Dossier 2 - Christian Health Association of Alberta Records

Established in 1943, the Christian Health Association of Alberta (CHAA) is a provincial not-for-profit health organization. Its members include Christian/Voluntary health facilities, Owners of health facilities, groups and individuals. The CHAA membership is committed to providing health services, which emphasize the Christian values of holistic and ethical care, compassion and justice as well as, the five values enshrined in the Canada Health Act.

The primary goals of the CHAA is to serve as the vehicle for a strong and united voice for the Christian/Voluntary health sector that effectively represents the service interests of its members; provide to members selected services including education, communication, advocacy, issue identification and analysis; create and maintain networks which enhance member's ability to live out the Christian health ministry; advocate for the voiceless and marginated to ensure an appropriate standard of holistic care for all; be proactive in advocating for public health policy, which reflects the vision, vales and ethics of the Catholic/Christian health ministry; and to advocate as "one voice" for institutional members to enable the organization to live out fully the Christian mission of health and healing.

For more information http://www.chaaa.ab.ca/about/index.html

Throughout its history the CHAA has had several administrative, structural and political changes resulting in several name changes. Between 1921 and 1943 they were known as the Western Canadian Catholic Hospital Conference. In 1943 this organization was re-named the Catholic Hospital Conference of Alberta. In 1987 the name was changed to the Catholic Health Association of Alberta. In 1995 the name was changed to the Catholic Health Association of Alberta and Affiliates and in 2003 the name was changed to the Christian Health Association of Alberta.