Patient Information Portal

What is Internal Medicine?

Specialists in Internal Medicine (often called "internists") deal with the diagnosis, prevention, and non-surgical management of diseases of the internal organs in adults. These include heart, lung, kidney, bone and muscle, endocrine (gland) conditions.

Common conditions treated include:

  • Cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, stroke, arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), and coronary artery disease.
  • Endocrine disorders such as high cholesterol and diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis.
  • Pulmonary disorders such as asthma and chronic bronchitis/emphysema.
  • Blood disorders including too high or low blood counts, blood clots.
  • Hospitalist medicine (care of the acutely ill in the hospital).
  • Geriatric Medicine - dementia, frailty, fall prevention.
  • Obstetric Medicine – management of medical diseases such as hypertension in pregnancy.

How do I obtain an appointment with Dr. McKenna?

Dr. McKenna’s office at 1833 Cassells focusses on Obstetric Medicine, and management of complex cases with multiple medical disorders.

Note that older adults are seen in consult with the Nipissing Specialized Geriatric Medicine clinic.

Your family physician can refer you directly to Dr. McKenna for a consultation. Please see contact and referral page to ensure referral directed to correct clinic.

What is the Wait Time?

Referrals are triaged based upon urgency. As one of only 3 General internists in North Bay with significant on call duties at the hospital, clinic time is limited. Life threatening conditions and pregnancy related disorders are given priority to be seen urgently. Referring physicians requesting urgent assessment must review case with Dr. McKenna.

Note that our office wait time cannot accommodate consultations for chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia. Dr. McKenna does not prescribe or renew narcotic/opioids.

What should I do to prepare for my appointment?

Bring ALL of your medications in their original bottles, including supplements, over the counter meds, etc.