Robbins Learning Centre a hub for health care teaching

EDMONTON – A high-tech medical training centre officially opens today where health care professionals from across the province will share knowledge, innovations and techniques that can be used to continually improve patient care.

The Robbins Learning Centre, located in the Robbins Pavilion at Royal Alexandra Hospital, contains a 181-seat auditorium and three classrooms equipped with high-definition audio-visual technology that provides a digital link to classrooms, operating suites and other learning facilities from across North America, creating opportunities for collaborative-based teaching and training.

“The Robbins Learning Centre will enhance health-care teaching and that will ultimately benefit patients across the province,” says Fred Horne, Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness.

“Through the training opportunities made possible by this state-of-the-art centre, expertise in one Alberta community can be shared throughout the province and across Canada and North America. Health care professionals will be able to discuss a new idea in the classroom and take that learning directly to a patient’s bedside.”

The centre will also host the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation’s public lecture series, Speaking of Health, which has attracted thousands of Edmontonians to hear physicians speak on a wide range of health topics.

“The Royal Alex is an academic teaching hospital and the new Robbins Learning Centre will enhance and support the educational mandate and work at the site,” says Joanna Pawlyshyn, AHS Vice President responsible for the Royal Alexandra Hospital. “With its abilities to connect, the Robbins Learning Centre becomes an epicentre for new ideas and is another leap forward in growing our reputation as one of Canada’s leading medical training and education centres.”

“Community support builds great hospitals,” adds Andrew Otway, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. “In this case, we see it has also created a place where learning and health care intersect. The Robbins Learning Centre offers an entirely new and highly evolved capacity for connection — what an exciting new chapter for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and we have donor support to thank for it.”

The Robbins Learning Centre is named in honour of Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation patrons, Bill and Mary Jo Robbins. Since their involvement with the foundation, Bill and Mary Jo have supported many initiatives, including the CK Hui Heart Centre, the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, and the Robbins Chapel and Walkway of Hope.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, as a respected leader, inspires community support for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and its initiatives of excellence including the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. The foundation empowers compassionate, innovative patient care through leading-edge education, research, technology and facility enhancements. 

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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