Keeping a finger on the pulse of community health

Hearts for Healthcare attracts medical professionals to rural Alberta with first-rate equipment and support

Bring in top-notch medical equipment, and health care professionals will follow, no matter how rural the community.

That’s the thinking behind Hearts for Healthcare (H4H), a not-for-profit organization based in the small city of Cold Lake in northeastern Alberta.

The organization raises funds from community donations to purchase medical equipment and upgrade facilities to enhance health care for the city’s 15,000 residents.

“Updated equipment and upgrades to health facilities help with recruitment and retention of our health care professionals,” explains Kari Leiper, executive director of H4H. “They know they have community support.”

Thanks to the generosity of the community, patients and medical staff at a local long-term care facility had an easier time during COVID-19, Leiper says.

H4H purchased a lift with 31 slings for each resident in the facility. “Due to COVID, there was an increase in infection control standards and with personalized slings, staff are able to reduce wait times for residents when assisting with daily activities like baths and exercise,” says Leiper. “Each patient had their own sling, which enhanced their care.”

H4H receives funding requests every year from medical facilities in Cold Lake, including the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre, Cold Lake Primary Care and Cold Lake Community Health Services.

The equipment requested in 2021 includes wheelchairs and walkers from Allied Health for patients who utilize a pool of equipment for their recovery. In addition, the Hospital and the PCN requested infusion pumps to help administer specialized medication.

“These pumps will allow patients to receive their medication injections safely and efficiently. It will minimize wait times and backlog and reduce stress on the ER and staff,” Leiper notes.