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NAMP News
Updates from the Northern Alberta Medical Program
Northern Alberta Medical Program Start Date in Grande Prairie
Beginnings and Reflections: Entering the World of Medicine
Richard Martin, Assistant Dean, Northern Alberta Medical Program
Thinking about the upcoming First Day of Medical School takes me back to my own first day, way back in 1987 (MD Class of 1991). A combination of excitement, anxiety and a significant desire to 'look like actually I belong' in a room full of very smart fellow students and very smart teachers. The Upper Class practical joke that year was to pretend that the University had accidentally over-admitted students to our class, meaning four students would be removed from the class at random right in front of us all. And sent home. With no guarantee of readmission the next year. I am happy to have survived AND remained continent.
My strongest memories of the beginning of Medical School remain the tremendous privilege it was to be joining this profession, looking forward to the intense knowledge and skills that I would develop and my desire to help my future patients and their families. It is variations of these same thoughts that still carry me through my career, now 33 years deep and continue to lift me up when times are hard and hours are long. I hope all the incoming students can see and feel some of the wonder and awe that make this profession so incredible.
"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children".
Darryl Rolfson, Associate Dean MD Program, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
This wisdom is attributed to Chief Seattle (siʔaɬ, Si'ahl), leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples during the 19th century. As with the land, education itself is more an investment in a future for others than a thing to be consumed for the present. This is especially true of medical education and other traditional ways of knowing. We receive from the past that we might give to the future.
Such has been my experience over the past two years as I have had the honour and privilege to be welcomed in Grande Prairie and many of the communities in Northern Alberta, imagining together what that future may be for health care services in the North and how the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic might do their part to make it a reality.
The newly created Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), jointly sponsored by these two institutions, holds that promise for the future. If we are good stewards, and don't squander this moment of opportunity, NAMP will be an investment for our children and generations afterwards. NAMP started with a substantial investment of public dollars and was only made possible through the shared imagination of academic institutions, front line teachers, health care providers, health system stewards, communities and above all, the medical students themselves.
In August, we are all cheering on the first class of 30 medical students in NAMP, and look forward to wave after wave of medical students and residents in years to come to establish newer traditions of medical learning in the North.
We have listened carefully, invested our best efforts, and it is finally time to start the real work, bending our hearts and our efforts towards generations to come.
Meet the Team
My purpose for the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP) at the University of Alberta is to apply my extensive and diverse experience in the role of Strategic Program Lead. I am eager to weave my experience by working for the
Northern Alberta Medical Program.
The foundation of my academic career is based on a Baccalaureate in Native Studies; afterwards, I branched off to Public Health Science and obtained a Master of Science degree, and then a Doctor of Philosophy.
Josie Auger, Strategic Program Lead, Wâpanachakos Health
As a lifelong resident of Grande Prairie, I have witnessed the continuous growth, evolving landscape, and changing needs of our community.
I am excited about what the Northern Alberta Medical Program brings to Grande Prairie and the surrounding region. This is more than just a step toward addressing the physician shortage—it’s the beginning of building a sustainable, homegrown health care workforce.
Crystal Fedoruk, Curriculum Administrator
Make an impact, teach for NAMP
Inspire the next generation of physicians by teaching in the University of Alberta’s MD Program, an innovative medical school dedicated to training diverse, competent and compassionate physician leaders to serve the health needs of all Albertans. Share your expertise, shape future healthcare leaders, and make a lasting impact where it’s needed most!
Patient Mentors Wanted – Join the Patient Immersion Experience
This fall, the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) in Grande Prairie will launch the Patient Immersion Experience (PIE) with its first cohort of medical students. PIE is a unique opportunity for volunteer patient mentors to help shape the education of future doctors.
NAMP is seeking local individuals who have experience living with illness or disability, connect regularly to healthcare, and are open to sharing their stories. Patient mentors will be matched with a pair of first-year medical students for three visits over the academic year. During each meeting, students will guide the conversation with questions about their mentor’s medical journey.
Mentors must live within 40 km of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.
Mentor insights help students better understand the patient perspective. To learn more, please complete a volunteer interest form.
NAMP extends a warm thank you to all who express interest. While we welcome every submission, participation depends on student matching and program capacity.
Questions? Contact NAMPcse@ualberta.ca
NAMP Opportunities
The Northern Alberta Medical Program has a number of exciting opportunities for faculty, administrative support staff and preceptors!
Questions?
We would love to hear from you!
Contact the NAMP team at NAMPInformation@ualberta.ca
