Appreciated. Recognized. Valued.
These were just a few of the words some Alberta health professionals described feeling after being awarded RhPAP’s coveted Rhapsody Awards, a recognition program that began in 2002. RhPAP is currently accepting nominations for the awards.
“It was a great honour to be nominated for the award, and, of course, to win the award,” recalls Dr. Karen Lundgard, who has practised in Peace River for 45 years and continues to serve as associate zone medical director.
The family physician and rural generalist received the Rhapsody Physician Award in 2022. The Rhapsody Physician Award recognizes the contributions of rural physicians, especially those unsung heroes, who provide Alberta rural communities with outstanding patient care and make notable contributions to medical practice and to their communities.
Dr. Lundgard says being nominated was special in itself, but winning and celebrating with friends, colleagues, and community members was the icing on the cake.
“I think it shows physicians that they are appreciated and that they are very valued in the community, and that their hard work does not go by without notice,” says the doctor who is poised to retire from family practice next month.
Michele Austad describes a similar reaction at her clinic in Blairmore after they were chosen for the Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes award last year. The clinic manager says that winning the award was uplifting to the 10 physicians and the staff at the Crowsnest Medical Clinic, which serves close to 6,000 patients in southwestern Alberta.
“It’s been a rough five years with COVID and all the changes in healthcare, so it was really meaningful for them to be recognized by people in the community for doing a good job,” says Austad.
“The nomination was spearheaded by a patient. She did the nomination and got other people involved to say things so that makes clinic staff feel like they are doing something right. You don’t hear happy stuff very often when you work in a medical clinic.”
The Rhapsody Healthcare Heroes Award was established to pay tribute to healthcare providers that demonstrate superior commitment to their patients, healthcare team, and community.
Austad says it was refreshing to share the positive news with the community and thank everyone for their support.
“It was in the papers, even newspapers as far as Lethbridge and Calgary called me to write stories on us,” Austad recalls.
“We put it on Facebook and said, ‘We’re so happy, thank you so much. It was nice to thank people as usually what we’re posting is ‘the phones are out, we don’t have any vaccines left, or that kind of thing.’”
While the award recognized her as a physician, Dr. Lundgard is quick to point out that awards and recognition are just as important for health professionals who aren’t always as visible and often work diligently behind the scenes.
“I know ultrasound technicians have won them and some of our nursing staff have won them. I think it means even more to them because they don’t get a lot of public recognition.
“I hope RhPAP keeps doing the awards. I think it’s very important.”
Along with a celebratory event, both Dr. Lundgard and the Crowsnest Pass Medical Clinic received donations to share with worthy causes in their communities.
Dr. Lundgard split her award money with three community causes: the Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter, Peace River Food Bank, and Sagitawa Friendship Society.
The Crowsnest Pass Medical Clinic donated their award money to the Crowsnest Pass Health Foundation which purchases medical equipment and supports other community healthcare needs.
Nominations for the 2025 RhPAP Rhapsody Awards are now closed. Nominations for the 2026 Awards will be open from January 1, 2026 to February 28, 2026.