Congratulations to Craig Bertagnolli on receiving a 2022 RhPAP Rural Medical School Award!
Craig grew up on a farm outside Rocky Mountain House, and has been involved in health care since age 16, when he did a high school work experience with Specialty Medical Services / Rocky Mountain House Ambulance.
Craig became a licensed paramedic in 2008, and has worked across the world, including in South Africa and at the Balad Air Force Base in Iraq.
Despite his extensive travels, he is happiest close to home.
“…I have worked with many great physicians in Rocky Mountain House. Our [paramedic] service would bring in both stable and critical patients. In critical cases, we would often stay to assist with interventions or resuscitation attempts. As EMS, we would also be called to assist when the department needed more hands or for unstable patients being transferred out.”
Craig feels his time on the farm and working in rural Alberta will serve him well as a future physician.
“I feel that my rural farming background, many years of rural pre-hospital care, and overall personality lead me to be able to engage in easy conversation and form strong connections with rural patients.”
Craig’s interest in medicine and his reason for pursuing further education is to provide increased care to his fellow rural Albertans.
“My career path is still evolving while I discover all the opportunities available to physicians in Alberta.”
Congratulations to Craig and all of the other 2022 RhPAP Rural Medical School Award recipients!