Success Stories

Alberta Health Services aims to continually improve the quality of care we provide to the people we serve. Below is a collection of stories and videos, updated regularly, about the new programs and services, leading-edge technology and groundbreaking research that are improving the lives of Albertans, wherever they live in our province.


Researchers test probiotic as treatment for stomach fluJune 5, 2013
Researchers test probiotic as treatment for stomach flu Alberta Children’s Hospital physician leads national study





Initiative helps Edmonton hip, knee clinic reduce wait timesMay 15, 2013
Initiative helps Edmonton hip, knee clinic reduce wait times Time from referral to consult reduced by 80 per cent





absorbable stentMay 6, 2013
Absorbable stent boosts circulation, dissolves in body Leading-edge treatment ideal for some cardiac patients





Let's get something straight.April 26, 2013
Let's get something straight New hope for patients with bowed legs, skeletal problems






Archived Stories


Well-balanced health care deliveryApril 25, 2013
Well-balanced health care delivery New AHS clinic offers one-stop care for dizziness



Radiologist Dr. Stephanie Wilson examines Crohn’s disease patient Coreen Harbor using ultrasound, a pioneering use for this diagnostic standby.April 18, 2013
Now that’s a sound idea Pioneering use of diagnostic standby helps bowel patients



Cancer patient navigator Isabelle Ramsay of Canmore talks with patient Steven Renema.March 25, 2013
Cancer patient navigators lend guiding hand New provincial program expands into smaller communities



It’s important for me to say thanks.March 12, 2013
It’s important for me to say ‘thanks’ Realtor reunites with ambulance crew who restarted his heart



New Calgary Cancer Centre planned.March 1, 2013
New Calgary Cancer Centre planned Better patient care, treatment and research for southern Albertans



Choices target mental healthFebruary 22, 2013
Choices target mental health Program provides group support for teens, young adults



Research sheds light on diagnostic heart failure.February 15, 2013
Research sheds light on diagnostic heart failure Alberta HEART team dedicated to diagnosis, prevention, treatment



True gift of love for Valentine’s Day.February 12, 2013
True gift of love for Valentine’s Day Foundation-supported hospital room keeps family together



Efficiency initiative reduces wait times by half.February 6, 2013
Efficiency initiative reduces wait times by half Calgary program helps families control chronic condition



Bram Bouma, 12, undergoes testing for his asthma, which has been under control since attending information sessions provided by a Calgary program.February 4, 2013
ED visits, hospitalizations for pediatric asthma reduced Calgary program helps families control chronic condition



Liver transplant recipient Phyllis Mustus enjoys a checkup with nurse practitioner Pamela Fald at the Aboriginal Women’s Outreach Clinic on the Alexis First Nation, 100 km northwest of Edmonton.January 24, 2013
Bringing care home for Aboriginal women New outreach clinics put primary care within walking distance



Medical geneticist Dr. Aneal Khan examines patient Christopher Armstrong, 34, who is part of the world's first clinical trial using gene therapy to treat Fabry disease.January 24, 2013
First gene therapy trial launched for Fabry disease Alberta lab, researchers playing key role in Canadian study



homelessJanuary 21, 2013
Hope where none existed Fort McMurray clinic treats homeless to a healthier future



The Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital Foundation raised key funds for the hospital’s new CT scannerJanuary 15, 2013
CT scanner a crucial addition for Fort Sask Fast scans give 3-D picture of what’s going on inside the body


ICU nurse Kerrie Mealey-Meng, left, ICU manager Sandra Beida and Cindy Park, executive director of the QEII Hospital Foundation, teamed up to create the “Chillin’ in the ICU” campaign to raise funds for a new hypothermia machine for the hospital in Grande Prairie January 2, 2013
Chillin' in the ICU Foundation to give cardiac patients the cold shoulder – to save lives


Ange Young, Myles Hayne and Adrian Hayne reunite with paramedic David Cipollone under calmer circumstances than their first meeting - when Myles decided he wanted to be born ... now!.December 31, 2012
EMS crew catches two-minute Myles Speedy delivery for a Canmore paramedic team


Drayton Valley Health Care staffers Sherry Horne, left, and Dena Enyedy demonstrate a sit-to-stand lift, the purchase of which was made possible by the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation.December 28, 2012
Recycling software into health care Foundation program gives seniors a welcome lift


Annette Carney, a resident at Kentwood Place, has been encouraged to rediscover her love of painting while residing at the facility.December 27, 2012
A place for healing ... and hope Red Deer facility guides mental health patients back into society


After spending time in hospital, Kimberly Buday had a different type of birthday wish. For her ninth big day, she gathered up all the gifts she’d been given and hauled them – six bags in all – to sick kids on the pediatric unit at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.December 24, 2012
Gifts from her heart Girl, 9, shares birthday presents with hospitalized children


Gastroenterologists Dr. Michelle Buresi and Dr. Michael Curley with patient Shane Gowans and the latest high-resolution manometry unit at the Gut Motility Centre at Calary's South Health Campus.December 21, 2012
Gut check time HS opens state-of-the-art centre for gastrointestinal problems


Dr. Ray Ulan, left, stands behind a 1962 hemodialysis machine and Dr. Kailash Jindal behind a contemporary hemodialysis machine. Dr. Ulan was part of an Edmonton team that, 50 years ago, made a national medical milestone: the first hemodialysis treatment for a patient with chronic renal failure.December 20, 2012
Finding hemo Doctor recalls bringing treatment for chronic renal failure to Canada


AHS volunteer co-ordinator for Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek poses with volunteers who stuffed stockings for local patients.December 18, 2012
Santa's elves have been spotted Stockings being stuffed for patients in Pincher Creek.


Celebrating our Success 2012 & BeyondDecember 18, 2012
Celebrating our Success 2012 & Beyond Employees, physicians and volunteers of AHS raise the bar for improving patient care and health services


Ludwig Kusiak, the first person in Western Canada to undergo renal denervation, has his much-healthier blood pressure checked by his cardiologist Dr. Keysun Ranjbar of the CK Hui Heart Centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.December 14, 2012
Surgery dials down blood pressure Edmonton first in West to offer groundbreaking procedure


Dr. Gavin Parker points to the LifePak 15, a mobile defibrillator, the purchase of which was made possible through funds raised by a marathon hockey game in Pincher Creek and a donation from the Windy Slopes Health Foundation.December 12, 2012
Skating on solid foundation 24-hour hockey game scores a hat trick for health


Physiotherapy student Hilary McDermott takes the blood pressure and pulse of Paul Parsons before he begins his workout at Foothills Medical Centre.December 12, 2012
Cardiac patients feeling gym dandy Exercise program ‘give us all a sense of camaraderie’


Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, right, shows Gus Schroeder and his wife Lina a new iPhone app, Med-HF, that helps physicians quickly determine with precision the type and dosage of medicine to help heart failure patients like Gus feel better faster.December 7, 2012
New iPhone app keeps up the beat In-depth advice on heart-failure meds now at doctors’ fingertips


Minister Horne, Premier Redford, and Donald KayeDecember 5, 2012
Kaye Edmonton Clinic a one-stop shop for outpatient services Facility made possible by one-time $30-million donation


Doctors and patientNovember 30, 2012
Experimental treatment may save baby's life AHS doctors perform Canada's first liver cell infusion


Dr. Maitland and Romel RaffinNovember 28, 2012
Minimally invasive heart valve procedure an Alberta first Repairs done without cutting through breastbone


Blood sugars under control.November 19, 2012
Blood sugars under control New protocol shortens hospital stays for diabetic patients


Cardiac health in Alberta appears to be improving: study.November 19, 2012
Powerful diagnostic tool to benefit children New technology provides better images of developing brains

Cardiac health in Alberta appears to be improving: study.November 16, 2012
Heartening development Cardiac health in Alberta appears to be improving: study

Dr. Cory Toth examines patient Leslie Bonenfant, whose quality of life was restored through the use of new drug for diabetic nerve pain. November 14, 2012
Quicker ticker fixer ASPIRE program repairs heart with no hospital stay


Dr. Cory Toth examines patient Leslie Bonenfant, whose quality of life was restored through the use of new drug for diabetic nerve pain. November 7, 2012
Drug offers new pain management therapy for diabetics Clinical trial studied 60 patients suffering from nerve pain

Delta RempelNovember 6, 2012
Gift from the heart, for the heart 150 defibrillators being distributed to facilities across Alberta


mental health kits

November 2, 2012
Kit promotes mental wellness among junior high students
New resource used in curriculum throughout Edmonton Zone


Bessie turns 100

November 2, 2012
Happy birthday, indeed!
AHS helps daughter wish mom happy 100th.

 

David Minchin places a stethoscope on a model of a heart as pediatric cardiologist Dr. Yashu Coe looks on

October 23, 2012
Cardiologist develops new stent
New system could revolutionize how blood vessels are opened


Whiteboards in patient rooms provide peace of mind.

October 22, 2012
Stollery moves in ‘write’ direction
Whiteboards in patient rooms provide peace of mind

 

Dawn Hersey, left, watches her son, Brandon McMeckan, work with AHS registered dietitian Janelle Stefanyk

October 19, 2012
New pediatric weight clinic
Specialists help families make healthy lifestyle changes

 

Redevelopment

October 18, 2012
Redevelopment projects finalized
Improvements slated for Lethbridge, Medicine Hat hospitals


October 17, 2012
Pediatric brain-tumor clinic
Pediatric brain-tumour clinic a 'home base' for families

 

80 years of Libin.

October 16, 2012
Book takes history to heart
Authors chart 80-year story of Alberta cardiac institute

 

Complemenatary therapy.

October 15, 2012
AHS seeks best supplements
Patient uses yoga and meditation to ‘erase the pain’

 

Edmonton boy on a roll after referral to pediatric epilepsy clinic

October 11, 2012
Back on ’board
Edmonton boy on a roll after referral to epilepsy clinic

 

Drug trial

October 10, 2012
Breakthrough stroke drug...
Clinical trial has potential to be ‘a major leap forward’

 

AHS public health nurse Miriam Bowes

October 5, 2012
Top marks for public nurses
Grande Prairie high school students benefit from on-campus resource

 

Every day, and in all areas of the province, significant progress is being made toward building a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

Learn more about the innovative projects, procedures and technology that are shaping the largest integrated health system in Canada.

 

 

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