May 2026

In this issue: Meet our new Quality Stewardship Committee | SCA redefines its mandate | Team-based Care training earns accolades | Plus more!

Championing quality care

We are proud to introduce the eight physicians who will help amplify the standards of quality care across Alberta’s health system through the AMA’s new Quality Stewardship Committee. This group will analyze anonymized data and provide evidence-informed recommendations that advance clinical best practices and contribute to a more sustainable health system. We're incredibly grateful for their time and expertise as this pivotal initiative gets underway.

  • Dr. Tae Ahn
  • Dr. Anil Joy
  • Dr. Tina Nicholson
  • Dr. Kenton Rommens
  • Dr. Elaine Bland
  • Dr. Prenilla Naidu
  • Dr. Ali Quadri
  • Dr. Marc Shaw
Meet the committee members

AMA’s Specialty Care Alliance is reinvigorating its mandate — with specialists front and centre

Specialists have been clear: a strong, unified voice matters—especially as system pressures continue to grow. That message came through loudly at the March 2026 Specialty Care Alliance (SCA) Strategic Retreat and Specialty Care Forum.
Based directly on physician feedback, the SCA is now actively redefining its governance, representation and mandate to better influence cross-sectional specialty system needs.

What we heard

  • Strong support for the SCA’s role in building a shared specialist voice
  • Clear calls for stronger legitimacy, clearer representation and more effective engagement
  • Interest in more frequent connections

What we’re working on

  • Clarifying who the SCA represents and how membership is defined
  • Strengthening executive representation
  • Improving decision making, transparency and accountability
  • Ensuring specialist input meaningfully informs AMA and system‑level advocacy

A well‑structured SCA helps ensure specialty perspectives are heard, trusted, effective and influential.

 Please send inquiries to specialtycarealliance@albertadoctors.org.

A home run for clinic teams!

AMA-ACTT’s newly launched Team-based Care Training is off to a strong start and is proving to be very popular. More than 115 learners have already registered for the series of eight short courses designed to help physicians and care teams collaborate more efficiently, communicate more effectively and reduce burnout in clinic settings.

 
Here’s what some of your colleagues are saying:


“This course shares a lot of practical tips, examples, and ideas that feel useful in day-to-day clinic life. I found the material easy to follow and believe it works for everyone on the team, from MOAs to providers. It touches on things like setting clear roles and figuring out how to handle stress or conflict when it comes up, which are things most of us deal with regularly. Overall, I think it’s something that could benefit anyone working in a clinical setting.”  – Karen McDermott Practice Facilitator, South Calgary PCN


“I felt the course was fantastic and should be taken by everyone working in primary care as part of their orientation" – course participant


This training is designed to fit your schedule, whether you take one course or all eight. Learn more, and if you haven’t already, register now!

Privacy management and security resources

Privacy Awareness Week at the start of May was a timely reminder that protecting patient information is not a one‑time focus, but an ongoing responsibility throughout the year. To support that work, the AMA offers free tools and resources to help clinics build strong privacy and security programs and ensure teams understand their responsibilities under the Health Information Act (HIA).

The Role of Primary Care in Ovarian Cancer Prevention – webinar recording available

Powered by the AMA-ACTT coLAB and presented by Ovarian Cancer Canada, this recent webinar focused on the important role primary care providers play in identifying ovarian cancer risk factors and supporting prevention efforts. If you weren’t able to attend the online event or would like to watch it again, a recording is now available here.

Dr. Amanda Brisebois

Specialist – Palliative Medicine Consultant
Edmonton

Learn about ACTT Physician Lead Dr. Amanda Brisebois, a palliative care consultant who also supports physicians and health care organizations in navigating workplace challenges, leadership development and conflict resolution.

Read Dr. Brisebois' Profile

Accelerating Change Transformation Team (ACTT)

Supporting Alberta physicians and teams to create a high-performing health system.
We're trusted, local advisors with the AMA physician benefit program, funded by the Government of Alberta. 

albertadoctors.org/actt

© 2026 Alberta Medical Association - All rights reserved

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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