Stelmach Community Health Centre opens in southeast Edmonton

The Stelmach Community Health Centre, named after former Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and his wife Marie, officially opened Tuesday as the first building in Covenant Health's larger Covenant Wellness Community in southeast Edmonton.

The facility houses primary care, outpatient clinics, diagnostic imaging, and other health services. Patrick Dumelie, president and CEO of Covenant Health, called it a significant day for the region. "It's an incredibly exciting day that not only marks the grand opening of this facility that is a really incredible innovation on how we're going to care for people into the future, but also represents a day of honouring the Stelmach family."

The health centre is home to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic, relocated from Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Dumelie said moving services out of the hospital into community spaces makes care more accessible and reduces pressure on hospital infrastructure, freeing capacity for the hospital to expand its emergency department. "Huge efficiencies were gained by moving it over to a purposefully designed space here at the centre."

Stelmach, premier from 2006 to 2011, said he was humbled by the naming. He reflected on how hospital staff cared for him as a child. "It taught me that health care is ultimately about people. It's about compassion, dignity and seeing each person as a whole."

Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Nathan Neudorf called the facility innovative. "Southeast Edmonton is rapidly growing and the unique combination of services under this roof will serve residents well today and for years to come."

Covenant Health plans to add more buildings to the campus, including an integrated senior's continuing care centre, residential housing, and commercial retail spaces. No timeline has been set for phase two, which has been submitted to the province but not yet approved.