Rural Health Professions Action Plan

02/28/2026

💻 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

02/27/2026

A multi-year research project, funded in part by RhPAP, found that community and workplace support play a critical role in the success of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) working in rural Alberta.

The study, Internationally Educated Nurses’ Experience of Rural Alberta Nursing Practice: A Mixed Methods Study, examined the experiences of registered nurses (RNs) who recently relocated to rural Alberta through an initiative sponsored by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

The researchers found that IENs are most successful when they receive what they describe as “wrap-around support” — a mix of professional, organizational, and community-based assistance tailored to individual needs.

“It’s support that is holistic, it’s individualized to that person’s needs, and it brings together a variety of resources from community, the professional bodies, the employers, and all of those people that they work with,” explains Dr. Monique Sedgwick, a registered nurse and professor with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge (U of L).

Beyond formal workplace support, informal community connections are just as important. These supports often came from community members, other immigrant families or employees, faith leaders, childcare providers, local businesses, and others.

Read more on the blog: https://loom.ly/bZsPWfE

Download PDF Community and workplace support play a critical role in the success of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) working in rural Alberta, according to...

02/26/2026

👩‍⚕️A Sundre resident is on her way to becoming a rural physician several years after a spur-of-the-moment decision to attend a medical career awareness event as a high school student.

Davina Choi’s guidance counsellor nudged her to participate in an RhPAP’s Let’s Go Rural! High School Event in 2018, despite the fact the student wasn’t considering a medical career.

Back then, Choi was set to become a teacher. Regardless, she thought it might be fun to participate in the experience arranged by local attraction and retention committee representatives and area health professionals to introduce students to medical professions in her community.

🪡“I loved suturing, I loved the airway management, I loved talking to staff back then. It really helped me appreciate the medical programs and the medical services we had in Sundre,” recalls Choi of her participation in Let’s Go Rural!

Now in her first year of medical school, the one-day experience proved influential for her and many others.

“I also know that a lot of my friends and classmates went into medical fields like nursing or emergency medical services because of the event,” she says.

Choi is now enrolled in medical school in Grande Prairie with the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), hosted by Northwestern Polytechnic and offered through the University of Alberta. NAMP offers medical students an opportunity to complete their education in the northwestern city and communities across northern Alberta.

📸Pictured: A heavy snowfall led to a slower day in the Sundre emergency department recently while medical student Davina Choi was shadowing Dr. Adam Penkul through RhPAP’s Rural Mentorship Program. It gave Dr. Penkul (shown) and fellow resident physician, Dr. Sonia Rawat, the opportunity to discuss fractures with Choi and show her the steps involved in casting. Not only did she learn about casting, but Choi was also able to experience what it’s like having one applied.

Town of Sundre Sundre Hospital Futures Committee

02/26/2026

Even though he's prone to fainting when he sees blood, that didn't stop Kade Haslam from attending an RhPAP Let's Go Rural! Skills Event in Taber.

He was one of 39 Taber area students who spent the day learning medical skills and getting to know more about the healthcare career opportunities in their community.

02/26/2026

📣 Final hours to say “thank you” to a rural healthcare hero.

A Rhapsody Award nomination is a powerful way to recognize dedication, compassion, and impact in rural communities.

🗓️ Deadline: Tomorrow, February 27, 11:59 PM
👉 Submit now: RhPAP.ca/Rhapsody

02/23/2026

⏰ Reminder! Only a few days 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

02/21/2026

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

02/18/2026

🌽 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

Town of Taber Municipal District of Taber Alberta Health Services