On December 1, 2014, Edmonton’s Healthcare & Rehab Specialties celebrated 30 years of providing healthcare supplies to clients, medical practitioners, hospitals, physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics and even the Cross Cancer Institute.
Murray Mack, one of three current co-owners, started the business in 1984. He’d been working for a healthcare supply company and enjoyed the work. He also realized the need for a similar store on the north side of the city and proposed opening one to his employer. Although the employer declined the opportunity, Murray was undeterred. He found an alternative partner and opened the store anyway. He chose the location in the Kingsway Professional Building to capitalize on its proximity to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Capital Care Norwood and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
Murray’s original partner has since left the business, but his current partners, Connie Holloway and Verdelle Hein, have been around since the early years. Connie was an employee from day one, and Verdelle came on board in 1989. The two became co-owners with Murray in 2002. Their combined experience and expertise in selling healthcare products and understanding the needs of patients separates Healthcare & Rehab Specialties from similar businesses — including the drugstores that sell some healthcare products but can’t offer the same range of items or the same knowledge.