herzig eye institute - The Canadian Business Journal
Transcription
herzig eye institute - The Canadian Business Journal
HERZIG EYE INSTITUTE www.herzig-eye.com CBJ HERZIG EYE INS Visionaries with High Definition V HEALTHCARE STITUTE Vision… and Focused on Growth 4 HEALTHCARE » Herzig Eye Institute It is often said that a person’s eyes are the most precious of all human senses – your very own window to the world. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the ability to see that same beautiful imagery brought into clear focus through advanced laser eye correction surgery can be summed up in three words: Herzig Eye Institute. been in practice for a number of years and was already widely known as a pioneer within the industry while Tabb had been working as an executive with a U.S. company that was organizing to be first in laser vision correction in the US. Her partners sent her to Canada to find the best surgeon to train their U.S. surgeons while the Food and Drug Administration was approving the new excimer laser technology. In 1994, Tabb had her eyes treated (albeit by another surgeon) and determined that Dr. Herzig AS THE ACKNOWLEDGED trendsetter in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, Herzig would be the ideal candidate to train U.S. surgeons. “Dr. Herzig was the perfect to train our sur- Eye Institute (HEI) was co-founded in Toronto geons because of his surgical competency, by Dr. Sheldon Herzig and Cherry Tabb in 1996. compassionate and ethical manner,” says Tabb. Prior to meeting one another, Dr. Herzig had When the American company was acquired by OCTOBER 2015 « The Canadian Business Journal 5 Reaching your health goals starts here The Comprehensive Health Assessment from Medcan is a thorough head-to-toe evaluation that gives you insights on your current health and future risks, so you can reach your health goals. Medcan has over 65 physicians and specialists on site, alongside a broad roster of complementary health care disciplines. We provide an innovative range of diagnostic assessments, health improvement programs and year-round care for individuals, families and organizations. 150 York Street, Suite 1500 Toronto, Ontario M5H 3S5 416.350.5900 medcan.com TLC in 1996, Tabb and Herzig decided to go into been performed for patients from all over business together and co-founded the Herzig Canada, 42 states in the US, and more than 23 Eye Institute. As co-founders with common countries. HEI has built a world-class repu- values, they found a unique combination of their tation, resulting in exceptional outcomes far individual talents of medical and business exper- above industry standards. They say it’s because tise. Tabb says, “We make the brand promise of they match the right procedure with the right giving people their best vision. Both are passion- patient. Patients are treated with technology ate about innovations that improve quality of life. like I-Design, femto-phaco laser cataract sur- Without hesitation, Tabb attributes their impres- gery, or the new Symfony intraocular lens to sive success to their competent and dedicated achieve their best vision with the added benefit staff. “Without our like-minded, conscientious of improved night vision and getting rid of read- staff of nurses, doctors, surgeons, we wouldn’t ing glasses. have the reputation or the happy patients. They make us who we are.” Over the past 20 years, thousands of LASIK, Laser Cataract, and refractive procedures have For Dr. Herzig and Tabb, providing excellent care and compassion to each patient is always their top priority. It’s an atmosphere of safety and comfort that helps patients know they are in 6 HEALTHCARE » Herzig Eye Institute Cherry Tabb and Dr. Sheldon Herzig good hands. And that confidence is appreciated our other surgeons treat the patients and once by many optometrists and ophthalmologists as we’re satisfied with the outcome, we return them well, demonstrated when they send their patients to their referring physician or optometrist and for treatment. “Particularly with the optom- there is ongoing care between the two of us.” etrists and non-surgical ophthalmologists it’s a “I always aim to try and find ways to reduce co-managed care,” Dr. Herzig tells us. “They will patient waiting lists and to provide eye care in provide information about the patients and we a more patient-friendly environment. I look for obviously do our own consultation. I, or one of ways to combine private and public healthcare OCTOBER 2015 « The Canadian Business Journal Proud advisors to The Herzig Eye Institute For over 30 years Shimmerman Penn has provided meaningful advice to our clients, helping them to grow and succeed in a competitive market. In addition to core accounting, assurance and tax compliance services, we offer a full range of taxation and business advisory services to help ensure continued success. For more information, please contact: Elaine Pantel, CPA, CGA Principal, Assurance and Business Advisory 416 323 7757 | [email protected] spllp.com 7 Dry Eye and MGD Finally, a dry eye treatment that will bring tears to your eyes. At work, at home or outside, LipiFlow can bring comfort back to your life. 86% of Dry Eye is the evaporative form, caused by MGD MGD is the root cause of poor tear oil production Lack of oil causes tears to evaporate Tear oil production can be restored www.lipiflow.com Visit lipiflow.com to find a LipiFlow provider near you today and schedule a dry eye assessment. Learn more about how LipiFlow treatment can bring comfort back to your life. so that it’s affordable while at the same time hav- efficiencies and frugal innovations because we ing benefits of being treated in a private centre,” have to. These procedures do not have to be Dr. Herzig says. done in hospital. In a climate of cost cutting a HEI is the largest unfunded laser vision cor- rationing of services, it just makes sense for the rection and cataract centre in Canada, with no ministries of health to embrace and fund spe- government funding for cataract surgery (several cialty centres like ours to help alleviate some of large competitors are funded). In fact, in what the burden,” she explains. “We have tried several amounts to a complete reversal, it is Herzig that times to obtain government funding for cataract has effectively subsidized the government by surgeries, offering services at lower cost, while doing cataract surgeries without reimbursement maintaining high quality.” Our biggest hurdle has for facility fees. Tabb says they subsidize those been overcoming the negative biases related to surgeries from private pay procedures like Lasik. funding private facilities.” “We are an example of how private health- Until funding happens, Tabb and Herzig are care, when done properly and transparently, committed to fulfilling their mission. For now, could actually help to alleviate burden on the their services are for patients who are willing and healthcare system. It forces us to be focused on able to pay for advanced technologies. They are 8 HEALTHCARE » Herzig Eye Institute careful to point out that their patients are never “They are balancing that level of frustration charged for services that are covered by province with fear,” he mentions. “Almost all of them know health insurance programs. of people who’ve had it done and are very happy, The overwhelming response from people so before they even come in their fear level is who have had one of Herzig’s High Definition down. Even on the day of surgery there is a tre- Vision procedures is that they wonder why they mendous level of anxiety with some patients, and waited so long to have it done. While it is only rightfully so, because it is a surgical procedure. In natural to have a certain level of anxiety about the consultation process we are very frank about following through on such an important deci- what the risks are and the bottom line is that with sion, Dr. Herzig aptly notes that there has to be the proper procedure the risk is very minimal.” a relatively high level of frustration for people to Laser eye surgery is becoming more main- want to take action in the first place and advance stream as the comfort level increases due to the to the stage where they want to set up a consul- exceedingly high success rate of touted by happy tation meeting. patients. The quality of treatment has always OCTOBER 2015 « The Canadian Business Journal 9 been excellent, but new technologies have made can be confusing for some people when we tell it that much better and more refined over the them it’s not the best solution for them. There is last 15 years. In the past, it was far more about something better. It’s that lack of understanding being limited in terms of who could be treated, about the process and other safe alternatives that as opposed to safety concerns. Nowadays, the are often recommended when Lasik isn’t optimal. availability of new procedures extends far beyond This is why we don’t skimp on the consultation. LASIK with other types of refractive surgery that We provide a thorough, complimentary consul- can be utilized to treat more difficult patients. tation so we know definitively what procedure The awareness level from the general public is will be safest and provide the optimal results,” that more and more people are choosing to get Tabb adds. out of their glasses and contacts and there is a growing desire by others to do the same. “One of the differentiation points that I believe “Obviously the surgeon is important but it’s how you deliver that care that is just as important,” Dr. Herzig adds. “When you walk into our office I we have is that we’re not a one-stop shop. You think you immediately feel comfortable. It’s very have a lot of people either popping up or who nicely designed, but not over the top. Our staff is have been around for a long time that may do just trained to make the patient come first and really Lasik or just laser vision correction and so they make them feel comfortable from the moment may have a less complete and thorough way of they are greeted at the door until the time they making evaluations because they don’t have all meet me or one of the other surgeons.” the tools in the tool chest to provide a treatment that is best for the patient,” Tabb says. Both Dr. Herzig and Tabb emphasize the Both Dr. Herzig and Tabb work on a combined approach where surgeons are not put in a position of discussing costs or payments. importance of the patient understanding what They are left to do what they do best – and that treatment procedure fits them the best in order is to provide patients with much better vision to yield the best results. The medical team have than they had prior to walking through the front an assortment of options, and they will ensure doors. A key element for HEI is that their business the very best method is used for each individual. decisions are driven by their clinical decisions Among the procedures available include: Laser and they successfully manage to deliver a per- Vision Correction (LASIK or PRK), Refractive Lens sonable boutique-level of service. Exchange (RLE), Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL), “We have a retina program as well that is treatment for presbyopia (loss of reading vision), strictly government funded but the point is that it Laser Cataract Surgery, Retina and Cornea con- reinforces not only our safety and how we treat ditions, and Dry Eye. patients but it really focuses on making sure that “Lasik is the most commonly known term but we’re taking into consideration the whole eye. 10 HEALTHCARE » Herzig Eye Institute “Following my recent cataract surgery, I wanted to write and thank you for taking such good care of me. It’s great to be able to see clearly again. I had heard many good things about the Herzig Eye Institute and was very impressed with the efficiency of your operation and the quality of service provided by your staff. What you and Cherry have created is a credit to you both and I congratulate you on all that you have accomplished over the years in both Canada and internationally.” — Isadore Sharp, Founder, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts We don’t put patients at risk. We’re focused on do that during down economic times having eliminating risk and helping people to see their gone through various market research cycles best is a very sacred responsibility. Without being where they’ve targeted a certain area for expan- able to see properly, you can’t read or drive or sion but then pulled back because of a recession. play sports. We see it as a tremendous responsi- Part of intelligent business decision-making is bility improve or preserve their vision and regain knowing when to make a move and when to their quality of life,” Tabb says. “We insist that bide your time. As far as expanding to multiple compassion and timely care must always be sites, that is definitely “on the drawing board.” the standard and not the exception to the rule. We’ve spent 20 years developing a brand and a Ultimately, it’s the surgeon being able to deliver service model that is known for quality. It’s time the results to the patient and the patient knowing to unlock that value.” they made the right choice in coming to Herzig Eye Institute.” With an eye to the future, Dr. Herzig and “The industry is very ripe for consolidation,” Tabb says. “You have a couple of large corporate players and you have other independent Tabb want to continue to grow HEI as a Centre surgeons that may be getting on in years, need of Excellence that will enhance the already well- exit strategies and are exhausted by the constant established brand and have it expand in the form need to refresh technology.” of additional sites. They have been reluctant to “We are poised, now, with a well established OCTOBER 2015 « The Canadian Business Journal 11 brand and service model to grow. We just have and the final results far exceeded their expecta- to find the right moment and the right partners,” tions. Tabb said, “One of my favourite business Dr. Herzig says. “It’s challenging. Aside from the icons is Isadore Sharp, founder of the Four economics, maintaining the quality of the brand is Seasons Hotels. He influenced our thinking so paramount. You have to find the right doctors and much regarding our service model at Herzig surgeons in the right area. When you are expanding Eye Institute. Treat people like you want to be like that you don’t want to lose the quality.” treated and surprise and delight them with ser- HEI has built an incredibly strong direct-toconsumer brand with an ingrained philosophy that a well-educated patient, who knows what vice beyond their expectations. That is a standard we aspire to each and every day.” One of the highlights of both Tabb and their complete menu of options are, is important Herzig’s career was having the opportunity to step No. 1. At the very core of their services, it’s take care of Mr. Sharp and restore his vision. To about helping people and improve their quality their delight, Mr. Sharp, wrote a letter to Herzig of life with minimal risks involved. that Tabb proudly hangs in her office. CBJ “We’ve been a gateway into North America for new technologies in the field of ophthalmology that help people achieve their best vision, whether it’s getting rid of their glasses or contact lenses, reading glasses, cataracts, or even their dry eye symptoms. We were first to offer Lipiflow, which treats dry eye symptoms that bother so many people. “One of our biggest challenges is correcting many of the myths that are out there that are perpetuated by healthcare providers themselves,” Tabb says. “Every day I say to someone curious about what we do, “Yes, we do LASIK, Yes, we can help you get rid of your reading glasses, your bi-focals, and your cataracts. Let us educate you and let us help you.” There is no greater endorsement for how a company is performing than from the clients who have been serviced. Time and time again, Herzig Eye Institute turns out not only satisfied patients, but people who say their experience www.herzig-eye.com GEORGE MEDIA NETWORK AS SEEN IN THE OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE OF THE CANADIAN BUSINESS JOURNAL WWW.CBJ.CA