At North York General Hospital, our approach to childbirth involves using only necessary interventions to achieve a healthy and natural pregnancy and birth. We guide our patients through the natural process of birth, while providing the skills and expertise to deal with emergencies that can arise.
Our physicians are part of an interdisciplinary team that includes nurses, anaesthesiologists, obstetricians, social workers and lactation consultants. We also work with your primary care provider/family doctor to ensure that comprehensive care for you and your baby is provided before, during and after your pregnancy.
Referrals are welcome. To book an appointment with one of our Family Practice Obstetrics providers, have your family doctor fax our referral form to Family Medicine Obstetrics at 416-756-6822.
Dr. Samantha Avadiev is a Family Physician at the North York Family Health Team, with a special interest in obstetrics and women’s health.
Dr. Avadiev attended medical school at the University of Toronto. She completed her family medicine residency at North York General Hospital, and low-risk obstetrics fellowship at Michael Garron Hospital. Dr. Avadiev is passionate about providing comprehensive care for her patients and guiding them through all of life’s stages. Dr.
Avadiev’s office is located at Bayview and Finch, and she is accepting referrals for IUD insertions and low-risk obstetrics.
Dr. Dahlia Balaban is an academic Family Physician who is affiliated with NYGH and the University of Toronto. Her medical office is located at Bayview and Finch. She completed her medical training and residency through the University of Toronto, and her fellowship in low-risk obstetrics at NYGH. In her office, she enjoys teaching medical trainees and practicing comprehensive family medicine with a special focus on pregnant women and newborns. She also spends one day a week assisting a plastic surgeon in the operating room at NYGH and she sits on various hospital and academic committees. Outside of the GTA, she has previously worked in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Northern Ontario. She loves to read fiction and has a passion for travel and photography.
Dr. Zane Brickman is a family physician with Generations Family Health Centre who provides comprehensive care with a special interest in obstetrics and newborn care. He attended medical school at the University of Toronto. He completed both of his Family Medicine Residency and Low Risk Obstetrics Enhanced Skills Program at North York General Hospital.
He is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and really enjoys teaching medical learners.
In his spare time, you will often find him either watching or playing sports, spending time with friends and family, travelling, or hanging out with his family dog.
Dr. Brickman is accepting referrals for obstetrical patients starting January 1, 2022.
Dr. Rebecca Cohen is a Family Physician in the North York community. She has a dynamic practice where she enjoys caring for patients and their families. This is woven in with her passion for obstetrics and, having completed a fellowship in low-risk obstetrics, Dr. Cohen provides comprehensive prenatal care in affiliation with North York General Hospital. She is a Lecturer at the University of Toronto and actively involved in teaching medical students and residents. Dr. Cohen enjoys spending time with her family, participating in sports, and staying active in her community.
Dr. Josephine Dunston is a family physician at the North York Family Health Team, who has a special interest in obstetrics and paediatrics. She attended McMaster University’s School of Medicine, and subsequently completed her Family Medicine residency and fellowship in low risk obstetrics at the University of Toronto. She is a member of North York General Hospital’s Newborn Patient Care and Quality Committee. She is also a faculty member at the University of Toronto and is involved with teaching both medical students and residents. She enjoys providing comprehensive, patient-centred care and welcomes referrals for prenatal care and delivery.
David Eisen is a practicing Family Physician with active clinical and teaching interests in Obstetrics, Newborn Care and Women’s Health. He has an academic practice in association with North York General Hospital and the University of Toronto. He teaches students from other programs including the Ryerson University Midwifery Education Program. He chaired the Family Medicine Obstetrics Division at NYGH, and served on all of the Maternal Newborn committees there. He serves NYGH as Chief, Department of Family and Community Medicine. He has served the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in several capacities. He is married with three children and enjoys playing drums, yoga and skiing.
Dr. Tiffany Florindo graduated from McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Toronto based out of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she won the Steve Kandell Award for excellence in Family Medicine. After residency, she completed her fellowship in low-risk obstetrical care at the University of Toronto. She currently holds the academic appointment of Lecturer at the University of Toronto and is involved with teaching medical students and residents out of her office in the NYGH Family Medicine Teaching Unit. She is a member in good standing with the College of Family Physicians Canada, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Ontario Medical Association. Dr. Florindo has a special interest in women’s health and is currently accepting new obstetrical patients.
I graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 2007. I completed my residency and low-risk obstetrical fellowship training in Toronto. I am involved in teaching medical students and residents both in my office and at North York General Hospital. I enjoy delivering babies as part of my practice and feel humbled to be able to participate in this special time in patients’ lives. Outside of work, I take great joy in spending time with my own family (including my two young kids and dog) and have interests in fitness and travel.
Dr. Quynh Huynh is a family physician with an interest in women’s health and obstetrics. She completed her medical training at the University of Toronto where she received the Dr. Samuel Leitenberg Award for the Humanitarian Practice of Family and Community Medicine. She completed her family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and enhanced skills in low- risk obstetrics at North York General Hospital.
When not working, she enjoys exploring the world through the eyes of her children and the flavours of different cuisines.
She looks forward to being a part of your family’s journey. She is accepting patients for primary care and for obstetrical care.
I graduated from the University of Toronto medical school, completed my residency at McMaster University, and returned to Toronto for my fellowship in low-risk obstetrics at North York General Hospital. I joined the NYGH Family Medicine Teaching Unit in 2011 after my fellowship, and have been the Physician Lead of the unit since 2013. The Family Medicine Teaching Unit is conveniently located within the hospital, two floors up from Labour and Delivery. When I’m not delivering babies or seeing patients in clinic, I like to unwind by running, practising hot yoga, spending time with my son and bingeing on Netflix.
Dr. Eva Knifed (“Dr.K” to her patients) practices comprehensive family medicine at Discovery Family Health, one block from North York General Hospital. Her special interest in obstetrics and women’s health has fostered a practice of young families. In 2016 she completed her Master’s degree in Bioethics, and has an interest in bioethics research. An active member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) at the University of Toronto, Dr. Knifed is involved in the development of the novel ethics curriculum at the postgraduate level. She is part of the team that won the coveted Physician Services Incorporated Foundation grant to fund their research and evaluation of the new postgraduate curriculum. An enthusiastic teacher, she received the DFCM Resident Teaching Award and was recently nominated for the DFCM teaching award as a faculty member. When not in the office or classroom, Dr. Knifed enjoys the outdoors while chasing her young children. You can also catch her reading a good book or knitting while watching a movie.
Dr. Kim Lazare practises in the Family Medicine Teaching Unit located within North York General Hospital, which makes it super convenient for her to pop downstairs for deliveries! She prides herself in trying to attend as many of her patients’ deliveries as possible, and takes a patient-centred approach when it comes to pregnancy care. She teaches medical students and residents both Family Medicine and Obstetrics, and has a number of academic and research interests outside of her clinical practice. Outside of her work, she loves running, pilates, spending times with friends and family, and her dog. She would be delighted to meet you to discuss your pregnancy care needs.
Dr. Tiffany Ng is a family physician with the North York Family Health Team who provides comprehensive care with a special interest in women’s health. Dr. Ng attended medical school at McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. She then completed her Family Medicine residency and Low Risk Obstetrics fellowship at North York General Hospital.
She is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and is involved with teaching medical students and residents.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and knitting. Dr. Ng is currently accepting referrals for obstetrical patients.
Dr. Lara Rosenberg practises comprehensive family medicine as part of the North York Family Health Team with a special interest in obstetrics and newborn care. She loves providing care for her patients, promoting health and guiding them throughout their pregnancies and deliveries. She is Chair of the Family Medicine Obstetrics Division at North York General Hospital and is on the leadership team for the Maternal, Newborn and Paediatric Care Program at the hospital. She earned her medical degree from the University of Ottawa and completed her Family Medicine residency and low-risk obstetrics fellowship at the University of Toronto. She is married with two children and enjoys running, cycling, exploring the coffee and restaurant scene citywide and sharing an enthusiasm for sports with her family. She welcomes referrals for maternity care and participates in as many of her patient deliveries as possible.
I have served as a family doctor at International Medical Services since 2014. My practice currently encompasses the full spectrum of family practice, including obstetrical and well-baby care. Another special interest of mine is travel medicine, which originates from my work overseas in Africa — namely Mali, Kenya and Gabon — where I practised prior to my current role. I can communicate also in French and Dutch. A passion for family care, however, transcends any language, and so I look forward to continuing to serve my patients in any capacity that I can, even if it is a midnight call!