As you renew, please take a moment to review your section membership(s). AMA sections play an important role in helping the association understand and advocate for the unique needs, priorities and challenges facing different specialties and areas of practice.

Section membership ensures your specialty perspective is represented in AMA advocacy, engagement and policy discussions.

You can be a voting member of one section and an associate member of multiple others. If your scope of practice has changed, now is a good time to confirm that your section memberships still reflect your current work and interests.

A strong AMA starts with engaged physicians and strong sections. Renew your AMA membership and review your section memberships through your member dashboard today.

Help shape health care in your region

The Government of Alberta is recruiting members for its 14 Regional Advisory Councils, which report to the Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. Physicians interested in contributing their perspective on local health care priorities and community needs are encouraged to apply. Applications are open until November 23, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit the government of Alberta's Regional Advisory Councils web page. If you have any questions, please contact health.rac@gov.ab.ca.

Supporting informed vaccination decisions

The AMA has compiled a suite of resources to help physicians navigate vaccine conversations with confidence. Explore tools that support informed decision-making, address needle fear and vaccination anxiety and connect patients with reliable immunization information.

Find resources to support your patients and practice.

Help recognize health care leaders through the CMA Awards

Do you know a physician, medical learner or non-physician contributor who is making a meaningful difference in health care?

Nominations are now open for the 2027 CMA Awards. These annual honours celebrate changemakers who have made significant contributions to health, health care and the medical profession. Nominations close November 30.

Awards include:

Owen Adams Award of Honour
Dr. Léo-Paul Landry Medal of Service
F.N.G. Starr Award
May Cohen Award for Women Mentors
Canadian Medical Association Award for Political Advocacy
Awards for Young Leaders
Dr. William Marsden Award in Medical Ethics and Professionalism
John McCrae Memorial Medal
Dr. Brian Brodie Organizational Leadership Development Award
Dr. Ashok Muzumdar Memorial Award for Physicians with Disabilities

Learn more about the awards and submit a nomination.

Section of Addiction Medicine

Save the date – Section of Addiction Medicine Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Time and venue change

Dear members,

Please note a change to our upcoming AGM. It will now start at 5 p.m. and take place only virtually, with an optional dinner in Calgary after the meeting.

Date: Friday, November 20
Time: 5–6 p.m.
Venue: Virtually via Zoom

Further details, including the location and agenda package, will be communicated to members no later than 14 days prior to the meeting.

Dinner will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP for the dinner, please email AMA Section Services and include any dietary requirements.

To reach the Section of Addiction Medicine President, Dr. Kathryn Dong, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Chronic Pain

19th Annual PSA Conference recap

Congratulations to the Board of the Pain Society of Alberta for organizing the 19th Annual PSA Conference. The conference was a great success – thank you to everyone who visited the AMA Section of Chronic Pain booth, as well as the physicians who attended the AMA Section meeting during the conference.

Two important medication updates

1. Movantik (naloxegol)

Movantik (naloxegol) is now covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC).

2. Suboxone sublingual tablets

Indivior has indicated that it plans to discontinue brand-name Suboxone sublingual tablets in Canada in early 2027. As a result, patients currently taking brand-name Suboxone tablets will need to transition to an alternative formulation, such as generic buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets or Suboxone sublingual films.

Physicians are encouraged to review their patients' current prescriptions and plan appropriate transitions to ensure continuity of treatment.

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

Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Save the date – Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism AGM
Date: Saturday, January 30, 2027
Venue: Banff Centre

Please save the date for our upcoming Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism Annual General Meeting taking place in person at the Banff Centre during our weekend event being held January 29–31, 2027.

The AGM will be held on the morning of Saturday, January 30, with additional section-sponsored events taking place throughout the weekend. Further details and event information will be forthcoming. We look forward to seeing you in Banff

Free section membership for endocrinology and metabolism resident physicians

The Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism is pleased to announce a new resident physician membership category now available during AMA annual renewal.

This new category will allow endocrinology and metabolism resident physicians to join the section at no cost (AMA membership still required).

The section is committed to supporting the next generation of specialists by creating opportunities for resident physicians to connect with colleagues, learn about advocacy and representation work, and gain exposure to professional and practice-related issues affecting the specialty.

How you can help
If you work with endocrinology and metabolism resident physicians, please share this opportunity with them and encourage them to learn more about the section.

More information about our section and the new resident physician membership category is available on the AMA website.

To reach the Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism President, Dr. Lorraine Lau, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of General Psychiatry

Save the date – Section of General Psychiatry

Don’t Miss the 2027 APA Scientific Conference at the Rimrock Emblems Collection in Banff, AB on March 19 & 20, 2027!

An enriching opportunity for psychiatrists, residents, medical students and other health care professionals to gather in the beautiful Rockies, with distinguished speakers, networking opportunities and fun for the whole family! Register now!

Join the Canadian Psychiatric Association in Montreal, November 18–21, for the 76th CPA Annual Conference!
Over 1,000 attendees will gather for keynotes, workshops, networking and collaboration. Don’t miss it! Visit the event page for more information.

To reach the Section of General Psychiatry President, Dr. Karen Duncalf, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of General Surgery

Save the date – Section of General Surgery Review in the Rockies and AGM
Date: November 14–15
Venue: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Registration is now open for our annual Alberta Association of General Surgeons Review in the Rockies, November 14–15 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel!

You can register directly or via our website. We highly encourage you to register and especially book your hotel room early, as our block of discounted rooms sold out last year and is likely to do so again.

There is a great line-up of speakers and topics from surgeons across the province and a few invited guests. The plan is again to discuss economics, billing and section issues on Sunday morning, followed by our AGM.

To reach the Section of General Surgery President, Dr. Matt Strickland, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Indigenous Health

Section of Indigenous Health – priority issues briefing note

The Section of Indigenous Health is drawing attention to ongoing issues affecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Albertans. Members of the SIH Executive recently met with a member of the provincial NDP caucus to outline a range of concerns, including that Alberta’s health-system restructuring has created uncertainty in coordination, accountability and access to care for Indigenous Peoples. They explained the importance of a transparent, system-wide strategy supported by stable funding, meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and physicians, and public reporting on objectives and results.

In advance of that meeting, the SIH developed an Indigenous health priorities briefing note outlining these issues. The section also drafted suggested questions for government, including how services will be coordinated, what measurable actions will close life-expectancy and health-outcome gaps, and what the Indigenous Modernization of Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (iMAPS) initiative has achieved across its seven focus areas. In addition, the section has asked for clarity on the Strategic Advisory Panel’s role and publication of performance measures.

Members can use the briefing note to support conversations with elected officials.

To reach the Section of Indigenous Health President, Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Internal Medicine

Save the date – AI clinical learning opportunity
Date: Wednesday, November 11
Time: 1–4:30 p.m.
Venue: Rocky Mountain Internal Medicine Conference Centre, Canmore

A half-day learning event sponsored by the Section of Internal Medicine is open for registration.

Dr. Neil Mehta from the Cleveland Clinic will be hosting a conversation on “How should we train physicians in an AI-enabled world?"

To reach the Section of Internal Medicine President, Dr. Greg Hrynchyshyn, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Neurology

Save the date – Section of Neurology AGM
Date: Sunday, November 15
Time: 9–10:30 a.m.
Venue: The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff

Invitation and registration details were communicated to section members on August 27.

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

Section of Orthopedics

New AOS and Section President – Effective November 1, 2026
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Debakanta Jena will assume the roles of President of the Alberta Orthopaedic Society (AOS) and President of the AMA Section of Orthopedics, effective November 1, 2026.

Save the date – Canadian Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting 2027
Date: Wednesday, June 2 to Saturday, June 5, 2027
Venue: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Save the date – Section of Orthopedics AGM 2027
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2027
Venue: The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff

Mark your calendars! The Annual General Meeting will be held on September 18, 2027, at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Further details will be shared closer to the date.

To reach the Section of Orthopedics President, Dr. Stephen Kwan, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Pediatrics

Save the date – Section of Pediatrics AGM
The Section of Pediatrics will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, October 30, in conjunction with the Canadian Paediatrics Society Lifelong Learning in Pediatrics Program. Members may attend in person, in Lake Louise, or virtually via Zoom.

Date: Friday, October 30

Time: 3:30–6 p.m.
Venue: In-person at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and virtually via Zoom

In-Person Attendance
Section members attending the Lifelong Learning Program who wish to participate in the AGM in person are asked to email Section Services to reserve their spot.

If you are unsure of your membership status or eligibility to attend, please contact Section Services for confirmation.

Virtual Attendance
Physicians wishing to attend virtually, please register in advance.

Billing tip
03.01AA – After Hours Time Premium provides compensation for after-hours time spent managing a patient's care. It is used on weekends, evenings (5 p.m.–7 a.m.) and statutory holidays. It is claimed in 15-minute units using the appropriate SURT modifier. It can only be used for in-hospital/acute care settings. It can be used for FFS and CARP funding models.

To reach the Section of Pediatrics President, Dr. Renee Farrell, 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.

The Alberta Medical Association does not assume responsibility or liability for damages arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information or advice contained in these materials. Advertisements included in our publications are not necessarily endorsed by the Alberta Medical Association.

The Association reserves the right to edit any submissions that are accepted to appear in any of our publications or platforms. Please consult our editorial guidelines for tips on submissions or advertising.

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