June 2, 2026

In this issue: 

• Share your appreciation through the JPAC Shine On Gratitude Program
• Wildfire season prep: Review your risk and coverage
• Promote your event through the AMA
• Primary Care Alberta updates:
  • Hand and wrist osteoarthritis pathway now live
  • Tobacco & nicotine patient pathway
  • Reminder: Hantavirus (Andes virus) cruise ship outbreak
  • Lab bulletins:
    • Implementation of the Revised Provincial Dermatopathology Requisition
    • Reference Interval Change: Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) 
    • Change in Performing Laboratory for Thiocyanate Testing 
    • Seasonal Suspension of Rapid Influenza and RSV NAT (PCR) 
• MD Financial 
  • AI's influence on financial advice
• Community Connections
  • Health care providers: Help strengthen cancer screening in Alberta

Share your appreciation through the JPAC

Shine On Gratitude Program

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

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

Wildfire season prep:

Review your risk and coverage

Alberta’s 2026 wildfire season is underway, with early wildfire activity and evacuation alerts reported in some areas. Dry conditions and elevated fire risk in parts of the province have prompted officials to urge residents to stay prepared.
 

The government has previously stated it does not compensate for practice disruptions due to evacuations, advising physicians to rely on personal commercial insurance. To support preparedness, the AMA has compiled insurance information for physicians. Members are encouraged to assess their risk and review their coverage.

Promote your event through the AMA

Are you hosting a webinar, conference or learning event relevant to Alberta physicians? The AMA can help you spread the word.
 

Eligible events may be featured on the AMA Webinars and Events page — a trusted, go‑to resource where physicians look for professional development opportunities, conferences and learning events across the province and beyond.
 

AMA members are invited to submit events for consideration. Submissions should be relevant to the physician community and include contact or registration information so interested participants can learn more or sign up.
 

If your event requires travel outside Alberta, please submit the details at least two weeks in advance to allow time for review.

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following updates from Primary Care Alberta (PCA) have been provided for your information: 

• Hand and wrist osteoarthritis pathway now live
• Tobacco & nicotine patient pathway
• Reminder: Hantavirus (Andes virus) cruise ship outbreak
• Lab bulletins:
  • Implementation of the Revised Provincial Dermatopathology Requisition
  • Reference Interval Change: Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) 
  • Change in Performing Laboratory for Thiocyanate Testing 
  • Seasonal Suspension of Rapid Influenza and RSV NAT (PCR) 

AI's influence on financial advice

Sponsored article

AI is starting to influence financial advice — but move with caution. Not all guidance is created equal. A performance-led portfolio may be compelling but without a financial plan behind it, it may not reflect your values, goals and priorities.

Community Connections

Health care providers: Help strengthen cancer screening in Alberta
 

Healthcare professionals’ perspectives are essential to strengthening and improving existing cancer screening programs in Alberta. Insights gathered through this project will help inform strategies to enhance screening processes, improve participation rates and reinforce the importance of early detection and positive screening outcomes for Albertans.
 

Share your perspectives on the barriers and facilitators
of cancer screening and help identify potential 
strategies to enhance screening uptake for Albertans.
 

Interested? Contact reilly.parkinson@primarycarealberta.ca

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

Considering retirement? Learn about the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan

Upcoming events

Annual update in geriatric medicine
 

Cultivating wellbeing for health professionals
 

SOGC's annual clinical and scientific conference

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

June

Brain Injury Awareness Month
 

Canadian Men's Health Month
 

World Environment Day

June 5
 

National Health and Fitness Day

June 6

Recommend a special date

Last issue's top stories

Primary Care Alberta updates
 

Optimized Prescribing with Seniors: Intercultural communication in health care

In the June 2
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More AMA publications

© 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.
 

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.
 

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