Access to specialized oncology through virtual care.
For rural Albertans facing cancer, virtual care means fewer disruptions to daily life, faster access to support and staying connected to their care team without long-distance travel.
At the Cross, the recently opened Triffo Virtual Care Centre is helping connect patients living outside Edmonton to specialized cancer care.
Made possible through a generous gift from Ron Triffo, the centre strengthens the delivery of highquality care through virtual appointments.
Last summer, hematology nurse practitioner Allan Black moved his virtual clinics from a small basement space to the third floor into the purpose-built Triffo Virtual Care Centre. Equipped with modernized technology, the new space streamlines virtual appointments, improves image clarity and helps clinicians assess symptoms, review treatment plans and respond to patients more quickly.
The impact is immediate for patients, particularly in the weeks between appointments when questions or symptoms can arise unexpectedly.
“The virtual clinic made me feel supported between appointments,” says Alex, a patient at the Lloydminster clinic. “I got help with managing my symptoms quickly, asked questions without waiting weeks, and felt reassured knowing my care team was still closely involved, even from home.”
The improved setup also allows clinicians like Black to see more patients virtually, strengthening continuity of care across rural and remote communities.
“The true value is for those who can’t make it here to the city,” he says. “It allows for optimized care that comes with seeing a person face to face.”
With the Triffo Virtual Care Centre’s expanded capacity and smoother processes, donor support is making it possible to extend these services to additional rural centres, helping more Albertans receive specialized cancer care closer to where they live.
