Sandra Maloney now knows how to watch for possible signs of human trafficking as she works her shifts in the Strathmore emergency room (ER).
The registered nurse learned how to identify potential trafficking cases when she attended the Emergency Medicine for Rural Hospital Conference last January in Banff through RhPAP support.
Maloney was one of several health professionals including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and midwives who were eligible for bursaries to cover registration fees for the annual conference.
Bursary applications are now open for the upcoming 2026 conference. Eighteen bursaries are available.
— Photo supplied by Sandra Maloney
Maloney says the conference is a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest protocol for rural ERs.
“There’s always something new to learn for emergency … you know, supplies, equipment, algorithms. Since I started nursing 20 years ago, ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Saving) has changed probably six or seven times so it’s always good to have those updated versions,” says Maloney.
Lily Riwukore, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who works in acute care in Drumheller, hasn’t spent much time in the ER so far, but it’s her goal to work there. The fast pace appeals to the LPN who also spent a year working in Fort Vermilion following her graduation from Bow Valley College in Calgary about three years ago.
Riwukore, who is originally from Indonesia, says she first learned of STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) at the conference. While she had experienced advanced paramedic services up north, she had never encountered STARS. Now, she has a better understanding of the service and how it supports rural health professionals and their patients.
While Riwukore did her schooling in Calgary, she recognized that rural Alberta offered greater opportunities for full time employment as an LPN.
She recognizes the importance of continuing education and appreciated the fact that RhPAP reimbursed her for the registration cost.
“It was actually such a great feeling when I went to the conference and they (RhPAP staff) gave me the envelope with my name on it and the cheque. It was an amazing feeling.”
—Photo supplied by Lily Riwukore
Maloney agrees the funding helps remove financial barriers for rural health professionals who also face accommodation and other expenses throughout the weekend. Several Strathmore colleagues were also fortunate to attend the 2025 conference with support from RhPAP.
For those who couldn’t participate, Maloney has graciously shared her newfound knowledge.
“I work nights so I often use that time to teach new employees,” she says. “They also provide you with handouts for every session that you attend so those are things you can bring back to your department.
“Every staff meeting that we have, our manager actually allows one staff member to do a teaching session for the whole group on something that they are passionate about.”