Rural Health Professions Action Plan

05/20/2026

RHPAP is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Rhapsody Awards, which honour individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to rural healthcare in Alberta. These awards celebrate the vital contributions of healthcare professionals and community members working to strengthen care in rural communities across the province.

Rhapsody Physician Award: Dr. Wesley Steed

Dr. Wesley Steed has been awarded the 2026 Rhapsody Physician Award for his more than 32 years of dedicated service to the community of Taber and surrounding region.

Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award: Stettler District Ambulance Association

The 2026 Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award has been awarded to the Stettler District Ambulance Association (SDAA), recognizing the team’s exceptional commitment to emergency medical services in rural central Alberta.

Both Dr. Wesley Steed and the Stettler District Ambulance Association will be celebrated in their respective communities in the coming weeks. Each celebration will feature an award presentation, a video profile highlighting their contributions, and a $1,250 donation made on their behalf to a local organization of their choice.

Read the full announcement: https://rhpap.ca/news-events/2026-rhapsody-award-recipients-honoured-for-excellence-in-rural-healthcare/

05/19/2026

Alberta Rural Health Week (ARHW) returns May 25 to 29, 2026, celebrating the healthcare professionals who bring care closer to home for rural and remote communities across the province.

Nearly one in five Albertans live in rural and remote areas. Every day, healthcare teams across these communities provide essential care; bridging distance, building strong relationships, and supporting patients where they live.

“Rural healthcare is about more than access, it’s about connection,” says Tracy Sopkow, Chief Executive Officer of Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RHPAP). “Healthcare providers in rural Alberta play a vital role not only in delivering care, but in strengthening the communities they serve.”

Read the full announcement:

Download PDF May 19, 2026, (Rural Alberta) – Alberta Rural Health Week (ARHW) returns May 25 to 29, 2026, celebrating the healthcare...

05/19/2026

Happy Paramedic Services Week in Canada!

A heartfelt thank you to all the paramedics in rural Alberta for all you do for your patients.

We know paramedics, like Makayla in Peace River, are trained, and driven to provide the best care possible.

Alberta College of Paramedics Town of Peace River Mighty Peace Tourism Alberta Health Services Alberta Paramedic Association Alberta Paramedical Services Alberta Health Services EMS

05/16/2026

🌟Recognizing the 2026 Rhapsody Award nominees! 🏆
Today we're highlighting Dr. Lynn Edwards of Bow Island..
A Bow Island physician who “retired” to do medical service internationally has returned to help his community as it faces doctor shortages.

Dr. Lynn Edwards’ tireless commitment to his patients and medical learners along with his advocacy for rural medicine, were just a few reasons why the family physician was nominated for a 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Physician Award.

“In the small town of Bow Island, he has been a workhorse for more than 40 years as one of its few family physicians,” writes Dr. Gerry Prince, in the nomination of Dr. Edwards. “A mere mortal would not be able to duplicate his years of on-call service.”

Dr. Prince says it’s remarkable that Dr. Edwards persevered to become relicensed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons upon his return to Bow Valley after an eight-year absence working in Europe as a medical and teaching missionary. He previously practised in Bow Island for 30 years.

“He is now back in practice and providing much needed relief and support to keep the community hospital open, to keep the emergency open, as well as providing services in the community clinic.”

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Award recipients!

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-physician-award-nominee-dr-lynn-edwards/

05/15/2026

🏆Recognizing 2026 Rhapsody Physician Award nominee: Dr. Lee Jones of Hinton, AB! 🌟..
Offering continuity of care for all ages has driven a Hinton family physician to carve his own path in building medical services for his community.

Dr. Lee Jones’ dedication to offer a wide array of health services to people in rural Alberta needs makes him a deserving candidate for the 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Physician Award, writes colleague and nominator, Casandra Priegnitz.

“After working in a clinic alongside multiple physicians, he made the courageous decision to open his own practice to order to align his work with his values, vision for healthcare, and belief in patient-first medicine,” says Priegnitz.

“His dedication is evident in everything he does. He works tirelessly, effortlessly, and with unwavering compassion to ensure every patient receives the highest standard of care.”

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Rhapsody Award recipients!

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-physician-award-nominee-dr-lee-jones/

05/14/2026

🌟Recognizing the 2026 Rhapsody Award nominees! 🏆
Today we're highlighting Dr. Wes Steed of Taber, AB!..
A long-time Taber physician who admits he is hesitant to leave his patients without a doctor if he were to retire is being recognized by his community for his service.

Dr. Wes Steed was recently nominated for a 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Physician Award.

“Dr. Steed’s best quality is doing good simply because it is the right thing to do,” writes Darryl Moser, a former school principal in supporting Dr. Steed’s nomination.

“It is this passion and commitment for helping others that makes him the perfect candidate for this recognition.”

Dr. Steed began practising in the Taber region 32 years ago. Dr. Andrea Hargrove describes her colleague as a “silent leader, the person you want by your side when a situation is going sideways.

“Quiet and effective, and though he may be sweating on the inside, he is calm in the storm, a quality that is of immeasurable importance to the medical team. He is admired by his team, from students to new grads and career-long medical professionals,” she says.

Even though he is often a mentor, he “also reaches out back to us for advice when he needs it.”

Dr. Steed’s dedication spans further than his Taber practice. During his off hours, he volunteers in the community for the Society for Taber’s Arts and Recreation, the Taber Food Bank, and abroad during humanitarian trips to places such as Fiji, Guatemala and Kenya to help with complex medical services.

“To list the many attributes of this fine physician would take multiple pages,” notes registered nurse Sarah Jordan, former Taber Health Centre site manager.

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Rhapsody Award recipients!

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-physician-award-nominee-dr-wesley-steed/

05/13/2026

First time curling! First visit to a hutterite colony! First tour of a rural hospital.

There were a lot of firsts for Sophia Ghali when she attended an RHPAP Let's Go Rural! Post-secondary event in Vulcan, AB.

The weekend inspired the third-year UCalgary nursing student to consider rural practice in her future.

Faculty of Nursing - University of Calgary Vulcan County Alberta Health Services

05/13/2026

Alberta Rural Health Week is only a few short weeks away! How will your community be celebrating?

Be sure to check out the toolkit with downloadable resources to help with planning. The kit includes logos, colouring pages, thank you cards, and so much more to help you recognize those in your community who are helping keep healthcare close to home!

Join us in celebrating Alberta's rural healthcare heroes May 25 to 29, 2026!: https://rhpap.ca/about/alberta-rural-health-week/arhw-toolkit/

05/13/2026

✨ Join us in recognizing the 2026 Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award nominees! 🏆

Today we're highlighting Jessica Boulet of Hinton! ..
A Hinton pharmacist is being recognized for helping patients understand the importance of medications in leading to a healthier life.

Jessica Boulet, a pharmacist at Hinton Healthcare Centre, was recently nominated for a 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award.

“Patients are always at the centre of Jessica’s work,” writes Dr. Leigh Beamish in her nomination on behalf of the Hinton Healthcare Centre team.

“She recognizes that medication non-adherence is often related to cost, fear or misunderstanding rather than unwillingness,” says Dr. Beamish.

“She takes the time to speak with patients and families to understand these barriers and works diligently to find solutions.”

One case in point was a man in his sixties with diabetes who managed his diabetes reactively.

“Despite repeated counselling from physicians, his approach did not change until Jessica took the time to explore his concerns and financial barriers,” Dr. Beamish notes.

“This change led to safer and more stable diabetes management and demonstrated Jessica’s ability to create meaningful change through trust, patience, and education.”

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Rhapsody Award receipients!

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-healthcare-heroes-award-nominee-jessica-boulet/

Hinton Healthcare Foundation Town of Hinton

05/12/2026

🌟Recognizing the 2026 Rhapsody Award nominees! 🏆

Today we're highlighting Dr. Kim Chapman of Stettler..
A Stettler physician who returned to practice locally is being called an “irreplaceable asset” by her community.

Dr. Kim Chapman was recently nominated for a 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Physician Award for her tireless efforts in her devotion to local healthcare and mentoring future generations.

“She represents the ultimate success story for rural recruitment,” writes Dean Lovell who serves as president of the Stettler Needs Doctors and the Health Professional Attraction and Retention Committee (HPA&R).

Dr. Chapman, who also serves on the HPA&R committee as vice-president, was instrumental in advocating for new physicians during a recruitment drive, as well as mentoring local youth, medical learners, and new physicians.

“By answering questions about the realities of rural medicine, she is actively encouraging our local youth to enter the healthcare profession and — crucially — inspiring them to return to their rural roots to practice, just as she did,” says Lovell.

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Rhapsody Award recipients!

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-physician-award-nominee-dr-kim-chapman/

Town of Stettler

05/11/2026

Meet the 2026 Rhapsody Award nominees! 🏆

Today we're celebrating Dr. Larry Kulak of Whitecourt, AB!
..

Thinking outside the box, among other accolades, has earned a physician kudos from his peers.

Dr. Larry Kulak arrived in Whitecourt 45 years ago as a new physician and never left. He recently was nominated for a 2026 RHPAP Rhapsody Physician Award.

“Dr. Kulak has the strongest work ethic of any of the physicians with whom I have had the pleasure of working with. He dedicates himself completely to his profession – nothing held back,” writes Jackie Sanford, a retired Alberta Health Services North Zone clinical nurse educator, in her nomination.

He conscientiously, explicitly, and judiciously researches medical information to ensure he uses the most up to date, evidence-based medicine when making decisions about patient care,” says Sanford.

“If every other option or attempt has been made, he has the innate ability to think creatively, explore unconventional ideas and go beyond standard solutions to provide patient care.”

Read more on the blog and check back on May 20 when we announce this year's Rhapsody Award recipients:

https://rhpap.ca/news-events/recognizing-2026-rhapsody-physician-award-nominee-dr-larry-kulak/

Whitecourt