August 12, 2016

[AYR, ON] – DriverCheck Inc. is proud to be celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer. To commemorate this achievement, we will be running a four-part series that features the DriverCheck family as they each reflect on the past twenty years of business. In the first part of this series, we recently sat down with Dr. Chris Page and his wife, Dr. Mary-Jean Page, the founders and owners of DriverCheck since 1996.
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Why did you start DriverCheck?

Dr. Chris Page (CP) – After practising emergency medicine for over twenty years, I was ready for a new challenge. Emergency medicine is the most exciting form of medical care, and I absolutely loved it. But, I wanted to do something more, and wanted to start a business with my wife Mary-Jean. We became aware that the US DOT was going to legislate alcohol and drug testing, and I immediately knew this was a market to be in.

Dr. Mary-Jean Page (MJP) – In the beginning we were just two people, with what we thought was a really cool idea. We’re proud of what we have accomplished because it was a classic underdog story to start.

CP – We recognized that there was a massive challenge in Canada obtaining quick lab results. So, I became one of the first Canadian Physicians to be a U.S. Certified Medical Review Officer. I immediately sought out to be the Canadian leader for alcohol and drug testing in the DOT transportation industry. From the beginning, DriverCheck was able to offer ‘next day turnaround’ for lab results – something no other company was able to do in Canada.

MJP – Chris and I had big goals from the beginning. He has always been a visionary and saw an opportunity with the new US regulations for testing DOT drivers, which would be independent of OHIP. Chris has grown to become an entrepreneur over the years, but I don’t believe he saw himself that way. He really evolved in to an entrepreneur once he started to successfully develop a number of urgent care clinics in Kitchener.

Tell us about the pros and challenges of running a family business?

CP – It’s a wonderful feeling to have that bond with your family members. I couldn’t have done this without a very supportive wife – one that tolerated the time investment, especially for the first ten years. I was on call, 365 nights a year for all post-accident calls. It truly takes an accepting person to accommodate that lifestyle. There were nights that Mary-Jean slept on the living room floor because the phone wouldn’t stop ringing. That type of support is not common, and for that I am forever thankful, and blessed to have her.

What’s your stance on medical testing in the fitness for duty sector?

MJP – We have always been passionate about workplace medical testing to determine fitness for duty in work. It’s valuable for all organizations in our field to conduct testing for those in safety sensitive jobs.

CP – It was long overdue. People in safety sensitive positions should be tested, whether it is alcohol and drug, medical exams or hearing surveillance. It’s imperative that one is cleared to be fit for duty for their associated role within an organization. In 1996, when the DOT alcohol and drug legislation was introduced, we recognized there was a hole in the marketplace that we could fill.

From day one and throughout our twenty years, medicine comes first, business second.

Tell us about the early years.

MJP – We have many fond memories from the early years. We were two people with a vision. In 1996, we started the first DriverCheck office on our farm just outside of Ayr. We didn’t need much space, so we just moved the filing cabinets next to the tractor. We made it work.

Dianne Holmes was our first employee who we came to know through mutual friends. She has been a blessing to our team, and that was obvious right from the beginning. She was fresh out of university and up for the challenge.

Shortly thereafter, our daughter, Maggie, joined the company after attending McMaster University. Chris and I were ecstatic that she decided to take an internship with her parents! Brave soul!

After spending five years in the barn, we were getting cramped for space. We wanted to stay local, and decided to buy the old Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance building, and we’re still there to this day!

What makes DriverCheck different than competitors?

CP – Top notch medicine and the best customer service that is delivered by premier people. We are blessed to have an outstanding team at DriverCheck. That’s across the board, from our front line support team, to our managers, our medical staff and operations team located across the country. When we hire, we look for people who share similar family values and ethics.

MJP – We are unique because the entire structure of our organization, values, operations and services, are all medically based. We have been able to thrive for twenty years because we have a powerful and loyal medical network behind us, and have supported us all along.

CP – Again, medicine comes first, business second. I think it’s rare for business to have this approach. We are a family run business and abide by a high standard of ethics. We always want to deliver the best medicine. It’s good for the patient, the client, and should be the standard of all organizations.

MJP – One thing that really sets Chris apart from others is that he never gives up. We knew there would be obstacles, but there has never been anything that we knew we couldn’t conquer.

What is your proudest achievement with DriverCheck?

MJP – We’re very proud to have reached this twenty year milestone. From the very beginning, it was sink or swim, we were small and unknown. But, we persevered! We have flourished for twenty years and believe the company is setup to do so for another twenty!

CP – Watching our children grow from a business perspective, the maturity and innovation that they possess is uncanny. They have taken DriverCheck to a level that I never imagined was possible.

MJP – We are very proud of the kids! Watching our children grow up right in front of us! In the early stages, it was obvious that Maggie was amazing at what she did, and it didn’t take her long to surpass not only our expectations but anything that I was capable of doing. And when Connor started with us six years ago, he hit the ground running. He has strong business acumen and in this time has opened doors for new and innovative business opportunities and channel partner relationships.

What are you most excited about for the future of the company?

CP – The company has already grown to a level that I never imagined. That is a huge accomplishment that was led by my children and key staff members, like Dianne, who have been with us from the beginning, while being supported by an extraordinary group of staff.

We have aspirations to take this business global. Today we are Canada’s Fitness for Duty leader – but the next stop is to be the global leader in providing medical testing for all personnel in safety sensitive positions.

Medical developments and technology are developing at a rapid pace. At DriverCheck, we strive to be the educational leader in our space. I’m particularly excited about the new developments that are on the horizon for drug testing and telemedicine applications that we offer from our Injury Management Program.

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We hope you enjoyed this article. Thank you for being a part of the DriverCheck family over the past twenty years – without you, we couldn’t have done it! Have comments or questions about this article? Let us know by emailing us at PR@DriverCheck.ca.

About DriverCheck Inc.:

Since its inception in 1996, DriverCheck Inc. (DC) has been the leading provider of medical testing and assessments in Canada. Physician-owned and operated, DC has grown to become the largest national provider of workplace medical testing, and was one of the first Third Party Administrators in Canada to offer DOT-regulated alcohol and drug testing. DC’s head office is located in the village of Ayr, the heart of Ontario’s transportation hub. DC currently serves over 5,000 employers, with access to over 1,000 testing facilities strategically located across the country, providing easy access to all medical services. Our diverse service offerings include alcohol and drug testing, fatigue management, occupational health and injury management programs (including remote medical services). DC services a wide array of industries including transportation, oil & gas, mining, forestry and medical.
As Canada’s ‘Fitness for Duty’ leader, DC’s top priority is the safety of your staff and workplace.
To learn more about DriverCheck, visit www.DriverCheck.ca or call 1 (800) 463-4310.