Better Together in Care: Why I’m Leading a Movement to Transform Healthcare

For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working on the frontlines of allied healthcare—as a Registered Massage Therapist with a background in Kinesiology, a clinic owner, and an unwavering advocate for preventative, patient-centred care. I’ve always believed in science. I’ve always believed in collaboration. And above all, I’ve always believed that when you place the patient at the center of care—when you take the time to listen, educate, and empower—extraordinary things happen.

But I’ve also witnessed something else.
A persistent and painful double standard in our healthcare system.

As an allied healthcare professional, I have enormous respect for my colleagues in allopathic medicine. I’ve learned from them. I value their training and the immense pressure they face in today’s overburdened system. But for far too long, professionals like me—those who believe in integration, those who embrace both evidence-informed therapies and lifestyle medicine—have had to work twice as hard to be seen, heard, and respected.

We’ve been expected to "prove ourselves" over and over again—despite years of education, experience, and proven patient outcomes—while physicians are often granted unquestioned authority in areas outside their direct training.

Let me be clear: I welcome physicians’ voices in preventative health.
Whether it’s discussion around a new Health Canada–approved diagnostic test that challenges an OHIP-covered “gold standard,” or commentary on emerging tools supported by new research, we need more medical professionals engaging in these conversations.

But what concerns me is when some are quick to criticize or dismiss without reviewing the latest data or understanding the nuance of new parameters. When they speak publicly—often with large online followings—they can unintentionally shape opinion and influence decisions that impact both patients and professionals. Meanwhile, we in allied healthcare are left to invest the time, care, and energy into supporting confused and overwhelmed patients who are simply looking for answers.

We are the ones sitting with them, helping them navigate the system, providing context and clarity. And that work is exhausting—but essential.

My hope is that more physicians, despite the demands of their gruelling schedules, will be open to listening and learning from those of us who share the same goal: a healthier population and a more sustainable healthcare system.

I truly celebrate that more physicians are stepping into the preventative health space—educating, advocating, and using their platforms to empower patients. It’s a sign that change is happening. It is necessary, timely and long overdue.

But as we welcome these voices, we must also honour those who have been doing this work for decades—often without fanfare, recognition, or a seat at the table. Allied health professionals like myself have worked tirelessly, grounded in evidence, driven by patient stories, and fuelled by a vision of integrative care. We may not have had the spotlight, but we’ve been holding the torch.

I used to doubt myself.

Who was I, not a physician, to think I could lead a nationwide (now North American-wide) educational and advocacy movement that would challenge the status quo? That would invite patients and professionals alike to link arms and change the legacy of healthcare?

But then I looked at my own story.

Years ago, my personal health journey revealed to me the power of integrative care—when allopathic and complementary approaches came together, guided by a team that listened and collaborated, my health transformed. That experience wasn’t just healing—it was activating. It gave me the courage to speak up, and more importantly, the clarity to realize:

If not me, then who?
And more powerfully—Who am I not to lead this?

So, I founded PHAM—The Preventative Health Awareness Movement—a grassroots, non funded (yet 🤞), Health Canada recognized movement designed to shine a light on what’s possible when we move from symptom management to vitality, from hierarchy to humility, from silos to shared care.

You can learn more about PHAM’s mission and join the movement here:
🔗 https://blog.wallisforwellness.com/welcome-to-preventative-health-awareness-movement-pham-2025

This movement is fuelled by my own story, decades of clinical experience, thousands of stories from patients who felt dismissed or voiceless, and a deep belief that healthcare doesn’t need to be either/or—it must be both/and.

I’m proud to elevate the role of Registered Massage Therapists—regulated healthcare professionals trained in anatomy, physiology, assessment, and evidence-informed treatment. We are essential players in today’s integrative model. Our profession is overseen by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) and supported by the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO), both of which are working tirelessly to raise standards, advocate for our role in collaborative care, and improve public health outcomes.

PHAM with your help is now building something bigger than any one person or profession. We’re building a currency of impact—one where everyday people are equipped to Become the CEO of Their Health, and professionals from all backgrounds work together to support that journey.

That’s why I’m so deeply honoured to serve on the Curriculum Advisory Board at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine—a bold, forward-thinking institution that’s disrupting medical education in the best possible way.

TMU Medical is Canada’s first new medical school being built intentionally—grounded in principles of equity, inclusion, community engagement, and system change. Their curriculum isn’t just teaching future doctors how to treat disease—it’s preparing them to listen, to collaborate, and to value the full spectrum of health disciplines. They’re prioritizing preventative care, person-centred communication, and real-world problem solving from day one.

🎥 Watch this short video to understand why TMU Medical’s vision gives me hope for the future of healthcare:
🔗 https://youtu.be/OzVtdOMD4s8?feature=shared

Learn more about this groundbreaking school:
🔗 https://www.torontomu.ca/school-of-medicine

There is room for all of us.
And it is together that we will build a system that is integrative, inclusive, and empowering. A system that values healthspan, not just lifespan. One that prioritizes vitality, not just the absence of disease.

Let this be the legacy we create—for ourselves, for our children, and for future generations.

The movement has begun.
We are Better Together. Join the #PHAMILY
The time to Become the CEO of Your Health is now.