Rapid-access care may be appropriate for:

• New or worsening symptoms

• Common illnesses and infections

• Rashes or skin concerns

• Minor injuries

• Sprains, strains and musculoskeletal pain

• Medication-related concerns

• Other time-sensitive, non-emergency needs

Dr. Amadi and Dr. Akpan have a strong interest in acute care and musculoskeletal concerns. They offer rapid-access appointments as availability allows.

Our women’s-health physicians provide respectful, confidential and patient-centred care, including:

• Pap clinics and cervical screening

• Birth-control counselling and prescriptions

• IUD consultation, insertion and removal where offered

• Period concerns or abnormal bleeding

• Pelvic pain

• Sexual and reproductive health concerns

• STI testing

• Fertility questions

• Preventive care

• Investigations and referrals when needed

It depends on the service you need.

Our public women’s-health clinics can be booked without a referral and include:

• Birth-control counselling

• STI testing

• Pap testing and cervical screening

• IUD consultation, insertion or removal

• Nexplanon consultation, insertion or removal

Clinic dates are announced on our social media. You can also call TWC and ask to be added to the waitlist for the next available clinic.

For more complex concerns—such as painful or heavy periods, PCOS, fertility concerns or persistent pelvic symptoms—your family physician can refer you to one of our women’s-health physicians:

• Dr. Gaiser-Edwards

• Dr. Misko

• Dr. Giesbrecht

• Dr. Vaz

If your concern involves PMS-related mood changes, emotional symptoms or coping, a mental-health professional may also be an excellent part of your care. Because these concerns can have both medical and emotional components, our team can help determine whether a physician, mental-health professional—or both—would be the best place to begin.

Yes. Your personal health information and appointments are kept confidential in accordance with Manitoba privacy requirements. Information is only shared with your consent, except where disclosure is required or permitted by law (in the case of immediate risk of harm to yourself or others).

Your university, instructors, employer or family members do not automatically receive information about your care.

Yes. Women’s health may involve more than medical assessment. Depending on your needs, pelvic-health physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental-health support or education may also contribute.

You are never expected to use every service. Recommendations are based on what is appropriate, helpful and right for you.

Yes. TWC has experience supporting international students and works with immigration, settlement and community organizations to make healthcare easier to understand and access.

We can help with:

• Finding the appropriate healthcare professional

• Understanding clinic, urgent-care and emergency options

• Navigating insurance

• Eligible direct billing

• Accessing interpretation or translation support where available

• Connecting with immigration, settlement and community resources

Yes. Healthcare may work differently than it does in your home country. Our team can help explain where to go, what to bring, what may be covered and which professional may be the best place to start.

Asking for help navigating the system is a normal part of getting established in a new community.

Yes. TWC direct bills the student insurance plans currently offered through Brandon University and Assiniboine College, including eligible Manitoba Blue Cross and Medavie Blue Cross plans.

• Eligible Canadian BU students can participate in the student Health and Dental Plan offered through BUSU.

• Eligible Assiniboine College students are enrolled in a Health and Dental Plan administered through StudentVIP and Medavie Blue Cross, with opt-out options for students who meet the plan requirements.

• International students at BU and Assiniboine College may have separate medical and extended health coverage. TWC can direct bill eligible Medavie Blue Cross plans.

Please bring your current insurance card or policy information to every appointment. Our team can help confirm your plan information and explain the billing process.

Coverage depends on your policy, service and healthcare provider. Patients are responsible for deductibles, co-payments and any amount their plan does not cover.

Please bring:

• Your Manitoba health card, if you have one

• Your insurance card or policy information

• Government-issued or student photo identification

• A current medication list

• Relevant medical records, forms or test results, if available

Coverage for counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other allied-health services depends on your individual plan. More information available at https://www.busu.ca/healthplan

BUSU student coverage may include counselling and physiotherapy benefits. Coverage for occupational therapy and specific counselling credentials depends on the current plan. TWC can direct bill eligible services and help you confirm your available benefits before booking.

Students can verify their exact balance and provider eligibility through the StudentVIP BUSU portal or Medavie Blue Cross app.

Team-based care means different professionals contribute their expertise toward shared goals.

A physician may assess medical causes, diagnose, prescribe or order investigations. Another professional may contribute specialized assessment of movement, mental health, daily function, routines or environmental factors.

With your consent, relevant team members can communicate and help connect the different pieces of your care.

No. Some people need one provider, while others benefit from more than one professional perspective.

Recommendations are based on your needs, goals, preferences, coverage and what is clinically appropriate. You remain involved in every decision.