BScN, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Jennifer Jocko is Algonquin from Pikwakanagan First Nation. Dr. Jocko’s journey to medicine was a long journey. She first completed an undergraduate bachelor of science degree in nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 10 years in Mattawa and North Bay before pursuing medicine. During those 10 years, she married and had 2 children. She graced the halls of the well-established McMaster University obtaining her Doctor of Medicine degree before heading to Ottawa where she completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Hailing from Mattawa, Northeastern Ontario has always been home, after completing residency she secured a full time Ob/Gyn position at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. She keeps herself busy by also working on Manitoulin Island running a monthly Gynecology Outreach Clinic. She enjoys a half day clinic per week at the local Aboriginal Health Access Centre Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre. She supports northern gynecology colleagues, as well as primary care providers in her role as Cervical Screening/ Colposcopy Lead for the Northeast LHIN with Cancer Care Ontario.

Dr. Jocko holds an Assistant Professor position at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. She is certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is also an active member of the Society of the Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Canadian Minimally Invasive Surgery Society, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federation of Medical Women of Canada. Her special interests include: First Nations women’s health, high risk obstetrics and twin pregnancy, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, fertility and colposcopy. Outside of medicine she enjoys spending time with her family, their 3 dogs, biking, canoeing and reading.

“I knew as soon as I delivered my first baby in medical school what I wanted to do for the rest of my life – take care of women through the lifespan. I love bringing life into the world, saving lives as a surgeon by removing cancer and just being there with a woman as she transitions through various life stages. Who knows more about what women go through, than having a female Obstetrician/Gynecologist? As a First Nations woman, I hope my journey resonates to inspire anyone to pursue their dreams, no matter what age. Go to school, stay in school…anything is possible!”

MD, FRCSC

Dr. Karen Splinter completed an undergraduate degree with honours in Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University in 2003. She then went on to study at the University of Ottawa, earning her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2007. After that she moved out east to complete her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial University.

In 2012 Dr. Splinter joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. She is an Assistant Professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and has been the Section Chair in Women’s Health since 2013.  It has been her passion to help expand the scope of care for women in Northeastern Ontario, with advancing surgical techniques and services for Women’s Health.  She has research interests in fibroids, endometriosis, vaccines, Mullerian anomalies and gestational weight gain and is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Epidemiology through Memorial University.

Dr. Splinter’s practice includes general obstetrics and gynecology, fertility services, high risk obstetrics & twins, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, menopause, incontinence and prolapse treatment. She is an active member of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the Canadian Medical Association, the Ontario Medical Association and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. She is a licensed fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr Splinter lives with her family in Sudbury. She enjoys the beautiful city of lakes, hiking with her dog, cross country skiing and yoga. Sadly, she has only limited skills in martial arts having quit Tae-Kwon-Do at the age of 9.