Emergency
Mary-Pack-Arthritis-Centre-Vancouver

Mary Pack Arthritis Centre

Learn about the services provided by the Mary Pack Arthritis Program (MPAP) at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre in Vancouver and how to access services.

The Mary Pack Arthritis Centre provides services to people with:

  • All types of inflammatory arthritis
  • Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD)
  • Complex osteoarthritis

The Mary Pack Arthritis Centre has a variety of health-care providers who can help you learn how to self-manage and treat arthritis including:

  • Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Occupational Therapist (OT)
  • Registered Nurse
  • Social Work Counsellor

Learn more about who you see as part of the Mary Pack Arthritis Program.

How to access Mary Pack Arthritis Centre Vancouver services

  • Check eligibility

    The Mary Pack Arthritis Program in Vancouver, B.C. provides services to people with:

    • All types of inflammatory arthritis.
    • Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD)
    • Complex osteoarthritis

    The Mary Pack Arthritis Program in Vancouver, B.C. does not provide services for:

    • Most types of soft tissue conditions or mechanical back pain when there is no confirmed diagnosis of arthritis.
    • Osteoporosis if it is not related to inflammatory arthritis
    • Chronic pain conditions not related to arthritis, such as fibromyalgia
    • Hypermobility syndrome as a primary diagnosis
    • Rehabilitation for total joint replacements that are not related to inflammatory arthritis or Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD)
    • Patients with open ICBC or WorkSafe BC claims
    • Find alternate services to meet these needs 

    MPAP Arthritis Classes do not require a referral. 

  • Get a referral

    MPAP visits are covered by the B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP).

    The following medical clinics are located within our program and some may require a referral from the following:

    The following services require a referral from a Family Practitioner or Specialist:

    • Lupus Clinic
    • Downtown Eastside Clinic
    • Vasculitis Clinic
    • Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
    • Pregnancy and Rheumatic Disease Clinic

    The following services require a referral from a Specialist or the Emergency Department:

    • Biological Infusions
    • Oral Medicine
    • Psychiatry
    • Sjogren's Clinic

    The following services require a referral from a Rheumatologist only:

    • Advanced Therapeutics
    • Orthopaedics
    • Intensive Collaborative Arthritis Program (ICAP - formerly OPDP)
    • Scleroderma Clinic
    • Myositis Clinic

    The following service requires a referral from a Pediatric Rheumatologist:

    • Young Adult Rheumatic Disease (YARD)

    If you are a referring health professional, please complete the Mary Pack Arthritis Program Vancouver Referral Form and fax it to (604) 875-4321. 

  • Wait for a call to book an appointment

    If you have been referred to our program for treatment (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work), we will contact you to discuss your needs and treatment options. We offer services in-person and using virtual health (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime). 

  • Cancellation policy

    Appointments are in high demand. Please provide us with 24 hours’ notice if you can no longer make your appointment. Two non-attendances (i.e., cancelling with less than 24 hours’ notice) may result in discharge from treatment.

    To cancel, please call (604) 875-4040 within regular business hours. Or leave a message at (604) 875-4111 ext. 68810  if calling after hours.

Hours of operation

Currently closed
  • Monday:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday:   8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday:   8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday:   Closed
  • Sunday:   Closed

How to get here

We are located in the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre located on 10th Avenue in Vancouver, part of the Vancouver General Hospital campus.

Parking

General parking is available in the Gordon & Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, and a limited number of metered-parking spaces are available along West 10th Avenue. Handicapped parking is available across the street from the VGH Research Pavilion. 

There is underground pay parking available for Patients. Please enter from the back lane, between Broadway and West 10th Avenue.

Parking rates for VCH facilities

Public transit

We are on the No. 9, 17, and 99 bus routes.

Other services at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre in Vancouver

In addition to treatment, we offer other services to help support you and your arthritis:

Arthritis classes

The Mary Pack Arthritis Centre in Vancouver also offers education classes to help you learn about the different kinds of arthritis and management techniques. No referral is required. and you do not need to be a client of other Mary Pack Arthritis Program services to join the classes. Currently, these classes are being provided virtually as a Zoom webinar. Check the class schedule for class descriptions and information on how to register.

Learn the schedule and how to register: Mary Pack Arthritis Program Arthritis Class Schedule January to June 2024

Specialty clinics

  • Advanced Therapeutics Clinic – a physician and nurse-led clinic to assist rheumatologists in selecting and initiating medications such as targeted therapies, biologics and newer Health Canada approved medications for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
  • Biologics Infusion Clinic – safely administers IV biologic medications ordered by a VCH rheumatologist for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
  • Downtown Eastside Clinic: a biweekly outreach program with physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing client living with Rheumatological conditions in Downtown Eastside region.
  • Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): a weekly physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing GCA.
  • Intensive Collaborative Arthritis Program (ICAP) – an intensive interdisciplinary program that includes therapy, medication management, counselling, education and referral to community services for adults with complex forms of inflammatory arthritis and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease who require intensive interdisciplinary care. Watch the ICAP information video.
  • Lupus Clinic – a weekly physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Myositis Clinic – a weekly physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing myositis.
  • Oral Medicine Clinic – a monthly dental clinic that assesses oral health issues related to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.  
  • Orthopedic Clinic – a monthly specialist-led clinic that assesses people with advanced joint changes for possible surgery to address pain and improve day-to-day activities
  • Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases Clinic – this clinic provides counselling for women/men with rheumatic diseases and a medication review prior to and during pregnancy
  • Psychiatry Clinic – a weekly physician led clinic that assesses and provides help including coping strategies for people with psychological concerns related to their rheumatic condition
  • Scleroderma Clinic – a weekly physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing systemic sclerosis (limited and diffuse).
  • Sjogren's Clinic:  a weekly physician and nursing-led clinic that provides consulting services and patient education for assessing and managing Sjogren’s syndrome.
  • Vasculitis Clinic – a weekly physician and nurse-led clinic that assesses and provides patient education for managing systemic vasculitis.
  • Young Adult Rheumatic Disease Program – provides multidisciplinary treatment for young adults, who were treated in the pediatric program for various rheumatic diseases, to help with the transition to adult care.

Other phone numbers for MPAP Vancouver

More resources and services to help you manage your arthritis

The Mary Pack Arthritis Program has over 75 years of experience providing a comprehensive collection of education and treatment services to people living with arthritis in British Columbia.

Find resources on managing your arthritis, learn about who Mary Pack was and learn about other Mary Pack Arthritis Program services, such as Travelling Clinics. 

Mary Pack Arthritis Program

Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)

Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.

Mary Pack Arthritis Program (MPAP) Clinics

The Mary Pack Arthritis Program Clinics provide services to people with all types of inflammatory arthritis, Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD) or Complex osteoarthritis. Services are provided in arthritis clinics in Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton, and Cranbrook.