About Us

Who We Are

Bridges Community Health Centre serves the communities of Fort Erie, Port Colborne, and Wainfleet with a focus on the needs of seniors, children and youth, newcomers to Canada, and families or individuals with low incomes. 

Bridges CHC staff include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, diabetes educators, social workers, a psychotherapist, physiotherapists, a kinesiologist, a physiotherapist assistant, health promoters, community health workers, and a dental health worker. 

Mission 

Bridges CHC will provide the best possible primary health care services to residents of Fort Erie, Port Colborne, and Wainfleet as well as engage and collaborate with other community services to extend our reach and impact. 

Vision 

A healthy and strong community served by highly-skilled professionals who provide services that adapt to changing needs.  

Model of Care 

Bridges Community Health Centre is a member of the Alliance for Healthier Communities. Alliance members deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care, embedded in the Model of Health and Wellbeing and Model of Wholistic Health and Wellbeing (for Indigenous-led organizations), and rooted in the belief that health is a state of the best possible physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. Alliance members offer primary care services in combination with health promotion and community development activities to address medical and biological issues, and to improve the circumstances in which people live, work, play and age. Comprehensive primary health care not only improves the health of individuals, it creates healthier communities – inclusive, connected and caring places where everyone feels they belong and are empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing. 

Bridges CHC’s health promotion and community development teams work with community partners to build healthy public policy, create supportive environments, develop clients’ personal skills, and improve access to health services. We advocate for equity-based health services and social supports to allow people to have more control over the determinants of health and ultimately improve their health. 

Bridges CHC staff include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, diabetes educators, social workers, a psychotherapist, physiotherapists, a kinesiologist, a physiotherapist assistant, health promoters, community health workers, and a dental health worker. 

Partners 

Bridges CHC works together with other health and social service organizations to support the unique needs of our community.  

Partners in our advocacy work include the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network, Niagara Dental Health Coalition, and many neighbourhood based groups working together to improve the health and wellbeing of Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Wainfleet.  

Partners through network membership, participation, or collaboration include: 

Niagara Suicide Prevention Coalition: https://nspc.framer.website/ 

Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara: Overdose Prevention and Education Network of Niagara 

REACH Niagara: https://reachniagara.com/

Partners offering supports and services onsite include: 

Birchway Niagara: https://birchway.ca/  

Community Addiction Service of Niagara: https://cason.ca/programs-services/ 

COMPASS (Diabetes Foot Care): https://www.compassch.org/programs-services/foot-health 

Good Food Box Niagara: https://linksforgreenerlearning.org/programs/good-food-box-pop-up-market/  

Mobile Closet: https://www.startmeupniagara.ca/site/mobile-closet 

Niagara Sexual Assault Centre: https://www.niagarasexualassaultcentre.com/counselling-services 

Ontario Health atHome: https://ontariohealthathome.ca/region/hamilton-niagara-haldimand-brant/ 

Pathstone Walk-in Clinic: https://pathstonementalhealth.ca/walk-in-clinics/ 

Mobile Cancer Screening Coach: https://hnhbregionalcancerprogram.ca/cancer-screening/mobile-cancer-screening-coach/ 

IPC Counselling Services: https://www.cschn.ca/ipc-mental-health-and-addictions-team/?lang=en 

Policies 

Copies of Bridges CHC policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Violence Prevention, Pet Therapy, Supporting Transgender Patients are available upon request.  

Bridges CHC meets the accessibility requirements of regulation 429/07 Accessibility Standards for customer service under the accessibility for Ontarions with disabilities act. Click here for a copy of our Accessibility Policy. 

To submit feedback to Bridges CHC please use this form, Client and Visitor Feedback Form.  

Equity Statement 

Bridges CHC Equity Statement 

Bridges Community Health Centre’s vision is a healthy community where everyone matters. 

We are dedicated to improving health equity in our communities. Health equity means ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of their social circumstances. It is about removing barriers such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources that prevent people from achieving their full health potential. Health equity goes beyond simply providing the same resources to everyone (equality) and recognizes that some individuals, and groups, may need targeted support to overcome systemic disadvantages. 

Board of Directors 

Bridges CHC is a not-for-profit organization, governed by a board of directors made up of members of the local community. This composition provides an opportunity for the organization to be representative of the communities we serve and responsive to the local needs. 

Board Members 

Claudia Brema 
Scott Caldwell, Treasurer 
Joan Christensen, Vice-President
Gina Collins 
Donna Martens-Gamm 
Rachelle Smith
Liberia Santos, President 
Karen Zimmer 
Brennon Zwingli, Secretary 

Opportunities 

Bridges CHC is actively committed to diversity and the principles of Employment Equity.  We are dedicated to establishing a qualified interdisciplinary team that is reflective of the diverse population we serve.  Throughout our recruitment process, Bridges CHC will provide accommodations as needed.  If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to accommodate your needs.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for listed opportunities, including Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities.​ 

Preventative Dentistry

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Costmetic Dentistry

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Tooth Whitening

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Emergency Care

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