RDP & Bethany Care Society Renew Five-Year MOU to Advance Health Care Innovation

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and Bethany Care Society have renewed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reinforcing their long-term partnership that brings continued social and economic benefits through collaborative teaching, learning and applied research.

“At Red Deer Polytechnic, we are committed to working with our industry partners to enable dynamic, interdisciplinary environments for teaching, learning and applied research,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Red Deer Polytechnic. “These innovation ecosystems allow our faculty and students to engage in real world challenges and opportunities that advance practice, technology adoption and skills development. It is enhanced work-integrated learning for our students, and what makes this partnership even more unique, is that Bethany CollegeSide and CollegeSide Gardens are located on our campus.”

“This renewed MOU is a meaningful step in continuing to support quality of life and wellbeing for the residents and families we serve,” says Jennifer McCue, President and CEO, Bethany Care Society. “Our partnership with RDP is resulting in care innovations, deeper community connections and enhanced training opportunities for future health care professionals.” 

This renewed agreement enhances RDP’s industry-relevant programming. During the past year, approximately 100 students enrolled in programs such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nurse Diploma, Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma, Health Care Aide Certificate and Social Work Diploma have participated in clinical and practicum placements with Bethany Care Society (in Red Deer and other communities across central and southern Alberta). 

A standout example of the collaborative innovation between Bethany Care Society and Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) last year was a multidisciplinary applied research project focused on the development of assistive technologies. This initiative brought together RDP students, faculty, and staff, Bethany CollegeSide residents and the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). 

The project empowered residents by involving them directly in identifying personal wellness challenges and collaboratively designing and prototyping customized solutions that enhance autonomy and foster a greater sense of purpose. Students in RDP’s Creative Think Tank course facilitated design thinking workshops with residents, while Visual Art students worked alongside CIM-TAC technicians and engineers to help develop the assistive technologies. 

The result was a series of assistive technologies that are now used daily by participants, improving functionality, independence and overall quality of life. 

The partnership between RDP and Bethany began in 2004, with the opening of Bethany CollegeSide and, later, CollegeSide Gardens (in 2010), on RDP’s main campus. Bethany CollegeSide provides specialized care for seniors and young adults with disabilities, while CollegeSide Gardens provides housing with a range of assisted living supports for seniors as they age. In addition to the program integration opportunities that the partnership enables for RDP, Bethany Care Society residents (and their family members) can audit courses at RDP, attend arts and culture events in the Arts Centre, read in the Library, maintain their health and wellness within the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre and use other amenities on campus. 

As a Living Lab or Innovation Ecosystem, the RDP - Bethany Care Society partnership is a great example of the positive social impact both organizations are making together. 

Learn more about research and innovation at RDP