Workplace Medical Corp. (WMC) helps organizations ensure their employees are healthy, safe, and fit for work. We act as the outsourced “Company Doctor” and occupational health department. WMC provides a wide range of services to help companies support their occupational health, wellness, and absence management strategies.
Tell us about yourself?
I did Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. My first job was as a software engineer in one of Canada’s first biotechnology companies. I then left to pursue an MBA at what is now Ivey School of Business. While I was at business school, my father, who was a family physician and occupational health physician in Hamilton, said he could use an MBA to help manage and grow his occupational health practice. I have to admit that it was not immediately obvious to me that this was a great opportunity.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to move quicker on making the changes that I know need to be made.
What problem does your business solve?
Workplace Medical Corp. is focused on one of the great costs and challenges of business – reducing avoidable absences. These are absences that could have been prevented or needlessly extended, resulting in both financial and operational strain across the organization.
To address this issue, we work with companies to develop a strategic plan that addresses the underlying drivers of avoidable absences. We have identified 15 areas, such as prevention, tracking and measurement, return to work, and wellness, that can contribute to avoidable absences.
We then support the implementation of the strategic plan by providing a wide range of services that help close any gaps and deliver results.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
In 1952, Dr. Frank Shapiro, my father, began his medical practice in the industrial northern region of Hamilton, operating out of his parents’ home. His clientele primarily consisted of employees from smaller businesses that serviced major steel corporations like Stelco and Dofasco.
Dr. Shapiro recognized that these smaller companies deserved the same level of occupational health care and support as their larger counterparts received through on-site health clinics at the large steel companies.
He provided valuable advice and support to HR and senior executives, as well as providing the necessary medical exams, tests, and assessments.
His comprehensive approach set the standard and approach for the services provided today by Workplace Medical Corp.
What is your magic sauce?
Our unique advantage stems from offering a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for all occupational health, wellness, and absence management and acting as the trusted advisor to support and develop programs customized to the client’s needs.
Supported by continuous innovation, cutting-edge technology, and our medical-based approach, we are uniquely able to deliver results.
However, what truly distinguishes us is our exceptional team of professionals, medical technicians, instructors, program administrators, and consultants. Their dedication, expertise, experience, and customer service approach ensure we deliver on our unique differentiators.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Over the next five years, we aim to increase the value we offer to our clients in three key areas.
- Firstly, we plan to broaden the portfolio of Workplace Medical Corp. services utilized by our clients and facilitated by improved communication strategies to better identify and meet their needs.
- Secondly, we are committed to expanding our footprint in the wellness sector through the introduction of innovative new services and wellness platforms.
- Lastly, our digitization initiative will empower clients with data for analytics and self-serve options.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic posed a unique set of challenges. We found ourselves juggling a significant downturn in many of our services while simultaneously experiencing a surge in client demand for COVID-19 testing and support services.
Today, our primary challenge has evolved into effectively managing and scaling our growing business to meet the diverse needs of our clients while maintaining the high quality of service they have come to expect.
How can people get involved?
Call us at 1-800-2639340 or complete our contact form at www.workplacemedical.com to discuss your occupational health, wellness, and absence management challenges.