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:

  • Aug. 13, 11:00am – 12:00pm MT: The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion presents a virtual workshop, Shining a Light on the Rise of Polarization in Canadian Workplaces. In this evidence-based webinar, learners will explore the ripple effects of social and political polarization in workplaces today and learn how to identify and challenge misinformation while building opportunities to develop ethical practices and critical analysis skills.  AHS is a partner with CCDI and those registering with an AHS email can attend at no cost by selecting ‘employer partner’. Details and registration here

  • The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) invite feedback on the steps taken to remove accessibility barriers since the agencies published the NSERC-SSHRC Joint Accessibility Plan for 2026-2028 on the NSERC and SSHRC websites. Input is requested on progress to date, especially from members of NSERC’s and SSHRC’s research communities who have one or more disabilities to help inform the annual accessibility progress report. Complete the confidential and anonymous survey here by EOD Aug. 16. Questions can be directed to:

  • Aug. 27, 11:00am – 12:00pm MT: The UCalgary Research Services Office EDI in Research Team and the CSM Grant Development Office is hosting a virtual workshop, Effectively Addressing EDI in the NSERC Discovery Grant.  This session is open to NSERC researchers of all career stages and will provide participants with dedicated time, guidance, and interactive peer discussion to support EDI considerations in their Fall 2026 NSERC Discovery Grant application. Details and registration here

  • Calgary Pride Week takes place from Aug. 31 - Sept. 6 and includes a variety of events, performances, and celebrations happening across the city throughout the week, culminating in the Pride Parade on Sunday, Sept. 6 - free for all to watch!

  • Oct. 29 - Nov. 2:  Registration is now open for the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) 2026 Summit: Building Our Futures, taking place in Toronto. This conference provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange focused on 2S/LGBTQIA+ health research, programming, and advocacy. Early-bird rates are available until Sept. 12.

    Articles and Resources:

  • Statistics Canada has released an overview of Police-reported Hate Crime Data from 2021 to 2025. While police-reported statistics provide important insight, they do not capture every experience of hate, as many incidents may go unreported. This overview highlights continued patterns of hate and discrimination across Canada, with race or ethnicity remaining the most common motivation, along with religion and sexual orientation. The data shows that hate continues to impact diverse communities across Canada, with notable increases in some areas, including reported hate crimes targeting the South Asian community.

  • Dr. Gregor Wolbring, faculty member in the CSM’s Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies is conducting a research project involving an anonymous online survey that explores perspectives on the utility of the concepts of Ability justice/injustice in relation to health equity/inequity. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please help this research by participating in the survey here

  • An article was recently published by CSM disability scholars on Ableism, Disablism, and other Ability Judgment terms: Mapping out the Academic Literature to support ability judgment justice research, teaching and advocacy.  

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • The SuperPsyched Podcast hosted Minette Norman, discussing The Magic Ingredient: Psychological Safety and the consequences for an organization (including healthcare errors) when people don’t feel they can ask question, make mistakes, or voice differing views without embarrassment or repercussions.

  • The latest episode of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion’s (CCDI) Leader Talks discusses Championing Disability Equity Together with Jeff Tiessen. Jeff shares how his lived experience as a double amputee has shaped his career, leadership, and commitment to disability equity.

  • The Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) recently hosted a webinar, Defining Gender-Based Violence with 2S/LGBTQIA+ Communities that shared key findings from a BC study, exploring how 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities define and experience gender-based violence (GBV). The webinar highlighted how definitions and understandings of GBV are often limited within mainstream frameworks and may not fully reflect the lived realities of 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities.

     

     

Physician Wellness

Resources available to support you in your wellness:

The Well Doc Initiative
The Well Doc Initiative (comprised of “Well Doc Alberta” and “Well Doc Canada”) is a non-profit organization that advances a collaborative, co-operative approach to physician wellness by working with interested groups and organizations across Canada. They aim to help physicians, physician groups, and healthcare system leaders embed policies, practices, and programs in their healthcare systems to proactively enhance the wellness of physicians across Canada.

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.