Former Stampeder Danielsen going national with Wello as company opens Toronto office
Vince Danielsen, president and CEO of Wello — the Calgarybased health-care service that aims to help people get well when they’re sick and stay well over the long term — has reached a significant milestone. He’s making Wello available to Canadians nationally, with the opening of a Toronto office.
The company was launched as this city’s first in-home and video medical delivery service, reminiscent of days gone by when family doctors made house calls. It’s offering consultations by licensed nurse practitioners over the phone, by secure video link or by webchat.
Danielsen believes 70 to 80 per cent of doctor visits could be handled by video, helping to solve the problem caused by people having to take sick days that are a constant drain on employers.
The City of Calgary reports lost time caused by workplace injuries and sick days amounted to an average of 10 days last year. And some people just don’t feel they have the time — or perhaps patience — to pay a visit to a doctor, particularly those living a distance from a family physician or medical clinic.
Employers purchase access to Wello as a support system for their workers, helping alleviate an average of two to six days’ loss of productivity every time they visit a doctor’s office; higher if they have a family.
Using Wello means that for the majority, health problems can be solved without having to leave the workplace.
It has proved a huge benefit for those working in remote places or for those travelling in their work such as those employed in the trucking industry.
Danielsen, a two-time Grey Cup winner and Most Valuable Canadian Player of 1998 as a Calgary Stampeder, launched his Wello division last year and
already has operations serving people throughout B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Plans are for Wello to be introduced to Quebec next month; a push also is being made to extend the service to the Maritimes by year-end.
Wello’s national offices are in the Arriva Tower in Victoria Park, which is also home to Danielsen’s INLIV which was formed in a merger with his Innovative Health Group and Foothills Health Consulting.
INLIV is a sister company that provides a wide range of health services including comprehensive medical assessment, fitness programs staffed with experienced personal trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and physicians to help achieve best results.
The 80 staff in Calgary also offer physical rehabilitation, medical esthetics and corporate health programs investing in employees physical and emotional health to boost their impact in the workplace.
NEWS AND NOTES
Ross Roy, principal at Stantec Architecture, says his fourth charity concert in memory of his former boss, Peter Burgener, will be held at the Bella Concert Hall on Nov. 9.
The concert, a benefit for Classroom Champions, ha Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Expresss as its star attraction.
Congratulations to Linda Kupecek, a local actor and author who has been awarded a Life Membership in ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) in acknowledgment of her advocacy for performers and service to the screen industry in Alberta.
Kupecek has worked hard to promote the film industry here, and for many years was a senior correspondent for The Hollywood
Reporter.
To mark his retirement after 20 years of service to Operation Eyesight, most recently as executive director, Brian Foster was surprised with a rather unique gift.
The Brian Foster Out-patient Department of the Nepal Eye Hospital carries his name to honour his legacy.
Donors raised $60,000 and the Operation Eyesight board topped up the need with an additional $20,000.
The Nepal Eye Hospital welcomes 500 patients daily. Exam rooms are severely crowded and doctors must work under extreme conditions. About 75 per cent of patients are forced to leave the hospital without being examined.