Dear Patients,
I am writing to share an important update regarding my maternity leave and the future of my family medicine practice.
Dr. Patricia Gonzalez is currently providing locum coverage for my practice and will remain in this role until the end of November 2026. Many of you may already have had the opportunity to meet her. Dr. Gonzalez is a highly experienced family physician who previously managed her own family medicine practice in Burlington for more than 20 years.
Following my maternity leave, I have made the difficult decision to step away from Sheddon Medical. Beginning December 1, 2026, Dr. Dorothy Mitkowski will be taking over the practice. Please see her welcome letter below. I am very grateful that there will be continuity of care during this transition, and I hope the change will be as smooth as possible.
While I will be leaving Sheddon Medical, I do plan to return to family practice next year. My future practice location has not yet been finalized, but once it is confirmed, updated information about where I will be practising will be available through my CPSO physician profile:
https://register.cpso.on.ca/physician-info/?cpsonum=106462
or by emailing me: mkalbfleisc@haltonhealthcare.com
Thank you again for allowing me to be part of your care and the trust you have placed in me. I hope our paths may cross again in the future, and in the meantime, I wish you and your families all the very best.
Warmly,
Dr. Melanie Kalbfleisch
INTRODUCTION TO DR. MITKOWSKI:
Dear Patients,
My name is Dr. Dorothy Mitkowski, and I am very pleased to introduce myself as your new family physician at Sheddon Medical, taking over your care effective December 1, 2026.
A little about me: I completed my medical studies in 2017 and specialized in Family Medicine, completing my training in Chicago. I returned home to Ontario and completed additional training in Obstetrics and Women’s Health at Western University in 2022. I enjoy caring for patients of all ages and providing comprehensive care, including acute and chronic disease management, mental health care, preventative health and prenatal care. I believe in a patient-centred approach to medicine and in working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care.
As I take over your care, my goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible. I look forward to getting to know you and your families, understanding what is important to you, and supporting your health through all stages of life. Building long-term relationships with patients is one of the aspects of family medicine that I value most.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, hiking, and horseback riding.
I am grateful for the opportunity to care for you and look forward to meeting you in the coming months.