In this issue:

General news

President-Elect call for nominations now open
Government announces the PCPCM will go live April 1
March 2025 changes to the SOMB
Update on AHS stipends: No changes until review process is complete
Thank a colleague through JPAC Shine on Gratitude Program
Early-bird discount for Primary Care Strategic Forum
You're invited to sign on to coal and green energy policy initiatives

AMA member benefits

Use your CME dollars! Deadline to use CME allotment is March 31.

News and updates from

Section of Cardiology

Save the date - the 23rd Annual Cardiology Update

Section of Emergency Medicine

Save the date - 24th International Conference on Emergency Medicine

Section of Occupational Medicine

Save the date - Section of Occupational Medicine Conference (virtual)

Section of Pediatrics

Apply for AMA Section of Pediatrics Grants

Section of Sport and Excercise Medicine

Save the date - Section of Sport and Excercise Medicine Annual General Meeting (AGM)

General news

President-Elect call for nominations now open

The Call for Nominations for the 2025-26 AMA President-Elect is now open. The Nominating Committee report and details on the nomination process are available on the AMA website (member login required).

Per AMA Bylaws, the AMA’s Nominating Committee is tasked with identifying one nominee for the position of president-elect, but other candidates are welcome to come forward from the general membership. AMA Bylaws allow for an election if other president-elect candidates step forward. If other nominations are received, an election will be held.

The 2025-26 president-elect term begins at the adjournment of the Fall Representative Forum on September 27.

Nominations close at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 22.

If you have any questions regarding the election process, please contact
amavoting@albertadoctors.org.

Government announces the PCPCM will go live April 1

On March 24, the Alberta government announced that the PCPCM will launch on April 1. Read the announcement.

More than 1,000 expressions of interest (EOIs) were received, and nearly 800 applications were submitted to Alberta Heath.

IMPORTANT: Applications for the model will continue to be received on an ongoing basis - you can enrol at any time. See the March 24 Alberta Government Bulletin for information on future deadlines and reach out to pcpcm@albertadoctors.org if you require support. You can also review our Application Guide and troubleshooting resource.

March 2025 changes to the SOMB

Learn about the latest billing changes to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Schedule of Medical Benefits. The AMA's Billing Corner keeps members up to date on billing changes to the SOMB.

Update on AHS stipends: No changes until review process is complete

AHS stipends will remain unchanged while the Health Minister reviews recommendations from the AMA-AHS Stipend Review Working Group, thanks to advocacy by the AMA and participation from physician leaders. This pause on stipend changes will provide some certainty for over 1,000 physicians who are remunerated for the care they provide through these payments.

The working group will evaluate the purpose, amount and structure of current stipends, with final recommendations due March 31, 2025. The recommendations will be binding, and the Minister will then take the necessary steps to implement. If there are any changes, the AMA Agreement requires reasonable notice and a transition period for affected physicians.

We are committed to ensuring the review process is fair, evidence-based, protects physician interests and supports quality patient care. Learn more.

Thank a colleague through JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program.

The JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program gives physicians the opportunity to thank their colleagues for their acts of kindness, big and small. The process is as quick and easy as sending an email.

Complete the submission form and we will make sure the message gets to the person you want to express your appreciation to.

Early-bird discount for Primary Care Strategic Forum

The three-day event on May 1-3 in Edmonton will focus on the future of primary care in Alberta with a plenary and keynote speakers, a panel discussion and a variety of breakout sessions. Registration is now open with early-bird pricing available until April 4.

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t wait. Now’s your chance to take advantage of the discounted rate for you and your team.

You're invited to sign on to coal and green energy policy initiatives

Alberta Health Professionals for the Environment is inviting physicians to sign on to two policy initiatives to ensure the well being of current and future generations of Albertans:

Visit the Alberta Environmental Network to learn more about these and other key environmental initiatives. You can also read the discussion paper AMA submitted to Alberta’s Coal Policy Committee, which outlines concerns and recommendations related to open-pit coal mining.

AMA member benefits

Use your CME dollars!

Physicians have until March 31 to use their CME allotment and will have until April 15 to submit their claims to the AMA for reimbursement.

AMA members are entitled to a benefit of $2,200 for CME expenses incurred between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For more information – including tips on how to make an easy and quick CME claim, visit the AMA website.

If you require CME-related assistance, email CME@albertadoctors.org.

Section of Cardiology

Save the date – 23rd Annual Cardiology Update

Date: May 10
Location: Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) Room ECHA 2-490, 11405-87 Ave NW
Learn more

This eagerly awaited event, hosted by the University of Alberta's Division of Cardiology, will bring together health care professionals including family physicians, emergency medicine physicians, internists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, EMS personnel and others passionate about cardiovascular medicine.

View more information or register.

To reach the Section of Emergency Medicine President, Dr. Marc Benoit, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Emergency Medicine

Save the date - 24th International Conference on Emergency Medicine

Date: May 24-28

Location: Palais des Congres, Montreal

View further information and register.

To reach the Section of Emergency Medicine President, Dr. Warren Thirsk, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Occupational Medicine

Save the date - Section of Occupational Medicine (virtual)

Date: April 11
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Zoom

We invite you to attend our upcoming virtual Occupational Medicine Conference Friday, April 11. The conference will take place via Zoom.

View further information and register.

This conference is open to all AMA members.

In addition to this reminder of the upcoming Occupational Medicine Conference, I would like to advise that we have now attained CME credits for the conference.

Agenda and registration information.

To reach the Section of Occupational Medicine President, Dr. Sebastian Straube, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Pediatrics

Apply for Section of Pediatrics Grants

A reminder that the Section of Pediatrics Grants are now open to members of the AMA who are also members of the Section of Pediatrics. Research projects aimed at pediatric populations under the age of 18 years of age are eligible for these grants, which could be funded for up to $10,000 per applicant. A maximum of $30,000 will be awarded this year. Please visit AMA Section of Pediatrics Grants for more information on the grants and the application form.

Deadline for applications is midnight, April 1.

To reach the Section of Pediatrics President, Dr. Sam Wong, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Sport and Excercise Medicine

Notice of AGM April 30 - Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine

The Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine AGM will be held:

Date: April 30
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Zoom

In accordance with the section’s bylaws, the agenda and Zoom link will be communicated to section members no later than 14 days prior to the meeting.

To reach the Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine President, Dr. Matt McIsaac, please email AMA Section Services.

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