Aug. 26, 2024

Appointment: Northern Alberta Medical Program Interim Regional Academic Lead

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Martin as interim Regional Academic Lead of the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), a collaborative partnership between the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic for a two-year term effective Sept. 2, 2024.

 Dr. Martin is currently appointed as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine and is a comprehensive Family Medicine physician practicing in Grande Prairie. He has been engaged in medical leadership for more than 25 years, spanning roles with the Board of the Alberta College of Family Physicians, as hospital chief of service, and as site director for the Rural Alberta North Family Medicine Residency program. Additionally, he spent two terms on the Council of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, and, most recently, five years as the medical director with the Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services North Zone. 

Throughout his career, he has been integrally involved in interdisciplinary medical education, through clinical teaching and lecturing for medical learners, paramedics, nursing colleagues and practicing medical colleagues. Dr. Martin maintains a strong commitment to broad comprehensive practice, including all facets of community and hospital care.  

Reporting to the Vice Dean (Education), Dr. Martin will strategically lead the Northern Alberta Medical Program to achieve critical impacts related to generalism and rural practice through cutting-edge research and undergraduate and postgraduate medical training via a Regional Training Centre in Grande Prairie and other communities in northern Alberta.

A historic collaboration between University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic, Dr. Martin will further support the NAMP by leading the vision, mission, strategic goals and expansion of NAMP to deliver a high-quality rural medical education program. Additionally, Dr. Martin will foster collaborative partnerships across the Faculty, with priority partners including the MD program, Postgraduate Medical Education, Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program and the Office of Rural and Regional Health. 

As well, Dr. Martin will liaise with Alberta Health Services and North Zone leadership to develop site-level training and resources for medical learners and residents that reflects an integrated learner experience in Grande Prairie and identified rural and remote sites in northern Alberta. Dr. Martin will further support the creation of faculty development resources and training, academic program delivery evaluation and quality assurance, and the development and sustainment of additional residency training programs in Northern Alberta.

The Faculty extends thanks to the Government of Alberta for funding this innovative partnership between the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic, Northwestern Polytechnic for their collaboration and unwavering support and commitment toward this partnership, Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, as well as the Alberta Health Services North Zone. The Faculty would also like to thank the selection committee for their time and expertise.