May 14, 2026

In this issue: 

• Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Intercultural communication in health care 
• A boost when it matters most: Medical student bursaries awarded for 2026
• Reinvigorated Specialty Care Alliance mandate puts specialists at the forefront
• Considering retirement? Learn about the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan 
• Member recruitment update: Out-of-Country Health Services Committee 
• We're recruiting for AMA committees: apply by May 29
• Primary Care Alberta updates:
  • New patient letters in screening mammography reports
  • Laboratory tests for specimens collected in Diagnostic Imaging 
  • Lab bulletins:
    • Temporary changes to Anti-Cariolipin IgG Antibody testing and reporting
    • Central, Edmonton and North Zones only:
      • Updates to Calling Group for Edmonton Base Lab Critical Result
      • Urine Toxicology Panels - University of Alberta Hospital - Toxicology Laboratory
• MD Financial 
  • Banking that works as hard as you do
• Community Connections

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors:

Intercultural communication in health care

Case 

Mr. Chen, 93, has advanced metastatic lung cancer and limited treatment options remain. His physician recommends a transition to comfort focused palliative care, but his adult children feel unable to agree, believing this would mean giving up on their duty to care for him.

Issue 

How can effective communication be used to provide culturally competent and sensitive care in complex goals of care discussions? 

This Optimized Prescribing with Seniors article focuses on how recommendations in senior care can create conflict and tension with a patient’s family, and explores: 

• how cultural perspectives influence goals‑of‑care discussions 
• tools to support culturally sensitive communication 
• strategies to build trust and reach common ground in complex care 

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors is a joint communication of the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. Articles are written by physicians for physicians prescribing in the care of older patients. 

A boost when it matters most:

Medical student bursaries awarded for 2026

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/AMA Medical Student Bursary aims to reduce financial pressure from escalating medical school tuition fees, helping qualified students afford to attend medical school.
 

Since 2001, the program has awarded $2,506,500.
 

This year we were fortunate to administer bursaries to 74 well-deserving medical students. 50% of the awards were given to the highest debt holders at $3,000/bursary and the other 50% were randomly selected and awarded $1,000/bursary.
 

In May 2026, a total of $112,000 was awarded to medical students who qualified.
 

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/AMA Medical Student Bursary Program is made possible through a significant contribution by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex as well as donations from generous physician members.

Reinvigorated Specialty Care Alliance mandate puts specialists at the forefront

Specialists across Alberta have been clear: a strong, unified voice matters, especially as system pressures continue to grow. That message came through loudly at the March 2026 Specialty Care Alliance (SCA) Strategic Retreat and Specialty Care Forum, with broad representation from specialty sections across the province. 

Based directly on physician feedback, the SCA is now actively redefining its governance, representation and mandate to better advocate for cross-sectional specialty system needs. This work includes clarifying who the SCA represents and how membership is defined; strengthening executive and specialty representation; improving decision making, transparency and accountability; and ensuring specialist input meaningfully informs AMA and system level advocacy.

A well structured SCA helps ensure specialty perspectives are heard, trusted and influential without adding unnecessary burden to already busy clinicians.

This work is underway. As we update SCA’s Terms of Reference, informed by the Executive and your specialist RF delegates, the SCA is focused on making specialty advocacy and influence more effective where it counts most.
 

Questions or comments? Email the SCA at specialtycarealliance@albertadoctors.org. 

Considering retirement?

Learn about the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan

AMA members who are retiring have the option to enroll in the Alberta Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) Retiree Benefits Plan, available to those aged 55 and older. 
 

Upcoming informational webinars will provide an overview of the plan, including eligibility, health, dental and travel coverage options and enrolment details. This session is intended to help members make informed decisions as they transition into retirement. 
 

Register here to attend a presentation on June 2 at 10 a.m. 
 

Register here to attend a presentation on July 8 at 11 a.m.

Member recruitment update:

Out-of-Country Health Services Committee

The Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services continues its recruitment efforts for the Out-of-Country Health Services Committee.
 

The deadline to apply has been extended to May 29 and there two physician vacancies at this time.
 

This committee reviews and makes funding decisions on requests for insured health services received by Albertans outside of Canada. Physician members play a key role in evaluating applications, applying legislation and supporting fair, evidence-based decisions.

Meetings are held every six weeks, primarily virtually (with occasional in-person meetings in Edmonton). The time commitment is approximately eight hours every six weeks, and members receive an honorarium for their time.

Applicants must be physicians in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta; those in active practice are preferred.

We're recruiting for AMA committees:

Apply by May 29

The AMA is looking for members ready to make an impact and bring their front-line clinical insight to discussions that shape recommendations and decisions for medicine and patient care across Alberta. Now more than ever, we encourage physician members across specialties, practice settings, career stages and communities to add their voice to AMA committees and governance groups.
 

There are a number of member positions to be filled on various committees including: 
 

AMA Board of Directors

• Positions: 4 members
• Eligibility: Must be a member of the AMA Representative Forum

AMA Compensation Committee

• Positions: 3 members (2 full term (three year) positions, 1 partial term (approximately one year) position); 1 chairperson
• Eligibility: AMA membership required

Committee on Bylaws

• Positions: 1 chairperson
• Eligibility: AMA membership required

Fees Advisory Committee

• Positions: 2 members
• Eligibility: AMA membership required

 Government Affairs Advisory Committee

• Positions: 6 members; 1 chairperson
• Eligibility: AMA membership required

 Health Issues Council

• Positions: 3 members
• Eligibility: AMA membership required

All positions have an application deadline of May 29. Term start dates vary by committee. 

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following updates from Primary Care Alberta (PCA) have been provided for your information: 

• New patient letters in screening mammography reports
• Laboratory tests for specimens collected in Diagnostic Imaging 
• Lab bulletins:
  • Temporary changes to Anti-Cariolipin IgG Antibody testing and reporting
  • Central, Edmonton and North Zones only:
    • Updates to Calling Group for Edmonton Base Lab Critical Result
    • Urine Toxicology Panels - University of Alberta Hospital - Toxicology Laboratory

Banking that works as hard as you do

Sponsored article

Between patients and practice, banking shouldn’t compete for your attention. Private Banking gives you a dedicated banker, priority access and hands‑on support—so everyday banking, borrowing and complex transactions are handled for you.

Community Connections

Promoting a local charitable health-related event?
 

Recruiting physicians and medical learners for a medical study?
 

Seeking AMA member participation in a survey?
 

The AMA receives many requests to promote local events, research participation opportunities and surveys to our members. We consider all requests based on specific criteria and general relevance/appropriateness.
 

*Please note that, unless explicitly stated, the AMA is not associated with or responsible for items listed in Community Connections.

In case you missed it

We've moved! AMA's Edmonton office has a new home

Upcoming events

Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation Annual Congress

Care-First health care provider webinar

Annual update in geriatric medicine 

View all upcoming events on the AMA website

Have an event you'd like to promote?

Review our criteria and submit your event

Recognition Roundup

National Nursing Week

May 11 to 17
 

Paramedic Services Week

May 17 to 23

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Peer Review Billing Committee launching in May
 

Alberta Doctors' Digest

In the May 14
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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