
Our strength is in our knowledge and understanding of the group benefits industry, our relationships with stakeholders and our ability to generate customized solutions to unique challenges. Whether we are delivering educational programming, surveys, market research or demonstration projects, we are pleased to help clients connect people, ideas and solutions.
Connex Health Consulting is pleased to announce that the operations of the Benefits Breakfast Club (BBC) and the Benefits and Private Healthcare Associate (BPHA) program have been acquired by Crosslinks effective January 9th, 2023. Denise Balch, President of Connex Health, will work with Crosslinks and continue to be active in the BBC and BPHA program during a multi-year transition with a goal to reach a wider audience, provide greater value, and enhance workplace wellness through their combined operations. You will see a transition to the new branding in 2023. During and after this transition Denise Balch will continue to provide strategic consulting advice and solutions to clients in the benefits and private healthcare marketplace in her role as President, Connex Health Consulting. You can read the full announcement here.

Denise Balch - Principal Consultant and President
Denise Balch delivers consulting services to benefits and private healthcare stakeholders in her role as President with Connex Health. Denise is also the founder and project manager of the Simplify Prior Authorization initiative. In 1992 Denise Balch established the Benefits Breakfast Club and more recently the Benefits and Private Healthcare Associate program, both now part of the Crosslinks group. Denise continues to manage and moderate these educational events in collaboration with Crosslinks. Denise has over 35 years in the benefits industry, having held marketing and management positions with group insurers and benefits consulting firms prior to launching Connex Health in 2000.
Denise is a critical thinker who works collaboratively with her clients to identify custom solutions which have included workshops, focus groups, industry research, white papers and customized websites. She was a Rogers Workplace Health and Benefits Awards – 2013 Lifetime Achievement Finalist, is a Certified Excellence Professional, Healthy Workplace (CEP) and holds her Benefits and Private Healthcare Associate (BPHA) designation as well as her Ontario Life License. She currently serves on the Board, the Finance, Executive, and Governance Committees, and is Vice Chair of the Timiskaming Hospital in New Liskeard, Ontario.

Nathan Smofsky - IT Manager
Nathan is the digital architect here at Connex. He manages all of our IT systems, including the BPHA online learning platform, event and webinar management, and all of our technical needs. With a background and skillset spanning web development, stage production and multimedia, Nathan is the one who allows the dots to be connected, enabling fluid communication between Connex and other industry stakeholders.
Contact Denise Balch denisebalch@connexhc.com or 905 220 4260