IamSICK

Happy Civic Holiday!

Visit holidayhours.ca (powered by EMPOWER Health) to check holiday hours for local clinics & pharmacies.

Have a healthy & happy Canada Day!!

Stay safe, and Thank You to the many physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals working this long weekend.

Check which healthcare options are open:
http://holidayhours.ca

Our team spent the past few weeks confirming holiday hours of clinics & pharmacies, so you don't have to.

Level Up your access to healthcare in Ontario with this "Find a Family Doctor Cheat Code":

Did you know iamsick.ca has a hidden feature that shows which family doctors are accepting new patients?

The feature was launched 10 years ago and continues to help those who know.

Share with anyone you know who needs a family doctor.

Go to: empower.ca or iamsick.ca

It's the May long (Victoria Day) weekend!
😎

Visit http://holidayhours.ca
to check holiday hours for local pharmacies & clinics in your community.

Need healthcare this Easter long weekend?

The Ontario Central Region Virtual Urgent
Care Clinic is open daily, INCLUDING holidays!

See a clinician from home via Zoom, and it's FREE - covered by OHIP.

If you don't have OHIP, don't worry..
They also see refugees, out-of-province visitors, international students, and others without OHIP.

Whether you don't have a family doctor & are considering going to a walk-in clinic or ER..
or, you do have a family doctor, but need to speak to a clinician urgently..

Visit https://regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca to book an appointment today!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Happy Weekend! 🎉

As Family Day approaches, we understand the importance of having accessible healthcare services. Many clinics and pharmacies will by closed while observing the holiday, but don't worry; we're here to help!

Before each long weekend, our dedicated team works diligently to collect and confirm the holiday hours of clinics and pharmacies. We aim to save you time and hassle, ensuring you know exactly who's open before making any calls.

🔍 Visit https://holidayhours.ca to find only those locations with confirmed Family Day hours.

📍 Is there a particular town or city you'd like us to focus on for the next long weekend?

Let us know! We're always looking to serve you better.

Gastrointestinal cancers are among those rising fastest in young people with a growing number being diagnosed with advanced-stage disease.

The proportion of colon cancer diagnoses among people

Help let Canadians know their healthcare options.

Please encourage your local municipality & Ministry of Health to partner with Canadian innovators like Empower Health.

Example of FREE services offered by Ontario-based innovator, Empower Health to reduce ER visits at a time when ERs are overwhelmed

1. Find nearby Family Doctors Accepting New Patient - https://empower.ca

2. Find info about local Urgent Care Clinics, Walk-In Clinics, and Pharmacies & book appointments online - https://empower.ca

3. (across )
Book a same-day appointment for an OHIP-covered Zoom virtual visit - https://communityhealthclinic.ca

4. (in , & )
Book a same-day appointment online at nearby Urgent Care Clinics for kids & adults - https://care-clinics.ca

5. (in )
Learn about local healthcare services available for same-day access to care - https://communityurgentcare.ca

Through collaboration & innovation, we can have a stronger healthcare system.

Stay safe & stay healthy this winter!

Did You Know:

OHIP covers FREE same-day virtual care in

Local initiatives:

Central Ontario
https://regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca

Eastern Ontario
https://virtualcareontario.ca

South-West Ontario
https://urgentcareontario.ca

Even if you have a family doctor!

Need healthcare ASAP?

Book a same-day virtual urgent care appointment (using Zoom). It's covered by OHIP.

Get care from comfort of your home without stepping into a waiting room!

https://regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca

Need access to healthcare this long weekend?

Did you know an OHIP-covered Zoom medical visit is just a click away?

Many appointments available from 1-9pm daily.

Available 7-days / week, including long weekends!

https://regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca

to all of the who have dedicated their lives to caring for patients in their weakest moments to keep our communities strong & healthy.

THANK YOU!!!

How did the Empower Health journey begin?

It all started in the summer of 2012.. brainstorming ideas with Audrey Kuo & Sherry-Lynn Lee.. inspired by hackathons & wanting to change the world..

Empower Health (empower.ca / iamsick.ca) began with a mission that remained at the core of every product launch, feature, initiative, and clinical implementation throughout the past decade.

That mission is to empower ALL stakeholders of our healthcare system by putting in place national digital infrastructure for a data-driven healthcare system.

Designed with a focus on user experience & design thinking.. taking into account the many personal stories, personas & feedback that we receive on a rolling basis.. with common themes of unmet needs impacting every stakeholder of our healthcare system:

Patients Caregivers Parents
Children Siblings Newcomers
Clinical staff Admin staff Policymakers
Healthcare Organizations large & small
.connected by a common thread:

Data-driven healthcare can support a more EFFICIENT, COST EFFECTIVE, EQUITABLE and ACCESSIBLE Healthcare System.

Dr. Ryan Doherty, PhD (President & co-Founder)

Since 2011, EMPOWER health, formerly known as iamsick.ca, has been innovating the healthcare industry through a data-driven approach.

As a countdown to our 10 year anniversary, we will be featuring a decade in review of our company’s journey from iamsick.ca -> empower.ca.

We will also be hosting a contest. Stay tuned for more information!

Happy Civic Holiday!

Visit holidayhours.ca (powered by EMPOWER Health) to find the holiday hours for health care providers in your area.

Next Monday is the !

Visit holidayhours.ca (powered by EMPOWER Health) to find the holiday hours for healthcare providers in your area.

Are you experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms?

Book an appointment and/or assessment at a local clinic through care-clinics.ca!

Hospital ER closures and understaffing have disproportionately affected healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers have been continuously overworked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic which is exacerbated by understaffing. In turn, this has a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of health professionals.

The mental health of healthcare providers is always a priority. To access support as a healthcare worker during COVID-19, please visit this resource list compiled by CAMH

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19/information-for-professionals

The WHO has declared monkeypox a public health emergency.

Unlike COVID-19 which is a long-range airborne disease, monkeypox is spread via skin-to-skin contact, exchange of body fluids and transmission via respiratory droplets at close range.

Visit the Government of Canada website for the following information:

- Outbreak updates
- Symptoms & Treatment
- Prevention & Risks
- Vaccine Resources & Eligibility

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox.html

COVID-19 booster shots play a critical role in reducing the risk of severe infection and illness, especially for those who are immunocompromised.

All adults ages 18+ in Ontario are eligible to receive their 4th booster shot. With the rise in COVID-19 subvariants, include the BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12 strains of the virus, it is important to stay up-to-date with booster shots.

To find local pharmacies & clinics offering vaccinations and book your booster, visit myvaccines.ca

Is your child vaccinated against these diseases?

To book your next vaccination, visit MyVaccines.ca

For more information, visit Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/immunization/static/immunization_tool.html

Ontario also has a free vaccination program to ensure that your family's vaccinations are up-to-date.

Looking for an online appointment booking service? Receive a free demo of Empower Health’s system!

Learn more by connecting with our team:
https://info.empower.ca/oht/

What sets EMPOWER Health's online booking system apart from others?

1. Multilingual services
2. Wide variety of booking options
3. Quick and efficient wait times
4. Patient-centred focus

Contact us at [email protected] to learn how we can
better support your healthcare team.

What are the benefits of EMPOWER Health's online booking system?

1. Improves the workflow of clinics
2. Reduces physician burnout and stress
3. Reimagines the patient experience
4. Advances the accessibility of health services

Contact us at [email protected] to learn how we can
better support your healthcare team.

Ontario has expanded fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose eligibility to those aged 18 to 59.

Learn more here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002191/ontarians-aged-18-eligible-for-second-booster-shot

To book your next appointment, visit MyVaccines.ca.

Immunization tracking is crucial to ensure that all individuals are protected from life-threatening communicable illnesses.

Immunization tracking reduces paperwork and effectively manages vaccine inventories. During COVID-19, this has allowed for newly developed vaccines and boosters to be updated in the system accordingly.

Patients no longer need to keep track of their records themselves. Physicians record all doses in through an electronic information system. Immunization registries are both centralized and confidential. This system ensures that all vaccinations are accurate and administered in a timely manner.

Are your immunizations not up-to-date? Visit myvaccines.ca to schedule your next appointment.

For more information regarding immunization records, visit

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-1-key-immunization-information/page-12-immunization-records.html

Happy summer! Here is some important information you should know to have a :

1. Exercise in the morning or evening, when it's likely to be cooler outdoors. If possible, exercise in shady areas.
2. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to protect your skin
3. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
4. Keep cool by wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to help sweat evaporate.

For more details, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/healthy-summer.htm

https://www.redcross.ca/about-us/red-cross-stories/2013/tips-for-staying-cool-and-comfortable-in-the-summer-heat

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the provision of critical vaccinations for school-age children (age 4 - 18) such as the chickenpox, measles, and HPV vaccine.

Experts at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine wrote a report on Maintaining Immunizations for School-Age Children During COVID-19.

Visit https://bit.ly/3hBWFVW to view the full report.

For more information regarding vaccinations children of school-age should receive, visit the link below.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/vaccines-children-school