Alberta is on a mission to improve healthcare in its rural and northern areas, and it all starts with new medical students! On September 2, the Northern Alberta Medical Program welcomed its first group of 30 eager future doctors to Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie. This is just the beginning of a much-needed boost in medical training.

With an investment of about $376 million over four years, Alberta is stepping up its game. The program, in partnership with the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic, aims to train more doctors who will be ready to serve in rural communities. After all, physicians who train in these areas are more likely to stay and practice there!

But that's not all! Another exciting program is in the works in Lethbridge, thanks to a partnership between the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. Together, they aim to create more opportunities for aspiring doctors.

These new training centers mean that students can complete much of their medical education away from large cities like Edmonton and Calgary, allowing them to engage directly with rural communities. Once fully developed, Alberta will see an increase of 210 medical seats statewide!

Alberta’s government is committed to addressing physician shortages and ensuring that everyone in the province can access the healthcare they need, no matter where they live. So, hats off to the students embarking on this historical journey! Your community is excited to welcome you!