In this issue:

General news

Wildfires: Review your risk and coverage
AMHSP survey: Share your feedback by June 5
Vote now for the AMA President-Elect
NEW travel elective scholarship for respiratory medicine trainees
Now live! Access training for specialists and team members with a caseload
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame: Submit your nominations today!
Psychodynamic Work with Immigrants and First-Generation Patients workshop
Your well being matters - assess your distress with the new CMPA tool
Thank a colleague through JPAC Shine on Gratitude Program

News and updates from

Section of Chronic Pain

Save the date - Section of Chronic Pain Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Section update

Section of Generalists in Mental Health

Save the date - Section of Generalists in Mental Health AGM

Section of Neurology

Save the date - Section of Neurology AGM

Section of Occupational Medicine

Save the date - Section of Occupational Medicine AGM

General news

Wildfires: Review your risk and coverage

Alberta’s 2025 wildfire season has begun, with much of the province facing significant drought and some regions under evacuation alerts. Officials are urging residents to stay prepared.

The government has previously stated it does not compensate for practice disruptions due to evacuations, advising physicians to rely on personal commercial insurance. To support preparedness, the AMA has compiled insurance information for physicians. Members are encouraged to assess their risk and review their coverage.

The AMA will continue to share updates via its website and social media. For questions, contact amamail@albertadoctors.org.

Visit the AMA website to learn more.

AMHSP survey: Share your feedback by June 5

Alberta Health, through your respective faculties, has invited AMHSP physicians to complete a survey conducted by Nous Group, a global management consulting firm. The purpose is to gather insights and experiences that will help assess and enhance the program’s effectiveness and efficiency, while identifying opportunities for improvement aligned with the province’s health system refocus. Representatives from the AMA’s AMHSP Council will share the council’s perspective on the key goals the AMA is pursuing on behalf of AMHSP participating physicians. All responses are anonymous and confidential, and the data collected will inform the program’s evaluation and future development.

Survey responses are due June 5. Your input is essential. By completing the survey, you ensure that the voices of AMHSP physicians are heard and considered in shaping the future of the program.

Complete the survey now.

Vote now for the AMA President-Elect

The deadline to submit your ballot is Thursday, May 29 at 4 p.m. Ballots are tallied in the presence of scrutineers. Visit the web page for more information and to vote (member login required).

NEW travel elective scholarship for respiratory medicine trainees

Do you know a resident physician colleague training in respiratory medicine? The Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship launched May 1, and the section is accepting applications until August 31. The section established this $3,000 scholarship to support trainees travelling to complete electives in observing and learning a unique skill within respirology.

Eligibility criteria

Trainee in respiratory medicine.
BOTH a current AMA member and an associate member of the AMA Section of Respiratory Medicine. If your colleague has not yet joined the section, encourage them to contact the AMA’s membership team at membershipgeneral@albertadoctors.org.
Applicants for international electives will be given priority.
Applicants for upcoming or future travel electives will also be given priority. However, we will consider applications for travel electives that have already been completed.
Applicants will provide one reference from either a current or past preceptor.

Visit the AMA website for more information and apply today!

Now live! Access training for specialists and team members with a caseload

AMA-ACTT’s new Access for Specialists and Team Members with a Caseload training is now available.

This on-demand training will help address factors contributing to delays in patients’ access to care. It is designed to suit your schedule and pace, taking roughly two and a half hours to complete.

Reviewed by Alberta physicians, this eight-course curriculum is hosted on AMA-ACTT’s online learning platform, Learn@AMA.

Learners need to have a Learn@AMA account to access the curriculum. Don’t have an account? Complete the application form.

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame: Submit your nominations today!

Do you know a Canadian health leader whose work has made a significant impact on medicine and health sciences, both in Canada and around the world? The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) is now accepting nominations for its next group of inductees. Nominations are due June 9.

Nominees may be recognized for a single groundbreaking achievement or a lifetime of exceptional contributions.

Learn more and submit a nomination.

Psychodynamic Work with Immigrants and First-Generation Patients: Challenges and Possibilities

This event provides clinicians with essential tools and insights for working effectively with immigrant populations and their families. The event will include immersive experiences and interactive activities, as well as psychodynamic approaches to better understand the immigrant experience.

The workshop will cover practical strategies for culturally responsive care, address unconscious processes in the immigrant psyche and offer techniques to navigate cultural bereavement, nostalgia and mourning.

Clinicians will also examine self-states, dissociation and intersectionality, fostering skills to adapt their practices and meet the diverse needs of bilingual and bicultural individuals.

Co-hosted by the Calgary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Education Foundation and University of Calgary Department of Psychiatry.

Event date: May 30
Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Royal Hotel Calgary

Visit the event web page for more information and to register.

Your well being matters - assess your distress with the new CMPA tool

Practicing medicine in today's health care environment is challenging, and it is crucial to acknowledge the toll that stress can take on your overall well being. The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) has launched a valuable resource that provides an effective way to assess your levels of distress: the Physician Well-Being Index (WBI).

The WBI is a quick, two-minute personalized assessment tool that measures six dimensions of distress and wellness. Developed and validated by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, this anonymous, web-based tool assesses your levels of distress in just a few questions.

Upon completion, the fully bilingual index provides curated Canadian resources to doctors in the language of their choice, specific to a doctor’s province or territory, and is accessible immediately.

Users can monitor their progress and changes to well being over time and compare results as they continue their work toward wellness in their personal and professional lives.

It is pivotal that health care providers have access to reputable wellness tools to support their well being in a time when health care is under immense strain. For additional information on the Well-Being Index, visit the CMPA website.

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.

Section of Chronic Pain

Save the date – Section of Chronic Pain AGM
Date: June 10
Time: 5 p.m.
Venue: Zoom

Agenda package sent to section members Tuesday May 20.

This is an exciting time for chronic pain care in Alberta, with many important innovations taking shape. All members are encouraged to attend the upcoming AMA Section of Chronic Pain AGM, which will be held virtually on June 10. If you have not yet received your invitation, you can register by contacting AMA Section Services.

Section update:

Sincere thanks is extended to Dr. Arun Gupta for his outstanding leadership as President of the AMA Section of Chronic Pain for the past few years. Both Dr. Gupta and Dr. John Pereira played pivotal roles in the recent negotiations with the AMA regarding updates to Billing Code 03.08F. As a result of their efforts, the definition and fee value of the code have been strengthened.

Congratulations to Dr. Magali Roberts and Ms. Susan Sobey-Fawcett on the success of the Alberta Virtual Pain Program. In April 2025, their work was recognized with the prestigious Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) Patient Experience Award. Dr. Roberts and her team have developed a self-led program that offers topic-specific workshops supported by peer engagement—a significant contribution to patient-centered care in our province.

Commendation is given to Dr. John Pereira for developing Fibro Focus, an innovative, structured online education program for individuals living with fibromyalgia. The program is offered in two formats: an eight-week series or a condensed weekend session, providing flexibility to suit patients’ needs.

To reach the Section of Chronic Pain Acting President, Dr. Omar Rahaman, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Generalists in Mental Health

Save the date - Section of Generalists in Mental Health AGM

Date: June 19

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Zoom

An agenda package will be distributed to section members no later than 14 days prior to the meeting.

To reach the Section of Generalists in Mental Health President, Dr. Michelle Klassen, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Neurology

Save the date - Section of Neurology AGM

Date: November 7

Time: TBD

Venue: Banff Springs Hotel

To reach the Section of Neurology President, Dr. Lisa Rosenegger, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Occupational Medicine

Save the date - Section of Occupational Medicine AGM

Date: June 19
Time: 4 p.m.
Venue: Zoom

Notice of AGM communicated to section members Wednesday May 14.

Changes to the Section’s bylaws are being proposed (documents are outlined in the communication sent May 14). Members are encouraged to forward feedback or requests for clarification by email at Section.Services@albertadoctors.org.

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

The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.

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