October 16, 2025

In this issue: 

• Nominate Zonal/Regional RF Delegates by November 3
• Congratulations to the 2025 AMA Award Recipients!
• AMA welcomes Dr. Jennifer Bestard
• NEW report types for patients through My Personal Records
• Join the second session in ACTT's Digital Health Innovation Series
• Are presidential ghosts haunting your inbox?
• Congratulations to Linda Ertman on her 30-year milestone!
• PCA updates
  • Fall immunization updates
  • Primary care providers needed to review urology pathways
  • Lab bulletins:
    • Change in respiratory virus test requisitions
    • Dermatophyte test change (Calgary & South zones)
    • Changes to transfusion test menus
    • Discontinuation of stool WBC testing
    • New restrictions on daily lab orders
    • Change in Hemoglobin A1c testing
• MD Financial
  • How to budget using the pumpkin spice latte exchange rate
• Community Connections

Nominate Zonal/Regional RF Delegates

The Call for Nominations for the election of zonal and regional delegates to the AMA Representative Forum (RF) is now open.

For full details on the election process—including the Call for Nominations, Nomination Form and the number of positions available in each zone/region—please visit the AMA Website (member login required).

Nomination Deadline:
Monday, November 3 at 9:00 a.m.

If you are interested in standing for election, we encourage you to review the election information and submit a nomination before the deadline.

Congratulations to the

2025 AMA Award Recipients

Each year the Alberta Medical Association celebrates the contributions that our members make every day to support health care for Albertans. These awards not only acknowledge individual excellence and leadership, but also inspire the broader medical community by showcasing the dedication and standards that drive the profession forward. 

AMA welcomes Dr. Jennifer Bestard

The Alberta Medical Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Bestard has officially assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Physician Workforce and Stewardship.

NEW report types for patients through

My Personal Records

Starting November 3, Albertans can access operative, procedure and investigation reports through the My Personal Records (MPR) tool in MyHealth Records (MHR).

The initial release includes one year of historical data, with additional history to follow in the coming months.

Privacy controls, such as opt-in toggles and confirmation pop-ups, are available specifically for these new reports. MPR users who previously shared procedures information with another person will need to reauthorize access once the new data becomes available.

To support Albertans, more information is available on MyHealth.Alberta.ca, by phone 1-844-401-4016 or email myhealthrecords@gov.ab.ca.

Providers continue to have access to this information through their regular channels, including Alberta Netcare.

ACTT Digital Health Innovation Series

Introducing the second session in our new Digital Health Innovation Series.

Join Dr. Trevor Day, family physician and ACTT physician lead, as he hosts a compelling conversation with three clinicians who are pioneering AI use in health care.

This session will spotlight practical applications of innovative and high-impact tools designed to reduce administrative burden and improve patient care.

Are presidential ghosts haunting your inbox?

It's October, which means that we have installed our new president, Dr. Brian Wirzba. 

As Dr. Wirzba sends out his President's Letters, you may see the names of past AMA presidents (e.g., Dr. Shelley Duggan) in the "From" field. 

The problem may be haunting your personal address book, which might still be connecting the email address president@albertadoctors.org with a past president's name. 

Ghost busting

Search your personal address book for the older contact linked to president@albertadoctors.org. Delete that contact. 

Create a new contact called "AMA President" with the email address of president@albertadoctors.org. 

Congratulations to Linda Ertman

on her 30-year milestone!

In her three decades with the AMA, Linda has contributed her expertise across many areas of the association, consistently supporting physicians and advancing the work of the AMA.

For more than ten years, Linda has played a central role in negotiating the AMA Agreement with government. In her current role as Negotiations Project Analyst, she provides exceptional support to the negotiation process by preparing briefing materials, coordinating resources, conducting research and ensuring the availability of critical information for Board, RF and stakeholder discussions.

A heartfelt thank you to Linda for her remarkable 30 years of service. We deeply appreciate her dedication, loyalty and hard work in support of the AMA and its members.

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• Fall immunization updates
• Primary care providers needed to review urology pathways
• Lab bulletins:
  • Change in respiratory virus test requisitions
  • Dermatophyte test change (Calgary & South zones)
  • Changes to transfusion test menus
  • Discontinuation of stool WBC testing
  • New restrictions on daily lab orders
  • Change in Hemoglobin A1c testing

How to budget using the pumpkin spice latte exchange rate

Sponsored article

Incorporation can offer access to helpful financial strategies. This MD Financial article outlines how physicians may use their corporate structure to help optimize taxes, support retirement planning and organize long-term finances. Whether you're newly incorporated or refining your approach, these insights can help you build long-term financial health.

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

Submit a CMA nomination today

Apply for AMA/WCB Advisory Committee positions

Upcoming events

Canadian Conference on Physician Health

October 17-18

The Power of Teams: Navigating Scopes of Practice in Health Care

October 29

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 Rural Health Week

October 20-24

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Primary Care Updates - September 25

AMA membership renewal information

In the October 16
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

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