Two neurologists welcomed to NHH medical team – Referrals for Dr. Karen Ho and Dr. Courtney Anne Scott now being accepted
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is pleased to announce the recruitment of two neurologists, Dr. Karen Ho, MD FRCP(C) Neurology and Dr. Courtney Anne Scott BScH, MSc, MD, FRCPC.
With the support of NHH’s Telemedicine Coordinator, Registered Nurse Rebecca Rutherford, Drs. Ho and Scott will support local primary care providers and specialists by offering virtual neurology consultations through the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) for reasons including, but not limited to stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), multiple sclerosis, demyelination, seizures, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, and vertigo.
Over the last several years, NHH has utilized the OTN platform to provide specialized services for patients close to home, while reducing wait times.
The OTN, one of the largest telemedicine networks in the world, uses two-way videoconferencing to provide access to care for patients in hospitals and other health care locations in a manner that is efficient and accessible for both the patient and the provider.
“We are excited to begin 2024 by welcoming these two neurologists to NHH’s clinical team, and in doing so, continuing to make progress toward our strategic priority of connected care, close to home,” said Susan Walsh, President and CEO. “Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Ho and Dr. Scott and thank them for taking this opportunity, through virtual technologies, to bring their specialized and much-needed expertise to patients in west Northumberland County.”
“NHH has made a conscious effort in recent years to better connect local patients to specialized (and often hard to access) medical expertise through technology, specifically the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN),” said Dr. Mukesh Bhargava, Chief of Staff. “Building on past successes in mental health, rheumatology, and genetics, we have also been successful at enhancing local access to neurologists through OTN. The recruitment of Drs. Ho and Scott builds on that.”
Dr. Karen Ho is a consultant neurologist serving inpatient, remote and outpatient neurologic populations. She has practiced as a general neurologist for nine years, while running a busy ambulatory practice in addition to teaching medical students.
She completed both her Doctor of Medicine and training in adult neurology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Prior to medical school, Dr. Ho also earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Immunology with High Distinction from the University of Toronto.
“I am excited to be joining the NHH medical team through the Ontario Telemedicine Network Clinic (OTN),” said Dr. Ho. “My priorities as a specialist have always been to provide excellent and compassionate clinical care. I look forward to supporting the patients of west Northumberland County and expanding treatment options for neurological diseases within this growing community.”
Dr. Courtney Anne Scott is a neurologist who specializes in general and vascular neurology. Since 2017, Dr. Scott has worked at Mackenzie Health, a district stroke centre, in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
She completed both her Doctor of Medicine and neurology residency at University of Toronto, while serving as the Chief Resident in her final year. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Scott completed a fellowship in Vascular Neurology at Boston Medical Center.
“I am thankful for the warm welcome to Northumberland Hills Hospital and Northumberland County,” said Dr. Scott. “Through my work with the OTN clinic, I am looking forward to collaborating with area providers to better support patients with general and vascular neurological conditions,” said Dr. Scott.
Referring providers complete the NHH Clinical Telemedicine Consult Request and patients are scheduled and notified of their appointment, and any specific details, by the NHH OTN nurse. For a list of virtual services being offered through NHH, visit: Virtual Care.