When it comes to innovative ideas, you can find many College of the North Atlantic (CNA) graduates at the forefront — and alumnus Tim Bonnell is no exception. He was honoured with Alumni and Advancement’s Innovation Award during the 2024 Acclaim Awards ceremony in St. John’s.
His company, TxtSquad, was founded while Tim was a student in CNA’s Programmer Analyst program (now known as Software Development Co-op), alongside his instructor Josh Taylor, who still teaches at the Prince Philip Drive campus. As you might expect, Tim, who also serves as Chief Technical Officer, feels CNA played a crucial role in his career.
“I think CNA was vital in setting the foundation for my journey,” Tim said. “One of the things I loved about CNA was the balance between theoretical and practical skills. In the ever-evolving tech industry, that has been vital — not only for continuous learning, but for applying the skills I learned on the job during my time at CNA.”
You may be wondering what TxtSquad is. Tim says it is a healthcare communication platform designed to help medical practices enhance patient engagement through text messaging and phone calls. There is no extra app to download — it uses the technology everyone already has at their fingertips — something Tim and his team are very proud of.
The group founded the company in 2020 and initially focused on organizational communication targeting municipalities, non-profits and employers.
“But we quickly realized that the health-care sector also had these same issues and that our software could apply directly to health care,” Tim said.
Since that time, Tim has been instrumental in shaping TxtSquad’s technological vision, driving innovation and leading the development of solutions that enhance health-care engagement and accessibility.
“What makes TxtSquad unique is that we do not just focus on sending messages. We are all about creating the full patient experience for healthcare practices. Whether it is sending appointment reminders, following up with patients or facilitating the entire appointment booking journey, our aim with TxtSquad is to make it more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.”
He says healthcare organizations can reduce missed appointments and improve patient navigation, all while lessening the administrative burden on staff. Under his leadership, TxtSquad has grown to serve a diverse client base across North America, including healthcare providers, pharmacies, communities and non-profit organizations.
While technical skills are critical to what he does, Tim says CNA also imparted important insights into business operations.
“So, for my role at TxtSquad as a co-founder, it was not just the programming and technical knowledge — it was the business part as well that I have been able to apply,” Tim said. “Josh and I definitely have a different set of skills. Josh is much more of a big-picture guy, whereas I am more on the technical side of development. Having both skill sets has been vital because we are able to constructively work together and represent both sides of the business well.”
A pivotal point for Tim was his first work term.
“One of my favourite moments at CNA was my first work term. This was such a huge eye-opening experience because it took me from learning skills in school to applying them in a real job. It definitely gave me the confidence to continue my career.”
Today, that career is focused on helping to alleviate pressures found in the healthcare system. Tim feels their technology is a valuable tool, but it is TxtSquad’s understanding of the human element behind the technology that makes it truly effective.
“Healthcare systems in Newfoundland and Labrador are under serious pressure. Our system can help alleviate the administrative burden faced at clinics. By providing patients and clerical staff a way to communicate over SMS, we can facilitate a smoother experience.”
Tim is excited about the future of TxtSquad — particularly the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI).
“As TxtSquad grows further into the healthcare sector, we are really excited about advancements in AI to further enhance communication between patients and clinics. Whether through phone calls, SMS or other methods, we believe this can further reduce the administrative burden found at these clinics.”
2024 Acclaim Award winner
In November, Tim was joined by the entire TxtSquad team at CNA’s Acclaim Awards ceremony, where he was recognized for his extraordinary achievements and lasting contributions in innovation.
“Receiving this award from CNA has been a true honour for us — not only for the success of TxtSquad, but for highlighting the journey from CNA. It showcases CNA’s role in shaping successful careers in the tech sector,” he said.
“These Acclaim Awards are important because they highlight the real-world impact of CNA programs and the value they provide to the community and employers.”
Reflecting on his career so far, Tim offered some advice to current students.
“If I could share some advice for inspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, I would say embrace continuous learning and do not be afraid to start small. The things you learn along the way can be the most impactful. Do not wait until it is perfect because you will never start,” he said.
“Another piece of advice would be never to underestimate understanding your users. For us, that means healthcare providers, clinics and patients. Technology is a great tool but knowing how your users are going to use it and understanding the human element is what makes the tool truly effective.”
Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Acclaim Awards are now open. Visit CNA – Alumni – Alumni Awards Program to nominate a CNA graduate today.
