Increasing access to family doctors and other health care professionals in rural and northern areas is a priority for Alberta's government. On Sept. 2, the Northern Alberta Medical Program officially welcomed its first cohort of 30 medical students to Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, beginning a new chapter in medical education in Alberta.
The new program in Grande Prairie is part of Alberta's investment of about $376 million over four years to increase the number of graduates from Alberta's medical schools. Under the Northern Alberta Medical Program, the University of Alberta has partnered with Northwestern Polytechnic to deliver Doctor of Medicine education at the Rural Medical Education Program Training Centre in Grande Prairie. The University of Calgary has partnered with the University of Lethbridge to deliver Doctor of Medicine education through a similar centre now under development in Lethbridge.
"What an exciting day for this trailblazing cohort of first-year medical students at Northwestern Polytechnic. We know family physicians who train in rural communities are more likely to practice in a rural location. The training centres in Grande Prairie and Lethbridge will give priority to rural applicants, host residencies, and offer clinics for the public, improving overall health care access in rural Alberta."
Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education
The new Rural Medical Education Program Training Centres, which include the Northern Alberta Medical Program and the University of Calgary - University of Lethbridge program, will allow medical students to complete the bulk of their medical education outside Edmonton and Calgary. Once fully operational, there will be 210 more seats provincewide with 120 at the University of Alberta, which offers a four-year program, and 90 more seats at the University of Calgary, which offers a three-year program.
"This program is an innovative approach to medical education that will help address rural physician shortages and attract future physicians who love rural life and want to launch their careers in the north. Congratulations to the students who are making history today."
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services
The Northern Alberta Medical Program is one of many ways Alberta's government is addressing physician shortages and helping to ensure all Albertans can receive timely care no matter where they live. Initiatives that are currently underway so all Albertans can access the care they need as close to home as possible include expanding physician training, implementing a new compensation model for family physicians, a new compensation agreement for medical residents, supporting additional international medical graduates and rural recruitment and retention incentives.
"We are honoured to lead this initiative for northern Alberta. The NAMP students are part of an important milestone, and we are grateful for the warm welcome extended by the Grande Prairie community as they begin their journey as health care professionals."
Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
Quick facts
- The ministries of Primary and Preventative Health Services and Advanced Education are jointly responsible for the education of physicians in Alberta.
- There are two Doctor of Medicine programs in Alberta: one at the University of Alberta and one at the University of Calgary.
- The training expansion began in the 2023-24 academic year with 10 students at each university. The first 10 new graduates as a result of the expansion will be in 2026 from the University of Alberta and 2027 from the University of Calgary.
- The Lethbridge training centre expects to receive its first cohort of students in the fall of 2026.
- Alberta's government is also increasing the number of residency positions for the newly graduated doctors and residency positions for international medical graduates.
