ZONE NEWS

Scroll down to view a collection of updates, news and upcoming events relevant to physicians across Alberta.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Wellness

For more, follow on X (formerly Twitter): 
@CSM_PESJO

Online events, webinars, courses and conferences:

  • The Health Data Research Network Canada is recruiting new members for its Public Advisory Council, to help ensure health data initiatives reflect the needs of diverse communities across Canada. Details and application form here, deadline is April 30.

  • Apr. 21:  Health Data Research Network Canada’s 4th annual public forum, Health Data for All of Us: Our Health Data Journey, takes place in person (Ottawa) and online. The forum will explore key ethical, equity and privacy challenges related to how our personal data move through the health system.

  • May 5 – June 5: Academic staff at UCalgary are invited to join a free introductory course on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility, hosted by the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. The online, asynchronous course will focus on teaching and learning within the post-secondary environment, with participants reflecting on their own positionality and its impact within the classroom. More details and registration here

  • June 11-13: The Canadian Women in Medicine Conference takes place in Winnipeg. This accredited conference is the largest gathering of women physicians in North America, and includes inspiring keynote addresses and workshops, social gatherings, and networking opportunities.

Articles and Resources:

  • The author of The Meritocracy Paradox, Emilio J. Castilla, discusses in this interview the strengths and limitations of meritocracy, how meritocracy goes wrong, the state of merit-based evaluation practices today, and how more equitable managing strategies can be implemented.

  • UCalgary’s Continuing Education has designed a Towards Truth and Reconciliation Certificate for individuals who want to integrate Indigenous perspectives into their work in respectful, informed, and practical ways. Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and connecting, this series of virtual courses support learners in applying reconciliation principles to organizational policies, processes, recruitment and retention strategies, and community engagement. UCalgary staff can use their tuition credits to attend these courses.

  • Statistics Canada looked at health-adjusted life expectancy, a measure of both longevity and health status, of Canadians and found that females live longer but spend more years in poor health than males. Data also showed socioeconomic disparities, with those in higher income quintiles generally living longer in good health compared with those in lower incomes quintiles.

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • The recording of UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement recent webinar, Is Reconciliation Dead?  by Dr. Terry Poucette is available for viewing.  This is the first of the OIE’s 2026 Indigenous Knowledge Lecture Series.

  • The Continuing Education department at the University of Alberta is offering free registration until Feb. 28 for an asynchronous micro-course, Black Canadians: History, Presence, and Anti-Racist Futures. The 8-hour course explores some of the major histories, migrations, artists and activists that have contributed to the presence and survival of Black people in Canada.

  • A recent episode of the All My Relations podcast focused on Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Collective Rights & Responsibility. It explores data sovereignty as a collective responsibility, highlighting how Indigenous communities can resist exploitative data systems and advocate for sovereignty through tangible actions like data infrastructure, legislation, and culturally grounded frameworks to protect stories, lands, and communities.

     

     

     

Physician Wellness

Resources available to support you in your wellness:

Well Doc Alberta
Well Doc Alberta is an initiative aimed at advancing a collaborative, co-operative, pan-provincial approach to physician wellness. Their work, focused on education and prevention, is supported by the science of physician wellness and driven by need. Well Doc works with physicians at the grassroots level and with leadership to grow capacity, empower change, shift culture, and achieve their vision of “Shaping the future of physician wellness, together.”

Alberta Medical Association Physician & Family Support Program
The AMA's Physician and Family Support Program provides confidential support and help with personal health issues and enhances the quality of patient care and public safety by promoting health and well-being for the medical profession that cares for all Albertans. More resources are posted on the AMA website link above.

Their phone line is available for you at any time:
1.877.SOS.4MDS (767.4637)
International: 403.930.0529 (you may call collect)
CONFIDENTIAL 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year

Canadian Medical Association Physician Wellness Hub
This Hub provides reliable wellness tools and resources to empower physicians, medical learners and leaders to create change in the culture of medicine.

Community Collect YYC
Community Connect YYC is a collaborative of Calgary-based agencies committed to helping community members quickly and easily access mental health and other social support services.

Vital Signs

Vital Signs began in 1996 as a black-and-white stapled newsletter. It evolved over the years, eventually becoming a sleek and modern digital magazine until it was discontinued in 2020. To learn more about the history of Vital Signs and those who helped create it over the years, take a look at the final issue.

Archives
Click on links below to view each year's issues in pdf format.