2010 News & Releases
 
MEDIchair-CHATS (Newmarket) Wins ‘Best Dressed’ Store Award
Deborah Compton, Director of Operations for CHATS receives the 2009 Harry Mykolaishyn
Best Dressed Store Award from Bas van Lankvelt,COO MEDIchair. The award is presented
annually to the MEDIchair franchisee whose overall store layout, design, and presentation,
(as seen through the eyes of the customer), best exemplifies MEDIchair’s core values of
care, knowledge, value and customer service excellence.
Newmarket, ON and Calgary, Alberta – MEDIchair is pleased to announce that MEDIchair-CHATS
(Newmarket, Ontario) has been selected as the winner of the 2009 Harry Mykolaishyn
Best Dressed Store Award among the organization’s 60+ franchise stores across Canada. The award
is presented annually to the MEDIchair franchisee whose overall store layout, design, and presentation,
(as seen through the eyes of the customer), best exemplifies MEDIchair’s core values of care, knowledge,
value and customer service excellence.
“Deborah Compton and Susan Tarrant have done an outstanding job with the layout and design of their
new 4,800 square foot store,” says Bas van Lankvelt, MEDIchair’s COO. “They have optimized and
consolidated their floor space in to a one-stop retail shopping experience. The store’s ambience is akin
to a relaxed, home-like environment that is ideally suited to customers and caregivers as well as local
health care professionals such as Occupational Therapists.”
Read Full Story
MEDIchair appoints Hignett as Director,
Regional Support, Eastern Canada
Mr. Harry Hignett, appointed Director, Regional
Support – Eastern Canada, MEDIchair.
Etobicoke, ON, Calgary, Alberta (April 05, 2010) – Bas van Lankvelt, COO,
MEDIchair North America’s largest and fastest growing Home Medical
Equipment (HME) franchise operation, is pleased to announce the appointment
of Mr. Harry Hignett, as Director, Regional Support – Eastern Canada.
“We are pleased to have attracted such a seasoned HME professional to
work in concert with our franchisees,” explains van Lankvelt. “Harry’s
wealth of experience and knowledge of the HME market will be invaluable
to our franchise network in eastern Canada.”
Read Full Story
2009 News & Releases
MEDIchair Barrie Scooter Obstacle Course
MEDIchair Halton Customer Appreciation Day
MEDIchair Halton Earns National Franchisee of the Year Award
MEDIchair New Liskeard Earns National Best Dressed Store Award
MEDIchair sponsors inaugural Northern Ontario Wheelchair Curling Championships
Canada’s largest Home Medical Equipment
(HME) company opens new store in Hope
MEDIchair Hope to service HME needs of surrounding communities
Located at 591 Wallace Street Unit A, the new MEDIchair Hope store will provide he latest in Home Medical Equipment
products and services. It will also provide occupational and physiotherapists with a venue to bring their patients to
experience and assess HME products such as walkers, power wheelchairs and scooters.
Hope, British Columbia – “The Home Medical Equipment industry in British Columbia is
in the midst of strong growth,” explains Jason Clarke who owns both MEDIchair Hope
and MEDIchair Abbotsford. “Strategically, we view the town of Hope and its surrounding
communities as being under serviced in terms of HME products and services. That will
all change when we open our new 1500 sq. ft. store in early December. We hope to make
it a one-stop-shopping experience for our customers.”
Jason Clarke, owner of MEDIchair Hope
Clarke added, “Although we operate a flagship store in Abbotsford, we felt that in order
to provide the optimum service to our customers across our significant geographical
boundaries, it made good business sense to open MEDIchair Hope.”
MEDIchair Kamloops launches new website with local information
www.kamloops.medichair.com provides Kamloops area customers with national resources
+ local information and expertise.
Kamloops, BC -- MEDIchair, North America’s largest and fastest growing Home Medical
Equipment (HME) franchise company, with stores from coast-to-coast in Canada has embarked
on an ambitious program to update its franchisee network websites. “Although MEDIchair has an
excellent national website, the timing is right for MEDIchair Kamloops to have its own website
with fresh information and resources that are customer focussed for the Kamloops market,”
says co-owner Chris Sellmer.
"In addition to industry related education and resource information, www.kamloops.medichair.com
will be supplemented with local features that are relevant for both consumers and health care
professionals in the Kamloops area. As an example, this will include the availability of local Home Medical
Equipment products and services, funding information and links to government agencies and health care agencies
locally, provincially and nationally. We also have an opt-in confidential email program for subscribers to be alerted
about special local events and product promotions. There is also an on-line map to easily find us.”
MEDIA ADVISORY
Please join us as we honour our nation’s heroes at the
Eighth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon
WHAT: Eighth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon
WHEN: Monday, November 2, 2009 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Registration and seating begin at 10:15 AM
WHERE: The Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville
Read full storyMEDIchair Launches MEDIchair Ontario,
Canada’s first provincial franchise company
Based on a co-op model, MEDIchair Ontario’s 20 retail stores are now able to provide Home Medical Equipment
(HME) services to hospitals physicians and long-term care facilities anywhere in Ontario with one central point of contact.
Sudbury, Ontario & Calgary, Alberta (August 2009) – MEDIchair, North America’s largest and fastest
growing Home Medical Equipment (HME) franchise company and its 20 Ontario franchisee owners are
pleased to announce the formation of MEDIchair Ontario, Canada’s first provincial HME franchise company.
“This a new milestone for MEDIchair and the first time in our history that we have been able to service governments,
hospitals and long-term health care facilities through one company,” says Bas van Lankvelt, MEDIchair’s Chief Operating Officer.
Norm Gervais is president of MEDIchair Ontario
and Owner of MEDIchair Sudbury
Norm Gervais, president of MEDIchair Ontario and Owner of MEDIchair Sudbury agrees, “We based
MEDIchair Ontario on a co-operative business model that allows each of our 20 franchise owners to collectively
own and operate MEDIchair Ontario. Each owner has one vote. Each owner shares equally in any profits.”
MEDIchair Ontario Vice-President David Parton added, “The business concept is sound and provides us
with an unmatched ability to provide HME products and professional services to hospitals, physicians and
large healthcare facilities anywhere in the province with just one point of contact.”
Read full story
MEDIchair Ontario Vice-President David
Parton also owns MEDIchair franchises
in Cambridge and Guelph
MEDIA ADVISORY
Barrie area residents and caregivers invited to
MEDIchair Customer Appreciation Day May 27
Scooters receive free 5-point inspection
Read full story
Barrie, Ontario -- “May 27th is going to be a special day for Barrie and area residents
to visit the MEDIchair store to enjoy a free BBQ and test drive the latest scooters and power wheelchairs,”
says MEDIchair Barrie Franchise Owner John Tom.
John Tom, owner MEDIchair Barrie
“We have set up a special obstacle course to showcase the capabilities of powered scooters and
wheelchairs and to test driving skills. We’ve also invited manufacturer’s product specialists to be
on hand to answer any consumer questions about the latest mobility and accessibility products.
MEDIchair Barrie will also have Home Medical Equipment Specialists available who are very
knowledgeable regarding government funding for mobility products and accessibility modifications
for private homes.”
Four-wheel scooter.
Mr. Tom added, “We want scooter owners to bring their scooters in for a free five-point inspection.
We will also provide minor repairs to power wheelchairs, walkers and rollators at no cost. This is
the perfect time to leisurely browse through our full inventory of home medical equipment while
enjoying our free BBQ. We will be drawing for prizes during our Customer Appreciation Day and
offering special discounts on a wide range of products.”
MEDIchair Barrie has the largest showroom and product selection in Simcoe County. This event
also features great savings on basic home medical equipment such as grab bars, bathroom safety,
compression stockings and reachers.
Eclipse Medical’s Shoprider Scooter wins
Best New Medical Product at MEDIchair Conference
Read full story
Oakville, Ontario – “For the second year in a row, Eclipse Medical has received the
Award of Excellence in Medical Product Innovation as selected by health care
professionals attending MEDIchair Halton’s 9th Annual New Medical Product and
Educational Event,” says co-owner Kristin Courtney. “The winning innovative product
among our 51 participating vendors is the Shoprider GK-10 SPIRIT Scooter.” Courtney
noted that Eclipse becomes the first two-time winner of the award since its inception in 2000.
“We are very proud to be recognized by health care professionals for our product
innovation,” says Jason Weinstein, General Manager of British Columbia-based Eclipse
Medical Inc. Weinstein explained that the Shoprider GK-10 is a "cross-over" type scooter
offering the benefits of portable mobility, stylish good looks, and performance offered by a
mid-sized four-wheel scooter. Features include quick and simple disassembly (into three pieces),
35 AH batteries (can be charged out of scooter) and flat free tires.
(l to r) Eclipse Medical's George Eckford, Sales Manager, Ontario and Jason Weinstein, GM celebrate
winning MEDIchair Halton's Award of Excellence in Medical Product Innovation for its Shoprider GK-10
SPIRIT Scooter. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton who offered his thanks and encouraging words to the
attending health professionals presented the award
MEDIchair Halton Earns National Franchisee of the Year Award
Franchisee must blend outstanding business acumen with MEDIchair’s core
values of care, knowledge, value and customer service excellence
MEDIchair Halton's David and Kristin Courtney
Oakville, Ontario – Bas van Lankvelt, COO of MEDIchair, North America’s largest and fastest growing
Home Medical Equipment (HME) franchise operation, is pleased to announce that David and Kristin Courtney
of MEDIchair Halton have earned the company’s 2008 Franchise of the Year Award.
In presenting the award, van Lankvelt pointed out that winning the corporation’s highest award of achievement
requires an exceptional effort on the part of the franchisee, who must blend outstanding business acumen with
MEDIchair’s core values of care, knowledge, value and customer service excellence.
Read Full Story
Following on the heels of being chosen by a group of his Ontario peers to represent them
on MEDIchair’s National Advisory Council, Dalas Forget has received another award....
MEDIchair New Liskeard
Earns National Best Dressed Store Award
MEDIchair New Liskeard's Dalas Forget
New Liskeard, Ontario – Bas van Lankvelt, COO of MEDIchair, North America’s largest and fastest
growing Home Medical Equipment (HME) franchise operation, is pleased to announce that MEDIchair
New Liskeard, owned by Dalas Forget, has been selected as the winner of the 2008 Harry Mykolaishyn
Best Dressed Store Award.
In discussing the achievement award, van Lankvelt explained that it is presented annually to the
MEDIchair franchisee (among the organization’s 60+ locations), whose overall store layout, design,
and presentation through the customer’s eyes, best exemplifies MEDIchair’s core values of care,
knowledge, value and customer service excellence.
“Dalas Forget and his team have done an outstanding job of moving to a new location and consolidating
their store space into a one-stop retail shopping experience in a relaxed, home-like environment that is
ideally suited to both customers and community health care professionals. In the process, they have used
local labour and products to build a showroom, administration, service, and warehousing services under one roof.”
Read Full Story
MEDIchair sponsors inaugural Northern Ontario
Wheelchair Curling Championships
Team MEDIchair and sponsors.
Thunder Bay, Ontario – “We have sponsored a local team in the Thunder Bay Wheelchair
Curling Association for the past two years,” says MEDIchair Thunder Bay owner
Barb Ceresino. “So, when the opportunity arose to sponsor the inaugural Northern Ontario
Wheelchair Curling Championships, we seized the opportunity. It’s a perfect fit for MEDIchair’s
commitment to community involvement. We also thought it was important to support wheelchair
curling which we believe has a huge opportunity to grow and develop locally, provincially,
nationally and internationally.”
Team MEDIchair receives last minute instructions from their coach.
Read Full Story
2008 News & Releases
Latest news releases from MEDIchair
New Liskeard entrepreneur creates one-stop-shop with MEDIchair expansion
Smooth transition of ownership at MEDIchair Cranbrook/Castlegar
MEDIchair Sudbury opens satellite store in Elliot Lake
Strong Growth Prompts MEDIchair Ottawa to enhance store, services
Strong provincial growth trend prompts MEDIchair Regina to expand operations
MEDIchair Calgary offers new adaptive technologies service
to help people with physical limitations at office, oil patch and home
MEDIchair & CHATS join forces in Newmarket
New Liskeard entrepreneur creates
one-stop-shop with MEDIchair expansion
Home Medical Equipment (HME) business enhances buying and service experiences under one roof.
Read full story
Smooth transition of ownership at MEDIchair Cranbrook/Castlegar
Previous owners remain on as key employees as both MEDIchair Cranbrook & MEDIchair Castlegar
experience strong growth in local Home Medical Equipment (HME) market.
MEDIchair Cranbrook owners Dana Tippe and David Stokes
Cranbrook & Castlegar, BC – It is not every day that business owners mentor employees so they can assume
the role of new owners, and then once the sale is concluded the previous owners become employees. That’s
precisely what happened to David Stokes and Dana Tippe, the new co-owners of MEDIchair Cranbrook/Castlegar.
“It was a wonderful experience to be mentored for a year by the previous owners Michiel and Lanna van der
Velden and then have them continue to work with us,” says Stokes. “All things considered, the transition
has been seamless. It’s also comforting to have the previous owners stay on with the company as valued
team members to help continue our growth. In fact Mike is now our Manager of Elevating and Lifts and Lanna
is our Director of Operations.”
read full story
MEDIchair Sudbury opens satellite store in Elliot Lake
Sudbury and Elliot Lake, Ontario -- Norm Gervais, Owner of MEDIchair Sudbury
had been looking for the right business partner to help expand and grow his
home medical equipment business within his franchise territory, in particular
the city of Elliot Lake, a 1.5 hour drive from Sudbury. In early 2008, Gervais
partnered with Elliot Lake entrepreneur Carolyn Séguin, owner of C&R Variety
Plus to open MEDIchair Elliot Lake.
Read full story
Strong provincial growth trend prompts
MEDIchair Regina to expand operations
Regina, SK – “The strong growth trend of the Saskatchewan economy prompted us to make a major expansion
at the end of 2007,” says Cheryl Olson, co-owner of MEDIchair Regina. “We fully expect that our Home
Medical Equipment (HME) business will be able to benefit from that growth trend. In addition to a healthy,
vibrant economy, more and more people from Regina’s surrounding rural communities are needing the HME
products that MEDIchair provides. As well, an aging population of baby boomers in the Regina area are
demanding more home medical equipment than ever before.”
Co-owner Dan Olson added: “Today, people are also living longer than in previous generations and many
are choosing to stay in their homes rather than move to a senior’s residence. That’s where MEDIchair
Regina can be a huge resource for information, ideas and solutions. We have all the latest products that
can help them maximize their quality of life at home and allow them to stay in their home longer.”
Read full story here
 
 
MEDIchair Calgary offers new
adaptive technologies service
to help people with physical
limitations at office, oil patch and home.
read full story here
Comfort Keyboard System
 
The Comfort keyboard is one of the top ergonomic products in the world. It is one of the most adjustable keyboards
with a tri-dimensional swivel that permits infinite positioning options for each of the three sections: tilt, rotate, bend,
flex, twist, flatten etc.
Foot Mouse with Programmable Pedal
The Ergonomically designed Footime™ foot mouse and programmable pedal help people with hand, arm or
shoulder stress/injury do all PC entries (typing and web surfing) by foot. It’s a two-part input device: one for
cursor control (“slipper”), the other for mouse clicks and shortcuts (the pedal). The slipper-shaped cursor
controller is intuitively easy to use and efficient. With elastic strap and Velcro ends, the “slipper” can fit all foot
sizes. Two-level pedal design prevent user from stepping on the wrong buttons. These buttons not only
mimic all “hand” mouse clicks, but also allow people to program their own customized shortcuts.
Created by: PRWIZARD -- Last updated:Aug 16, 2010
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