Homewood Health and Cleveland Clinic Canada Come Together to Launch Comprehensive Mental Health, EFAP & Virtual Care Solution for Canadian Workplaces Français
Addition of Cleveland Clinic Canada's Virtual Care to Homewood Health's Mental Health and EFAP Offering Provides Access to Quality Care, Unlimited Support, and Seamless Specialist Referrals
GUELPH, ON, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Homewood Health, Canada's leading provider of mental health and EFAP services, has joined with Cleveland Clinic Canada, a leading virtual healthcare provider, to introduce an advanced and accessible mental health, EFAP and virtual care solution for Canadian workplaces.
This combined offering by two highly experienced service-focused national leaders provides an integrated, high-quality healthcare experience that ensures employees receive the right care at the right time—helping organizations build stronger, healthier, and more resilient teams.
Key features of Cleveland Clinic Canada's virtual care service include:
Easy, Prompt Access to a Nurse Practitioner —Employees can connect with a licensed clinician within minutes, ensuring fast, quality care.
Unlimited Visits and Follow-ups —Consultations are unlimited, and employees receive ongoing support whenever needed.
One Visit, Multiple Concerns —Employees can discuss all their health issues in a single appointment, eliminating unnecessary delays.
Canada-Wide Coverage —Available nationwide, this plan ensures access to high-quality healthcare regardless of employee's location.
Comprehensive Testing & Screening —Employees receive requisition forms for necessary medical tests and screening, which supports early diagnosis and preventative care.
In-Home Diagnostics – TytoCare technology enables the diagnosis of more conditions virtually by remotely assessing temperature, examining the throat and ears, and listening to the heart and lungs.
Seamless Prescription Delivery —Medications can be sent directly to an employee's home or preferred pharmacy.
Specialist Referrals —Access a high-quality network of specialists for additional support as needed.
Homewood Health is excited to bring Cleveland Clinic Canada's virtual care offering to its customers and combine this with Homewood Health's comprehensive mental health and employee assistance services. These services include MeetNow, which provides immediate access to counselling; Enhanced Mental Health Care, which provides longer-term psychotherapy for more significant mental health challenges; and an advanced digital platform that provides tailored recommendations for support, sophisticated counsellor matching tools, and access to a range of mental health and wellness resources.
"This is more than just another virtual health service—it brings together a combined 250 years of health expertise," says Jagoda Pike, President & CEO of Homewood Health Inc. "By integrating virtual medical care and specialist referrals with Homewood's extensive mental health and employee assistance services and advanced digital platform, we can meaningfully impact employee health, engagement and productivity."
"A healthier workforce is a stronger workforce," says Mike Kessel, President & CEO, Cleveland Clinic Canada. "By combining expert virtual medical care with seamless mental health support, we're not just treating illnesses—we're creating a workplace culture where well-being comes first."
About Homewood Health
With over 140 years of experience, Homewood Health is at the forefront of mental health and well-being, providing Canadians with an unparalleled continuum of care. We achieve outstanding outcomes every day through our national network of over 6,000 employees and clinical experts working in partnership with leading employers, organizations and researchers. Our unique and comprehensive stepped care continuum provides the most complete range of mental health services available nationally – from organizational support & training programs to employee assistance & mental health programs, as well as specialized expertise in assessments, return to work, recovery management and family support – all supported by our medical and mental health expertise in our nationally recognized treatment facilities: Homewood Health Centre, Homewood Ravensview and The Residence at Homewood.
For more information, please visit www.homewoodhealth.com.
About Cleveland Clinic Canada
Cleveland Clinic Canada is the Canadian location of Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical centre that has provided world class patient care to people from around the world since 1921. Cleveland Clinic Canada's multi-disciplinary team of physicians and wellness experts provide in-person care at our clinics in Toronto as well as virtual care across Canada. Their medical experts also work with companies to help them manage organizational risk and improve the health of their employees in a wide range of industries. Patients benefit from the expertise of dozens of Canadian physicians, specialists and wellness experts, and over 3,500 physicians and specialists across the Cleveland Clinic network. Visit clevelandclinic.ca to learn more.
SOURCE Homewood Health Inc.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
27 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Information and Privacy Commissioner urges government to close regulatory gaps and secure public trust Français
TORONTO, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim, is urging the provincial government to address regulatory gaps to better protect Ontarians' personal information from cybersecurity attacks, commercialization of children's data, and the use of AI technologies without clear rules or oversight. The call to action is outlined in the 2024 annual report of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC), From Vision to Impact: Five Years of Privacy and Transparency in a Digital Ontario, released today. The report also includes an appendix containing the IPC's findings and recommendations emerging from a series of access-to-information appeals involving the Greenbelt land removals. "In a world where trust is increasingly hard to come by, Ontarians deserve clear rules, strong safeguards, and full transparency from their institutions," said Commissioner Kosseim. "Whether it's how decisions are made, how personal data is used, or how emerging technologies are governed, our office will continue pushing for real accountability, because public trust is the foundation of a healthy democracy." Make AI and privacy laws work for Ontarians The IPC is urging the government to develop meaningful, enforceable regulations to address key legislative gaps left behind by Bill 194 that enacted the Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act (EDSTA) and amended the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Specifically, the IPC is calling for: binding guardrails and independent oversight for public sector use of AI robust cybersecurity measures that protect Ontarians' sensitive information stronger and clearer protections for children's digital information amendments to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to match FIPPA changes. Failing to align the two laws risks creating confusion for institutions and frustration for Ontarians, who expect consistent privacy rights across all of Ontario's public sector Protect patient rights in a digital health system Ensure that stronger accountability measures are embedded in the Personal Health Information Protection Act and that any future accompanying regulations strengthen meaningful access and protections for individuals' health information, rather than undermine them. Enabling greater access to the electronic health record system through digital health IDs may be a good thing, but not if the system lacks the necessary safeguards, clarity, and transparency. The IPC is calling on the government to retain individuals' full access rights to their health records, embed privacy-enhancing principles into the design of digital health IDs, and ensure strong governance and oversight, particularly when the provision of digital health services involves third-party vendors. Restore transparency and accountability in government decision-making In an appendix to its annual report, the IPC examines how the government handled a series of access to information requests related to the Greenbelt land removal decisions. The IPC identified several systemic issues, including: the use of personal devices and email accounts for government-related business, the use of code words that had the effect of frustrating FOI searches, the lack of proper documentation of key government decisions and poor information retention practices. These practices, if left unaddressed, risk undermining transparency and eroding public trust in government institutions. The IPC calls on the government to strengthen its record-keeping policies and practices, prohibit the use of personal accounts and devices for government-related business, regularly monitor for compliance, and codify a legal duty to document communications, decisions, and actions, as well as an explicit requirement for institutions to define and implement appropriate retention measures. The full 2024 annual report, including the Greenbelt appendix and key recommendations, is available on the IPC website.
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
CCRAN Announces Its Third Annual Pan-Tumour Biomarkers Conference: Transforming Cancer Care for Patients Through Precision Medicine, Policy, and Partnerships
TORONTO, /CNW/ - The Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN) proudly announces its third annual Pan-Tumour Biomarkers Conference, taking place virtually June 19 - 20, 2025. As the role of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and biomarker-driven treatments become increasingly vital in cancer care, this event reaffirms CCRAN's position at the forefront of Canada's precision medicine movement. The 2025 Conference arrives at a critical time. With provinces and territories working to align clinical innovation with system delivery, this year's event brings together leaders across healthcare, policy, research, industry, and patient communities to explore what it will take to embed comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) into the fabric of cancer care - consistently, efficiently, and with long-term sustainability in mind. With a curated agenda centered on health system readiness, policy development and advocacy strategies, the Conference will drive widespread integration of genomic testing, specifically CGP, across cancer care in Canada. From laboratory infrastructure to funding models and clinical adoption, speakers will explore both the science and systems behind matching patients with the most effective treatments for their unique cancer profile. A key highlight of the 2025 Conference is the keynote presentation by the Conference Board of Canada, wherein a groundbreaking cost-benefit analysis will be unveiled to showcase the transformative value of CGP across five tumour types – lung, colorectal, breast, pancreatic and prostate. This study will demonstrate not only the substantial return on investment in modernizing Canada's testing landscape, but more importantly, quantify the profound benefits to patients, including improved survival outcomes, enhanced quality of life, reduced treatment toxicity, and faster access to targeted therapies. This critical data will inform policy decisions and provide compelling evidence for healthcare leaders to accelerate the adoption of precision medicine, ultimately ensuring Canadian cancer patients receive the most effective, personalized care possible. The event also builds on CCRAN's continued efforts to mobilize support for biomarker-driven cancer care through education, policy dialogue, and cross-sector partnerships. CCRAN has played a vital role in amplifying the urgency of public access to biomarker testing and is also helping to align national conversations around the need for timely, standardized, and publicly funded diagnostics. " Precision oncology must be accessible to every Canadian metastatic cancer patient, regardless of geography or circumstance," said Filomena Servidio-Italiano, President & CEO, CCRAN. " This Conference brings together the expertise and momentum required to overcome barriers and chart a clear path forward for advancing genomic testing in Canada's cancer care system." The Conference is designed for healthcare professionals, health system administrators, researchers, policy leaders, patients, caregivers, and all those invested in building a more personalized and equitable future for cancer care in Canada. CCRAN extends its heartfelt gratitude to our premier partners - Merck, AstraZeneca, Roche, Johnson & Johnson - for their unwavering commitment to advancing equitable access to precision medicine in Canada. The organization also expresses its sincere appreciation to the balance of the Conference sponsors as well as the dedicated patient advocacy group partners whose collaboration ensures that the patient voice remains at the heart of every initiative. Registration is free. All sessions will be hosted virtually and made available for post-event viewing. To register and view the full agenda, visit: About CCRAN: The Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN) is a national, patient-focused advocacy group that champions the health and well-being of Canadians touched by colorectal cancer, and others at risk of developing the disease. They provide support, education, and advocacy to patients (and their caregivers) to help improve patients' quality of life, as well as their longevity.
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
As Public Cancer Funding Wavers, Oncology's Brightest Breakthroughs Are Coming From Industry
Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. VANCOUVER, BC, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ -- Equity Insider News Commentary – The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting has wrapped, leaving behind a wave of cautious optimism across the oncology landscape. From advances in immunotherapy and CAR T-cell strategies to new applications in AI, diagnostics, and even exercise-based interventions, this year's gathering spotlighted a broad array of promising approaches. However, looming over the scientific excitement are concerns about proposed U.S. budget cuts, including a potential 40% reduction in funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). As public investment comes under pressure, many are turning to the private sector to carry the load — with recent moves by companies like Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), Anixa Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIX), Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN), and ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX). The rising global burden of cancer is driving urgent demand for next-generation therapies. By 2030, annual case counts are expected to climb 20%, with projections pointing to a 75% surge by 2050, according to Statista. Market researchers anticipate oncology spending will scale to match: ResearchAndMarkets forecasts the sector hitting US$866.1 billion by 2034, growing at a 10.8% CAGR, while Vision Research Reports places the market for cancer treatments even higher — surpassing US$903.81 billion at a 10.9% CAGR. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), just announced a major leadership transition that could mark a pivotal chapter in its clinical and corporate trajectory. The company has appointed Jared Kelly as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board, a move that brings in a seasoned biotech dealmaker known for high-value M&A and immuno-oncology strategy. Kelly most recently played a central role (as General Counsel) in the $2 billion sale of Ambrx Biopharma to Johnson & Johnson. Prior to that, he advised numerous biotech firms on licensing and acquisitions during his tenure at leading law firms Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Lowenstein Sandler LLP. In joining Oncolytics, he inherits one of the most intriguing immunotherapy agents and pipelines in clinical oncology: pelareorep, a virus-based agent with broad synergy potential in solid and hematologic tumors. "Pelareorep's clinical data across multiple tumors is striking and represents the potential for a true backbone immunotherapy to address many in-need indications. Importantly, the data show that pelareorep creates a robust immunologic response in difficult tumors and increases survival in a patient population where survival has historically evaded most patients," said Jared Kelly, CEO of Oncolytics Biotech. "With a renewed focus and sharpened clinical development plan, we believe we will move pelareorep forward effectively and efficiently to a place where potential partners will see the value of a de-risked immunotherapy. I am excited to get to work accelerating development and unlocking significant value for stakeholders." Kelly's appointment signals a clear priority: advancing pelareorep toward late-stage inflection points with a capital-efficient and partnership-aware strategy. The asset currently holds FDA Fast Track designation in both metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) and HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) —a rare distinction that reinforces its regulatory momentum. In trials to date, pelareorep has consistently demonstrated immune activation, synergy with chemotherapies and checkpoint inhibitors, and unusually strong response rates across difficult-to-treat cancers. In metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPDAC), pelareorep has delivered over 60% objective response rates in tumor evaluable patients across Phase 1 and 2 studies—more than double those observed in historical controls — and, separately, two-year survival rates 4-6 times those observed in control patients or in prior studies. In HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, two randomized Phase 2 trials (IND-213 and BRACELET-1) showed meaningful survival benefit. And in anal cancer, early data from a phase 2 cohort combining pelareorep with a checkpoint inhibitor showed partial or complete responses in nearly half of evaluable patients—far exceeding historical norms for monotherapy. "Mr. Kelly's vision and track record is an extraordinary fit with the standout clinical data pelareorep has generated to date," said Wayne Pisano, Chair of the Board and outgoing Interim CEO of Oncolytics. "We believe Mr. Kelly's well-documented ability to prioritize clinical program development, execute successful financings, and attract the attention of large industry peers will help maximize Oncolytics' potential to deliver transformative outcomes for patients and exceptional value for investors." To align incentives with long-term shareholder value, Kelly's compensation package includes equity and milestone-based awards tied to future strategic transactions and financings. The structure reflects Oncolytics' intention to drive both clinical and corporate progress without overextending its cap table—while remaining attractive to potential collaborators. As multiple programs advance within the GOBLET study—including pancreatic and anal cancer cohorts backed by regulatory support and third-party funding— Oncolytics appears poised to benefit from a combination of scientific traction, capital flexibility, and strategic leadership. In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include: Anixa Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIX) is advancing two novel programs at the frontlines of cancer immunotherapy. The company will present new data from its first-in-human ovarian cancer CAR-T clinical trial later this month at the ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress, showcasing a unique chimeric endocrine receptor T-cell (CER-T) platform targeting the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). Separately, Anixa is also working with Cleveland Clinic to develop a preventative breast cancer vaccine designed to train the immune system to recognize "retired" proteins reactivated in early malignancies. "While cancer vaccines have traditionally faced significant hurdles, our approach is aimed at a novel target that has not been previously explored in this context," said Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman and CEO of Anixa Biosciences. "We believe this could represent a new paradigm in immuno-oncology. The breast cancer market, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer and genetically high-risk populations, continues to face a major unmet need. Our vaccine may offer a unique, immunologic pathway for both prevention and treatment." Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA) has published the final five-year analysis from its Phase 2 C-144-01 trial evaluating Amtagvi® (lifileucel), the first FDA -approved T cell therapy for solid tumors in patients with advanced melanoma. "Amtagvi has demonstrated long-term benefit and meaningful overall survival in a difficult-to-treat melanoma patient population resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy," said Theresa Medina, M.D., medical oncologist at the University of Colorado Cancer Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus. "Five years following one-time Amtagvi treatment, responses persisted or deepened during an extended treatment-free interval for some patients. Amtagvi offers a new standard of care for the advanced melanoma community and sets a new bar for one-time cell therapies with curative intent in solid tumors." The results, featured in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and presented at ASCO 2025, highlight durable responses in heavily pretreated patients—with nearly one-third of responders maintaining benefit five years after a single treatment. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) recently reported compelling Phase 3 results for Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as an adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) following surgery. The trial showed a 68% reduction in disease recurrence or death and strong secondary endpoint performance, including 80% and 65% reductions in locoregional and distant recurrence, respectively. "The Phase 3 C-POST trial demonstrates that cemiplimab is a highly active therapy in high-risk CSCC, with clinically meaningful outcomes across primary and secondary endpoints and exceptionally low rates of locoregional and distant recurrence," said Danny Rischin, M.D., Head of Head and Neck Cancer and Cutaneous SCC at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. "While surgery and radiotherapy remain the cornerstones of treatment, there is a critical unmet need for systemic therapies to help prevent relapse and metastasis." Regulatory filings have already been submitted in the U.S. and EU, and experts say these findings could reshape treatment standards. ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) is advancing what may be the first true therapy for lymphopenia—a condition long associated with poor outcomes in cancer but never directly treated until now. "Lymphopenia has long been recognized as a major driver and predictor of early mortality in cancer—yet until now, it has remained unaddressed," said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Founder, Executive Chairman and Global Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ImmunityBio. " Backed by FDA Expanded Access authorization, the company's Cancer BioShield™ platform centers on ANKTIVA®, an IL-15 superagonist approved in bladder cancer and now being deployed to help restore immune function in patients with solid tumors who've exhausted first-line therapies. "This FDA authorization allows all patients with solid tumors suffering from immune collapse following first-line therapy of chemo, radiation, or immunotherapy to access ANKTIVA," said Soon-Shiong. "The survival benefit we observed at ASCO 2025 in 3 rd to 6 th line advanced metastatic pancreatic cancer confirms that restoring lymphocyte levels—rather than depleting them—can change the course of disease." At ASCO 2025, ImmunityBio presented landmark data showing that reversing lymphopenia with ANKTIVA and CAR-NK cells significantly extended survival in late-stage pancreatic cancer patients, especially when intervention occurred at a lower tumor burden. The results represent a potential paradigm shift: treating immune collapse itself—not just the tumor—may drive better long-term outcomes. Based on this mechanism, the platform could open doors to broader applications in oncology, infectious disease, and immune senescence. CONTACT: Equity Insider [email protected] (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.
