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Editor’s note: This op-ed, written by , MD'85, dean of the , was originally published in the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Herald on March 4. You can read the original .

Outstanding health care requires many things. A research-focused medical school leading in discovery science, innovation and teaching excellence is essential. We are fortunate in ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ to have the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), which in less than 50 years has become a leading Canadian faculty in a top five research-intensive university. Named after Geoff Cumming, following a $100-million gift from him with matched funding from the government of Alberta, the school has had exceptional impact.

In the last decade more than $1.4 billion of research funding and $850 million of philanthropic support has fuelled great advances. We are incredibly grateful to the thousands of community donors including those whose names appear on our research institutes, centres and buildings.

I have spent the last 30 years here as a medical student, faculty member, educator, leader and now dean. The growth and impact have been spectacular to watch, from ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ’s internationally recognized stroke program — changing how stroke is treated around the world — to the less than two-year-old , one of the largest in North America. It’s designed to integrate research and is located in the Foothills footprint alongside our medical school. The CSM’s houses one of the world’s largest, most advanced germ-free research facilities.

Our city’s rapid growth brings with it complexity. There are puzzles we need to work together as a community to solve — something we are used to doing in ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ. We excel at figuring things out and getting things done.

As we look forward to a ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ with two million people, there will be many challenges and opportunities. The ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ is a vital part of that future. Our job at the CSM is to recruit, retain and equip the very best people to create change and support the health system. There are several ways we will do this.

We are partnering closely with the province so that our focus on research, education, health equity and Indigenous ways help support the very best health-care system in Canada.

Discovery-based research can transform our understanding of the world around us. Fundamental researchers use advanced technology to discover patient-specific approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat chronic diseases. This approach targets a patient’s individual characteristics to get the best outcomes. These discoveries will advance the technology sector of our economy through innovation and commercialization.

One of our priorities is a learning health system where research is incorporated into everyday health care. The system can use artificial intelligence, linked with large health data sets unique to Alberta, to transform care delivery. Clinical decision tools embedded in health records will allow health professionals to make the best choice for patients in real time. Collaborative efforts will enhance outcomes, quality of life and value to create sustainability in the health system.

The CSM supports education and workforce planning. We envision a future where everyone in southern Alberta has a primary care provider, wherever they live. The future of care delivery will be made up of multi-disciplinary teams. Our students will receive innovative training to work in collaborative care models with culturally appropriate skills.

We support enhanced rural and regional training. In July, the CSM will offer a fully distributed educational model to a subset of our students. The first group of ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ medical students will learn and train in southern Alberta through a unique partnership with the University of Lethbridge. We anticipate that the majority will stay in the region once they complete their training.

The health-care system is under tremendous strain which will only increase if the status quo is not altered as the province grows and ages. It is our responsibility as an academic institution to work with our partners in health care to provide solutions for all Calgarians through the best science and education. This is a responsibility we are excited to fulfil.