About

Rural Health Professions Action Plan

For over three decades, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan has supported the efforts of rural Albertans to maintain an accessible health workforce close to home. RhPAP is committed to fostering and building relationships with rural communities, stakeholders, partners, learners and each other to encourage better access to rural health.

Established in 1991 by the Government of Alberta as the Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan, and originally focused on supporting practising rural physicians, RhPAP has grown to be a broader rural community health workforce attraction and retention resource, an ally with Alberta’s medical schools, as well as a trusted, collaborative partner for rural Alberta communities trying to achieve greater access to health care.

Our Vision

Rural Albertan communities have the appropriate health workforce to effectively deliver the health services they need to thrive.

Our Mission

Support rural Alberta communities in their efforts to keep health care close to home.

Our Promise

RhPAP is committed to fostering and building relationships with rural communities, stakeholders, partners, learners, and each other to encourage better access to rural health care.

Financial contribution for RhPAP has been provided through Alberta Health

Annual Report

RhPAP worked tirelessly in fiscal 2023-2024 to support the efforts of rural Albertans to maintain an accessible healthcare workforce. To learn more about our impact, achievements and future vision, download a copy of our latest annual report on our resources page.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Alberta’s Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) highly values and respects diversity among the public, practitioners, employees, volunteers, learners, and those who govern the organization. We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all, without regard to race, religious beliefs, colour, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, ancestry, age, place of origin, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, and any other protected ground. Equal opportunity is provided in employment and volunteer positions within RhPAP, as well as within the opportunities we offer to stakeholders

RhPAP is committed to creating a space free of discrimination across all operating practices. We foster a culture of equity by embracing, respecting, accepting, and valuing differences.

What does RhPAP do?

Download a copy of RhPAP’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan

The nice thing about being in a small community is that everyone knows you. I just like having that connection with the community, to be known to help. Amos Gallup

Definition of Rural

For the purposes of our organization, we define “rural” as follows:

A community that is located outside the defined Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) boundaries of Calgary or Edmonton and has a population of fewer than 15,000 people.*

*Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.