Whether it’s from the TELUS office, the home office, or a TELUS Health medical clinic – our team members are leveraging TELUS’ world-leading technology in combination with their passion and expertise to find ways to support the health and wellbeing of individuals, all with the goal of building healthier communities and workplaces around the world.
In this installment of our series highlighting TELUS Health team members, meet Rachel Malcangi, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with TELUS Health Care Centres in Montréal, Quebec. Rachel’s work as a dietitian sees her playing a pivotal role in the preventive health of our Care Centres clients.
Interview with Rachel Malcangi
Q: How long have you been working for TELUS Health, Rachel? Can you tell us more about what inspired you to join the organization?
A: I first joined TELUS Health in 2012, I was drawn to its prestigious reputation for excellence in preventative healthcare delivery, which I identify with as I strive to make a difference in people’s lives. With my beginnings in geriatrics, I witnessed the consequences of choices made throughout one’s life and felt a calling to intervene as early as possible. After 11 years, I still feel I am playing a critical role in preventive care. 
Q: Preventive care is extremely important when it comes to being healthy, and staying healthy. What is your favourite part about your role at TELUS Health?
A: Each day I look forward to, and am grateful for, the opportunity to work with a group of people who genuinely care about each other and who share the common goal of putting our patients first. Being in a position to help make a difference in the life of an individual, whether patient or colleague, is extremely rewarding. In turn, having a positive work environment, a dedicated team and supportive leadership makes a difference in my life.
Q: How do you see your work positively impacting the lives of individuals?
A: Nutrition is an essential part of our lives. It can be quite complex, particularly when sifting through all the information and misinformation.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, we help make sense of it all. We evaluate each individual’s current habits and assess their specific needs, developing an approach tailored to their tastes, preferences and reality. We guide each individual along their health journey through their choices with evidence-based recommendations, taking the guess-work out and simplifying their efforts to help them work on their health goals, manage an existing health condition or prevent one from ever happening.
Q: There definitely is a lot of conflicting nutrition advice out there, it’s great that there are experts like you to help us navigate the complexities. Additionally, how do you feel your team is helping create healthier workplaces and communities?
A: Whether it is through providing individual nutrition counselling to our patients, or presenting nutrition webinars to teams across TELUS and to our clients, we inspire, educate and empower our audiences to make healthier choices and to live their best life. We also produce and update in-house content and resources for our patients to help teach and translate theory into action.
Examples of this could be the updating the evolving menu for our patient/client lounge to ensure that while patients wait for their appointment, they’re being educated and introduced to options that have been vetted by our team.
Additionally, we also launch a special program every March for Nutrition Month that includes a thematic “Ask a dietitian” presentation and complimentary employee nutrition consultations. Overall, my team is passionate about what we do and welcome any opportunity to share our knowledge with others.
Q: Finally Rachel, How do TELUS’ values resonate with you, and support your personal health and wellbeing? (eg. work/life balance, social purpose, health benefits etc.)
A: I have never felt more supported in my career - by my leaders, my colleagues and by the programs put in place to foster a safe, healthy, respectful work environment. I am proud to have an employer that gives back, and who strives to do better whether within the workplace or for our community.