About MEDIchair
Our Story
MEDIchair was started by Phil and Charlene Gobbi and their silent partners George and Hilda Lipke in 1997. Phil left a long-time position at the Prince George Citizen and Charlene, the School District. None of the partners had any background in the field but were very fortunate to get a lot of support from the Franchiser at the time.
In 2014, The Gobbi’s bought George and Hilda Lipke out, and in 2015, they sold the company to their children, Chris Gobbi and Heather Hawes. During the same time the MEDIchair franchise saw some substantial changes and after the dust settled, MEDIChair Prince George became the last remaining MEDIchair in Canada. Now a Licensee of Birch Hill Equity Firm MEDIchair North BC has a close working relationship with Motion, one of Canada’s largest Medical Suppliers. Although MEDIchair remains fully locally owned and operated, having a relationship with Motion allows us to take advantage of Motion’s buying power and expertise.
Our Team
The Staff at MEDIchair have been integral in its success over the years with three employees celebrating over twenty years with the company and several others nearing that benchmark.
Owner
Chris.gobbi@medichair.com
Chris has worked in the business since his parents bought it in 1996 starting off with tedious jobs like inventory and getting to participate in the fun activities like the annual MEDIchair staff golf tournament. In 2013 he joined the company full-time and in 2015, along with his Sister Heather, bought the business and is the General Manager.
He is proud to be the Chairperson on the City of Prince George’s Accessibility Committee and board member of the Home Medical Equipment Provider Association of BC.
Chris’ Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
Being able to help someone regain their independence or their ability to do tasks or activities that they enjoyed before their illness or injury. That is by far the most rewarding part of this job.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
In my own mind I have many talents! However that view may not be shared by others. One thing about me that surprises many people is that I was a Nationally Ranked cross-country skier when I was younger and was ranked as high as 4th in Canada when I was in my early teens.
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Camping, spending time with my family – my wife and my 2 wonderful children, being outdoors or playing sports.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I like hardcore rap and heavy metal
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Our 20th Anniversary Celebration where we had a learning day with Occupational and Physical Therapists from all over the North and a wonderful customer appreciation day. That was followed by a private party for family, friends and colleagues where some great memories and stories were created.
What do you like most about the people you work with?
We have amazing staff who make coming to work fun each and every day. I also get to work with my sister everyday which has been great.
Heather Hawes
Owner
Heather.hawes@medichair.com
Heather officially started working at MEDIchair in 2015 when she purchased the company from her parents and has the role of Operations Manager. Heather is a certified Fitter of Sigvaris and has also obtained her certificate in Writing New Media Management.
Heather's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
I love working with customers. I strive to make the customer experience and the staff experience a positive one. I also really enjoy getting to work with my brother. We have the opportunity to see each other daily, share in the stress as well as the good times
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
No...I am completely skill-less, the skills I do have, I share constantly, with everyone...
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Spending time with my amazing family. Either my extended family, my mom and dad who started the business, my in-laws or my immediate family which consists of three wonderful kids, Jaxson 20, Cooper 10 and Sacha who is 7.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
Although others feel I am an open book, I am actually super private.
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
I think for me the transition of Chris and I taking over the business is the most memorable. It was something we planned for a long time with both my Mom and Dad and my Brother. Those first few months realizing the end goal that we were working toward was being achieved was pretty amazing.
What do you like most about the people you work with?
Everything! We have the worlds greatest staff. They are kind and helpful and a tremendous amount of fun. Every one of them has a great sense of humour and we laugh loud and often.
Eric Bittner
Staff
eric.bittner@medichair.com
Born and raised in Prince George, Eric is the longest-term employee at MEDIchair, Eric has been with us since 1996 as a Technician and Outside Sales Rep in Prince George. The thing he loves most about his job is the diversity it provides.
Eric's's Fun Facts
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Of course
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Snowmobiling
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I like to cook
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Phil's Birthday cake
What do you like most about the people you work with?
their happy demeanor
Kayla Shelley
Staff
kaylashelley@hotmail.com
Kayla has been a Product Specialist at our Prince George store since 2016 and moved to Quesnel when we opened the store. Originally from Ontario, Kayla and her husband moved to the Lower Mainland and Alberta before making their way to Prince George and ultimately Quesnel. She has a Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma as well as a Sigvaris Certificate. She loves connecting with people to figure out solutions that will make their lives easier and that promote independence.
Kayla's Fun Facts
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Sewing
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Reading, hiking, canoeing
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I love chickens and currently own horses and chickens
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Having someone cry when receiving their equipment, saying it was like Christmas morning and they were so blessed to have access to it so they could finally get out of their house
What do you like most about the people you work with?
They make me laugh, and get my sarcasm
Dayna Elmquist
Staff
Dayna.elmquist@medichair.com
Dayna has been part of the team at MEDIchair since 2019 where she is a Product Specialist in Prince George. The best part of Dayna’s job are the customers!
Dayna's Fun Facts
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
No
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Social events with my girlfriends
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I had the New Year's baby in 2006
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Festival of Trees Senior’s Lunch
What do you like most about the people you work with?
Easy going, fun and great to work with
Terri Ploeger
Staff
terri.ploeger@medichair.com
Terri has been with MEDIchair since 2000, first in sales and now as the Service Coordinator/Purchaser. Terri’s favourite part of the job is helping make people’s lives easier and working with the team at MEDIchair.
Terri's Fun Facts
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Gardening, especially my flowers. I love to cook and bake especially on a cold winter day
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Walking my dog or golfing. Doing some type of work around the house.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
Amateur handy woman. I can change faucets, replace water pumps on a washing machine. Minor electrical, changing exhaust fans. I can build a fence all by myself. It's a good thing my dad lives across the street so I can borrow his tools.
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Way too many to count. Working here is family to me so how do you pick one thing?
What do you like most about the people you work with?
Who says I like them LOL. They get my sarcastic sense of humor
Rebecca Lessard
Staff
rebeccalessard@live.ca
Rebecca has lived in Prince George her entire life and has been in sales at MEDIchair since 2020. She has earned her Sigvaris certification which gives her great insight into helping her clients find the right solution for compression stockings.
Rebecca's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
I love meeting new people everyday and everybody is so nice, my coworkers and the customers!
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I do a lot of drawing and painting
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Taking my dogs for a walk or spending time with my family
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I’m obsessed with snakes and reptiles
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
I haven’t been at MEDIchair too long but my most memorable thing about MEDIchair would have to be how welcoming everyone was when I first started, as cheesy as it may sound lol
What do you like most about the people you work with?
I like that everyone is supportive and willing to work together!
Quinton Cranmer
Staff
qcranmer@hotmail.com
Quinton moved to Prince George from Topley, BC in 2018 and has worked as a Technician and in Sales with MEDIchair since 2020.
Quinton's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
Being able to help people is the main part I enjoy
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I’m a musician of 15 years and love to write music
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Musician, Sound Designer or Astronomer
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I know my fair share of Astrophysics
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Everyday has been a great memory for me so far in my short time here, and surely time will create some more really good ones for me
What do you like most about the people you work with?
The people that I’ve had the pleasure of working with are some of the best people I’ve ever met
Henry Sluggett
Staff
henry.sluggett@medichair.com
Henry has lived in various locations throughout the region and has worked at MEDIchair since 2009, first in Prince George and currently out of the Quesnel store as the Technician and in sales.
Henry's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
Helping nice people and seeing the smiles on their faces getting out and around PG
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
3 years heavy duty mechanic 3 years as a fore mans assistant/Chargehand
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Drinking beer, hunting, out walking Ted, sleeping, cleaning, visiting friends, watching graham norton clips on YouTube or other comedy.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I am secretly a millionaire!
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
Started working there
What do you like most about the people you work with?
I can't say.. I guess they are niceish
Jaime Gray
Staff
Jaime.gray@medichair.com
Jaime has been with MEDIchair since 2002 starting out as a Product Specialist and Certified Fitter in Prince George where she obtained her certificate as a Certified Fitter. Continuing as a Certified Fitter, Jaime is also now the Office Manager.
Jaime's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
I enjoy making clients' lives easier and safer and the relationships that I have made with clients over the years.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I love to cross stitch and am quite crafty.
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Baking and snuggling with my dog.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I love to camp and fish with my family.
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
I really love volunteering for the Senior's lunch at the Festival of Trees.
What do you like most about the people you work with?
We are like a family and have supported each other through the good times and difficult times.
Allan Wall
Staff
Allanwalltech@gmail.com
Allan has been with MEDIchair in Prince George since 2012 and has spent the majority of his life in Prince George. Allan is MEDIchair’s Service Technician and has his certificate for Pride lift chairs. Allan loves assisting clients with setup and maintenance of their mobility products.
Allan's Fun Facts
What do you enjoy about the work you do?
The smiles and gratitude from customers and I love working with my hands.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I used to be an auctioneer
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Camping or playing golf
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I learned how to auction at 15yrs old and have been on my own since I was 14.
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
The learning, laughs and the feeling I get when people are so appreciative for helping them.
What do you like most about the people you work with?
I get along with everyone and I get the utmost respect from everyone. The other staff is so helpful and patient in my learning of the company and I feel right at home.
Cory Culham
Staff
cory.culham@medichair.com
Cory was born and raised in Prince George and has worked at MEDIchair since 2001. Starting off in Shipping and Receiving and as a Technician, he has now moved into Outside Sales and continues his work as a Technician. Cory’s favourite part of the job is helping clients.
Cory's Fun Facts
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Wood work
If you weren't at work right now, what would you love to be doing?
Golfing
Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people wouldn't know or guess:
I’m a big Star Trek Fan.
What is the most memorable thing about your time with MEDIchair?
The people I got to help.
What do you like most about the people you work with?
All have great attitudes and most are pretty funny!
Financing & Funding
Community Involvement
MEDIchair North BC is proud to be the Official Medical Supplier of the Prince George Spruce Kings supplying all of their first aid needs.
Billy Barker Days is one of our favourite times of the year. We are proud to have an ongoing sponsorship of this great festival celebrating the Gold Rush!
Proud Annual Sponsor
of the MS Walk
Heather Hawes is a volunteer with
PG Minor Hockey Association.
Playing a role in accessibility is very important to our team. Chris Gobbi has sat on the board for the City’s accessibility Committee for the last 43 years and is currently the Chair. He also sits on the board for the Pisces Swim Club.
Chris was Vice Chair of Accessibility for the World Paranordic Ski Championships and MEDIchair was a Title Sponsor. MEDIchair donated staff expertise to assist with maintenance of equipment on race days and was onsite throughout the Championships and products to help make the facility as accessible as possible.
Proud Annual Sponsor the Seniors Luncheon at Spirit of the North’s Festival of Trees, our team looks forward to mingling and celebrating the ‘Silvers’ each year in Prince George.