Marlene Raasok is making Airdrie a healthier place to live.

Since 2017, she has lent her skills and extensive knowledge of seniors’ care, health care systems and policy development to Abrio Health (formerly the Airdrie & Area Health Co-op) to help make Airdrie Canada’s healthiest community.

She is the chair of the Health Leaders Council, which brings together various agencies, organizations, not-for-profits and government entities.

“I have much to be thankful for and feel it is important to share my time, talent and financial resources with organizations that need what I can share,” she says, adding that as a former health care leader with experience in continuing care and community health, Airdrie is a ‘dream environment’ to develop community capacity for connected health care services.

“I firmly believe, in this world of constrained resources, that prosperity depends on working together and contributing what we can from all perspectives.”

Raasok travels extensively within Alberta and Canada to engage government officials on behalf of Airdrie citizens.

“She is a woman of action, with a vision; making something happen to address needs in her community,” says Mark Seland, who has known Raasok for 25 years.

“Few people have the drive, passion and expertise to offer what Marlene has and few people give so freely of their time.”

Raasok also volunteers her time to North Rocky View Community Links to drive people needing medical support to appointments in Calgary.