A few weeks ago, I went through something I’ve long recommended to clients: an executive health assessment. It’s something we’ve promoted for years, not because it sounds impressive, but because it works. In my case, something showed up on an MRI that needed follow-up. It’s now being taken care of, and I’m grateful we caught it when we did.

That experience reinforced what I already knew: executive health programs aren’t just a nice-to-have. They’re one of the smartest, most proactive investments a company can make, not only in founders, but in the people your business relies on most.

What Is Executive Health and Why It Matters

Executive health programs offer a more comprehensive look at your health than a standard check-up. Think advanced diagnostics like MRIs, full lab panels, cardiac testing; all delivered in one day with concierge-level care. The goal is to catch health issues early, before they become serious.

For founders and senior team members, this isn’t just a wellness perk — it’s risk management. When early detection leads to faster treatment and fewer disruptions, your company stays more stable, more resilient, and more prepared for what’s next.

Not Just for Founders

Executive health often gets framed as something for CEOs. But in reality, your leadership bench goes much deeper. Think about the senior engineer who’s been with you since the early days. Or the department head who carries the weight of your roadmap. Their health matters just as much.

Offering executive health assessments to key team members shows them they’re valued and helps protect the institutional knowledge, leadership, and momentum that power your business forward.

What Does Executive Health Include?

At Orchard, we can facilitate traditional executive health programs through trusted providers, including:

• Cleveland Clinic Canada
• Medcan
• TELUS Health Care Centres

These assessments typically include comprehensive physical exams, bloodwork, diagnostics like MRIs or CT scans, and consultations with specialists, all streamlined into a single, coordinated experience.

A Strategic Layer to Your Benefits Program

Executive health isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a strategic layer of your overall benefits offering. For founders, executives, and mission-critical team members, access to advanced preventive care helps reduce health-related downtime, supports performance, and signals that their well-being is a priority. It also complements core benefits like extended health coverage or wellness stipends, creating a more complete and competitive package for top talent. 

Orchard Offers Preferred Access to NiaHealth

NiaHealth is Canada’s leading proactive health‑span platform, founded in 2023 and headquartered in Edmonton. Their mission is to empower individuals to “add years to your life—and life to your years” by delivering proactive, clinical‑grade biomarker testing coupled with personalized, human‑led interpretation and action plans. 

Leveraging at‑home or in‑clinic blood draws across all provinces (except Québec), wearable integration, and a team of experienced clinicians—including nurse practitioners and MDs trained in longevity medicine, NiaHealth gives members a clearer picture of latent health risks and tangible steps to optimize performance and wellness. 

Key Highlights of NiaHealth:

• 100+ biomarkers tested: Up to 4× more than standard annual checkups, covering heart, liver, metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory markers.
• Advanced diagnostics & analytics: Including VO₂ max, DEXA scans, CGM, and gut microbiome assessments.
• Clinician-led, human-first insights: Results interpreted and explained by expert clinicians (NPs and MDs) with personalized action plans tailored to lifestyle, wearable data, and goals.
• Evidence-backed and science-driven: Globally influenced by longevity science, supported by peer-reviewed research and developed by experts from Oxford, TELUS Health, Sunnybrook, and beyond.
• Designed and delivered in Canada: Serving clients nationwide (except Québec), with HSA-eligible plans.
• High impact outcomes: 90% of members discover actionable health risks; 25% uncover early diabetes risk; 19% identify hidden genetic cardiovascular concerns.

It’s More Than a Perk. It’s a Signal

Executive health isn’t about status. It’s about sending a clear message to the people who keep your business running: your health matters, and we’re willing to invest in it. Whether through traditional providers like Medcan or newer platforms like Nia Health, these programs reduce risk, support continuity, and help you hold on to the talent you can’t afford to lose.

• Prevent Problems Before They Disrupt Your Team: Executive health programs use advanced diagnostics to catch hidden health issues, often before symptoms show up. That early insight leads to faster treatment, fewer interruptions, and more confident planning.

• Lower Costs Over Time: Yes, there’s an upfront investment. But preventive care helps reduce emergency claims, long-term disability, and extended time off. Some companies report $3–$6 in ROI for every dollar spent.

• Improve Retention and Loyalty: Executive health shows your people that their well-being is more than just lip service. That kind of investment builds trust and keeps your top performers around longer.

If you’re interested about how executive health programs can fit into your broader benefits strategy, or if you’d like to explore preferred pricing for your team, we’d be happy to walk you through the options.