University of Alberta Hospital
University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) is one of Canada’s leading academic health sciences centres, located in Edmonton, Alberta. It is operated by Alberta Health Services, and serves as a referral centre for Western and Northern Canada. UAH includes tertiary-level facilities such as the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic. It handles many of the most complex and critically ill patients, and is deeply involved in education, research, and innovation in multiple medical specialties.
Services & Clinical Capacity
UAH offers a 24/7 Emergency Department. It provides specialized services including cardiac care (via the Heart Institute), organ transplantation, advanced neurosciences (e.g. brain and spinal injuries, stroke), oncology, critical care, and more. As an academic hospital, it supports both inpatient and outpatient care, complex diagnostics, surgical subspecialties, and high-risk patient populations. The campus includes the Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre which houses UAH, Stollery Children’s Hospital, and other specialty facilities. Together they offer a high bed capacity (hundreds of inpatient beds) and advanced medical equipment.
Patient & Visitor Experience
Address: 8440 112 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7. Switchboard: 780-407-8822. Parking & transit options are provided, including underground/parkade with disabled parking. The hospital removed formal visiting hours for Edmonton-zone hospitals; visits are now based on patient care needs. For patients & families there are wayfinding, a patient & visitor guide, maps, and support services. The facility supports complex referrals from outside Edmonton, including remote and northern communities.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths include its status as a premier referral centre: leadership in heart, transplant, neurology, oncology, and complex critical care; strong research and academic partnership; ability to serve a large catchment including remote/northern Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, and territories. The facility’s infrastructure supports high complexity care. Challenges include managing high volumes of admissions and referrals, potential wait times for specialist clinics or diagnostic services, the complexity of navigating large hospital infrastructure, and logistical burdens (parking, transit, knowing which sub-facility to attend for a given specialty).
Innovation & Services Offered
UAH is involved in cutting edge research and innovation, delivering novel therapies and specialized interventions. It maintains partnerships with research institutes and universities. It serves as training site for medical students and residents. It also offers services to very specialized and high risk patient groups, including transplant, cardiac surgery, neurosciences, and others, often for referral from across Western/Northern Canada.
Practical Tips
If attending UAH, plan ahead: identify which unit or clinic you need, check referral or appointment requirements, allow extra time for parking and navigation through the facility. Bring your Alberta Health Card and photo ID. For emergencies, ED is open 24/7. For non-urgent specialty services, arrive prepared with any required documentation. Use public transit routes or parkade maps. For remote patients, check with referring physicians about travel support if needed.
