It was in the 1940’s when the benefits of specialized rehabilitation services for injured workers were first recognized by the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board. At that time, only a few hospitals in the province were providing such services and treatment was very limited.  The Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff was the first to offer rehabilitative treatment.

Based upon the impressive results of the Mineral Springs Hospital, in 1952 the Board decided to invest in its Rehabilitation Centre in Edmonton to provide highly specialized assessment and treatment services.  When the new centre opened, it was the first facility in Canada designed exclusively for the rehabilitation of injured workers.

Millard also operated the first burn injury treatment facility and orthotic and prosthetic service in the province – serving the needs of injured workers and other Albertans.  Soon the rehabilitation centre was providing a broad range of services to individuals across Western Canada, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Landmark Events

1989 - Millard is the first facility in Canada to achieve CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) accreditation in occupational rehabilitation programming. CARF is an international, not-for-profit organization that promotes quality programs, services and outcomes. 

1989 - The WCB studies rehabilitation facilities throughout North America in search of “best practices” in occupational rehabilitation. As a result of this review, the centre becomes oriented towards achievement of outcomes.  This is a pioneering step in that it occurred when few health care providers were focused on outcomes.

1995 - Millard lead the way in increasing the successful outcomes for clients in pain management programs, reducing costs and average lengths of stay.  Millard’s approach in pain rehabilitation established the standard for other chronic pain programs across Canada.

Over the last 50 years Millard has earned its reputation as a centre of excellence in research and program development. We are proud to have a team of top-notch staff who bring a wealth of expertise to our organization.

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