Kim Hogarth, Primary Care Alberta. Linkedin Image
Dr. Kim Hogarth appointed to new role at Primary Care Alberta, one of the first of its kind in Canada
EDMONTON – Alberta has appointed its first chief nursing officer for primary care, a position Primary Care Alberta says will embed nursing expertise into decision-making at the provincial level.
Dr. Kim Hogarth takes on the role while continuing as the agency’s executive director, overseeing team-based care, patient attachment and chronic disease strategies. The appointment is among the first of its kind in Canada.
“Primary care works best when every member of the team contributes their expertise, including at the leadership table,” said Kim Simmonds, CEO of Primary Care Alberta. “With Dr. Hogarth as CNO, nurses will remain part of key decisions about how we strengthen and improve access to primary care.”
Nurses make up nearly half of Primary Care Alberta’s workforce, serving as the first point of contact for many patients in clinics, on the phone and in the community.
“Throughout my career, making sure nurses can deliver the best care possible has always mattered most,” Hogarth said. “It’s an honour to represent nursing voices and help improve care for Albertans.”
Hogarth’s background includes work as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse and nurse practitioner in rural emergency, labour and delivery and acute care. She has also held senior roles in Alberta Health Services and more than a decade of academic appointments at Red Deer Polytechnic and Bow Valley College.
She holds a doctorate in nursing practice and a masters in nursing, and is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Hogarth is expected to work closely with Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein, Primary Care Alberta’s chief medical officer, in what the agency calls a dual leadership model.
The new position comes as Alberta overhauls its health system, with Primary Care Alberta launched last year to expand access to family doctors, nurse practitioners and after-hours services.
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