This Isn’t Just About Finding a Doctor. It’s About Finding Your Health.

Get started on your care journey today with one of our focused support pathways. Whether you’re facing stress, diabetes, or breathing issues — we’re here to help you take the first step.

🧠 It’s Not Just About Getting a Doctor—It’s About Starting to Heal

Many people come to this site looking for a family doctor—and that’s important. But you don’t need to wait to start feeling better.

Whether you’re managing stress, diabetes, or lung issues, you have the ability to become more present, more aware, and more in control of your health—starting now.

This pathway offers you a place to begin, to learn, and to move forward—with the support of others and a plan designed just for you.

🔍 Why We Start with Stress, Diabetes, and Lung Conditions

Many people come to this site looking for a family doctor—and that’s important. But you don’t need to wait to start feeling better.

Whether you’re managing stress, diabetes, or lung issues, you have the ability to become more present, more aware, and more in control of your health—starting now.

This pathway offers you a place to begin, to learn, and to move forward—with the support of others and a plan designed just for you.

🗓️ What’s Next? A Group That Fits Your Needs

Once you complete one (or more) of the pathway forms, you’ll be invited to a free group intake session.

These sessions are:

•Small, confidential, and supportive

•Guided by trained professionals

•Open to patients and caregivers

If the patient can’t attend, a caregiver can come instead.

This is your next step—from intake to impact. All you have to do is start.

Feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed?

This pathway helps you understand what’s going on inside and introduces you to a simple, presence-based approach to healing.

New to diabetes or feeling stuck?

This pathway will help you understand your numbers, learn about food and habits, and take control with clear guidance and support.

Managing COPD or heart failure? Caring for someone who is?

This pathway helps you or your caregiver learn to monitor breathing, spot warning signs early, and prevent flare-ups.

What Others Like You Are Saying

“At first, I joined just to learn about my diabetes. But it was the presence therapy that changed everything. It helped me slow down, actually listen to my body, and not panic when my sugars fluctuated. I’ve got more energy now, I’m walking again, and I feel like I’m finally living instead of just managing.”

– Maya R., Participant in Diabetes & Wellness Program

“At first, I joined just to learn about my diabetes. But it was the presence therapy that changed everything. It helped me slow down, actually listen to my body, and not panic when my sugars fluctuated. I’ve got more energy now, I’m walking again, and I feel like I’m finally living instead of just managing.”

– Maya R., Participant in Diabetes & Wellness Program

“Before this, I didn’t know what presence was. I just knew I was stressed all the time. The group gave me a pause—space to feel my breath, my body, and not be in fight-or-flight mode 24/7. I’m sleeping better. I’m thinking clearer. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m enough.”

– Jordan S., Presence Therapy Participant

“What helped me most wasn’t just the breathing tips. It was knowing I wasn’t alone. Every week, I showed up to a group that got it. I learned how to spot warning signs before it gets bad, and I haven’t needed the hospital in three months. That’s a first.”

– George M., Living with COPD

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve completed one or more intake forms, your next step is to join a group session.

These sessions are free, supportive, and designed to help you understand what’s next in your care journey.

If the patient can’t attend, a caregiver is welcome to attend in their place.

Durham OHT EOI – Budget & Operational Framework

Welcome, colleagues —

This page contains a working draft of the Durham OHT Expression of Interest proposal, including operational and budget considerations developed for the L1T postal code initiative. This page is shared securely with the planning team for review and feedback.

Please enter the password provided to access the full content. For questions or collaboration, feel free to contact Dr. Carlos Yu directly.


EOI – Operational and Budget Considerations

Ajax Harwood Clinic & Regional Physician Wellness Supports
Submitted by Dr. Carlos Yu – April 2025

Section A: Clinic Onboarding Support – Ajax Harwood Clinic

Goal: Roster 400–600 new patients in the L1T area within 12 months.

Rationale: Based on Ontario’s recent investment of $110 million to support primary care access for 328,000 individuals (approx. $335 per patient), this proposal aligns with expected funding envelopes. For 6,000 patients, this equates to a feasible budget target of ~$2 million.

This model prioritizes patients with the highest need — including those with mental health conditions, complex chronic disease, and high system utilization. These patients drive disproportionate costs in emergency, specialty, and inpatient care. By supporting them effectively at the primary care level:

  • We reduce downstream system burden, including ER visits and hospital admissions.
  • We address mental health-related productivity losses and inefficiencies through group care and structured support.
  • We reduce physician burnout through structured onboarding and team-based support.
  • We intervene early in metabolic syndrome trajectories to prevent escalation.

Even if not all 6,000 patients can be attached immediately, this investment creates the infrastructure to welcome them when they are ready—and delivers measurable return to the system for those who do engage.

Budget Breakdown:

CategoryDescriptionEstimated Annual Cost
RN Care Navigator (0.6 FTE)Intake triage, orientation, EMR setup, health needs screening$65,000
MOA/Admin Support (0.5 FTE)Scheduling, follow-ups, referral support$35,000
Empowered Care Platform Dev & ExpansionDIPA compliance, secure hosting, multi-clinic onboarding, training & toolkits$75,000
Infrastructure ExpansionClinic readiness for additional physician(s)$10,000
Subtotal – Clinic Support$185,000/year

Note: Empowered Care is designed as a scalable asset across L1T clinics. It supports digital onboarding, documentation, patient self-orientation, and group medical visit facilitation. It will require ongoing platform support and tech refinement throughout the year to scale effectively.

Section B: Mental Health & Chronic Disease Pathways

CategoryDescriptionEstimated Annual Cost
Diabetes Educator (1.0 FTE, shared)Shared across clinics; insulin starts, group education$90,000
Group Mental Health Facilitator (0.5 FTE)Supports onboarding of patients with trauma/anxiety$45,000
Contingency – NP/RNOverflow or high-complexity support$60,000
Subtotal – Clinical Pathway Support$195,000/year

Section C: Physician Wellness Model – Co-Facilitated, Peer-Based

CategoryDescriptionEstimated Annual Cost
Physician Participation Stipend12 monthly circles × 20 physicians × $250$60,000
Presence Therapy CMEAccredited program – 2 cohorts/year$20,000
Admin SupportScheduling, outreach, logistics$18,000
Subtotal – Wellness Supports$98,000/year

This model supports physician resilience and reduces burnout. Each participant is equally compensated, and sessions focus on presence, connection, and shared system improvement.

Section D: Rollout Timeline & Budget Overview

PhaseDescriptionBudget
Start-up (Months 1–3)Team onboarding, Empowered Care setup, clinic prep$125,000
Operational (Year 1)Full rollout of patient attachment & care models$400,000–450,000
Post-Year 1Continued support for pathways and wellness programming~$175,000/year

Optional Expansion: L1T Community Site

  • A pharmacy site on Williamson Rd may serve as a satellite intake/group care location
  • Currently underutilized and centrally located within L1T
  • May operate as an extension of Ajax Harwood or as a standalone health node
  • Open to exploration if aligned with team goals