Currently, southern Alberta is serviced by two regional hospitals located in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, and 14 other acute care/community healthcare centres in rural areas. Not one of these facilities is equipped to provide cutting-edge cardiac treatment (Calgary is the closest option) that could save many lives each year. Heart disease is the #2 cause of death in Canada. In southern Alberta it is the #1 cause of death. In fact, if you live in southern Alberta, you are 15.5% more likely to have a heart attack than someone living elsewhere in Alberta. And you have a 29.6% higher chance of dying from chronic heart disease issues.

In partnership, the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (CRHF), the Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, and AHS South Zone leadership have raised over $30 million in donations well ahead of schedule. These donations will fund the creation of a Cardiac Centre of Excellence and boost many other cardiac facilities and programs across southern Alberta. $30 million was an ambitious goal, but by fundraising this amount and more, CRHF demonstrated its commitment to Lethbridge healthcare to the Government of Alberta. And the Government of Alberta has provisionally agreed to provide $320 million in additional funding to meet our targets. The speaker will elaborate on this.

Speaker: Crystal Elliott

Crystal is the heart and helm of CRHF. With 30+ years of leadership, she’s on a mission to transform healthcare across Southern Alberta—currently leading our Bringing Hearts Home campaign, a $30M effort to bring world-class cardiac care closer to home.

She’s more than a strategist—Crystal is a relationship-builder, storyteller, and champion for rural healthcare. When she’s off the clock, you’ll find her quilting, enjoying lake life, or spending time with her seven grandchildren. She shares life’s adventures with her husband Dave, their blended family of five adult kids, and Ryder the cat. Her favorite quote is: “How do we do hard better?” — and if you know Crystal, you know she lives it every single day.

Date/Time: Thursday, October 1, 2026. The presentation begins at 12 noon & concludes at 1 pm.

Free to attend. Donations however, are gratefully accepted.

Location: SACPA sessions are held at Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO), Atrium Dining Room, 500 - 11 Street South, Lethbridge

Lunch and Refreshments: If you like, please arrive early to patronize the LSCO cafeteria and enjoy their excellent variety of good-value food/drink options in the Atrium Dining Room before/during the session