Medicine Hat’s Ridge Medical Centre named Alberta’s Outstanding Family Practice for 2026

It welcomes patients from a range of backgrounds, including people who have experienced marginalization and those with diverse language and cultural needs.

“We are proud to celebrate The Ridge for its unwavering commitment to exceptional patient and community care and excellence in family practice,” Alberta College of Family Physicians president Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk said in a news release.

“Through its dedicated, physician-led team, the clinic has strived to provide same-day access for patients, allowing continuity of care.”

The College of Physicians said that since adopting the Patient’s Medical Home model, the clinic has emphasized collaboration, quality improvement and the evaluation of patient care.

“Through teamwork, quality improvement processes, and robust measurements and evaluation processes, The Ridge has provided sustainable, comprehensive care to its patients and the broader Medicine Hat community,” Hnatiuk said.

The Patient’s Medical Home model, developed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, puts patients and their communities at the centre of health care, according to the organization.

It emphasizes ongoing relationships between patients, family physicians and other health-care providers to support better health outcomes.

For Dr. Mohanraj, the model also recognizes the personal connections that develop between care providers and patients over time.

“The PMH model allows team members to serve and to experience the joy and heartache in being part of the patient’s journey,” Mohanraj said in a news release.

The award presentation is scheduled for noon Friday at The Ridge Medical Centre, located at 1-1036 7th St. SW in Medicine Hat.

Expected attendees include Alberta Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark, Hnatiuk, Alberta College of Family Physicians executive director Georgina Altman and Dr. Mohanraj.

The Alberta College of Family Physicians is a member-based, not-for-profit organization representing more than 6,000 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students across the province.

It is the Alberta chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. It supports professional development for family medicine practitioners.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat’s Ridge Medical Centre named Alberta’s Outstanding Family Practice for 2026

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