A Historic Day for Prevention: Niagara Falls Declares February PHAM Month – Will Your City Be Next?

In 2022, Wallis for Wellness celebrated 30 years in business. What should have been a time of reflection and celebration became, instead, a powerful catalyst for change. After three decades of practicing as a proud Registered Massage Therapist, building and leading a multidisciplinary clinic that employed and collaborated with over 100 health professionals—from 80+ RMTs over the years, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to naturopathic doctors, physicians, dieticians, midwives, acupuncturists, and more—I felt an overwhelming pull to do something different. Something bigger.

I made a decision that was as terrifying as it was liberating. I sold the practice—the one constant in my life for three decades—so that I could carve out the bandwidth to act on a dream that had been burning in my heart for years.

That dream was PHAM: Preventative Health Awareness Movement.

From Solo Practitioner to Movement Builder

When I first sat down at my computer in 2022 to write an application to Health Canada, I poured my 30 years of personal and clinical experience into those pages. My vision was to create a critical mindset shift in healthcare: away from the long-entrenched “pill for an ill, wait until it’s broken, sickcare model” and toward a proactive, prevention-first approach—one focused not just on lifespan, but on healthspan.

I knew this wouldn’t be solved with one campaign or one clinic. Legacy change in healthcare would require a movement. One that educates, empowers, and engages Canadians to become the CEO of their own health, while also breaking down silos and bringing together professionals from all walks of healthcare—traditional, complementary, and integrative.

That vision became Preventative Health Awareness Month—a month-long campaign of education, experience, and inspiration across all pillars of health, from pregnancy to palliative care. But PHAM was never meant to be just a month. It was designed to be a movement, igniting Canadians, health professionals, policymakers, corporations, and communities alike to invest in prevention, advocacy, and sustainable change.

From Grassroots to National Recognition

Fast forward to August 2025. In just three short years, PHAM has grown from an idea into a Health Canada recognized (though not yet funded) initiative.

We now have:

• 75+ PHAMBASSADORS & climbing daily—health professionals across disciplines who are contributing their expertise and passion as they believe in our mission

• 12 major community events hosted over the past 3 years .

• 55 podcast episodes produced and shared amplifying voices in health and wellness.

• 120+ blogs and articles written to educate and inspire.

• Media appearances, government meetings, and technology launches bringing innovation directly to Canadians.

• The first-ever PHAM Directory—a growing resource with two goals: (1) to become a trusted referral source for family health teams, and (2) to provide everyday Canadians with a tool to search by practitioner or condition and build their own integrative healthcare team, because true health requires a team-based approach. Explore the Directory here.

And today, a milestone that filled me with pride and gratitude: I had the honour of standing beside Mayor Jim Diodati in Niagara Falls City Council chambers as he officially declared February as Preventative Health Awareness Month in Niagara Falls—every year moving forward.

This moment represents so much more than a proclamation. It is a symbol of growth, proof that this grassroots, unfunded movement has captured the attention not only of Canadians but of North American health leaders.

PHAM has already welcomed cross-border contributions from passionate professionals like orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Stefano Sincropi and Dr. Doug Lucas, and Nurse Practitioner Mandi Dickey, alongside Canadian experts like Dr. David Harper & Dr. Kristy Prouse MD, FRCSC (OB/GYN) who hosted our PHAM 2025 launch event in Niagara Falls. Together, we are building a movement that transcends geography and unites us under a shared mission: a healthy tomorrow through prevention today.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Canada is at a tipping point. Chronic disease accounts for

🔸 88% of all deaths in our country

🔸 consumes over two-thirds of healthcare spending

🔸 and the average Canadian spends their last 10 years of life in decline, burdened by preventable chronic conditions.

This trajectory is unsustainable—not only for individuals and families but for our healthcare system and economy.

Investing in prevention isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Every dollar spent on preventative care has the potential to save multiple dollars in downstream healthcare costs while improving quality of life, independence, and vitality.

The Call to Action: Join the PHAMILY

PHAM is not just for healthcare providers—it’s for everyone. Everyday Canadians, policymakers, corporations, and communities all have a role to play in shifting the future of health.

We need bold leadership, like that shown by Mayor Jim Diodati, to challenge other leaders across Canada to step forward. We need corporations to champion workplace wellness and prevention initiatives. We need policymakers to invest in proactive health strategies. And most importantly, we need individuals and families to take ownership of their health journeys.

The truth is, we are at a pivotal moment in history. Our healthcare system is strained to the point of collapse. Canadians have been conditioned to wait until crisis strikes before seeking care, leaving them feeling disempowered and overwhelmed. Yet the desire to do things differently is stronger than ever—people want to act, but many simply don’t know where to start.

That’s why this movement must be embraced by all levels of government. Because when everyday Canadians are empowered to be part of the solution, it not only takes pressure off our overburdened healthcare system and reduces costs, but it also builds something even more important: vibrant, healthy, engaged communities. And that’s exactly what joining the PHAMILY is all about.

Because a healthy tomorrow begins with prevention today.

So I’ll leave you with this question: Are you being the CEO of your health?

And if you’re ready to take that step, I invite you to join the waitlist for the CEO of Your Health Hub—an innovative online community launching soon. This invaluable resource will:

• Provide access to trusted education and actionable resources.

• Offer opportunities to connect live with integrative healthcare professionals who believe you are the most important member of your healthcare team.

• Surround you with a supportive community so you are never isolated, but instead empowered through social learning and shared experience.

At a time when healthcare is stretched beyond its limits, this is the answer Canadians have been waiting for.