A groundbreaking health tech partnership has been signed to address gaps in athlete care.
Unify.Health, founded by Okotokian Cameron Fietz, has signed a historic 20-year partnership with the Canadian Football League Players’ Association to address the health and safety needs of athletes with the first medical record platform controlled by athletes.
"In pro sports leagues around the world, players have long faced fragmented care because of disjointed and incomplete health data as they switch teams, travel internationally and transition between medical providers,” said Fietz, in a press release.
Fietz starred for the Holy Trinity Academy Knights after converting to the quarterback position during his Grade 11 year, graduating in 2017.
Following high school, he played for the University of British Columbia and later in the NCAA with the University of Arizona Wildcats.
His football career was cut short in 2021 following a brain injury and concussion.
"After my own experience, and in speaking with athletes in diverse sports around the world, it was clear a solution was needed so that players can receive informed care both within their teams and at health-care institutions in any province, state or country," he said.
The platform helps address the challenges professional athletes face in receiving long-term health care with its Advanced Record Continuum (ARC), which the company says is the first in sport to offer every athlete control and access to their own health data within their own platform from playing days through to retirement.
"Our solution extends beyond an athlete's playing career – it's a long-term investment in athlete well-being that extends past one's retirement," added Fietz. "Each athlete's health data will be accessible throughout their lives, no matter where they live or what they do next."
It’s the first platform that is union-managed.
"Without comprehensive, easily accessible medical records, athletes face a fragmented healthcare experience that leads to inefficiencies, unnecessary testing, and delays in care," said Peter Dyakowski, CFLPA interim executive director.
"Partnering with Unify.Health marks an exciting step forward for the CFLPA and our commitment to the health and well-being of our players. We're proud to work with Unify.Health to bring a solution that supports our athletes both on and off the field."
Unify.Health’s platform is also compliant with HIPAA and GDPR to maintain individual privacy and overseen by sport medicine and law professionals and an advisory board featuring over 20 world class professional league and Olympic level physicians representing five countries.
"We are thrilled to launch our platform for players in the CFL,” Fietz said. “And look ahead to expanding our solutions to industries even beyond sports where tactical professionals need precision data in managing their near- and long-term health.”
For more information, go to unify.health.
