Entrepreneur Sparks Health-care Innovation

An exercise therapist is harnessing technology to bring specialized health services to underserved rural communities through his Airdrie-based telehealth company.

Ian Irvine, Kinesiologist and founder of Twin Oaks Telehealth Services, launched his virtual health practice after witnessing many rural Albertans driving over two hours to access basic physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.

“There's a large subset of people that would benefit from being able to receive…that kind of expertise and that kind of treatment online," said Irvine.

In the last five years, he found research from Alberta and British Columbia where patients with a kinesiologist and a nutritionist working collectively with a primary care practitioner saw far better outcomes. He saw patients navigating treatment better with online support and adhering better to recommendations being provided. Online intervention was great for those with health conditions, and Irvine saw an opportunity to help more people take proactive measures to maintain their health longer.

He pondered the idea and when he and his wife, Joy, were married and looking to return to live in the Calgary area in 2023, they felt like Airdrie was the right place. She encouraged him to pursue his dream through the Airdrie Entrepreneur Common Discover program she saw in the City View newspaper.

“It was exactly what I needed,” said Irvine. “It helped to demystify a lot of things, helped to take a lot of the risk down, because there was evaluation and calculation going in.”

After Discover, Irvine joined the eight-month SMARTstart entrepreneurial training program, which helped transform his concept into a viable business model by graduation in October 2024.

“It was well designed to be able to allow an entrepreneur to really look at all the pieces that make their business idea work,” said Irvine.

Through Twin Oaks' online services, clients can track their exercises, send video recordings of their form for review, and receive rapid feedback from clinicians between appointments. The approach aims to improve program adherence and outcomes and collaboration with their health care provider.

Currently offering kinesiology services, Irvine plans to expand by hiring registered dietitians, occupational therapists and nurses to provide comprehensive virtual care. The company will also develop a network of trusted health practitioners for in-person services when needed as they seek to expand and offer services across Canada.

Looking ahead, Irvine envisions integrating emerging technologies to transform remote patient care.

Twin Oaks is now accepting clients through its website, twinoakshealth.ca, where people can book a free consultation with a therapist to help achieve their best health, wherever they are.