The Rapids Family Health Team's (FHT) new space, dedicated to preventive care, will officially open on October 15.
The announcement was made Wednesday in conjunction with the celebration of its 20th anniversary.
Dignitaries, including Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, were on hand for a ceremony to pass along their congratulations.
The 3,000 square foot space will be located two doors down from the Health Team's site at 1150 Pontiac Dr. in Sarnia and will bring the team’s health education and preventive care programming together in a dedicated location.
Programming will include foot care, diabetes education, women’s health and menopause care, smoking cessation, and chronic disease supports including COPD and congestive heart failure.
Rapids FHT Executive Director Lynn Laidler said the organization was established in 2006 and began with a small team of four, which has significantly expanded over two decades.
"It's surreal because I never thought I'd be here this long," said Laidler. "I never knew that it could grow. I had a vision, but you know, I love it here. I love what I do. I have a great team, and I'm not done. My team has been amazing, and like any team, we go through our ups and our downs and valleys and mountains. I think this has been good for even them, to realize this is where we are and to highlight the care that they give, and the difference that they're making."
Since then, Rapids FHT has grown to approximately 68 staff working alongside 36 physicians, supporting a patient roster of more than 76,000 people across three locations.
Laidler said they'll also be making more space for a new residency program through the Schulich School of Medicine.
She said more details about that will be announced in the near future.
Board Chair Donna Morreau said the organization has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the Sarnia-Lambton community.
"It remains steadfast in its commitment to accessible, high-quality, patient-centered care," said Morreau. "What began as a vision for integrated primary health care has grown into a strong model of collaborative care that touches the lives of thousands of individuals and families every year. Throughout its history, Rapids Family Health Team has consistently demonstrated what is possible when healthcare professionals work together with a common purpose. By bringing physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, dietitians, pharmacists and other health care experts together under one collaborative model, the organization has built a best-in-class approach to primary care that is recognized and respected across the health care sector. What truly distinguishes Rapids Family Health Team is not only the quality of care provided but the compassion behind it."
Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team Executive Lead Nadine Neve said the partnership with Rapids has been fantastic.
"I'm super excited for Lynn and the team. We've worked so closely together over the years in multiple different capacities," said Neve. "Before I took on this role, and I was previously at Bluewater Health, we worked really closely in that role. When I came into this role, she was the first person I called and said, 'Lynn, I got this new job, what do I do?' So, really, really excited to see them be able to celebrate 20 years and just the partnerships. Specifically in her address, Deputy Health Minister [Sylvia] Jones spoke about the investments over the last year. We were part of coordinating and organizing that, but it's the teams that really make those dollars, utilize them and make them happen. I'm really excited to see all of these programs and the new space come into play."
Meanwhile, a new family physician will be joining the FHT in February 2027.
Dr. Dilani Cumarasivam brings more than 18 years of clinical experience in Canada and internationally, and has additional training in women’s health.
She recently completed her Rural Family Medicine Residency through Western University’s Petrolia stream and is independently licensed to practice in Ontario.
Dr. Cumarasivam and her family have called Canada home since 2012, and speaks seven languages.
“I’m excited to establish my practice in Sarnia,” she said. “I look forward to working with and contributing to the Sarnia-Lambton community.”
Individuals looking for a primary care provider can complete an application in person at Rapids Family Health Team.
