Rural Health Professions Action Plan

03/30/2026

On March 19 in Grande Prairie, three rural physicians took part in the hands-on component of the GEMS course, delivered in partnership with STARS Ambulance

This immersive training equips rural physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with critical emergency management skills—helping them stay prepared, build confidence, and deliver better outcomes for patients when it matters most.

City of Grande Prairie Town of Beaverlodge Town of High Level

03/29/2026

RHPAP’s Rural Education Fund (REF) supported an Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) course in Westlock on March 10–11, 2026. Eleven rural nurses (seven RNs and four LPNs) from Westlock, Olds, Lacombe, Redwater, and Smoky Lake took part.

Organizers shared that the energy, engagement, and collaboration were incredible. It was a fantastic opportunity for participants to build their skills and strengthen connections across rural communities.

Learn more about the Rural Education Fund and apply to host training in your community: https://loom.ly/KRSFvuY

03/27/2026

Strong rural healthcare starts with local talent.

The A–Z Rural Health Careers Library helps youth discover how they can build meaningful careers while supporting the health of their own communities.

From hands-on roles like healthcare aides to specialized careers like respiratory therapists, students can explore the full range of opportunities—and see where they fit.

Parents and educators play a key role in opening those doors.

Explore together: https://loom.ly/0uiJinw

03/26/2026

Amazing people work with RHPAP throughout the province. In this new feature, Alicia Fox, a community consultant with the Community Development and Engagement (CD&E) Team, chats with RHPAP freelance writer Lorena Franchuk.

💻Read the Q&A: https://loom.ly/iQ2dvtM

Download PDF Amazing people work with RHPAP throughout the province. In this feature, Alicia Fox, a community consultant with the Community Development...

03/25/2026

Two physicians from across the province are following the lead of a rural healthcare champion after receiving bursaries from RHPAP to cover their medical school costs.

Dr. James Welke, a Claresholm physician, and High Level-based Dr. Taylor Nelson were two of several medical students who received the Dr. John N. Hnatuik Rural Medical Student Bursary a decade ago.

The bursary was named in honour of former RHPAP skills broker, Dr. Hnatuik, who spent much of his career practising in the east-central community of Provost. Tuition and differential fees were covered for several students over a number of years for their four years of medical education.

➡️Read the full story: https://loom.ly/SxHrif8

Town of Claresholm Town of High Level

03/18/2026

Healthcare Attraction starts by telling your story. 🌳🏥👩‍⚕️

The AIR Toolkit helps rural communities showcase their strengths and prepare to welcome healthcare professionals and their families.

From community profiles to recruitment strategies, everything is tailored to rural Alberta realities.

✨ Start attracting today: rhpap.ca/ruralcommunities/air-toolkit

03/17/2026

🎉 We’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 Rural Healthcare Student Awards! 🙌

These outstanding students are being recognized for their commitment to improving healthcare in rural communities and for the passion they bring to the future of rural health.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients and celebrating the next generation of healthcare leaders dedicated to making a difference where it matters most. 👏🏆

Medical School Recipients:

Cassandra Snider (New Norway)
Adrienne Teske (Westlock)
Jessica Katerenchuk (Smoky Lake County)
Terry Van Der Wind (Three Hills)

Healthcare Recipients:

Jessica Whalen (Slave Lake)
Mikaila Moustafa (Peace River)
Brieanna Nyal (Clyde)
Camryn Bjornson (Fairview)
Brielle Kit (High Prairie)
Jenna Mercier (Mountain View County)
Brooklynn Kelley (St. Paul)
Nikolas Shapka (Bonnyville)
Raegan Abrey (Coaldale)
Alissa Craigie (Provost)
Gionino Panlilio (Two Hills)
Kendra Tregillus (Innisfail)
Sanaya Saken (Edson)
Jenna Sillence (Jasper)
Jori Magee (Vulcan)
Abbylynn Morken (Tofield)

Learn more about the recipients and their inspiring journeys in their video features coming this April!

Rural Medicine (DLRI) UofC Department of Family Medicine University of Alberta

03/16/2026

Missed our latest Knowledge Now webinar? You can still catch the inspiration! 🎥

Our newest session, “Community Success Stories,” is now available to watch on our YouTube channel. Hear how three rural communities are working through local healthcare challenges and take away ideas you can apply in your own community.

🔗 Watch the recording now on YouTube and get inspired by what’s possible when rural communities come together.

https://loom.ly/DTkwl_s

03/14/2026

RhPAP was pleased to fund an Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) through the Rural Education Fund in High River on March 5 to 6, 2026.

18 participants from the High River area — including 13 RNs and 5 LPNs — took part in the training, strengthening their skills and confidence in providing emergency pediatric care in rural settings.

Thank you to all who participated and helped make this important learning opportunity possible! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️🩺

Town of High River

03/12/2026

March is Social Work Month — a time to celebrate the dedication, compassion, and impact of social workers in our communities. 💙

Learning new skills is powerful. Learning them alongside a colleague? Even better.

For two rural social workers, teaming up for training through RhPAP’s REAL program elevated collaboration to a whole new level.

Ardelle Layden and Desiree Morris, who both work at Canopy Cove Counselling in Olds, completed the Four Day Essentials and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy training in May 2024.

“Having several clinicians trained in the same model who work in the same clinic—it’s amazing to see the growth that happens,” says Morris, a social worker who specializes in pediatrics, teens, and couples.

Now, when Morris begins working with a youth, she often recommends that parents connect with Layden or another colleague trained in the same approach.

“It supports the entire family unit using the same model, so they’re able to come together.”

When clinicians learn together, communities benefit. 🌱

Read the full story on the blog: https://loom.ly/frOinIo

Town of Olds Olds and Area Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee

03/11/2026

👩‍⚕️White coat fever hit the community of Lamont in February, but there was no need to panic.

Forty Grade 1 students donned the quintessential physician’s white uniform during a Doctor for a Day initiative at Lamont Health Care Centre.

The event was arranged by the area’s Rural Health Committee, an attraction and retention committee recently established with support from RhPAP to encourage health professionals to work in the community.

“It was good, it was fun,” says Linda Mills, who represents the hospital board on the committee.

“Everybody who was involved stepped up to the plate. Those kids were so inquisitive. There wasn’t one kid crawling on the floor or turning circles. They were just entranced.”

Mills got the idea for Doctor for a Day after attending RhPAP’s 2024 Rural Community Conference in Wainwright. There, Dr. Sam Ogbeide spoke about how his community invited young students to experience healthcare in a non-threatening environment and even plant a seed for them to become health professionals in the Killam area down the road.

🔗Read the full story: https://loom.ly/xhsxflM

Town of Lamont Lamont County Town of Wainwright Alberta Health Services

03/11/2026

Kallie's dream to be a medical examiner took a big step forward thanks to an RhPAP Let's Go Rural! Skills Event in Taber.
Kallie attends Lomond Community School. It was one of five Taber area schools that participated.

Town of Taber Lomond Community School Alberta Health Services Municipal District of Taber