May 20, 2025
Students who participated in the Westlock Attraction, Recruitment, and Retention Program (WARP) skills day include, from left, Saleh Handoo, Ryane Fyith-McArthur, Justin Co and Wayne Qin. Supplied.
Story by Lisa Laferriere
WESTLOCK — In a community effort to attract and retain healthcare workers, Alberta Health Services (AHS) recently partnered with the Town of Westlock and the University of Alberta for the town’s first recruitment and retention skills day.
A local group hosted the day as part of the Westlock Attraction, Recruitment, and Retention Program (WARP). Created by Dr. Firdaus Mydeen, Associate Zone Medical Director with AHS, the group includes community leaders who share an interest in recruiting and retaining healthcare workers.
Dr. Mydeen, who’s passionate about sustaining healthcare in rural communities, came up with the idea of hosting a local recruitment day late last year. After meeting with Mayor Jon Kramer and Meagan McCoy-McLevin, site manager of the Westlock Health Care Centre, they quickly developed a plan and put it into action.
“Our first step was to make connections with community and key stakeholders,” says McCoy-McLevin. “Our goal is to bring healthcare workers into the community — not just the hospital. It truly is a joint effort to make this successful.”
The group wanted to showcase Westlock for future healthcare professionals. With support from their established partnership with the University of Alberta’s Integrated Community Clerkship (ICC) program, as well as the town and the Westlock Health Care Centre, the plan came together quickly.
On Jan. 18, 12 students — six nursing and six medical students from University of Alberta and MacEwan University — were chosen by lottery to attend the event. A community bus provided by the town brought them from Edmonton to Westlock, where they spent the day experiencing life and healthcare in a smaller, rural town. Their visit included:
The event also served to recognize current healthcare staff and highlight the town’s strong support for its medical team even as it introduced students to the joys of living and working in this close-knit community.
Mayor Jon Kramer noted that while healthcare is often seen as a provincial responsibility, municipalities like Westlock have a vital role in attracting professionals.
“Recruiting healthcare workers might not be in our job description, but so much of its success comes down to building relationships and helping people feel connected," he says. "This was a great opportunity to highlight the work-life balance that a smaller town like Westlock can offer.”
Dr. Mydeen emphasized the teamwork behind the event, and praised McCoy-McLevin for helping to organize and lead the day.
“We’re fortunate to have a dynamic team with a can-do attitude. Meagan really went above and beyond to make this happen,” says Dr. Mydeen. He adds that teaching students is also a major part of recruitment and retention.
“It’s about planting seeds. These students are our future. By involving them early and showing them our community, we hope they’ll consider coming back.”
For 2026, the team hopes to expand its WARP Skills Day and invite up to 30 students to a summer session that will give a different view of life in Westlock. Plans are already in motion to involve more healthcare disciplines, such as allied health professionals, X-ray and ultrasound technicians.
“We’re not just recruiting for the hospital,” says Dr. Mydeen. “We’re inviting people into a community.”
For more information about WARP, contact the Town of Westlock at 780-349-4444.
