September 28, 2023

In this issue:

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• 2023-24 AMA membership: United for the health of the profession

• AMA staff announcements: Service milestones and retirement

• Family physicians needed for Caregiver-Centered Care: Physician Education Advisory

• Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

• MD Financial Management

  • Meet Dr. Franco Rizzuti, AHS medical health officer and member of the MD Physician Council

• Community Connections
  • Call for Abstracts - Pediatric Academic Societies

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In honour of survivors, their families and communities, we hope you join us in reflecting on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, and what you can do to achieve mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Please note the AMA offices and phone lines will be closed Monday, October 2 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, October 3.

First Nations life expectancy: a deeply concerning drop

Recent First Nations mortality statistics offer a stark reminder of the challenges facing Indigenous health on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In the last issue of MD Scope, the Indigenous Health Committee (IHC) of the AMA shared a resource guide for community physicians intended to help them learn more about the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Now IHC is sharing an infographic that illustrates a deeply concerning drop in First Nations life expectancy.

As Dr. Cara Bablitz, chair of IHC, explains, “It is difficult to believe that this is the reality we are facing in Canada in 2023. Life expectancy for First Nations males is 18 years less than non-First Nations males and is similar to what we saw for Canadian life expectancy during the 1930s. It's unfathomable and unacceptable that this gap continues to increase.”

Zoom presentation on October 1: Indigenous Health in Alberta with Dr. Esther Tailfeathers

Dr. Tailfeathers will address the current situation of Indigenous health in the province and measures that were taken prior to her resignation of the Indigenous Wellness Core. She will elaborate on the importance of including Indigenous voices in the decision-making process as opposed to political decision making from non-informed politicians.

The 2023-24 membership year begins October 1 and membership renewal is now open.

A year ago, we were still in negotiations with government. While we now have an agreement and our day-to-day working relationship with government has improved, there are still many urgent issues that need to be addressed.

Our health care system is in trouble. How we respond as a profession is important. To be effective, we must remain united. We must rely on one another – on our individual and collective expertise and dedication. There will be opportunities ahead, and we’ll get further together.

Your association remains committed to serving you and we thank you in advance for renewing your membership. Your support is critical.

Questions?

If you have any questions about AMA membership, please contact Jennifer McCombe, AMA Membership and Benefits Team Leader: 780-732-3359 |toll-free 1-800-272-9680 | email jennifer.mccombe@albertadoctors.org.

AMA staff announcements: Service milestones and retirement

We are congratulating three AMA staff members who, over the last year, reached a significant service milestone. Additionally, we are celebrating the retirement of two long-term AMA employees.

We are proud to congratulate these employees on their significant years of service to the AMA and our members:

25 years of service

• Nella Papaianni (Manager, Family Medicine Liaison, ACTT) will celebrate 25 years of service on November 16.

30 years of service

• Gavin Bray (Senior Systems Analyst, Information Systems) celebrated 30 years of service on April 16.
• Deanna Longmuir (Membership and Benefits Administrator, Finance and Member Services) will celebrate 30 years of service on October 13.

Retiring from the AMA

We would like to announce that Glenn McAthey, Director, ADIUM Insurance Services will be retiring on September 30, 2023.

Throughout his 31 years with the AMA, Glenn has continued to expand and improve the insurance product offerings available to members through ADIUM Insurance Services, the AMA Health Benefit Trust Fund, and through our endorsement arrangements with TD Insurance and Westland MyGroup Insurance Services. He has been a national leader in our longstanding alliance with MD Management and Bank of Nova Scotia that has further extended members’ access to wealth management and banking services. His thoughtful, compassionate leadership will be greatly missed by his team, staff and members. We truly wish Glenn the best in his well-earned retirement.

As previously announced, AMA Executive Director Mike Gormley is retiring from the AMA after thirty years of service. His last day as AMA Executive Director will be September 30, 2023. Mike has built a solid reputation for his vision, leadership and innovation; he will be greatly missed personally and professionally. You can read the full announcement in the September 14 edition of MD Scope.
 

Family physicians needed for Caregiver-Centered Care: Physician Education Advisory

This will be a short-term commitment to participate in up to six one-hour virtual co-design meetings to be held from November 2023 - May 2024. An honorarium is offered to participants ($75/meeting attended).

The Physician Education Advisory serves as a consultative body to provide insights, advice and recommendations to inform the design and development of caregiver-centered care physician education and a navigational resource for primary care to support person-centered care for family caregivers. The advisory stakeholders will be comprised of physicians, health care leaders and family caregivers working together by actively sharing their expertise to enhance quality care delivery.

If you are interested in participating or would like additional information about this opportunity, please contact Glenda Tarnowski: tarnows1@ualberta.ca before October 16.

The first meeting of the Physician Education Advisory is scheduled for November 2, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

Applications due December 29, 2023.

The CMA Nominations Committee is seeking to fill vacancies for positions on the CMA Board of Directors, Audit and Finance Committee, Awards Committee, Committee on Ethics and Nominations Committee, as well as the vice chair of the Annual General Meeting. Terms will begin in 2024. Alberta-eligible roles include:

CMA Board of Directors

• Medical student director (one-year term, renewable twice)

Audit and Finance Committee

• Member at large (three-year term, renewable once)

Awards Committee

• Member at large (three-year term, renewable once)

Committee on Ethics

• Member from Alberta (three-year term, renewable once)

Nominations Committee

• Medical resident member (one-year term, renewable twice)
• Alberta member (three-year term, renewable once)​​​​​

Annual General Meeting

• Vice-chair (three-year term, renewable once)

Find out more about each position and apply: CMA Nominations and Elections

Meet Dr. Franco Rizzuti, AHS medical health officer and member of the MD Physician Council

Dr. Franco Rizzuti is a native Calgarian and a proud alumnus of the University of Calgary, where he studied molecular biology and neuroscience and earned his MD. After completing graduate studies in physician leadership and postgraduate training, Dr. Rizzuti pursued public health to address system issues and solve bigger, more vexing problems.

The MD Physician Council is a diverse group of physicians who collaborate with MD Financial Management to improve products and services for physicians at all career stages. Dr. Rizzuti joined the MD Physician Council and brings his experiences and insights, shares perspectives from the field and co-creates solutions toward greater financial literacy and wellness among physicians.

Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Call for Abstracts - Pediatric Academic Societies

The Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) is calling for scientific abstracts for its May 2-6, 2024 meeting. The PAS Meeting connects leading pediatric researchers and other health care providers to advance scientific discovery and promote innovation in child and adolescent health. Learn about topic areas and more on the event website.

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.

Reminders

CMA Awards: Nominate in one-step

AMA committee openings closing soon:

Committee on Achievement Awards - apply by October 31.

Upcoming events

PFSP: Changing your Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion

October 18

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Social Media 201

October 11

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 201

November 16

1-4 p.m.
 

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

Below are special dates deserving recognition:

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

September 30

October:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

World Mental Health Day October 10

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Nocturia

- Should I invest in a TFSA or leave excess funds in my corporation?

In the September 28
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More from the AMA

© 2023 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.
 

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.
 

Our mailing address is:
12230 106 Ave NW
Edmonton AB T5N 3Z1
Canada

   Canada Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) - AMA compliance statement