About Us
The Waitlisted Initiative is a student-led effort focused on raising awareness about emergency room wait times and their impact on patients and healthcare workers.
Our mission is to reduce emergency room wait-times in Edmonton by amplifying patient experiences, supporting healthcare workers, and promoting informed, system-level solutions.
We believe that meaningful change begins with awareness — and that youth can play a role in shaping conversations around healthcare challenges.
Meet the Team
Founded by three passionate advocates, The Waitlisted Initiative brings together lived experience, research, and community engagement to advocate for better healthcare access in Edmonton.
The Reality in Numbers
Behind every statistic is a person waiting for care. While individual experiences are powerful, the broader data shows that emergency room wait times are a growing systemic concern.
According to Alberta Health Services, some of the busiest emergency departments in Edmonton report average waits such as:
Research shows longer wait-times are associated with worsening health, increased anxiety and frustration, poor treatment compliance, higher mortality rates, and financial strain for patients.
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Misericordia Community Hospital: ~5h 37m
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University of Alberta Hospital: ~5h 27m
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Grey Nuns Community Hospital: ~5h 13m
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Royal Alexandra Hospital: ~3h 21m
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Stollery Children’s Hospital: ~3h 16m
How System, Strain Affects Healthcare
80%
Of members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) say short staffing harms their health and well-being leading to unprecedented burnout in the system
67%
of HSAA members report inadequate levels of staffing in hospitals
89%
of HSAA members feel that the Alberta health care system is in crisis
1/3
Of HSAA members report often thinking about quitting their job or leaving Alberta altogether.
