Rural Health Professions Action Plan

04/22/2026

Two University of Calgary resident physicians jumped at the chance to give back to a community that supported their medical learning during a recent RHPAP Let’s Go Rural! High School Skills Event.

Drs. Samantha and Thomas Kazakoff joined other Taber healthcare volunteers to share insight with high school students considering a future medical career.

The Kazakoffs, who met the first week of medical school and tied the knot last summer, hope to eventually settle in the Southern Alberta community after spending much of their training there.

The couple—who are completing their residencies in nearby Lethbridge—were keen to help when a volunteer call out was made to support the Let’s Go Rural! event.

“When the event came up, it felt like a good way to give back to a community that had given us so much when we were younger and in earlier stages of training,” says Thomas. “It just kind of felt like the right thing to do.”

Read more about the Kazakoff's: https://loom.ly/DHVu9yQ

Town of Taber University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine Rural Medicine (DLRI) UofC

04/22/2026

Meet Adrienne Teske, one of four recipients of the $5,000 2026 RHPAP Rural Medical Student Award.

Raised on an acreage near Westlock, AB, Adrienne spent three years working as a registered nurse before deciding to pursue rural medicine.

While working as a remote nurse in Fox Lake in northern Alberta, she saw firsthand the challenges people face when trying to access healthcare in remote communities.

Now in her second year of medicine at the University of Calgary, Adrienne is working toward her goal of becoming a rural family physician and improving access to care for remote communities.
University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine Rural Medicine (DLRI) UofC Town of Westlock Fox Lake Cree Nation

04/21/2026

Meet Terry Van Der Wind, one of four recipients of the 2026 $5,000 RHPAP Rural Medical Student Award.

Raised in Three Hills, AB, Terry spent a decade working as a paramedic and advanced care paramedic before pursuing his goal of becoming a rural physician.

Now in his second year of medicine at the University of Alberta, he plans to complete a long-term clerkship in Innisfail during his third year.

Terry values the close-knit connections that come with rural living and hopes his kids can experience that same sense of community.

His current plan is to practise as a rural family physician with additional training in surgery and anaesthesia.
Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta Town of Three Hills Town of Innisfail

04/20/2026

On April 16, RHPAP proudly supported the Swan Hills Professionals Attraction & Retention Committee's High School Skills Day event, along with the local health team including EMS. Twenty-two students from Swan Hills School participated in the day. Thanks to the organizers for putting on such a great event and inviting RHPAP to be a part of it!

04/20/2026

Cassandra Snider’s journey toward a career in medicine started back in Grade 8, when she joined Dr. Chris Nichol’s Young Medical Minds program in Camrose.

Cassandra grew up in New Norway, (population: 307) which is about 20 km. south of Camrose.

Launched in 2016, Dr. Nichol’s program was designed to give local students a hands-on look into the world of healthcare — sparking an interest that could one day grow into a career.

For Cassandra, that spark turned into a calling. Cassandra is currently in her second year of medicine at the University of Calgary.

Congratulations to Cassandra on being named one of four recipients of the $5,000 RHPAP Rural Medical Student Award! 🎉👏
Rural Medicine (DLRI) UofC University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine
City of Camrose, Alberta Alberta Health Services New Norway and Area Community

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

Imagine lounging comfortably at your farm or in your driveway and listening to your favourite tunes, while having your teeth cleaned.

There’s no hectic drive to the clinic: just step outside your house and climb into a fully equipped dental van.

That’s the dream of Marilyn Alexander, a rural hygienist, who now takes her hygiene instruments on the road to rural residents requiring dental care within about one hour of Grande Prairie and occasionally to the community of Grande Cache.

Read the full story! https://loom.ly/AKp1XMs

City of Grande Prairie

04/16/2026

We’re thrilled to be attending the 33rd Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Conference, April 16-18 in Quebec City!

Come visit us at the event to check out our new swag and enter to win a great prize!

Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC)

04/16/2026

Earlier in the weeek students from across the Slave Lake area stepped into the world of rural healthcare—getting hands-on, asking questions, and discovering what it really means to care for a community 💙

From trying out real medical skills to connecting with local doctors, nurses, and EMS professionals, these future leaders explored the many paths that can lead to meaningful careers close to home.

Events like the Let’s Go Rural! High School Event don’t just showcase career options—they spark curiosity, build confidence, and plant the seeds for the next generation of rural healthcare providers.

Who knows? The next familiar face in your local healthcare centre might just be one of these students 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Town of Slave Lake

04/15/2026

Attraction, Integration and Retention (AIR) committees across rural Alberta play a vital role in bringing healthcare professionals to their communities.

RHPAP Rural Community Consultants are there every step of the way, offering guidance, tools, and support to help communities succeed.

Here is how we help rural communities attract, integrate, and retain healthcare professionals.

Alberta Health Services Health Quality Alberta Rural Municipalities of Alberta Rural Development Network - Canada Town of Viking

04/14/2026

RHPAP was pleased to provide funding support for an Emergency Department Echo (EDE) Acute Care Core Workshop in Diamond Valley from March 31 to April 2, 2026. Nine rural participants—eight physicians and one nurse practitioner—took part in this hands-on training.

We’re grateful to partner with Prairie PoCUS to bring high-quality CME opportunities to healthcare teams across rural Alberta. To learn more about RHPAP’s funding for team-based training, visit RHPAP.ca/ref.

Town of Diamond Valley

04/11/2026

RHPAP is thrilled to be exhibiting at the 33rd Annual SRPC Rural and Remote Medicine Conference in Quebec City, April 16-18.

This year’s theme highlights the ingenuity and adaptability that rural practice demands.

If you're attending be sure to stop by our booth #330!