Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan—affectionately known as Dr. AJ—is a family physician with over three decades of experience. Her practice is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to whole-person care. Dr. AJ integrates conventional medicine with complementary approaches, addressing the physical, emotional, social, and energetic aspects of health.
Dr. AJ believes that healing is a shared journey. She fosters partnerships with her patients, empowering them to take an active role in their health. Her approach is inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive, ensuring that each individual’s unique story and needs are honored.
Providing care across all life stages, from pediatrics to geriatrics.
Pioneering shared mental health care models to enhance accessibility and collaboration.
Supporting patients in managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders.
Offering services including prenatal care, contraceptive counseling, and menopause management.
Emphasizing lifestyle interventions and early detection to maintain optimal health.
Dr. AJ has been instrumental in advancing collaborative mental health care in Nova Scotia. She co-led the planning of the 12th Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference in Halifax in June 2011, which attracted up to 500 participants and received several standing ovations. This conference led to the development of the First Online Collaborative Mental Health Care Conference, making high-quality presentations accessible to a broader audience.
She also served as the Atlantic Canadian representative for Family Practice on the National Working Group on Shared Mental Health Care until 2010. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians Award for Excellence in 2012, “For Excellence in advocating for accessible quality mental health care for all Nova Scotians.”
In 2024, Dr. AJ was recognized by Doctors NS (Medical Society representing all the physicians in Nova Scotia) with a ‘Distinguished Service Award’ – This award is given to a physician who has made an outstanding contribution to the medical profession and to the people of Nova Scotia resulting in raising the standards of medical practice, or an outstanding contribution to the art and science of medicine. The Distinguished Service Award shall represent the highest award that lies within the power of the association to bestow upon a person who is a member of the medical profession. I am getting photos, video clips and write up from DNS’
She also received the Nova Scotia Family Physician of the Year Award from the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians – Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan is Family Physician of the Year. Known as Dr. AJ, she’s made significant contributions in medicine, health broadcasting, E-health, and medical education. She received the award for her extensive contributions to the medical community and her patients, spanning over 30 years
If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the ER closest to you.
For suicide crisis assistance, call 988
For mental health crisis, call 1-888-429-8167
To see a list of numbers to use when you need assistance that does not require immediate response or dispatch of emergency services, visit Nova Scotia Non-Emergency Calls
Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse for non-emergency health advice.
For Mobile Primary care, visit the Mobile Primary Care page
For Virtual Care, visit Virtual Care NS Page
Search Community & Social Services, call 211
Your Health NS is a digital doorway to your health information such as vaccine records, medication list and health appointments. Visit the health NS Website
Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression – free for Nova Scotians. Download Tranquility app here
HeartMath® helps you synchronize your heart, brain, and nervous system for less stress and more ease, energy, and well-being. Visit the heartmath website here
