Eloïse Aubin-Ferrier on Dermatology, Rapid-Access Specialist Advice, and What Primary–Specialist Connection Should Look Like in Alberta

At Alethea, we believe some of the most valuable insights into modern collaborative care come directly from the primary care providers using the platform every day. As part of our new NP Spotlight series, we’re highlighting nurse practitioners across Alberta who are integrating specialist collaboration into their workflows to improve patient care, strengthen clinical confidence, and reduce unnecessary delays.

Our first spotlight features Eloïse Aubin-Ferrier, NP, a bilingual nurse practitioner practicing in dermatology at Stratica Dermatology in Edmonton.

Working alongside dermatologist Dr. Andrew Ferrier while also serving as Stratica’s Clinical Trials Manager, Eloïse brings more than 16 years of nursing experience across a broad range of healthcare settings. Her path to dermatology-focused NP practice reflects both clinical versatility and a strong commitment to patient-centred care.

From Rural Community Care to Dermatology Practice

Eloïse completed her Master of Nursing and Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner training at Laurentian University in 2016. Originally from Ontario, she began practicing in a Community Health Centre serving rural and underserved French-speaking populations in Sudbury.

Before becoming an NP, she worked in neonatal care, obstetrics, and palliative care. Since relocating to Edmonton, her experience has expanded across home care, occupational health, private primary care clinics, telemedicine, and dermatology.

Today, her practice focuses on the assessment and management of common dermatologic conditions within a community dermatology setting. Her clinical interests include:

• Acne management
• Mild-to-moderate inflammatory skin disorders
• Skin cancer screening and assessment
• Minor dermatologic procedures such as biopsies

In addition to patient care, Eloïse occasionally hosts RN and NP students, supporting clinical mentorship and dermatology-focused learning.

Reflecting on what makes the work meaningful, she shared that she values the opportunity to deepen her expertise within a focused specialty area while helping patients navigate conditions that can significantly impact quality of life and self-confidence.

Using Alethea to Support Real-Time Clinical Decision-Making

Like many frontline providers, Eloïse frequently encounters clinical situations that fall outside her primary specialty area. Rather than defaulting immediately to formal referrals or delayed specialist assessments, she has found Alethea particularly valuable for obtaining rapid guidance that helps direct care more efficiently.

She described using Alethea for cases involving:

• Abnormal ECG interpretation
• ENT-related concerns
• Assessment of abnormalities within the nose or ears
• Questions requiring specialist reassurance or clarification

“In these cases, I have consistently received quick, practical advice that has helped direct care and, in some instances, avoided the need for additional referrals or delayed management,” she explained.

The specialties she reaches for most often through Alethea include cardiology, ENT, and plastics — specialties where timely clarification can significantly influence patient management and referral decisions.

A Platform That Feels Supportive, Not Intimidating

One of the strongest themes throughout Eloïse’s reflections was the importance of accessible, collegial specialist support.

She noted that even experienced clinicians encounter situations where a second opinion improves confidence and efficiency in care delivery. Having rapid access to specialist input allows providers to manage more cases appropriately in primary care while avoiding unnecessary delays for patients.

Importantly, she emphasized that the platform feels collaborative and approachable.

“The advice provided has been practical, collegial, and easy to apply in a community setting,” she shared. “The platform feels supportive rather than intimidating, which encourages you to ask questions you might otherwise hesitate to send through traditional referral pathways.”

For Eloïse, one of the greatest advantages has been the speed of communication and the ability to integrate specialist advice directly into real-time clinical workflows.

Rethinking How Primary Care and Specialists Connect

When asked what she would change about the connection between primary care and specialty care in Alberta, Eloïse described a vision that closely reflects the goals of integrated eConsult systems:

• Seamless workflow integration
• Standardized referral requirements
• Rapid access specialist advice
• More collaborative relationships between providers

“I think the ideal system would include seamless e-consults integrated directly into workflow, standardized referral requirements, and rapid access advice for frontline providers,” she explained. “That kind of connection creates a much more collaborative relationship between primary care and dermatology, rather than a system where communication only happens after a long wait for consultation.”

Her perspective highlights an important shift occurring across healthcare: moving from fragmented, delayed communication toward more connected, collaborative models of care that support both providers and patients in real time.

As Alethea continues expanding access to specialist collaboration across Alberta, stories like Eloïse’s illustrate how eConsult platforms can support nurse practitioners in building confidence, improving efficiency, and strengthening continuity of care.

We’re grateful to Eloïse for sharing her experience and insights as part of our first NP Spotlight feature.

Interested in learning more about Alethea or joining the platform as an NP? Sign up for free or contact us at sales@aletheamedical.com.