In Alberta’s refocused health system, rural care cannot be the afterthought

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The province has recognized the need for action through its Rural Health Action Plan. At its core, the plan is about health equity. Albertans should not experience poorer health outcomes simply because they live in a rural or remote community.

ENDED: Severe thunderstorm warning for Red Deer area

Jul 04, 2026

red deer, blackfalds, lacombe, and sylvan lake

Central Alberta communities impacted by Lime e-mobility takeover of Neuron

Jul 03, 2026

Neighbourhood recreation

City of Red Deer announces the return of 'Meet Me at the Park' program

Jul 03, 2026

Meeting that challenge will require more than any one organization can deliver on its own. It will take partnerships that connect education, research and frontline care in ways that help communities thrive.

That’s why in November 2025, under the leadership of Minister Adriana LaGrange, our two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Rural and Remote Health and Wellness Centre of Excellence.

This partnership brings together complementary strengths and a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of Albertans.

Covenant has served Albertans for more than 160 years and today provides care through teams working in 16 communities and 29 sites across the province. Red Deer Polytechnic brings 1,567 health-training seats, offers healthcare programming in seven rural communities and is in the design phase of a new applied-learning facility that will add another 1,000 healthcare program seats. Together, we bring frontline experience, research capacity and deep community connections to the challenge of strengthening rural health care.

More importantly, we share a belief that lasting solutions must be developed with communities, not simply for them.

This partnership is about action. It is about creating a place where students, clinicians, researchers and communities work side by side to solve real problems.

Together, we will train the next generation of health professionals, pilot new models of care and create a hub where education, research and frontline care can come together in practical ways. We will focus on workforce recruitment and retention, improving access to care, strengthening community-based services and supporting prevention and wellness initiatives that reflect the unique needs of rural and remote communities.

It’s about delivering community-driven solutions, building local capacity and ensuring care reflects the unique needs of the people it serves.

The Rural and Remote Health and Wellness Centre of Excellence will also help accelerate innovation through applied research and emerging technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. Students, researchers and healthcare professionals will work together to develop practical solutions that improve care closer to home and strengthen healthcare delivery in rural and remote communities.

Strong communities depend on strong partnerships. By combining Covenant’s experience serving rural and remote communities with Red Deer Polytechnic’s leadership in education, applied research and innovation, we can strengthen the rural health workforce, improve access to care and advance health equity across Alberta.

Rural communities have always been places of resilience, innovation and determination. They deserve a health care system that reflects those same qualities. By investing in partnerships, innovation and community-driven solutions, we can strengthen care closer to home and build a more sustainable future for rural Alberta.

By Patrick Dumelie and Stuart Cullum

Patrick Dumelie is President and CEO of Covenant. Stuart Cullum is President of Red Deer Polytechnic.

—

EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pattison Media. Column/op-ed suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.