Community Partnerships

Community partnerships are central to the work we do, and at Praxus Health we tailor our approach to meet the distinct needs of the communities we engage.

We collaborate closely with community groups and organizations, building trusted partnerships to address the unique needs of the communities we serve.

For the past four years, we have built strong relationships with organizations who serve newcomers, rural communities, Indigenous communities, employers, families, patient groups, 2SLGBTQ+, and more.

We partner with people and organizations who share our commitment to removing barriers to accessing health services by providing tailored education and direct access.

Recognizing that trust underpins all successful health initiatives, we leverage established community leaders to help us meaningfully engage priority populations.

Praxus Health has not only built strong working relationships with our community partners, but we have brokered the relationships between organizations at a local, provincial and national level. We use our unique position as an impartial nonprofit to convene partners from diverse sectors — including grassroots community organizations, healthcare, government, and industry — and facilitate collaboration across our network.

Our Community-Driven Approach

Each of our initiatives draws on the valuable expertise and lived experiences of our community partners to co-develop and design impactful health initiatives.

Community Engagement

We emphasize the importance of building and growing relationships with diverse communities and supporting organizations to co-design and collaborate on sustainable health initiatives.

Community Needs Assessments

We work closely with our community partners to understand the unique needs of the communities we engage through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and environmental scans.

Community-Relevant Education

We tailor health information for diverse communities, informed by the cultural, language and health literacy needs of priority populations.

Community Access to Health Services

We work to reduce access barriers by supporting innovative health service delivery such as mobile vaccination clinics and self-sampling for cancer screening.

Highlighted Projects

2024

Heart and Stroke National Newcomer Strategy

Alongside CCIS and Habitus Collective, we co-developed a national strategy for engaging newcomers in Canada around stroke risk.

2024

Improving Access to Cervical Cancer Screening via HPV Self-Sampling Amongst Under-Screened Populations

We have partnered with the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program Team at Alberta Health Services to improve access to cervical cancer screening by piloting HPV self-sampling amongst priority populations, including Indigenous, newcomer, and rural and remote communities, across Alberta. This pilot project is expected to run until 2026.

2023

Reinventing the Critical Role of Schools in Building Vaccine Confidence Across Canada

In collaboration with the Calgary Board of Education, Alberta Health Services, and the CCIS, we developed tailored educational resources on school-based vaccination programs for parents, students, and school administrators. The resources were translated into 15+ languages to support families new to Canada when accessing information about routine childhood vaccinations.

2023

Increasing Awareness and Access to HPV Vaccinations to Post-Secondary Institutions Across Alberta Through Mobile Delivery

In partnership with ACESO Medical, Alberta Health Services, and several post-secondary institutions across Alberta, we launched a mobile vaccination program to educate and deliver HPV vaccinations to students across the province.

2022

Understanding and Ameliorating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Childhood Immunizations Among Kids New to Canada

In partnership with the University of Calgary and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) we conducted multi-methods first language research (i.e., focus groups and surveys) with families new to Canada to understand their experiences when accessing routine childhood vaccinations in Canada. Through this project we were able to produce tailored educational resources on routine childhood vaccinations that directly address the barriers families face when navigating a new health system.

2022

2021

Increasing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Through Mobile Delivery Across Alberta

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked alongside the Industry for Vaccination and Alberta Health to launch mobile vaccination clinics. These clinics were supported by clinical teams at ACESO Medical and delivered by TRAXX fleet of buses and sprinter vans. The clinic’s focus was on rural communities, hard-to-reach populations, Reserves, or those working in remote areas where vaccinations may be less accessible, or uptake may be low.

2021

Our Partners

Praxus health works closely with a broad, multidisciplinary group of partners, who help provide expertise across the full range of Praxus Healths activities. From polling and data analysis, to community outreach, to communications, and everything in between, this diverse coalition drives the work of Praxus Health.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Whether you’re a community leader, healthcare professional, or simply passionate about improving health outcomes, there are many ways to get involved with Praxus Health. Together, we can transform healthcare for everyone.

Testimonials

Hear from our satisfied clients about the transformative power of our recreational therapy services.

I met Margaret in March 2023 at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital shortly before my discharge. I had been hospitalized for two months after being struck by a car while crossing the street. I found her to be calm, courteous, and observant. I was anxious about how well I would cope at home and her reassuring manner and practical suggestions were very helpful. Her presence on that first day at home gave me much needed confidence. All in all, I found Margaret to be well informed, personable, and skilled in her role as Recreation therapist and advisor. I am now doing well at home and give Margaret credit and thanks for her role in my recovery.

Growing older can bring with it complicated emotions and challenging fears, but Margaret knows how to navigate through those with grace and kindness. Margaret has been a blessing helping my aging parents continue to enjoy life. She is a true gem.