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:

  • Mar. 4 & 5:  The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion presents a virtual UnConference on Belonging in complex times: Equity and courage at work.

  • Mar. 7, 9:15am – 4:15pm MT: The CSM O’Brien Institute is co-hosting the 2nd Annual Women’s Health Symposium at the Calgary Central Library. Celebrate International Women’s Day with expert talks on key women’s health topics, interactive exhibitor booths, and a free bagged lunch for the first 150 attendees.  Details and registration here

  • Mar. 11 – 13: The Canadian Organization for Gender and Sex Research (COGS) is hosting their 3rd International COGS Meeting in Toronto, which will bring together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the theme Sex, Gender and Health: Catalyzing Change in an Evolving World

  • 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.

Articles and Resources:

  • StatsCAN published an article, Black History Month: Celebrating diversity in Canada. This article delved into recent surveys and censuses and provide fascinating statistics about Black Canadians, including that a significant portion of Black Canadians can trace their families roots back three or more generations, and that those who emigrate to Canada have come from more than 180 countries.

  • Policy Options recently published an article on How to Combat Reconciliatory Backsliding, highlighting how some federal and provincial governments are  altering or repealing legislation and policies that were put into place to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 

  • Are you adding images to online articles or websites?  Most software automatically pops up with an opportunity to use alt text (alternative text) that enables screen readers to convey visual content to individuals with visual limitations. The article, Alt Text: What to Write, succinctly provides tips for creating alt text.

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • 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.