Our Story

The Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre (ONHC) has had tremendous growth since 2008. A small initiative started by a couple of physicians, the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, Champlain Local Health Integration Network, and a few other champions who saw a problem and put their minds together to come up with a solution.

The challenge: Government Assisted Refugees arrived in Ottawa but were not able to access immediate health care services.

The solution: Bring health care providers to those newcomers staying at Maison Sophia (aka Reception House), run by Catholic Centre for Immigrants. Although, far from ideal, this provided some level of health care to newcomers who were not able to readily access health care services.

The players:
Catholic Centre for Immigrants: provided access to a clinic space at Maison Sophia.
Dr. Kevin Pottie and Dr. Doug Gruner from Bruyere Academic Family Health Team: along with other physicians were the first ones to provide on-site health care services for individuals staying at Maison Sophia.
Elaine Medline from the Champlain Local Health Integration Network: was extremely interested in this initiative and provided start-up funds initially and has since been our primary funder.
Somerset West Community Health Centre: offered nursing staff to offer services on-site at Maison Sophia.

These individuals, along with other partners were dedicated to make this initiative a success. Finally, in 2010, those who were involved applied for funding making the case for the need to have a dedicated centre for newcomer health. Through collaboration and efforts from those involved, we went from being called Reception House to Wellness Centre to ultimately being known as the Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre. What started out in a small storage room with unstable funding has now transformed into a permanent health centre with stable and ongoing funding to serve newcomers to Ottawa. What continues to be a constant in our story is the dedication and passion of those involved.

The majority of ONHC’s staff have lived experience as a newcomer to Canada. Over 80% of ONHC’s team is either first or second-generation immigrant. So we know what it’s like to be confused about the healthcare system and how it works, to be overwhelmed by the number of forms to be filled or be unaware of how to find a primary care provider. Our priorities include health system education, system navigation and advocacy. We strive for timely, coordinated and culturally appropriate care. Here’s a look at how far we’ve come from our humble beginnings.