About
About Juniper Group
We are a collaborative clinic of like-minded family physicians who provide comprehensive care from conception to 6 weeks postpartum.
Caring for families during this time is an absolute privilege but it requires around-the-clock dedication! Working together to care for patients allows us to be sharp when we are at work and recharge with our families when we are not. By providing a consistent approach to care and building relationships through pregnancy, we strive to make patients feel safe and empowered during a vulnerable and important time.
We are passionate about what we do and share this with medical students and family medicine residents as they learn alongside us. We hope to inspire some to take on the rewarding work of pregnancy and newborn care. Learners bring a fresh perspective and are given time to dedicate to you and invest in your care!
We attend births at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital (CBRH) and host office visits at the Sydney Perinatal Clinic and the Nancy Dingwall Health Center. We welcome referrals at any time during your pregnancy – either self-referrals or from another provider. We like to get to know you early in your pregnancy, ideally in the first 12 weeks, but are happy to share care with your local provider if you live a distance away.
Our Providers
Dr. Maddy Ziss
(She/Her)
During my family medicine residency training in Cape Breton, I was inspired to spend most of my career caring for pregnant people and young families by the dedicated group of family doctors and obstetricians who taught me during my residency.
Getting to know families during pregnancy is so fun! I love learning people’s stories. My goal is to stay up to date on best practice and empower people to become involved in their care now and throughout their lifetime. I will always advocate for safe and patient-centered care and believe that teamwork, creativity, and self-reflection are key to improving outcomes on our island.
When I am not working, I like getting lost in a good book, growing vegetables, and playing card games with my family.
Dr. Sarah Mader
(She/Her)
I am originally from Halifax. I was welcomed into the Cape Breton community during my training at Dalhousie Medical School, first as a medical student and then for family medicine residency training. Before medicine, I studied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University and completed a law degree at Dalhousie University.
I have a keen interest in health policy and promotion. Providing comprehensive care and education during the prenatal and postnatal period is something I value because I appreciate the importance of this time in people’s lives. I believe in informed choice and strive to provide people with the tools they need to make decisions that are best for them and their values.
Cape Breton is a great place to work because of the tight-knit medical community. I love working with my wonderful colleagues in the Juniper Group and caring for patients in this community. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, reading, hiking, and spending time with my family.
Dr. Caitlin Bennett
(She/Her)
I am originally from rural Cape Breton and so excited to be able to provide care here at home! I completed my Bachelor of Science degree here at Cape Breton University and medical training at Dalhousie. I was lucky enough to come home for Residency to complete my training as a family doctor and to stay and work with a fantastic team of professionals caring for families on our island.
Working as a team to support patients to be involved and make informed choices about their care at such a pivotal time is a privilege. I strive to empower patients and act as an advocate for them to receive care and support that is safe, evidence-based and most importantly, aligns with their values.
When I am not at work, I like to spend my time relaxing with family and friends, gardening or chasing the dog around the yard and enjoying live music.
Want to learn more about Juniper Group?
FAQs
When will I have my first appointment?
We aim to see you in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. You will hear back from us with an appointment within 1-2 weeks of your self-referral.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Your first visit with us will be the longest! This is where we get to know you and your individual needs. We do a physical exam (weight, height, blood pressure and fetal heart rate if over 10 weeks) and provide prenatal education. Your early dating ultrasound and bloodwork will be arranged, and we will answer any questions you may have.
