Why we do what we do
Angel founder George Szwender has been an accessibility advocate for people with disabilities for more than 30 years, going back to his days an undergraduate at the University of Alberta. His work and studies in outdoor recreation frequently brought him in touch with people with disabilities – a group which faced serious access restrictions to sports George was passionate about like swimming, skating, skiing – everyday activities that most of us take for granted.
That early realization stayed with George as his career evolved from youth counsellor to facility manager to community program director – and planted the seeds for Angel Accessibility Solutions, which he launched in 1994.
Starting with just two people, Angel grew quickly based on the many connections George had made working as an accessibility and mobility consultant in healthcare facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest. In an industry dominated by large conglomerates that frequently employ high-pressure sales tactics, George’s easygoing personality and personalized approach to client service quickly won him a loyal base of repeat customers.
Today that base exceeds more than 200 facilities and 100 customers – including top hospitals and residential care institutions — making Angel one of the fastest growing ceiling lift service providers in North America.
Angel pioneered the Total Injury Prevention Solutions model (known as TIPS) — an unbiased, evidence-based approach to identifying needs, choosing equipment and supporting staff in the successful adoption of a safe patient handling program.
This innovative spirit is one of the reasons Angel was selected as the ceiling lift vendor for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the Interior Health Authority and Northern Health Authority, and was recently chosen as a strategic supplier to San Francisco’s renowned Laguna Honda Hospital.
A commitment to technical innovation, exceeding client expectations, and patient-focused solutions continues to set Angel apart. Interested in joining us? Learn more about the people that lead Angel, and the culture that makes us special.
