At the Bow Valley PCN, we value diversity and how it enriches our community. Our aim is to create a safe and welcoming space where everyone will feel a sense of belonging and care; inclusive of gender, sexuality, skin colour, disability, culture, or any other characteristics and how these intersect. View our commitments as active members of the Bow Valley Pride Network.

PCN History

Alberta’s PCNs arose from the 2003 to 2011 trilateral Master Agreement between the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), Alberta Health (AH), and Alberta Health Services (AHS). Schedule G of the agreement outlined the trilateral Primary Care Initiative and described the formation of local primary care initiatives in which a group of family physicians (in a not-for-profit corporation [NPC]) formed a legal agreement with the regional health authority (now AHS) to provide a set of primary care services targeted to the local needs of a defined population of patients.

Local primary care initiatives were later rebranded as PCNs. The first PCN “went live” in May 2005.

There are 41 PCNs operating throughout Alberta with more than 3,800 family physicians, and more than 1,400 other health practitioners. Research shows that patients who regularly visit a family doctor are healthier and live longer.

Our Board and Governance

The Primary Care Networks were established to enhance the delivery of primary care. The Bow Valley PCN Not for Profit Corporation Board is made up of physician members along with an independent public member. The Joint Governance Committee is made up of members from the Not-for-Profit Corporation Board and three senior Alberta Health Services (AHS) representatives. Their goal is to ensure our programs and services in our member clinics are focused on excellence in patient care.