Ancient Rivers Family Health Team

📣 Coming September 8, 2026! 📣

We're excited to launch our Nurse Practitioner Led Urgent Care Clinic to help patients access timely care for urgent, non-life-threatening health concerns.

✅ Same-day appointments will be available Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm, bookable up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Appointments will be available to book online or by calling 343-361-3299
✅ Will be available to Ontarians living in Renfrew, Calabogie, and surrounding communities, or those with a doctor or nurse practitioner affiliated with Ancient Rivers Family Health Team. See website for details.
✅ Free of charge

Once launched, the Urgent Care Clinic will be able to help with concerns such as colds, flu, sore throats, ear and sinus infections, UTIs, minor cuts & burns, sprains & strains, rashes, and more.

If you have a doctor or nurse practitioner, please contact them first as they may be able to offer a same-day or next-day appointment. This clinic is intended to support patients who are unable to access their regular provider promptly or do not have a regular provider.

⚠️ For emergencies, call 911 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about eligibility and services on our website:
👉https://www.arfht.ca/programs-and-services/urgent-care-clinic/ 👈

We look forward to launching on September 8!

ARFHT's September 2026 Groups & Workshops are starting soon! Whether you're looking to build emotional wellness skills, support your baby’s feeding journey, improve your physical health, or stay active in your community, we've got something for you in September.

💙 NEW! Working with Emotions: DBT Skills Group
📅 Tuesdays, September 15 to November 3, 2026 (Nov 10th back up end date)
🕜 1:30-3:00 pm
Learn practical skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy relationships through this free 8-week program.

🚶 Walking Group
📅 Starts Tuesday, September 15, 2026
🕘 9:00-10:00 am
Free drop-in program. No registration required!

❤️ Vital Steps: Cardiopulmonary Rehab Exercise Group
📅 Starts Thursday, September 17, 2026
🕘 9:00-10:00 am
A specialized exercise and education program for adults with stable heart or lung conditions.

💪 Strong & Steady: Strength & Balance Exercise Group
📅 Starts Thursday, September 17, 2026
🕥 10:30-11:30 am
Improve strength, balance, and confidence in movement in a supportive group setting.

🍼 NEW! Birth to 6 Months Infant Feeding Workshop
📅 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕚 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn the basics of infant feeding, hunger and fullness cues, vitamin D recommendations, and healthy growth and development.

🥄 NEW! Starting Solids Workshop
📅 Wednesday, September 30, 2026
🕚 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn when and how to introduce solids, iron-rich foods, allergens, and age-appropriate textures.

✅ These programs are free and available for Ontarians wishing to register.

✍️ Learn more and register through our registration platform: https://tinyurl.com/FHTgroup

Cervical cancer screening (formerly pap test) is a lifesaver!

You don’t need a family doctor or nurse practitioner to participate in this FREE screening program.

You may qualify if you:
➡️ are 25+
➡️ are a woman, Two-Spirit, transmasculine, or nonbinary person with a cervix
➡️ have ever had sexual contact
➡️ do not have symptoms like unusual bleeding or discharge
➡️ are due for screening (every 5 years in Ontario)

📅 Book your screening now:
Visit: www.rcvtac.ca
Call: 1-844-727-6404
Learn more: www.ovoht.ca/paptest
Screening criteria: www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/cervical/screening

📣 Volunteers Needed!

Want to help shape healthcare across the Ottawa Valley? Join the Patient, Family & Caregiver Network (PFAC) and make your voice count.

Who can join?
💙 Patients, family members, or caregivers who are interested in volunteering.
💙 People willing to share their perspectives in a respectful and confidential setting.
💙 Community members who want to make a positive impact on healthcare.

👉 Sign up or learn more: www.ovoht.ca/pfac

📧 Questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

Our exercise groups are starting up again in September, sign up now!

💪Walking group runs Tuesdays from Sept 15-Nov 24 from 9-10am at the myFM Centre. Come walk with an allied health team member. No registration needed, just show up!

💪Vital Steps: Cardiopulmonary Rehab Exercise Group runs Thursdays from Sept 17th – Nov 19th from 9–10am at the myFM Centre (OPG Room). Led by a kinesiologist and nurse, this program is designed for individuals with heart or lung conditions and provides safe. These sessions provide tailored exercise, health education, and lifestyle support to help improve cardiovascular and respiratory health. Registration required.

💪Strong and Steady: Strength & Balance Exercise Group runs Thursdays from Sept 17th – Nov 19th from 10:30am–11:30am at the myFM Centre. Led by a kinesiologist, this program is designed to help adults 40+ improve strength, balance, and confidence in movement. Each session combines safe, guided exercise with health education and social connection in a welcoming, supportive setting. Registration required.

We are grateful to the for partnering in providing space to host our group programs.

Spots are limited!

Visit the Groups section of our website for locations, details, and registration info 👉 https://www.arfht.ca/groups/

Ancient Rivers Family Health Team is currently seeking to fill the following positions:

🌟full time temporary Medical Receptionist (until March 31, 2027)
🌟full or part time temporary Registered Dietitian (until March 31, 2027)
🌟part time (15 hours per week) temporary Registered Kinesiologist (until March 31, 2027)
🌟part time (22.5 hours per week) permanent Nurse Practitioner

Our organization brings together physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to support the health and wellbeing of people in Renfrew and the surrounding area.

If you’re interested in joining a supportive, interdisciplinary team focused on patient-centred care, we invite you to apply!

Please visit the careers section of our website for more info:
👉https://www.arfht.ca/about/career-opportunities/ 👈

Infant & Toddler Feeding Workshop Series

Supporting your child's feeding journey from birth through toddlerhood! Join our Dietitian and Nurse for a free virtual workshop series designed to help you navigate each stage with confidence. Sign up for any or all of the workshops you are interested in!

📅 Birth to 6 Months Infant Feeding Workshop
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | ⏲️ 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn the basics of breastfeeding and formula feeding, hunger and fullness cues, vitamin D recommendations, and supporting healthy growth and development.

📅Starting Solids Workshop
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | ⏲️ 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn when your baby is ready for solids, how to introduce first foods, include iron-rich options, safely introduce allergens, and offer age-appropriate textures.

📅 Toddler Feeding Workshop
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | ⏲️ 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Explore feeding from late infancy through toddlerhood, including texture progression, self-feeding skills, balanced meals and snacks, milk transitions, common feeding challenges, and food safety.

🖥️Virtual workshops
✅ Open to parents, caregivers, and expecting families
💲Free program
✍️Spots are limited! Learn more and register today through the Groups section of our website 👉 www.arfht.ca/groups

Working with Emotions Group: DBT Skills (NEW!)

Working with Emotions DBT Skills Group, is starting this fall! – Sign up soon, spots are limited!

📅 Tuesdays, September 15th to November 3rd, 2026
🕐 1:30 pm–3:00 pm
📍 myFM Centre, 1 Ma-te-Way Park Dr, Renfrew (in partnership with Town of Renfrew)

Led by our Mental Health Team, the program teaches practical skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy relationships through an 8 week group and 3 individual support sessions. Develop skills to help manage overwhelming emotions, cope with distress, and respond more effectively to life's challenges.

✅ Open to adults (18+)
👥 Maximum 12 participants
💲 Free program
✍️ Learn more and register today through the Groups section of our website 👉 www.arfht.ca/groups

🎗️ Are you overdue for cancer screening but don't have a primary care provider?

Eligible residents across Eastern Ontario can access free cancer screening through the Champlain Screening Outreach Program.

Screening is available for:
✔️ Breast cancer (mammogram)
✔️ Cervical cancer (HPV screening)
✔️ Colon cancer (FIT kit)
✔️ Lung cancer (low-dose CT scan)

**Cervical cancer screening**
Book an appointment through VTAC by visiting www.rcvtac.ca/paptest or calling 1-844-727-6404.

**Breast, colon and lung cancer screening**
Access screening through Health811 or the Champlain Screening Outreach Program by calling 1-833-551-4125 or booking online at www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/cancerscreening.

Early detection can save lives. If you're eligible and overdue for screening, don't wait. Take the next step today.