2025: A Landmark Year for NAMP

In September 2025, the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) officially opened its doors, welcoming its inaugural class of 30 medical students to Grande Prairie. As Alberta’s first collaborative medical site—and Canada’s northernmost medical program—NAMP marks a major step forward in decentralizing medical education and strengthening care in rural and northern communities.

Born from the Government of Alberta’s 2024 investment in rural medical training, the program is delivered in partnership between the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic. In 2025, teams across both institutions worked extensively to develop admissions processes, build infrastructure, recruit faculty, and coordinate community partnerships.

Students will complete two years of pre-clerkship training in Grande Prairie, followed by clinical learning in communities across northern Alberta—an evidence-based approach shown to increase the likelihood that physicians return to serve the regions where they train.

NAMP’s mission: to strengthen healthcare in northern Alberta, one student and one community at a time.

A First for NAMP: Students Join RhPAP’s Let’s Go Rural Experience

For the first time, students from the University of Alberta’s Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) took part in the RhPAP Let’s Go Rural Post-Secondary Event. Among the participants was first-year medical student Amanda Reimer, who jumped aboard the bus to Fairview to explore rural practice firsthand.

For students, the experience so far has been nothing short of transformative. Immersed in a tight-knit learning environment, NAMP learners benefit from small cohort sizes, early access to hands-on clinical skills, and mentorship from physicians who understand the unique realities of northern practice. Beyond the classroom, students have begun engaging with local organizations, volunteering in the community, and exploring opportunities in rural medicine that are normally reserved for much later in training. This early and meaningful exposure is shaping not just their education, but their identity as future northern physicians.  

Click below to watch Amanda’s highlights and get a glimpse into the NAMP student experience—through the eyes of someone just beginning her medical journey in Northern Alberta.

Lighting the Season: Northern Spirit Tradition Continues

The Peace Draft Horse Club was pleased to bring back this cherished seasonal tradition, hosted at the Evergreen Park facilities in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Students from the Northern Alberta Medical Program volunteered throughout the weekend, warmly serving hot chocolate and apple cider to attendees. The Northern Spirit Light Show is organized entirely by dedicated volunteers, and its continued success is made possible through the generous support of both volunteers and sponsors.

Exploring Indigenous Research & Student Opportunities

December CoRE Session Highlights

We were pleased to see a strong turnout at our December CoRE session. The event opened with a thoughtful conversation on Indigenous research, highlighting its importance, the historical roots of mistrust, and pathways for conducting research that is respectful, relational, and community-driven. Fresh bannock with butter and jam added a warm touch to the discussion.

The second half of the session centered on student research and funding opportunities. Participants learned about strategies for identifying supervisors, the various avenues for engaging in research, and key funding programs, including Alberta Innovates and WCHRI. Additional guidance was provided on crafting strong proposals and preparing for upcoming deadlines.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and practical insights.

Clinical Research Shawdowing Opportunities for NAMP Students

Four NAMP students have been matched with clinical research preceptors for upcoming shadowing experiences, each engaging in projects that address key health-system priorities across Alberta.

Student placements include rural orthopedic research with the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital physician group, a retrospective study on early cognitive screening in a rural MINT Memory Clinic and provincial initiatives supporting family and student caregivers. Another student will join the internationally recognized PEER team within the Department of Family Medicine, contributing to primary care evidence generation through activities such as team meetings, evidence appraisal, and “Tools for Practice.” Together, these placements provide students with valuable exposure to real-world clinical questions, research methodologies and community-driven innovation.

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!