April 27, 2023

In this issue:

• Dr. Shelley Duggan is AMA's 2023-24 President-Elect

• Join the PFSP as an assessment physician!

• UAlberta Mental Health Monologues: a memorable night for all involved

• Reminder: AMA committee openings: Online applications now being accepted

• Taking tuition down a notch: $110,500 awarded in medical student bursaries!

• MD Financial Management

  • Financial literacy podcast: Physicians and debt

• Community Connections
  • Do you prescribe antibiotics? Want to know more about antimicrobial resistance? Sign up for a CPSA focus group!

Dr. Shelley Duggan is AMA's

2023-24 President-Elect

Dr. Shelley Duggan has been acclaimed to the position of Alberta Medical Association President-Elect for 2023-24. Dr. Duggan will assume the President-Elect role at the close of the 118th AMA Fall AGM.

Join the PFSP as an assessment physician!

The AMA's Physician and Family Support Program provides confidential support and help with personal health issues and promotes health and well being for the medical profession that cares for all Albertans.

The PFSP’s main focus is running its 24/7/365 Assistance Line (1-877-767-4637). It is unique among physician health programs in that it offers every caller the option to speak with a physician colleague – i.e., an assessment physician – for peer-to-peer support. The PFSP believes this is an important element contributing to the health and sustainability of the profession and is valued by our clients.

As a contract position reporting to the PFSP Clinical and Program Co-Directors, assessment physicians offer a comprehensive discussion by telephone, peer support and referral services to physicians, residents, medical students and their families who call the PFSP Assistance Line.

Physician applicants must be licensed in Alberta, have a minimum of five years clinical experience and have a flexible schedule that can accommodate 10 or more weeks of on-call shifts per year. If you have any questions or would like to submit your CV, please email vicki.nachuk@albertadoctors.org by Monday, May 15.

UAlberta Mental Health Monologues: a memorable night for all involved

Laurier LeClair speaks to medical students at Kaffa Roaster and Studio in Edmonton during ‘Mental Health Monologues.”
 

In 2022, 15 student-run initiatives were awarded funding from the AMA Committee on Student Affairs Sponsorship Program. The University of Alberta’s "Mental Health Monologues" was one recipient of the sponsorship. Continue reading for UAlberta medical student (class of 2025) Dylan Hollman’s recount of the event.

Reminder: AMA committee openings

Online applications now being accepted

Applications are due May 15.

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill upcoming fall vacancies on the committees listed below. The terms will be October 2023 to September 2026.

• AMA Compensation Committee
• Committee on Financial Audit
• Fees Advisory Committee
• Health Issues Council

The AMA’s Nominating Committee will consider all applications at its May meeting. Its recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval in July and applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter. The AMA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its committee appointment process.

Our online application process makes it easy to apply! Visit the AMA committee recruitment web application to view the postings, committee descriptions and apply. Member login required.

Taking tuition down a notch: $110,500 awarded in medical student bursaries!

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/AMA Medical Student Bursary helps to reduce financial pressure from escalating medical school tuition fees. The boost this bursary provides helps qualified students afford to attend medical school. Since 2001, the program has awarded $2,171,500.00, and in 2023 we were fortunate to administer bursaries to 92 well-deserving medical students!

In April 2023, a total of $110,500 was awarded to medical students who qualified. 50% of the awards were given to the highest debt holders at $1,500/bursary. The other fifty percent of the awards were randomly selected and awarded $1,000/bursary.

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex/AMA Medical Student Bursary Program is made possible through a significant contribution by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex as well as donations from generous physician members.

Financial literacy podcast:

Physicians and debt

Sponsored advertisement

In this episode, Host Tanis Roadhouse and special guest Aimee King (Early Career Education Specialist) dive into the world of debt – specifically medical training debt and how to pay it off.

Community Connections

This month, the following is available for your consideration:

Do you prescribe antibiotics? Want to know more about antimicrobial resistance? Sign up for a CPSA focus group!
Share your prescribing knowledge and experiences with CPSA. Their Research & Evaluation Unit (REVU) will conduct virtual focus groups in spring/summer 2023. Physicians who have prescribed at least one antibiotic in the last quarter and have reviewed the antibiotic data in MD Snapshot-Prescribing are invited to participate.

Focus groups will take place over Zoom for approximately 60-90 minutes and participants will receive a $150 honorarium. Sessions will be recorded and transcribed for analysis, and feedback received will help inform the development and evolution of evidence-based and practical data-driven tools for physician prescribing in Alberta. CPSA also hopes to facilitate a broader discussion around antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic stewardship among Alberta physicians.

Interested? Please email revu.inquiries@cpsa.ab.ca to find out more and sign up!

This research study has been approved by the University of Alberta’s Research Ethics Board (Pro00127967).

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

Whom do you honour?

Nominations are still being accepted for the AMA Achievement Awards.

Upcoming events

ACFP Thursday Evening Webinars

April 27, May 18 & June 15

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Social Media 101

May 10 & September 20
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Social Media 201

October 11

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 101

May 17, July 12 & September 27

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 201

June 14 & 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:

May:

National Physicians' Day (May 1)

Mental Health Week

(May 1-7)

World Family Doctor Day (May 19)

National Nursing Week

(May 10-16)

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- How to prepare for Connect Care launch 6

- MD Financial - Here's what you need to know about the Silicon Valley Bank situation

In the April 27
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