Welcome to
Compassionate Care
Without Barriers
Located in downtown Barrie, CCWB offers routine care, diagnostics, vaccinations, and treatment for various conditions by appointment only. We also provide health education and outreach to empower patients.
Our compassionate team ensures care is accessible and inclusive, supporting marginalized communities, including those ineligible for OHIP, with respect and dignity.
*Audited Financial Statements are available upon request
Our Vision
To return dignity to healthcare.
Our Mission
Promoting wellness through barrier-free health care services that address the unique needs of the marginalized; treating the whole person with dignity & respect.
Eligibility
Those who do not have a primary care provider and are in the following categories
Single Household:
Yearly income of less than $30,000
Family Household:
Yearly income of less than $60,000
Lead Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care) / Co-Founder
Brenda Brown
Brenda Brown, cofounder of Compassionate Care Without Barriers, is a Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years in medicine, including 12 in family practice. A Laurentian University graduate, she advanced her studies to become a Nurse Practitioner, focusing on personalized care and equal access for marginalized populations. Her extensive experience in NICU, pediatric, geriatric, and palliative care, combined with her patient-centered approach, makes her a trusted advocate and valuable asset to the healthcare community.
Executive Director / Co-Founder
Jo-Anne Flood
Jo-Anne Flood has spent over 20 years dedicated to poverty reduction and community service, beginning with St. Vincent De Paul and later serving with the David Busby Street Centre and the Salvation Army. Following a 30-year administrative career, she pursued medical administration training, leading to the incorporation of Compassionate Care Without Barriers in 2023. Her transition from volunteer to founder reflects her commitment to addressing community needs and improving healthcare accessibility through continuous learning and dedication.
Dr. Mackenzie Chown
Mac Chown did his residency in Family Medicine in Barrie, as well as extra training in anesthesia in Collingwood and Hamilton. He graduated in 2022 and has worked mostly in Orillia in anesthesia and the ER.
He believes that healthcare should be accessible to everyone. He joined Compassionate Care Without Barriers because they are working towards this goal by supporting oppressed people in Barrie.
He has stopped working in the ER to make time for this work and will continue to work in Orillia doing anesthesia.
Dr. Lynda Ekeh
Lynda Ekeh is a family doctor in Barrie. She did her Family Medicine residency at the Barrie
FMTU where she continues to work and teach. She also works as a hospitalist at RVH.
She believes that health is a human right and that everyone should have access to care that
supports their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
She is excited to be a part of the CCWB team
We are supported by an additional doctor who visits our practice approximately once a month.
We’re pleased to introduce him as a member of our team whom you may meet during your visit.
Dr. Simran Ohson
Dr. Simran Ohson obtained his Medical School degree from RCSI in Ireland and residency training in Family Medicine at Dalhousie in New Brunswick. He worked for several years in rural Nova Scotia before returning to Ontario.
He currently works as a hospitalist at RVH and locum family physician for the Barrie Family Health team.
He has a keen interest in public health initiatives and refugee care. He is very excited to be a part of CCWB and it's work serving the Simcoe County community.
Meet Our Caring Team
The team at Compassionate Care Without Barriers is committed to improving healthcare access for marginalized communities through patient-centered, inclusive care.
Clinical Lead Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care) / Co-Founder
Brenda Brown
Brenda Brown, cofounder of Compassionate Care Without Barriers, is a Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years in medicine, including 12 in family practice. A Laurentian University graduate, she advanced her studies to become a Nurse Practitioner, focusing on personalized care and equal access for marginalized populations. Her extensive experience in NICU, pediatric, geriatric, and palliative care, combined with her patient-centered approach, makes her a trusted advocate and valuable asset to the healthcare community.
Meet Our Caring Team
The team at Compassionate Care Without Barriers is committed to improving healthcare access for marginalized communities through patient-centered, inclusive care.
Executive Director / Co-Founder
Jo-Anne Flood
Jo-Anne Flood has spent over 20 years dedicated to poverty reduction and community service, beginning with St. Vincent De Paul and later serving with the David Busby Street Centre and the Salvation Army. Following a 30-year administrative career, she pursued medical administration training, leading to the incorporation of Compassionate Care Without Barriers in 2023. Her transition from volunteer to founder reflects her commitment to addressing community needs and improving healthcare accessibility through continuous learning and dedication.
Dr. Mackenzie Chown
Mac Chown did his residency in Family Medicine in Barrie, as well as extra training in anesthesia in Collingwood and Hamilton. He graduated in 2022 and has worked mostly in Orillia in anesthesia and the ER.
He believes that healthcare should be accessible to everyone. He joined Compassionate Care Without Barriers because they are working towards this goal by supporting oppressed people in Barrie.
He has stopped working in the ER to make time for this work and will continue to work in Orillia doing anesthesia.
Dr. Lynda Ekeh
Lynda Ekeh is a family doctor in Barrie. She did her Family Medicine residency at the Barrie
FMTU where she continues to work and teach. She also works as a hospitalist at RVH.
She believes that health is a human right and that everyone should have access to care that
supports their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
She is excited to be a part of the CCWB team
We are supported by an additional doctor who visits our practice approximately once a month. We’re pleased to introduce him as a member of our team whom you may meet during your visit.
Dr. Simran Ohson
Dr. Simran Ohson obtained his Medical School degree from RCSI in Ireland and residency training in Family Medicine at Dalhousie in New Brunswick. He worked for several years in rural Nova Scotia before returning to Ontario.
He currently works as a hospitalist at RVH and locum family physician for the Barrie Family Health team.
He has a keen interest in public health initiatives and refugee care. He is very excited to be a part of CCWB and it's work serving the Simcoe County community.
Board of Directors
A big thank you to our board of directors for helping make our mission possible
James Murphy
First Chair
Catherine Cilia
Second Chair
Jo-Anne Flood
Executive Director / Co-Founder
Brenda Brown
Lead Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care) / Co-Founder
Wendy Brouwer
Secretary & Treasurer
Dr. Mackenzie Chown
Director
Become a
Volunteer Member
of the CCWB Team
The Compassionate Care Without Barriers (CCWB) team is passionate and committed to providing equal access to quality healthcare regardless of one’s socio-economic background. We are looking for volunteers who are equally passionate about access to care and value people at all stages and walks of life.
CCWB volunteers are active and important team members as they interact with many individuals including unhoused and low-income people, elderly persons, people with disabilities and newcomers.
Our volunteers are the first point of contact for those seeking our assistance and as such are vital in creating a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere of trust, care and compassion. Some of these individuals may struggle with addiction, mental health issues and trauma and as such, we treat everyone walking through our doors with equal respect and dignity.
Our volunteers are primarily here to welcome clients; help fill out paperwork when required; provide comfort measures such as coffee, light lunch when available; and assist clients to find clothing from our clothing donations. In addition, volunteers monitor client activity to ensure the space remains safe and ensuring all clients show respect to one another.
We are looking for compassionate individuals willing to give four hours a week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) morning or afternoon shift to the CCWB Clinic.
If you are interested in more information please email Admin@ccwb.ca and we will get back to you as soon as possible.