Rural Health Professions Action Plan

02/21/2026

Know a high school student who’s curious about a hands-on, in-demand healthcare career? 🦷✨

February 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, RhPAP, in partnership with the Alberta Association of Dental Assistants, is hosting a FREE webinar for high school students: How Do I Get There? Dental Assistant!

Students will hear straight from practicing rural dental assistants about what the job is really like, how to get started, and why they love making a difference in their communities.

It’s a great opportunity to explore a rewarding, community-focused career path — and ask questions live! Don’t miss out!

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1978635609371?

Association of Alberta Dental Assistants

Are you a rural Alberta high school student interested in learning more about a career in dental assisting? This session is for you!

02/20/2026

Work with us! 👨‍⚕️

RhPAP is hiring a Finance Coordinator!

The Finance Coordinator plays a key role in maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the day-to-day operations of the finance function. If you're passionate about numbers and serving rural Alberta, we encourage you to apply!

Learn more: https://loom.ly/C4NImjw

02/20/2026

⏰ 7 days left.

That’s all the time left to submit a 2026 Rhapsody Award nomination and help celebrate excellence in rural healthcare.

🌾 Recognize the people who care for rural Alberta every day.

👉 RhPAP.ca/Rhapsody

02/19/2026

💻 Join RhPAP and rural community leaders on March 5th for an free webinar spotlighting the realities of healthcare in rural Alberta. Hear firsthand stories about local challenges and learn how communities are driving innovative, grassroots solutions.

This session celebrates the resilience, collaboration, and leadership shaping stronger, more sustainable healthcare across rural Alberta.

🔗 Register now: https://loom.ly/ZBFyIhQ

02/18/2026

🌽 Exploring healthcare careers in the Corn Capital of Canada!

39 students from the Taber area recently went to the Taber Health Centre for an RhPAP "Let's Go Rural!" High School Event.

It was "A Great Place to Grow" healthcare aspirations. Skill stations included injections and IV starts, suturing, airway management, casting and PPE. Local health professionals like Drs. Samantha and Thomas Kazakoff shared why they love rural healthcare.

See all the photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCKeWT

Municipal District of Taber

02/17/2026

🦷 Explore a Career in Dental Assisting!

Curious about what it’s like to be a Dental Assistant — and how to become one? Join us for a free, interactive Zoom session designed especially for rural Alberta high school students, along with the parents and educators who support them.

📅 February 23, 2026
⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
💻 Online (Zoom)

Meet inspiring professionals and representatives from the Association of Alberta Dental Assistants, and hear real stories about pathways into this rewarding career.

Register: https://loom.ly/SVWjg-Y

02/16/2026

💙 Who makes healthcare better in your rural community?

Recognize their impact with a Rhapsody Award nomination and help celebrate the dedication behind rural care.

⏰ Deadline: Feb 27, 2026!

👉 Submit today: RhPAP.ca/Rhapsody

02/14/2026

📣 Opportunity for Rural Community Leaders! 🌾

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is looking for a rural community member to join its newly established Social Accountability Decision-Making Council — a group that will help guide how the Faculty engages with and is accountable to the communities it serves.

This is a great chance for someone with lived experience in a rural community to contribute local perspectives and help shape meaningful decisions in health and medical education.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
👉 https://loom.ly/v224nT8

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta

02/13/2026

👩‍⚕️Two health professionals with nearly six decades of experience between them say shining a light on rural healthcare and its workers has lasting positive impacts.

Dr. Cecile Lavoie and Chantal Crawford were both recognized for their efforts during last year’s RhPAP Rhapsody Awards, respectively receiving the Physician and Healthcare Heroes Awards.

🏥The Rhapsody Awards have been handed out since 2002 to celebrate rural Alberta individuals and teams that exemplify dedication, compassion, and innovation within their communities. Awards are granted in two categories: the Rhapsody Physician Award and Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award, which can be an individual or team.

While last year’s recipients are humbled, they say the awards are an excellent way to promote awareness of rural healthcare.

“Rural has just always been an underserved population and I truly believe that your geographical area, or where you live, should never hinder you from getting excellent health care,” says Crawford, a registered nurse who now manages the Myron Thompson Health Centre in Sundre.

“That’s probably one of my biggest mantras—anybody who lives rural should have the same access to excellent healthcare, and there should be no barrier just because you choose to live rural.”

🏆 Read the full story here: https://loom.ly/dGt3ibw

Nominations for the 2026 Rhapsody Awards close Feb. 27. RhPAP.ca/Rhapsody

Town of Sundre Town of Bonnyville

Download PDF Two health professionals with nearly six decades of experience between them say shining a light on rural healthcare and its workers has...

02/13/2026

⏰ Reminder! Only a few weeks left to nominate for the Rhapsody Awards!

Recognize a rural physician or healthcare hero making a difference in their community.

🗓️ Deadline: Feb 27, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. MST — don’t miss it!

👉 Submit nominations at RhPAP.ca/Rhapsody

02/12/2026

Dr. Vamini Selvanandan has seen it all while covering for physicians across the province and beyond during her nearly quarter century career.

She wouldn’t want it any other way.

The emergency physician primarily treats younger people with issues such as ski or sporting injuries at her Banff practice.

But during her role as a locum—where she fills in for physicians on vacation or leave through the RhPAP-funded Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Weekend Locum Program and Seniors Locum Program—she often witnesses other health conditions.

“When I go out to the community through the AMA program, I generally work in small communities that have farmers and retired farmers, principally older folk moving in from the farms into these little communities,” she says.

“So I get to practice more of my geriatrics, more medical issues, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, all those things that I don’t always see in Banff. So it’s a win-win.”

Dr. Selvanandan has worked as a locum in 28 Alberta communities including 49 shifts in Claresholm where she covers in-patient and emergency shifts.

Read the full story at https://loom.ly/jiyKteA

Download PDF Dr. Vamini Selvanandan has seen it all while covering for physicians across the province and beyond during her nearly quarter...

02/12/2026

RhPAP supports 62 healthcare attraction and retention committees across rural Alberta.
But who’s actually behind the work?

These community-led committees are made up of local champions. Healthcare providers, municipal leaders, business owners, educators, and residents who care deeply about keeping healthcare close to home.

In this video, we take a closer look at who sits at the table and how their collective efforts make a real impact on the attraction, integration, and retention of healthcare professionals in their communities.

Rural Municipalities of Alberta Rural Development Network - Canada Town of Viking