Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation
Building a stronger healthcare system for Red Deer and rural Alberta.
Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation
“The Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation is a forward-thinking initiative that will strengthen Alberta’s healthcare system by training professionals where they’re needed most. This project supports our commitment to improving access to care for all Albertans—especially in rural and remote communities.”
— THE HONOURABLE ADRIANA LaGRANGE
MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND PREVENTATIVE HEALTH SERVICES & MLA FOR RED DEER NORTH
“When fully operational in 2030-31, the hospital will require approximately 3,600 healthcare professionals to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality care. Alberta is already experiencing a critical shortage of nurses, allied health providers, and support staff. That is why I strongly support Red Deer Polytechnic’s proposed Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI). By creating 1,000 new training seats, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and a Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence, HCALI will be instrumental in developing the skilled workforce required for our hospital’s expansion and for healthcare delivery across the province.
This is more than a capital project, it is a vital investment in the future of healthcare for Central Alberta, and I fully endorse it.”
— KAREN FOUDY
SENIOR
OPERATING OFFICER,
RED DEER REGIONAL HOSPITAL CENTRE AND SYLVAN LAKE ADVANCED AMBULATORY CARE, ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES
118,000 SQ. FT.
Estimated size of new centre
$120M
total estimated capital cost, inclusive of contingency and inflation-adjusted projections
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is requesting a $4 million investment from the Government of Alberta for planning dollars to fully define and determine the capital investment for the construction of the Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI).
HCALI is a solution to a provincial problem.
Alberta is facing a critical shortage of healthcare professionals. RDP is advancing a bold solution by proposing the development of a Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI)— delivering 1,000 new training seats and 20,000 annual patient visits.
HCALI will be home to a Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence. In collaboration with industry and sector partners, HCALI will deliver tailored solutions to address the unique healthcare challenges facing Alberta’s rural and remote communities.
Designed to anchor RDP’s health programming and applied research, HCALI will provide state-of-the-art simulation labs, flexible learning environments, and collaborative innovation spaces for applied research and industry engagement.
It also proposes to house a Primary Care Family Medical Clinic that will accommodate 20,000 patient visits annually and provide academic training and support for physician education and work-integrated learning for healthcare professionals.
State-of-the-art training, patient service delivery, and healthcare innovation through applied research.
HCALI is a transformational concept that will align with and support the diverse workforce needs of the $1.8 billion Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion. According to Alberta Health Services leadership, the expanded Red Deer Regional Hospital will require more than 3,500 additional nurses, allied health, and support staff—HCALI will address this need.
16,000 additional healthrelated jobs will need to be filled by 2033
Source: (Statistics Canada, 2022 projections)
Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence
1,000 new healthcare training seats annually, in addition to support of physician training in the region
20,000 primary care patient visits annually
Central Alberta
7.55%
RED DEER’S GROWTH
3,500+ in the past five years, reaching 112,917 people in 2024— making it the third-largest city in Alberta
Source: (Statistics Canada, 2024)
A System Under Pressure
Red Deer’s population reached 112,917 in 2024, according to Statistics Canada estimates—an increase of approximately 7.6% since 2020 (Statistics Canada, 2024). Alberta is projected to exceed 7 million residents by 2051, with much of that growth concentrated along the Edmonton–Calgary corridor, where Red Deer serves as a key regional anchor to over 450,000 residents (Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, 2024).
Critical Workforce Needs To Be Addressed
Alberta’s health sector faces acute staffing shortages in nearly every discipline. According to the Government of Alberta’s Occupational Outlook, one of the sectors that will see the greatest labour shortage is health. The pressure will be especially acute in Red Deer, Alberta’s third-largest city.
Of the top six areas that will experience the most significant labour shortages, three are in health:
• technical occupations in health
• assisting occupations in support of health services
• nursing and allied health professionals
HCALI directly targets these labour shortages through new healthcare seats and expanded rural access.
Alberta’s Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence
ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE STAFF
will be required for the Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion
450,000
ALBERTANS OVER A 150KM RADIUS
Red Deer is within a 150km radius of over 450,000 Albertans, making it a critical anchor for Central Alberta health services delivery
Source: (Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, 2024)
The $1.8 billion expansion of Red Deer Regional Hospital marks a major leap forward in service capacity, but without a parallel investment in workforce development, the expansion will fail to meet its full potential. HCALI will ensure those expanded facilities can address the critical staffing challenges for residents throughout Central Alberta.
At the same time, Alberta is facing increasing challenges to maintain and deliver healthcare programs and services to residents outside of the province’s urban centres. In partnership with Covenant, RDP will establish a Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence that will provide workforce training and innovative solutions tailored to impact Alberta’s towns and communities throughout the province.
RDP is ready to act. Centrally located between Calgary and Edmonton, RDP is uniquely positioned to bridge the urban and rural divide by responding to Central Alberta’s growing healthcare demands.
The proposed Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI) will strengthen Alberta’s healthcare workforce pipeline, expand service access, and catalyze regional economic diversification by creating new opportunities in applied health technology and interdisciplinary research.
““Primary Care Alberta supports Red Deer Polytechnic as they seek to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. Building a Healthtech Centre in Central Alberta marks an exciting opportunity for rural students, and the primary care providers who will mentor them. We know that those who train in rural communities are more likely to practice in rural communities—where we need them most.”
— DR. KIM SIMMONDS CEO, PRIMARY CARE ALBERTA
““Acute Care Alberta is focused on supporting the development of a high performing health care system—with a focus on providing critical care to Albertans when and where they need it most. Red Deer, Central Alberta, and rural Alberta generally will be well served by Red Deer Polytechnic’s Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI). It will provide the much-needed workforce to compliment the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, and with a focus on rural Alberta, provide the innovative solutions needed to support health equity across the province. Our health agency will benefit from HCALI and eagerly await its completion.”
—
DR. CHRIS EAGLE FORMER CHAIR & INTERIM CEO, ACUTE CARE ALBERTA
““Addressing the healthcare workforce shortage demands bold, collaborative, and forwardthinking solutions. The Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI) at Red Deer Polytechnic is poised to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals who will provide essential support in assisted living and social service environments. As Assisted Living Alberta works to expand capacity in assisted living, HCALI can play a vital role in developing a steady and sustainable workforce for today and tomorrow—helping to close the gap in care and fortify services where they are needed most, particularly in rural communities. This visionary initiative will contribute to lasting resilience in our province’s healthcare system.”
— GORD JOHNSTON CEO, ASSISTED LIVING ALBERTA
Healthcare Training and Applied Research
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has a long-standing commitment to health education and industry support, delivering a broad spectrum of healthcare programs and applied research aligned with the needs of Alberta’s healthcare system.
Health Programs at RDP
Red Deer Polytechnic is a key contributor to Alberta’s healthcare talent pipeline with 1,155 healthcare seats annually. These programs support workforce readiness in high-demand areas including nursing, diagnostics, therapy and senior care. HCALI will generate an additional 1,000 seats for an annual output of almost 2,200 healthcare seats.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Practical Nurse Diploma
LPN to BScN Transition Program
Health Care Aide Certificate
Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate
Medical Device Reprocessing Certificate
Pharmacy Technician Diploma
Occupational and Physical Therapist
Assistant Diploma
Social Work Diploma
Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma
Bachelor of Kinesiology and Sport Studies –University Transfer
““Centrally located in the dynamic CalgaryEdmonton economic corridor, Red Deer, and all Central Alberta, are great places to work, recreate, and raise families. Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is Central Alberta’s main post-secondary institution. Over one quarter of RDP graduates are in healthcare fields including nurses (RN and LPN), technicians, aides, and assistants.
RDP’s proposed “Healthtech Centre” supports RDP to meet growing demand for permanent and competent healthcare professionals personally invested in our communities as a result of the transformative Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion, serving over 400,000 Albertans, as well as a much-needed focus on supporting remote and rural health care for all of Central Alberta, as more and more families and individuals are, and will, choose to call this beautiful part of Alberta ‘home’.”
— JASON STEPHAN
MLA FOR RED DEER SOUTH
Rural Access through Campus Alberta Central (CAC)
RDP also delivers programming to rural communities through Campus Alberta Central (CAC). CAC is a joint venture with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to provide in-community post-secondary education and training within Central Alberta. CAC supports healthcare programming in six rural locations, with expansion plans underway in three additional communities. This model enables learners to train closer to home, increasing access and supporting regional workforce retention.
Dual Credit and Future Learner Pipelines
In 2024, RDP enrolled 227 students in dual-credit programs high school learners taking post-secondary courses. Healthcare is one of the most in-demand areas within this stream. RDP’s strategic plan sets a target of over 800 dual-credit learners annually, supporting earlier entry into health careers and improving long-term workforce supply.
Workforce Development: Expanding Capacity for Healthcare Training
Alberta’s healthcare system cannot staff its future without a dramatic expansion in training capacity. RDP is ready to lead that expansion. The issue of workforce development will only be magnified with the $1.8 billion expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, requiring RDP to increase programming and address critical staffing shortages. According to Alberta Health Services leadership, the expanded Red Deer Regional Hospital will require more than 3,500 additional nurses, allied health, and support staff.
These new programs will expand Alberta’s capacity in critical shortage areas like respiratory therapy, paramedicine, aging, and diagnostics. With capital investment, RDP can accelerate these launches and scale enrollment.
New Programs Under Development
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma (scheduled for fall 2025)
Respiratory Therapy
Paramedicine (PCP, ACP, Degree)
Healthy Aging Diploma
Polysomnography Technician
Biomedical Technician
Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician Diploma
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Bachelor of Health Science
GENERATING AN ESTIMATED
ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE SEATS ANNUALLY BY 1,000 2032
$1.8 BILLION RDP has a plan to nearly double its healthcare training This training expansion will directly support regional and provincial labour market demand
ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE
EXPANSION OF THE RED DEER REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Provide highdemand primary care services in a team-based setting
Deliver hands-on training aligned with system needs
Reduce strain on healthcare system
Enhancing Primary Care Access— While Training the Workforce Alberta Needs
Like many regions in Alberta, Red Deer is facing long wait times, limited access to family doctors, and mounting system pressure. This project proposes a fully integrated Academic Family Medical Clinic—delivering an estimated 20,000 annual patient visits while training the next generation of health professionals.
Academic Family Medical Clinic
RDP and regional physicians are proposing a team-based primary care clinic that integrates teaching, clinical service, and community engagement. This multidisciplinary clinic will provide high-demand primary care services and accommodate an estimated 20,000 annual patient visits.
• Family Physician Services
• Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Chronic Disease Management
• Laboratory Services
The Academic Family Medical Clinic will serve as a Community Health Hub where real-world service delivery, training, and applied research intersect. It will serve as a best-practice ecosystem where students will train alongside clinicians, testing new care models, scaling innovations, and learning in settings where they are needed most. The result:
• Better care for Albertans
• Better training for Alberta’s future workforce
• Less pressure on a strained healthcare system
Multidisciplinary Teaching Clinic
The Academic Family Medical Clinic will be a Teaching Clinic for critical healthcare professionals in the region, including:
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Laboratory technicians
• Ultrasound technicians
• Device processing technicians
By training professionals close to where they are most needed and aligning services with local realities we will reduce strain on our healthcare system.
““Red Deer and communities across Central Alberta are facing urgent healthcare staffing shortages and increasing demand for services. The Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation at Red Deer Polytechnic is a bold and essential response to those challenges. This project will help train the next generation of healthcare professionals, support the success of the Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion, and ensure residents in both urban and rural areas have better access to care. We strongly support RDP’s request and urge the Government of Alberta to make this investment a priority in the 2026 budget.”
— HIS WORSHIP KEN JOHNSTON
FORMER MAYOR OF CITY OF RED DEER
““Addressing Central Alberta’s healthcare workforce shortage is critical—not only for the health and well-being of our communities, but also for the stability and growth of our business environment. The Red Deer District Chamber strongly supports Red Deer Polytechnic’s Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI).
By creating new training opportunities and anchoring healthcare talent in our region, HCALI will strengthen local service delivery, ease pressure on employers struggling with recruitment, and generate long-term economic benefits across the region. As businesses continue to face challenges tied to labour availability, access to healthcare, and community infrastructure, this project represents a strategic investment in our economic future. We urge the Government of Alberta to include HCALI in the Capital Plan and invest $4 million to move this essential work forward.”
— MIKE SZYSZKA BOARD PRESIDENT & INTERIM CEO, RED DEER DISTRICT CHAMBER
Improving Rural and Remote Healthcare
The Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence will support the Government of Alberta’s Rural Health Action Plan by delivering community-driven solutions, building local capacity, and promoting inclusive healthcare reflective of the community’s needs.
Rural and remote healthcare settings face unique challenges including limited access to services, workforce shortages, long travel distances, and higher rates of chronic disease. These factors contribute to poorer health outcomes and disparities compared to urban areas.
The health disparities affecting Indigenous populations in Central Alberta are particularly concerning. First Nations individuals experience significantly higher rates of chronic illness, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, arthritis, and tuberculosis.
RDP currently delivers healthcare programming to six rural communities through Campus Alberta Central (CAC) with expansion plans underway in three additional communities. CAC is a joint venture with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to provide
in-community post-secondary education and training within Central Alberta. This model enables learners to train closer to home, increasing access and supporting regional workforce retention.
Covenant is a leading health provider in Alberta, serving people with compassion and dignity at 29 sites in 16 communities. They deliver care at every stage of life, including acute, continuing, mental health, hospice and seniors’ care. Its rural health model designs, tests and scales innovative models of care that align with RDP’s priorities for education, training and applied research in rural Alberta.
The Rural and Remote Healthcare Centre of Excellence will provide rural healthcare skill development, innovation (i.e. telehealth, mobile clinics), research and policy development, and partnerships, including with Indigenous communities.
The time to address the rural and remote healthcare crisis is now. By developing broad scope practice models, sustainable workforce planning and longterm stabilization through rurally based education, we can address the current crisis and create a rural health system that is robust over the long term.
Health Equity
Workforce
OBJECTIVE
Create a healthy, sustainable, engaged and efficient health workforce in rural and remote Alberta.
OBJECTIVE
Access Deliver highquality health care and appropriate health services when and where Albertans need it.
Models of Care
OBJECTIVE
Create unique care models and solutions that serve the needs in rural and remote communities.
Community
Care Address communityspecific needs to support the physical and mental wellbeing of rural and remote Albertans.
OBJECTIVE
Prevention & Wellness
OBJECTIVE
Support rural initiatives to reduce risk factors and enourage protective measures to reduce strain on the health system.
Source: (Rural Action Plan 2024-2027, Government of Alberta)
““For over 160 years, Covenant’s legacy has been rooted in compassion and innovation with the vision of transforming health care and creating vibrant communities of health and healing.
We are excited about our collaboration with Red Deer Polytechnic. This partnership celebrates a shared spirit of innovation and the pragmatic research that will continue shaping the future of healthcare for all Albertans.”
— PATRICK DUMELIE CEO, COVENANT
““The Red Deer Regional Hospital is entering a transformative period of redevelopment and expansion—one that will shape the future of health care delivery in Central Alberta for generations. But bricks and mortar alone do not deliver care; people do. The success of this project—and the long-term sustainability of health care in our region—depends on our ability to train, attract, and retain a skilled workforce. The Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI) and the Academic Family Medicine Clinic are not just complementary initiatives—they are foundational pillars of Central Alberta’s health care sustainability. Without this critical investment in education and workforce development, the full potential of our hospital expansion cannot be realized.”
— DR. DARREN BUGBEE
SECTION CHIEF FAMILY MEDICINE
RED DEER METRO & SENIOR MEDICAL DIRECTOR
RED DEER REGIONAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
Healthtech Innovation
— Applied Research
RDP’s interdisciplinary applied research team works closely with industry and sector partners on projects aimed at improving health outcomes. We are focused on conducting innovative research to develop, validate, and implement healthcare technologies that deliver real-world solutions for patients and caregivers throughout our health system.
Examples of recent partnerships and initiatives include:
Bethany Care Society to develop personal devices for residents at CollegeSide and CollegeSide Gardens on RDP’s campus.
KarMED on multiple projects, including FEPSim, a hand and upper body rehabilitation device.
RDP’s School of Health and Wellness to develop Virtual Reality training for RDP students.
Canadian Sports Institute to develop affordable parasports equipment and build manufacturing capacity in Canada.
NAIT’s Centre of Advanced Medical Simulations to develop exclusive trainers for healthcare education.
Stroke.ai to address the lack of continuous stroke monitoring, especially in rural and underserved areas, by developing a wearable sensor that tracks body movement in real-time to detect early stroke signs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stuart Cullum President, Red Deer Polytechnic 403.342.3233
Stuart.Cullum@rdpolytech.ca