It’s going to be a busy weekend for learning skills and showcasing the best of rural Alberta with RhPAP-sponsored events in Flagstaff County, Wainwright, and Pincher Creek.
RhPAP Skills events provide rural Alberta communities with a unique opportunity to make a positive impression on future healthcare professionals through showcasing local amenities and attractions.
Students to experience life in East Central Alberta
Students studying several health-care disciplines are coming to East Central Alberta to discover the advantages of living and working in rural Alberta. Over 50 medical, nursing, physiotherapy, respiratory, and paramedic students from the U of C, MRU, and SAIT are coming to Killam and Galahad on April 21 and 22 for a Medical Skills Weekend event, sponsored by Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP), Covenant Health, and Flagstaff County. Local health-care professionals will introduce participants to the broad range of skills that health professionals in rural communities are expected to use every day, including suturing, IV starts, and wound care.
Students will be guests at a community dinner on Saturday evening, sponsored by Flagstaff County; and will receive tours of local attractions, including Forestburg Power Plant.
Here’s what happened last time RhPAP (then RPAP) held a Skills Weekend in Flagstaff County:
“Grow your own” in Wainwright
Wainwright Economic Development, a partnership between the Town and M.D. of Wainwright, AHS and RhPAP are teaming up to introduce local high school students to careers in the health profession. About 50 students from Wainwright and area will participate in an April 20 “Grow Your Own” health skills event, sponsored by RhPAP, Alberta Health Services, and Wainwright Economic Development.
Health-care professionals from the Wainwright Health Centre will introduce participants to the broad range of skills health professionals in rural communities are expected to use every day, including starting an IV, catheter care, and giving an injection. Participants will also be treated to an RhPAP-sponsored lunch and a presentation from local physiotherapist, Arne Anderson.
This event runs from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Wainwright Health Centre, 530 – 6th Avenue, Wainwright, AB.
Pincher Creek to host health care exposure event for local students
On April 20, high school students from across southwest Alberta will come to Pincher Creek to explore and learn about different healthcare careers that exist in rural communities at an RhPAP Skills event, sponsored by RhPAP, Alberta Health Services, and Livingstone Range School Division. Students from Pincher Creek, the Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, and Lundbreck will participate in five skill stations, and will explore and learn about some different health care careers that exist in rural communities.
Students will receive a tour of Pincher Creek Health Centre to learn about the different departments, and the health careers that exist in their local hospital and community. Instruction in ‘hands-on’ clinical skills will be given by local health-care providers, and they will share information on their careers, and the options for study. An AHS Student Engagement Advisor will also be present to talk to students about further health career options.
About RhPAP
Established in 1991 by the Government of Alberta as the Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan, a renewed Rural Health Professions Action Plan, or RhPAP, is transitioning from a rural physician support program to a rural allied health professionals and community development agency. Our vision is to help rural Alberta have and sustain the right number of rural health practitioners in the right places, offering the right services, through community and professional development programs, services, and evidence informed advocacy. We are grateful to Alberta Health for its continued financial support.
For more information about these or other upcoming skills days, please contact Jonathan Koch at 587-987-4325 or jonathan.koch@rhpap.ca