President's Message

A Message from the desk of the President

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful. Dr. Marion Collins understood this well when he crafted a paper bracelet for his daughter to alert health professionals of her sensitivity to tetanus antitoxin. Dr. Maureen Roberts also recognized the value of a simple idea when she brought MedicAlert to Canada 50 years ago.

This powerful idea is not just the MedicAlert bracelet, but that individuals can and should be engaged in their own healthcare and share some responsibility for managing and communicating their own health information. While today one can become overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of technological ‘solutions’ that promise better healthcare, none match the power of this simple and enduring idea.

The original idea was developed and acted upon by Dr. Collins, nurtured and encouraged by Dr. Roberts, and put into practice by 1.1 million Canadians and close to five million people worldwide. It has protected and saved many lives and will continue to do so for many years to come.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. Collins, Dr. Roberts and to all Canadians, like you, who have chosen to become part of the MedicAlert family over the last fifty years.

Thank you for being such an important part of our 50 year history. Join us as we celebrate half a century of helping Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Robert Ridge
President and CEO
Canadian MedicAlert Foundation