We are incredibly fortunate to have a full-service rural facility with a focus on patient and family centered care. Services include: an emergency department, maternity, operating suites, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, long term care, acute care and the Community Cancer Centre.

In addition, rounding out our healthcare team are many support services such as food services, environmental services, engineering, sterilizing and processing, recreational and occupational therapies, shipping and receiving. The primary funding focus of the Foundation is directed to programs and services at the High River Hospital. Our donor dollars have virtually impacted each and every department, programs and services in this facility.

High River Community Cancer Centre is an extension of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, which has been providing care ‘close-to-home’ in the Foothills (and South Calgary) for over twenty years. We offer a beautifully renovated space with an exceptional team of oncology nurses, pharmacists and allied staff to support patients. And let’s not forget our resident therapy dog named Tilly!

The Centre has a team of four doctors who work in collaboration with the patient’s primary oncologist to assess and provide all treatments, aside from radiation or clinical trials.

In 2021, 1412 wonderful patients received care in High River.

Our donors feel strongly that the residents on the Long Term Care unit at the High River Hospital should have the best possible care and a place to call home.

The Foundation has directed much effort into this through major renovations to upgrade the unit. This includes refurnishing to make it more dementia friendly and home like and equipment to enhance the efficiency and safety for the staff team.

Lifestyle supports include a bus for group outings, music and baking programs. Thanks to donors “Virtual Visiting” has become a vital part of this unit ensuring that we keep residents and their loved ones connected no matter the situation or distance between them.

Promoting health and wellness in the community through a variety of services is the priority of Public Health Nurses. Key programs for this clinic include immunization, providing postpartum support and health assessments to Identify health concerns and refer clients appropriately to physicians and other community agencies.

The impact of items funded for Home Care have a far reaching benefit, whether it is a mom seeking support through the Baby Drop in program, a teen accessing a free hygiene pack or child size blood pressure cuffs for more accurate readings.

The Hospital’s Chaplain nurtures the spiritual needs of patients and their families, as well as hospital staff. Through the support of the Foundation’s donors, we can offer long-term financial stability of these important services.

The hospital Chaplain act as an inter-faith resource, while working closely with local clergy to make sure everyone receives the support they need. Many residents in Long Term Care do not belong to a specific faith community so our Chaplain organizes activities such as reminiscing circles, interdenominational services, hymn sings and Christmas and Easter events.

At a time when it may needed the most the Chaplain also provides the necessary supports for palliative patients and their family, including weekly meetings for caregivers.

On average caring for 500 clients at one time in the communities of High River and Nanton, Home Care services are part of the Calgary Zone Integrated Home Care program. Home Care is comprised of fifty staff including RN’s, LPN’s, HCA’s, OT, PT, Social work, Rec therapist and aids. Every client in Home Care is assigned to a Case Manager to help coordinate any specific assessed care need. Home care looks at the client’s environment, family support and all other community supports, working together to ensure clients remain at home.

Our donors support allows for many assessment and preventative care tools to be available for the nursing staff to more efficiently and better care for community members in their homes. Items such as a portable bladder scanner can provide a quick assessment allow the nurse to tailor care to the individual needs and is valuable tool all with the goal of keeping the patients in their homes.

This health service provides assessment, treatment and follow up to individuals experiencing moderate to severe addiction and mental health concerns. Working across the lifespan, clinicians work with individuals and families to identify goals of treatment as they relate to Addiction and Mental Health concerns. A variety of services are offered locally and include individual therapy, outreach, addiction services, psychiatric consultations, group therapy and geriatric services. The focus is on assessments, education, medication management and accessing resources and supports.

Thanks to our donors the Foundation was able to offer a Mental Health First Aid course with a rural focus to not only member of the clinical team but also to community members. The Longview 4-H Beef Clubs donation will allow for the development of a specialized play therapy treatment room for children and youth.

The purpose of the scholarship program is to allow local healthcare workers to upgrade their skills and remain current in their professions, so that they can continue to offer the highest level of health care. Funding for the continuing education of staff in High River and Nanton leads to a degree, diploma or certificate in a health related field. Individual courses specific to area are also eligible for funding on a cost-share basis. Continuing education not only allows for personal growth, aids in achieving the highest level of care but also having staff support programs acts as a hiring incentive, assists with staff satisfaction and subsequently, staff retention. Thanks to our donors, since 2002, we have been able to invest in the continuing education of staff in High River and Nanton…supporting those that caring for our community.