Watch highlights of the 2024 RhPAP Rural Community Conference in Wainwright.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Wainwright for three incredible days of learning, networking, and collaboration.
From inspiring keynotes to insightful panels, we’ve explored the future of rural healthcare and shared strategies to keep healthcare close to home.
Reflect. Reimagine. Refocus.
The 2024 Rural Community Health Provider Attraction and Retention (A&R) Conference was a three-day dynamic and forward-thinking event focused on addressing the critical issues of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas.
This year’s conference theme centered on the next chapter in rural healthcare. As the health system in Alberta continues to evolve, this conference brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to reflect on the current state of rural healthcare, reimagine innovative solutions, and collectively refocus efforts to shape the next chapter in rural healthcare.
View photos from the 2024 RhPAP conference
Conference Speakers
Dr. Zayna Khayat was the keynote speaker for this year’s conference. She is the in-house health futurist with Deloitte Canada’s Healthcare and Life Sciences practice, and growth advisor with Teladoc Health. Her powerful and dynamic presentation focused on the future of rural healthcare and the health workforce.
Kim Hyshka, has been a leader in the field of civic engagement and public participation for over a decade, amassing a list of clients that spans the corporate elite and the highest levels of government. Her presentation was called “Dialogue Changes Everything – Key Roadblocks to Meaningful Conversations.”
Aileen Burke is an experienced lobbyist, researcher, facilitator, and communicator with Alberta Counsel. Aileen talked about political advocacy and how to make your voice effectively heard by all levels of government. She also discussed the significant changes that are being made across the healthcare system in Alberta.
Dr. Aaron Johnston is the Associate Dean, Distributed Learning and Rural Initiatives, University of Calgary. He discussed details of the expansion of the University of Calgary’s medical school program into Lethbridge and how the introduction of these med students will benefit surrounding rural communities in the future.
Dr. Mark Prins is Director, Office of Rural and Regional Health, University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine/Dentistry. He informed conference attendees about the expansion of the UofA med school into Grande Prairie, and explained the benefits this will have on rural communities in the Peace Country and the far north.
Dr. Gavin Parker is Chairperson of the RhPAP Board of Directors. He is also a rural family physician practising in Pincher Creek. Dr. Parker moderated a panel discussion of Rural Healthcare: Strategies and Tips for Attracting and Retaining Rural Health Professionals.
Shanda Berns is the Senior Manager of RhPAP’s Community Development and Engagement Team. Her team hosted a session on attraction and retention of rural health professionals. Attendees learned from the experiences of other A&R committees in Alberta and discovered what works and what doesn’t work.