Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 26, 2025 
 

Click here for PDF Version of Media Release

EDMONTON, AB – The Alex: The 125-Year History of the Royal Alexandra Hospital, a sweeping and deeply human account of one of Canada’s most storied hospitals, is now available to the public. Published in celebration of the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s 125th anniversary, this richly illustrated hardcover book invites readers into the remarkable stories that shaped not only a hospital, but the city of Edmonton and Alberta’s modern healthcare system. 

Authored by Edmonton-based historian Carolina Jakeway Roemmich, the book spans from the hospital’s humble beginnings as the Boyle Street Hospital in 1900 to its present-day role as a critical care centre in Canada’s heartland. The Alex unpacks pivotal themes of pandemics and public health, the leadership of women and nurses, Indigenous healing traditions, and the battles over religion, politics, and medicine that forged a public institution for all. 

“It’s not just the story of a hospital,” said Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. “It’s a story about people — their resilience, their generosity, and their unshakable belief in compassionate care. This book is a tribute to every Albertan who’s ever walked through the Alex’s doors.” 

Through vivid personal stories, never-before-seen photographs, and archival research, The Alex also delves into the lives of those often left out of mainstream histories — Métis midwives, immigrant patients, Black and Jewish doctors, and thousands of unsung nurses and volunteers. From the smallpox epidemics of the early 20th century to the creation of one of Canada’s largest women’s hospitals, every chapter reveals how the Alex grew in step with the city it serves. 

Whether you were born at the Alex, worked within its halls, or are simply passionate about Edmonton’s heritage, this book is a must-have for anyone who believes in the power of care and community. 

ORDER YOUR COPY 

The Alex: The 125-Year History of the Royal Alexandra Hospital is available now. 

Visit royalalex.org/125years to learn how to purchase the book, support the Foundation, or give the book as a gift to someone you love. 

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Media Contact: 
Lindsay Robertson 
Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation 
Email: lrobertson@roayalex.org 
Phone: 780-999-5377 
Website: royalalex.org/125years