Finding a healthcare provider that prioritizes client care and provides diligent follow up can be challenging. Howard describes his experience with our Vancouver (West Hastings) team as incredibly fortunate, as having a whole team devoted to his well-being indeed feels like a stroke of luck.
Howard shares, “I feel like the luckiest client at Harrison, but I know all clients are treated this well.”
At Harrison, our providers are dedicated to delivering compassionate, comprehensive, and responsive medical care, and are equipped with the necessary time and resources to do so.
“When I signed up with the team, I received more than just access to a premium experience at the doctor. I feel like part of the family,” adds Howard.
Unmatched Support and Responsiveness
Howard speaks highly of Dr. Glaze, his physician, calling him “truly exceptional.” He takes the time to ask about his family’s well-being and arrives well-prepared for each appointment. Howard never feels like an inconvenience and is always given plenty of time.
“You can truly ask all your questions, and you’ll never leave wishing you had more time,” Howard explains. “During a recent appointment, I casually mentioned an upcoming trip to Asia, and Dr. Glaze informed me about the in-clinic travel medicine services I hadn’t known about. My wife and I promptly received the necessary vaccines and travel precautions, in addition to the care I originally needed.”
With a demanding legal career, Howard appreciates Harrison’s meticulous management of his health, which offers peace of mind, saves valuable time, and significantly reduces stress. This sentiment echoes among Harrison clients from various professions, as the desire to alleviate stress is a constant in modern life.
Timely Interventions
With convenient phone and email access to Sonya, Howard’s Care Coordinator, he is reassured that any issues will be addressed promptly. This access enables him to be proactive rather than ignore concerns or endure pain unnecessarily, as was the case last summer.
“During a recent long weekend, I woke up with a sore shoulder and called Harrison’s after hours phone line where the on-call physician gave me immediate advice. Later, a nurse checked in on my pain and arranged for a steroid injection performed on site at Harrison. Within two days, I saw a doctor, booked necessary investigations, and coordinated physiotherapy,” Howard recounts.
Multidisciplinary Team-based Care Prevails
Howard’s healthcare team employs a multilayered approach to his preventive care, addressing dietary needs, managing stress, and treating specific health conditions. Dr. Glaze works in tandem with Howard’s exercise physiologist, Aidan; nurse, Sage; and registered dietitian, Dayna, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic strategy.
“His nutritional plan improved his protein intake, introducing marine collagen and high-protein shakes at breakfast. We’ve also prescribed daily Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D for energy and bone health. Additionally, we introduced Magnesium bisglycinate for back pain and sleep, with dosages finely tuned for effectiveness and tolerance,” Dayna explains.
Aidan, the Exercise Physiologist, collaborates with Howard on immediate pain relief, long-term health promotion, and enhancing participation in his favourite activities. “We’re focusing on building muscle in his legs, increasing cardio, and improving balance. Strengthening his core will help reduce back pain from his active lifestyle. Interestingly, as Howard is also a singer, we’re working on enhancing his breathing techniques,” Aidan notes.
“He takes advice on board, works diligently, and enjoys retesting his progress,” Aidan says of Howard’s positive attitude and determination.
By maintaining these strategies, Howard is well-positioned to sustain his health improvements and achieve his long-term wellness objectives.
Changing healthcare landscape
“I feel like I’m receiving the type of highly attentive medical care of a bygone era,” says Howard.
Howard reflected on his and his parents’ experiences with primary healthcare before joining Harrison. For two decades, he had an excellent doctor in downtown Vancouver with exceptional service and accessibility.
“I remember a time from my parents’ era when doctors would even share their home phone numbers. I grew up accustomed to that level of care and understanding, which, unfortunately, is rare today—though not due to any fault of physicians,” Howard adds.
Family physicians today face greater pressures than in the past, making the personalized attentiveness Howard and previous generations once enjoyed harder to provide. While medical innovations offer more personalized care, they also increase physicians’ workloads with more lab results and continuous training demands. Modern healthcare’s complexity necessitates more time for symptom investigation and pressure to provide timely, accurate diagnoses.
According to Don Copeman, the founder, one of Harrison’s goals was to reinvent this style of healthcare. The clinic merges traditional attentiveness with contemporary solutions, fostering an innovative, supportive, and comforting environment for clients. The multidisciplinary team provides invaluable support and additional expertise, distributing the workload among team members instead of overburdening one person.
Embracing Prevention
Howard is committed to a long-term health and longevity strategy. Adopting a preventive philosophy, he is optimistic about reaching a healthy 100 years, supported by an incredible team that, in Howard’s words, “has my back.”
Accountable Lifestyle Change
Embracing preventive healthcare has been transformative for Howard, complementing the exceptional and attentive care he already enjoys. By focusing on longevity, he has gained insights into the importance of balance and leg strength, incorporating exercises like squats, lunges, and stability drills to build strength and improve balance for the long term.
The dietary adjustments recommended by his registered dietitian have notably enhanced his daily well-being. Regular lab tests and team oversight ensure he maintains critical nutrients, such as vitamins B and D. These changes, while seemingly small, are vital in his pursuit of a healthier, extended life.
Life-Changing Care
Howard’s journey with Harrison exemplifies the transformative power of personalized, preventive healthcare. The team’s deep understanding of Howard’s health history, provides expert guidance that is both compassionate and data-backed, ensuring decisions are relevant and made with precision.
This level of innovation and individualized care, supported by a dedicated team of clinicians and administrators, allows Howard to concentrate on what truly benefits his health. The trust he places in his healthcare team is crucial, leading to a marked improvement in his well-being. Howard’s experience demonstrates that with expert guidance tailored to one’s individual needs, personalized healthcare becomes a reality that fosters well-being and contributes to a healthier, longer life for anyone who embraces it.
