?
Our wait times vary. We will review your referral, and a member of our team will follow up as soon as we can. If your condition changes while you are waiting, please have your doctor reach out to the clinic with an update.
Who should I contact with questions and concerns?
While you wait for your referral, please continue to share your questions and concerns with your primary care provider. For any issues related to personal safety, call 911. This includes emergencies involving your gender diversity-related concerns.