Covenant Health to assume operations at La Crete Community Health and Continuing Care Centres by fall 2025

La Crete, AB – January 31, 2025 - Covenant Health is pleased to announce that, by fall 2025, it will assume operations of the La Crete Community Health and Continuing Care Centres. This earlier transition provides an opportunity to ensure a smooth integration ahead of the opening of the new La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre in 2027.

As part of this transition, Alberta Health Services (AHS) staff currently employed at these facilities will become employees of Covenant Health. With a mission-driven approach rooted in compassion, respect, and stewardship, Covenant Health looks forward to delivering seamless, high-quality care to the La Crete community.

“We are honoured to join the La Crete community and to work with the talented health care professionals already committed to excellent care,” said Patrick Dumelie, CEO of Covenant Health. “Our priority is ensuring that patients and residents continue to receive quality, compassionate care and to provide staff with the tools they need to be successful.”

Community collaboration and engagement

To foster transparency and dialogue, Covenant Health and AHS hosted a town hall for staff and La Crete community members on Jan. 30, 2025.

The meeting was moderated by the Honourable Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and MLA for Peace River, who emphasized his dedication to serving the community during this period of change.

“As the MLA for Peace River, my top priority is always listening to and advocating for the people I represent. This transition offers a valuable opportunity to bring everyone together, exchange information, and ensure that every staff and stakeholder feels heard and supported,” Williams stated. “With collaboration and by maintaining connections, we can ensure that the community of La Crete and surrounding areas have access to the highest standard of healthcare services.”

This event provided an opportunity to share details about the transition, address questions, and reinforce a shared commitment to the well-being of both the community and health care providers.

Supporting staff for a smooth transition

Covenant Health is committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for La Crete health care staff during this change. Linda Chow-Turner, Senior Operating Officer of Rural Acute Care and Addictions and Mental Health Services at Covenant Health, acknowledged the significance of the earlier transition for both employee and operational readiness.

“Starting the transition sooner allows us to focus on building relationships, allowing staff time to get to know Covenant Health, and us to get to know them, without also having to focus on moving into the new facility and to address operational needs collaboratively,” Chow-Turner said. “This careful planning will reduce uncertainty and ensure that staff are well-equipped to continue delivering excellent care to patients, residents and their families, and the wider community.”

AHS Chief Zone Officer Stacy Greening affirmed AHS’s dedication to maintaining the quality of care during the transition. “AHS remains fully committed to supporting La Crete staff throughout their transition to Covenant Health,” Greening said. “We are confident that the residents of La Crete and the surrounding area will continue to receive the high-quality healthcare they depend on, delivered by the skilled professionals they trust and have built strong relationships with over the years.”

Both organizations are collaborating with staff, labour unions and community stakeholders to ensure a stable and collaborative transition.

About Covenant Health

Covenant Health is one of Canada’s largest Catholic healthcare organizations, providing compassionate care across 17 sites in Alberta. Committed to serving the whole person - body, mind, and soul. Covenant Health focuses on acute care, mental health services, continuing care, palliative care, and rural health. For more information, visit covenanthealth.ca.

About AHS

Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.

Media inquiries

Stephanie Odayen (She/Her)
Senior advisor, media relations, Covenant Health
media@covenanthealth.ca