Why former SAVVY founder Angela Saville has joined a new model of healthcare
Helping people stay healthier longer
Former SAVVY founder Angela Saville believes improving people’s health takes more than exercise.
That’s why she’s joined Phoenix Health Co, a new healthcare venture based at the Bruce Gordon Centre at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, bringing together doctors, allied health professionals and exercise specialists in a single service.
Saville said the model was something she had long wanted for her clients.
“We know movement is so important to people’s health. It’s probably the number one preventative for chronic disease, but what excites me is having the depth of insight and support from doctors and our allied health team,” she said.
After almost two decades in the fitness industry, Saville said helping people improve their health often involved referring them to doctors, allied health professionals and other specialists for support beyond exercise.
Phoenix believes those services are more effective when they work together.
Co-founder Dr Oscar Horky said the current health system remained largely focused on treating illness after symptoms developed, despite chronic disease placing increasing pressure on hospitals.
“If we address the idea of reducing someone’s chronic disease risk earlier in life, they’re going to live better now,” he said.
Horky said Phoenix was designed to take a more proactive approach by combining medical care, diagnostics, allied health and exercise in one location.
“I’d really like to address a proactive approach to health and provide a community in health where there’s shared partnerships with other health assets, whether it be radiology groups, pathology groups, fitness centres, gyms or allied health, and just be as collaborative as possible,” he said.
Patients will undergo health assessments before receiving an individual plan that may involve several practitioners working together, depending on their goals and health needs.
Phoenix co-founder Katie Horky said the business was designed to complement, rather than replace, the health and fitness support people already had.
“We’re not about needing people to do everything with us. If you’ve already got a great gym that’s set up or you’re already seeing your own physio or dietitian, that’s great,” she said.
“We’re about creating additional support, so you know you’re on the right track.”
Saville’s appointment comes months after another significant change involving the business she founded. Earlier this year, Community Gateway and Thrive Care Group announced Gateway Life and SAVVY would combine under a jointly owned organisation after Thrive acquired the fitness business from Saville in 2023.
Phoenix Healthcare Co plans to open in August.