To the Verto Community,
As 2023 draws to a close, it is important to reflect and celebrate Verto’s achievements over the past year. And while we have made considerable progress across virtually all aspects of our organization, the problems inherent to healthcare are still just as pressing as ever. Siloed and disconnected information, overwhelming administrative burden, unequitable access to care, and escalating costs and wait times are all serious threats to the sustainability of high quality care. It’s why Verto remains firmly committed to delivering on our mandate of getting every patient to their best possible outcome in every sector of healthcare.
On the technology front, Verto made strides across multiple dimensions. We bolstered our security with SOC 2 Type II certification and invested heavily in advancing our core digital twin capabilities in population health management. Over the course of the year, we had three active IRAP projects, including a joint international R&D initiative. The increased investment in R&D also resulted in new patents being filed and published as we continue to invest and grow our intellectual property portfolio.
The capabilities unlocked by our evolving technology helped us deliver value to new and existing clients alike. Verto is incredibly proud to continue to support one of our longest standing partners, Bayshore, with technology to deliver their CareChart after-hours oncology nursing tele-triage line program with Ontario Health. Cancer patients and their caregivers can call the phone line on evenings, weekends and holidays when oncology clinics are typically closed. The result: 200+ emergency department visits saved, $3.8M in cost savings for the health system, and 90% patient satisfaction with the program. In terms of new clients, Verto kicked-off major projects with Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). At a time when 27% of Canadians who were diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder felt that they did not have their mental health needs fully met, Verto is proud to help support programs that expand access to timely mental health care services. Another one of our projects with CAMH, Canada’s first virtual urgent care program for mental health, generated so much interest that Verto’s involvement in the program was featured on Citytv.
Beyond our work with clients, Verto remained an active collaborator in the Canadian digital health ecosystem. Early in 2023 we participated in Canada Health Infoway’s Second Annual Projectathon which supported their Shared Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap. Verto was thrilled to participate in the event along with nine other innovative Canadian digital health companies. We are proud that Verto achieved more “full pass” grades for interoperability tests than any other participant at the event, a testament to the ingenuity and skill of our development team. The work started during the event was the foundation for the innovations that Dr. Payal Agarwal showcased at this year’s Canada Health Infoway Partnership Conference in Vancouver.
However, none of our achievements would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our amazing team of Vertonians. During 2023, 25% of Verto staff were rewarded with internal promotions, a testament to the ambition and drive of so many of our talented team members. We also continued to invest in the next generation of healthtech leaders by employing a whopping 38 students over the course of 2023 with many of them staying on with Verto full time upon completion of their term.
Looking ahead to 2024, we see tremendous opportunity to support clients across North America in their efforts to improve care delivery. I am so proud of the progress we have made over the past year and I’d like to extend a special thank you to our partners and clients for joining us on our journey. As we enter the new year, I truly believe the best is still yet to come for Verto.
Wishing you and yours a safe and peaceful holiday season and a happy new year,
Michael Millar
CEO, Founder
Verto Health