Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn’s journey into healthcare began with a strong foundation in nursing, a path that provided her with early exposure to the critical importance of empathy, compassion and respect in patient care. “I worked in emergency, ICU and at nursing out-post stations in Northern Saskatchewan and on Baffin Island,” she recalls. “Those experiences really showed me how important it is to understand and meet the broad needs of patients, families and communities.”
It was during this time that Dr. Hemmelgarn became involved in research and saw firsthand the value of evidence-based decision-making. Recognizing the significance of this, she pursued further education, completing a Master’s in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan and a PhD in Epidemiology & Biostatistics at McGill University. After earning her PhD, Dr. Hemmelgarn went on to complete her MD at McMaster University, combining it with her research background to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist.
Her path led her back to Western Canada, where she joined the University of Calgary to complete her residency in internal medicine followed by specialty training in nephrology. “I came on faculty at the Cumming School of Medicine as a clinician-scientist, which allowed me to integrate my clinical practice with my passion for research,” she says.
Dr. Hemmelgarn’s decision to stay in Alberta was rooted in her desire to be closer to her family. “After completing my medical training, I really wanted to return to Western Canada to continue my training and ultimately practice,” she explains. “Alberta has been my home ever since, and I’ve appreciated the numerous opportunities available here that others may not have.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Hemmelgarn has faced the ongoing challenge of balancing a demanding career in medicine with personal life. “One of the biggest challenges has always been finding that balance,” she admits. “Family, friends and colleagues have helped me find that balance.”
Reflecting on her residency, Dr. Hemmelgarn speaks about how foundational it was to her career. “Residency was essential to my development as a physician,” she says. “The support from my fellow residents, program directors, physicians and mentors was invaluable. They provided the advice and guidance I needed at every stage of my career.”
Looking back at her early training and career, Dr. Hemmelgarn identifies the ability to help others as the common thread in shaping her approach to patient care. “The most impactful moments were those where I could help others,” she reflects. “It’s all about serving with empathy and compassion, ensuring that we meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
As she looks to the future of healthcare in Alberta, Dr. Hemmelgarn is committed to ensuring that all Albertans have access to high-quality healthcare. “We all have a role to play in ensuring access to care,” she says. “We need to understand the needs of our communities and be future-focused on how we can meet those needs.”
Dr. Hemmelgarn’s proudest accomplishment to date is her role as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, where she helps shape the future of healthcare in the province. “It’s an honour to be able to help train the next generation of healthcare providers to meet the needs of Albertans and the communities we serve,” she says.
In reflecting on the future of medicine, Dr. Hemmelgarn has an inspiring message for the next generation of physicians: “Being a physician is an honour and privilege,” she says. “Always remember why we’re here: to meet the needs of the communities we serve with compassion, respect, empathy and professionalism. Our social accountability mandate as physicians is to make a meaningful impact on those we care for.”
