Through the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Nursing, residents of rural communities can now earn a
baccalaureate degree to become a registered nurse without leaving their home community. This rural
community route program has successfully launched in Drayton Valley, Wainwright, Bonnyville, Drumheller and
in the Claresholm area, in September 2026.
The Claresholm Cohort has been open for applications and the first semester will begin in September 2026.
Applicants must reside within the following service region: from Claresholm north to the Calgary metro area,
including the communities of Nanton, Vulcan, High River and Diamond Valley and their surrounding areas (not
exceeding a distance of 130 Km from Claresholm and excluding major urban centres). Clinical placements for
training will occur in Claresholm, High River, Diamond Valley and other communities in the service region.
There are four healthcare foundations in this catchment area and have been working on a collaborative
approach to support rural students who will be educated close-to-home and eventually work in rural health
sites.
We are proud to announce a $20,000, shared investment creating the Claresholm Rural Nursing Cohort
Bursary. The vision is to support deserving, rural students based on financial need, academic readiness and a
commitment to rural healthcare in their prospective areas.
• Claresholm & District Health Foundation – Claresholm
• Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation – Vulcan
• High River District Health Care Foundation – High River & Nanton
• Sheep River Health Trust – Diamond Valley & Okotoks
Each Foundation will fund a $1,250 annual bursary, for a student in their area (if enrolled) that is in the
program and meets the bursary requirements. Each foundation is committed to the four-year term of the first
cohort.
Chantel Scott, the Foundation Coordinator in Claresholm said, “Rural health care is the backbone of healthy,
resilient communities. Rural nurses play a vital role in providing accessible, high-quality care, often serving
patients across a wide range of health needs. Supporting bursaries for rural nurses helps attract and retain
skilled health professionals and ensures residents can continue to receive compassionate care in their own
communities. Investing in rural nursing is an investment in the long-term health and well-being of rural families
and communities.”
Tracy Mitchell, a Director of Rural Health in the AHS Calgary Corridor is also a nursing instructor in the
UCalgary’s U of C Rural Nursing program and shared that “the collaboration between these four healthcare
foundations is creative and forward thinking. This is another example of how our regional healthcare
foundations are advancing education and care in rural facilities. It is comforting to know that students in this
cohort will have the opportunity to be financially supported throughout their program and be even more
inspired to continue their career in rural settings.”
Students who have been accepted into the University of Calgary’s bachelor of nursing science program will
receive a bursary application package by the end of June July 2026. From there, a Bursary selection
committee (composed of area volunteers) will meet to review applications and bursaries to be gifted no later
than September 30, 2026.
For more information
Chantel Scott, Foundation Coordinator
Claresholm & District Health Foundation
(403) 625-9208
cdhfmail@gmail.com
www.cdhealth.ca
Andrea Mitchell, Executive Director
Sheep River Health Trust
(403) 995-5400
andrea.mitchell@albertahealthservices.ca
www.sheepriverhealthtrust.ca
Gail Wark, Executive Administrator
Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation
(403) 485-4001
Vchw.foundation@gmail.com
www.vchwfoundation.com
Wendy Kennelly, Executive Director
High River District Health Care Foundation
403-601-1792
wendy.kennelly@highriverhealthfoundation.ca
www.highriverhealthfoundation.ca
Teresa Broughton
Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary
Teresa.Broughton@ucalgary.ca
403 619 2791
