The heart of your care: Connect with a family doctor in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Published 6:00 pm Sunday, March 1, 2026
Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice champions a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient health
For Dr. Melodie Prem-Smith, the appeal of practising family medicine is rooted in the rewards that come with building long-lasting relationships with patients.
“Being a family doctor means sharing all their experiences and following them through their journey, whether that’s sharing celebrations and joys or challenges and tragedies – it means being a champion of our patient’s healthcare needs,” says Dr. Prem-Smith, board chair for Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice.
A holistic approach to family medicine
The doctors at Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice use a holistic approach to healthcare, moving beyond the immediate symptoms to understanding the full picture of a patient’s health.
“We don’t just focus on the one problem the patient presents with, but we look at how this particular health concern relates to everything else we know about our patient,” Dr. Prem-Smith explains.
Family physicians also focus on wellness and disease prevention. This includes carefully considering things such as their family history and what is going on in their personal life.
“As family doctors, we look at everything to help our patient find the right solution or plan,” she adds.
This comprehensive, big-picture approach is what sets family practice apart from other forms of care, such as walk-in clinics and urgent care centres.
While those services are helpful, they can’t replace the long-term relationship and continuity of care that comes from having a dedicated family doctor.
The heart of your care
For a family physician, being “the heart of your care” means serving as a “patient medical home” where doctors can provide the best possible healthcare journey for their patients.
Achieving this standard of care begins with ensuring everyone has access to a dedicated family doctor.
The message is clear for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows residents: Having a family doctor is essential, and so, if you’ve been looking for one, don’t wait any longer to reach out. Both male and female doctors are currently available and accepting new patients in Ridge Meadows, and they are ready to be ‘the heart of your care’.
To find a doctor today, visit divisionsbc.ca/ridge-meadows/find-a-doctor, call 778-318-4753 or email attachment@rmdivision.ca
READ MORE: Now is the time to find a family doctor in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows