For 21 years, Jake Epp was a member of parliament with more than nine years in cabinet and one of his portfolios was health.

When Epp left politics for the private sector, he traveled to many countries and saw the need for better health care.

That journey led him to Health Partners International of Canada.

"NGOs working with NGOs. Countries working with each other and then I think you can go to industry and say, look, here's the need, here's the cooperation what will you do for your social responsibilities?" said Epp.

Epp stepped down as the Chairman of HPIC in 2010 after almost a decade but he remains heavily involved.

Glen Shepherd is the agency's CEO and says Epp helped to change its course.

HPIC has evolved from a relief agency to one that offers long term development.

"Jake understood that the world was changing and he helped us to stay ahead of the curve so that we developed services and mission focus to respond to needs as the world changed, said Shepherd.

Epp was part of a federal commission on Afghanistan that examined the developmental needs in that country and that is how HPIC got involved.

"We have a number of programs largely related to again, to mothers and children, and beyond that we're trying to move it in to sustainable development," said Epp.

"He's been a person who really helped make the transformation of health partners possible," said Shepherd.

HPIC has established a Jake Epp Development Fund in honour of his work and efforts.

For all he has done to help bring healing to a hurting world, Jake Epp is our Inspiring Albertan for February 29, 2012.