Werklund STARS Academy

This outreach education program is available to rural and urban emergency service providers in air medical care, critical care transport, and system access.

STARS partners with the University of Calgary to offer the Werklund STARS Academy for Critical Care Transport Medicine Education certificate course through the Continuing Medical Education Department. The 21-week course covers the fundamentals of critical care and transport medicine and is designed for rural and urban registered nurses, paramedics (ground and fixed-wing) and physicians who wish to expand their knowledge and skills when caring for the critically ill and/or injured patients.

The Academy is delivered using a blended model, consisting of:

• 17-Week Online Component: This demanding segment provides an intensive, asynchronous, comprehensive exploration of critical care transport medicine fundamentals. It requires a strong commitment and rigorous engagement to gain the necessary foundations for the on-site experience. The course is designed to be immersive and thorough, ensuring that those completing it have an enhanced understanding of critical care transport medicine.
• 4-Week On-Site Experience: The in-person time offers an immersive experience featuring large-group work led by clinical specialists. Throughout the program, participants will delve into both technical and, perhaps more crucially, non-technical skills vital for managing the most critically ill patients. The cohort will engage in rigorous discussions, collaborative exercises, and simulated clinical scenarios, challenging one another’s assumptions and honing strategies for navigating uncertainty. Feedback from dedicated faculty will guide and enhance their learning journey, ensuring that each participant emerges with a robust, well-rounded skill set that will lay a solid foundation for continued growth.
• Flight Practicums: In this phase, participants will gain invaluable hands-on experience at one of the STARS bases. This practical component allows the application of knowledge and skills within a real-world rotary wing transport environment, bridging the gap between theory and practice with precision and confidence.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in one of the following roles:
  • Advanced Care Paramedic
  • Registered Nurse (ER/ICU/CCU)
  • Physician (Emergency Setting)
• Strong working knowledge of ACLS, PALS, and ITLS/TNCC/ATLS.

About our donor

David P. Werklund: Entrepreneur, Innovator, Philanthropist

David (Dave) P. Werklund, raised on a rural Alberta farm, is a visionary Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career spans energy, innovation, and community impact. Beginning at Shell Canada in 1965, he co founded Concord Well Servicing in 1979 and later founded Canadian Crude Separators (CCS) in 1984 which grew into Tervita, an industry leader in environmental stewardship and waste management. Under his leadership, CCS pioneered technologies like the Gravity Compression System and Canada’s first underground salt cavern storage facility, expanding into a $3.7B enterprise and later Tervita Corporation, employing over 4,600 people.

In 2006, Dave established the Werklund Family Office to align business with values, and Werklund Ventures to invest in breakthrough enterprises. His philanthropic legacy includes founding the Werklund Foundation, supporting youth leadership, and landmark donations: $25M to the University of Calgary (Werklund School of Education), $16M to Olds College (Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre), and $75M to Arts Commons (Werklund Centre). He has also supported STARS, Glenbow Museum, and numerous community organizations.

Honoured with the Order of Canada, Alberta Order of Excellence, and multiple industry awards, Dave continues to inspire through principled leadership, innovation, and generosity, leaving a lasting impact on business, education, and community.