November 12, 2005 Source: University of Alberta:
http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/newsreleases.cfm?id=7096 University of Alberta and East Central Health form partnership November 10, 2005 - The University of Alberta and East Central Health have formed a unique partnership that will provide rural Albertans with increased opportunities to pursue professional health education and careers. Alberta's Advanced Education Minister Dave Hancock and Health & Wellness Minister Iris Evans joined officials from both organizations today to celebrate the partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremony was held at the University of Alberta's Augustana Faculty, in Camrose. The agreement commits the two organizations to collaborate on priorities including health and social sciences education, research and leadership. Among those professionals to benefit from this new partnership are nurses already working within the East Central Health region, U of A health science and medical students, and rehabilitation professionals. Rural Albertans will also benefit as health-related research results in improvements in the quality and delivery of health care. "Improving access and providing more learning opportunities for students, regardless of where they live in the province, is one of my primary goals," said Minister Hancock. "Residents of rural communities will benefit tremendously from these valuable partnerships between educators and health care providers. This agreement will also enrich the teaching and training opportunities for staff and students." "The partnership between the University of Alberta and East Central Health helps address the challenge of how to attract enough health care professionals to serve the health needs of rural Albertans," said Minister Evans. "East Central Health residents will benefit from students and health professionals who have new opportunities to train, work and do research in their communities." "Through this agreement, the University of Alberta brings its strengths of teaching, research and citizenship to rural Albertans," said Dr. Indira Samarasekera, President of the U of A. "By sharing our knowledge with practicing health professionals and exploring new opportunities for training our students in medicine, rehabilitation and social sciences, we can focus on the needs of residents within the East Central Health region, and in the longer term, contribute to the overall well-being of rural Albertans." "East Central Health has had great success pursuing a 'grow your own' philosophy that provides health-related educational and career opportunities for our rural residents near the communities where they live and work, " said Ed Andersen, Board Chair of East Central Health. "This agreement elevates that philosophy to the next level and opens an exciting new range of possibilities." For more information please contact: Zanne Cameron, Communications Co-ordinator, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, (780) 679-1157, zcameron@augustana.ca
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