Although no hospital is on the horizon for Airdrie, two medical clinics, two pharmacies and five mental health clinics have opened or expanded in our community in the past year.
These new businesses have added five physicians and eight mental health professionals to meet the needs of the city’s growing population. In addition, two Airdrie Shopper’s Drug Mart locations have opened Pharmacy Care Clinics.
These clinics offer patients access to pharmacy services and advice. The clinics are fully integrated with the dispensing area of the pharmacies, which have undergone an extensive redesign to improve the overall patient experience.
“Pharmacists in Alberta can often be a patient’s first point of care for things like common ailments and injuries and support with medication management,” according to an email from Loblaws, the company that owns the Shoppers Drug Mart chain.
“Pharmacists in Alberta have the ability to assess and prescribe treatment for contraception and 21 minor ailments — including allergies, UTIs and pink eye.”
The Pharmacy Care Clinics are in the Yankee Valley and First Avenue West Shoppers Drug Mart locations.
Mental Health Services
Lisa Dalliston is the owner of Rock Garden Counselling, a new solo practice clinic. Having been born and raised in Airdrie, then spending 17 years in B.C. before returning, Dalliston understands the unique challenges residents face, whether they’ve witnessed the city’s growth or are new to the area.
“Airdrie’s vibrant community spirit and small-town charm attract families and young professionals, but the rapid expansion has also increased the pressure on services, highlighting the demand for accessible mental health support,” she says.
“Many residents experience social isolation and stress from these changes, making it essential to address their needs for a supportive environment.”
Tranquil Pathways opened its doors in Airdrie in February 2024. Katie Israel is the owner and the only counsellor, but she plans to grow the business to four therapists and four training master’s-level students by the end of 2025.
Other mental health services that opened or expanded this year include Bumbleberry Consulting with one mental health professional, and Bloom Narratives Therapy & Wellness.
“Founded in July 2021 in Airdrie, Bloom Narratives began as a small practice with just three dedicated therapists,” says Sharla Crowie, owner of and registered social worker with Bloom.
“Since then, we have added four net new mental health professionals to our team, growing to a total of seven skilled clinicians.”
By Jan. 1, 2025, Bloom will be co-leasing a space with Dr. Crystal Dittrick of CARE Psychology. CARE has recently expanded from one psychologist to three, with plans to add up to three more within the next two years.
Medical Clinics and Pharmacies
Zen Medical Clinic has one full-time doctor and one nurse practitioner, with plans to add one more doctor and one more nurse practitioner soon.
Universal Health Pharmacy specializes in non-sterile compounding, which means it compounds different kinds of non-sterile medication from creams to hormone replacement therapies, nasal sprays and flavouring suspensions for kids.
The Rock Medical Centre currently has two doctors, with the capacity to add four more.
Kingsview Family Medical and Pharmacy has one nurse practitioner and two new physicians to meet the medical needs of Airdrie residents.
Find more Airdrie medical practices here.
