GREEN SHIELD CANADA
Green Shield Canada tells us about becoming Canada ' s first health insurer to integrate health services , all with a strong social mission at its core
Green Shield Canada ( GSC ) is best known as one of the country ' s largest health and dental benefits providers , and in the six decades since it was established has maintained its social mission at its core .
Bill Wilkinson , a pharmacist from Windsor in Ontario , decided to start the company after a young mother visited his store and was faced with having to choose between paying for her daughter ’ s prescription or her own . This led Wilkinson , along with four other pharmacists , to create North America ’ s first pre-paid drug plan , a concept that is widely in use today .
CEO and President Zahid Salman explains that GSC today remains committed to its structure as a not for profit , social enterprise whose business earnings are used to fund its social impact priorities . " Our business activities , community investment and health system advocacy work all support better health outcomes in our communities ,” he says . " In the end , we operate for the purpose of making it easier for people to live their healthiest lives , and our mission is delivering meaningful solutions to improve health and wellbeing . Our purpose and our mission are what guides our business and social impact priorities ."
To better serve its customers , GSC is currently repositioning itself , from being solely a health and dental benefits carrier to being Canada ' s only integrated health