Established in 2001, the WRTC has to date enrolled over 120 students in a pan-Canadian training initiative funded by federal and provincial agencies. Following graduation many of these students have moved directly into the health care and other related sectors, as policy and decision-makers, analysts or other occupations.

Each year the WRTC recruits master’s and doctoral students interested in pursuing advanced studies in health services research. The disciplinary backgrounds of these students have been highly diverse: undergraduate degrees have ranged from biology and business administration to health administration, rehabilitation sciences, and women’s studies, to name just a few.

Students in the WRTC are normally working towards a graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in one of the following academic units:

• Faculty of Nursing (University of Alberta)
• School of Public Health (University of Alberta)
• School of Population and Public Health (University of British Columbia)
• Department of Community Health Sciences (University of Calgary)
• Department of Community Health Sciences (University of Manitoba)
• Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (University of Regina)
• School of Public Health (University of Saskatchewan)

Students who are working towards a graduate degree in other disciplines participate in the WRTC as affiliates. These students may be enrolled at any university in western Canada.