Alberta physicians see the realities of the health care system every day, from patients waiting too long for specialist care to communities struggling with access to family doctors. The Alberta Medical Association’s MD+MLA Program gives physicians a practical, supported way to bring those frontline experiences into conversations with local MLAs.

Public support for physician advocacy is strong. According to the AMA’s 2026 State of Health Care Tracking Survey, 76% of Albertans believe it is appropriate for physicians to advocate for Alberta’s health care system. That trust is important at a time when 16% of Albertans do not have a family doctor and many continue to face emergency department, specialist and wait-time pressures.

Through the MD+MLA Program, physicians can choose how they want to engage: by requesting an in-person or virtual meeting with their MLA through the Word of Mouth Team, or by sending a personalized email through the Written Word Team. AMA staff and government relations advisors will provide materials, key facts and guidance to help make engagement clear, constructive and impactful.

Now is the time for physicians to help shape the conversation about health care in Alberta!

Visit: MDMLA | Alberta Medical Association | AMA (member login required) for more information or to register to become a volunteer.

Save the date – Virtual Information Session
Date: August 19
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Zoom

Registration: AMA MD+MLA Program – Information Session

Invitees: Physicians who are registered or are interested in learning more about the MD+MLA program

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact MDMLA@albertadoctors.org.

Help advance Indigenous health and wellness across Alberta

The Indigenous Health Committee (IHC) was created to operationalize the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health and advises on how to improve access to and delivery of health services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Alberta. IHC plays a key role in amplifying Indigenous voices, perspectives, knowledges and practices within the health system. Currently, IHC is seeking to fill two vacancies. Members interested in advancing Indigenous health and wellness are encouraged to apply by August 20.

Interested? Learn more.

Reminder about new address for AMA Edmonton office

A reminder that the AMA recently moved its Edmonton office to a new location in the southwest part of the city.

The new address (effective May 4, 2026) is:

AMA – Edmonton Office
#200, 5083 Windermere Blvd SW
Edmonton, AB T6W 0J5

AMA’s phone and fax numbers remain the same, and mail sent to AMA’s former CMA Alberta House address is being forwarded for a period of time. AMA’s Calgary office location has not changed.

Members do not need to take any action; this update is being shared for awareness, particularly for those who may visit or send mail to the AMA’s Edmonton office.

Promote your event through the AMA

Planning a webinar, conference or educational event relevant to your specialty or the broader physician community? The AMA offers an opportunity to help promote eligible events to physicians across Alberta.

Events submitted for consideration may be featured on the AMA Webinars and Events page, where physicians regularly look for professional development and learning opportunities.

Events should be relevant to the physician community and include contact or registration information so members can easily learn more or register. If your event involves travel outside Alberta, please submit the details at least two weeks in advance.

Submit your event

Strengthen physician well being through gratitude

The JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program gives physicians a simple way to recognize colleagues and build a culture of appreciation across the profession.

Recognize a colleague who made a difference, no matter how small the gesture or how meaningful the support given.

Submit a thank-you in minutes and we’ll take care of sharing your message.

Section of Chronic Pain

Save the date – Section of Chronic Pain Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Date: Saturday, August 8
Time: Dinner at 5 p.m. and Zoom starts at 6:30 p.m.
Venue: In-person and virtually via Zoom

The meeting package, including location details and Zoom link, was sent to members on July 23.

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

Section of Emergency Medicine

Save the date – Section of Emergency Medicine AGM
Date: Wednesday, September 23
Time: TBD (evening)
Venue: In-person and online via Zoom

Further details, including the meeting location, Zoom link and agenda package, will be distributed no later than 14 days before the meeting.

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

Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Coming this fall: 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 that will become available during AMA annual renewal beginning October 1.

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.

Full joining instructions will be available when AMA renewal opens on October 1.

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

Section of Family Medicine

SFM Executive call for nominations results
The call for nominations for the Section of Family Medicine (SFM) Executive and Nominating Committee positions closed on July 20 at 4 p.m., and no additional nominations were received.

The SFM Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that the following nominees have been acclaimed to the three vacant positions below. They will assume their positions following the SFM AGM on September 24, 2026.

Dr. Evelyn Ma, Calgary – Nominee acclaimed, SFM Executive Member-at-Large
Dr. Susan Byers, Lethbridge – Nominee acclaimed, SFM Vice President Regional Health System
Dr. Adedayo Olawuni, Calgary – Nominee acclaimed, SFM Nominating Committee Member

Save the date - SFM AGM will be held on September 24

To learn more about the Section of Family Medicine, visit the SFM web page.

Please contact familymedicine@albertadoctors.org with any questions.

Section of Hospital Medicine

Thank you to all who attended the inaugural AGM. We are pleased to announce our elected executive as follows:

President: Dr. Richard Hanelt
Vice President: Dr. Diana Yu
Secretary-Treasurer: Dr. Jennifer Minsos

Section of Hospital Medicine accepting new members
The Section of Hospital Medicine is ready to welcome members and is intended for those physicians who practice adult inpatient hospital medicine.

Note: This is not an economic section; allocation matters will be managed by the Section of Family Medicine.

To become a member, please contact membershipgeneral@albertadoctors.org.

To reach the Section of Hospital Medicine President, Dr. Richard Hanlet, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Infectious Diseases

Support for conference and publication costs

The Section of Infectious Diseases began accepting applications on July 1 for two funding programs:

Publication Fees Assistance Program: Offers up to six annual awards (totalling $3,000) to support research publication fees. Open to members in good standing, with one grant per member per year. Preference is given to major clinical physicians and early career physicians (≤7 years in practice).
CME Financial Support Benefit: Provides up to four annual awards (totalling $2,000) to cover registration fees for local, national or international conferences. Open to members in good standing, with one grant per member per year. Priority is given to those who haven’t received the award before, major clinical physicians, early career physicians and those presenting research or case reports.

If you are a member of the Section of Infectious Diseases and either of these programs could support your professional development or research goals, we encourage you to review the full details and apply by August 31. Visit the links above to learn more and apply.

Section of Orthopedics

Save the date – Section of Orthopedics AGM
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 8 a.m.
Venue: The Malcolm Hotel, Canmore or virtually via Zoom

Our AGM will be held September 19 at The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore, starting at 8 a.m. Visit our website for more information.

Hybrid attendance is available, both in-person and via Zoom. We have an excellent group of guest speakers and a strong CME component.

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

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

Section of Respiratory Medicine

AMA Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship: Apply by August 31

Know a resident physician training in respiratory medicine? Applications for the AMA Respiratory Medicine Travel Scholarship close August 31, 2026.

The Section of Respiratory Medicine established this scholarship to support trainees travelling, particularly internationally, to complete electives focused on observing and learning unique skills within respirology. Between one and three scholarships in an amount of up to $3,000 CAD per scholarship will be awarded annually.

Eligibility criteria

Active, current AMA member
Member of the AMA Section of Respiratory Medicine
Trainee in respiratory medicine
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
Provide one reference from either a current or former preceptor

Residents interested in applying can find full eligibility details and the application form on the AMA website.

How you can help

Encourage eligible colleagues to apply — and to join the section if they are not already members.

To reach the Section of Respiratory Medicine President, Dr. Eric Leung, please email AMA Section Services.

Section of Rural Medicine

Executive call for nominations now closed
The call for nominations for the Section of Rural Medicine (SRM) Executive closed on July 27 at 4 p.m. The SRM Nominating Committee will announce the results in the coming days. Please visit the AMA SRM web page for the results.

Save the date – SRM AGM virtual meeting will be held on October 8

To learn more about the Section of Rural Medicine, visit the AMA SRM web page.

Please contact RuralMedicine @albertadoctors.org with any questions.

Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Section updates
The Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine would like to welcome the following new members to the executive team:

Joining as Secretary is Dr. David Reid, one of the founders of sports medicine in Canada. We welcome his extensive experience to our section.
Joining the executive as President-Elect is Dr. Chris Beavington, who is serving on the executive for the first time. He recently was awarded community physician of the year with the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. We welcome him to the team!
We would also like to thank Dr. Matt McIsaac for his four years of service as President of the section. Dr. McIsaac will continue as Past President of the section. Thank you so much for all your efforts and advocacy for the section.
Dr. Roman Tulis has completed his fifth term as Secretary. We thank him for staying the course for many years; Dr. Tulis will now have a little more time for family matters.
Continuing to serve for her fifth term as Treasurer is Dr. Olesia Markevych. We thank her for her ongoing dedication and due diligence.

We have three new graduates of enhanced skills sport and exercise medicine programs: Dr. Dave Abundo (University of Calgary) and Drs. Stephanie Grossi and Cassie Warbeck (University of Alberta). Dr. Grossi will be returning to her home in Winnipeg to practice sports medicine, while Dr. Abundo and Dr. Warbeck will be remaining in Alberta.

SEM Rounds: Our first Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine virtual rounds session is scheduled for September 17 at 6 p.m. Further information will be communicated to section members later.

To reach the Section of Sport and Exercise Medicine President, Dr. Teresa De Freitas, 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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