ZONE NEWS
Scroll down to view a collection of updates, news and upcoming events relevant to physicians across Alberta.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Wellness
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@CSM_PESJO
Online events, webinars, courses and conferences:
Aug. 13, 9:00am – 2:00pm MT: UCalgary is hosting Collaborations for Change, a virtual conference connecting research and practice in post-secondary mental health and well-being. Registrants will have the opportunity to attend keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops, and connect with post-secondary mental health and well-being professionals and community leaders.
Aug. 19, 1:00 – 4:00pm MT: You are invited to join a workshop for the UDesign Justice Initiative, an emerging hub for equity-focused design, community-led research, and justice-driven education. Hosted by UCalgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, the UDJI aims to reimagine the built environment so that it serves everyone. This workshop is open to community members, students, faculty, planners, housing advocates, health practitioners, and anyone passionate about creating more equitable and inclusive spaces. No prior experience is required. More details here
Aug. 25, 12:00 – 1:00pm MT: The 2025 UCalgary Pride Flag Raising Ceremony takes place at the south entrance of main campus. All are welcome to register to attend to watch the flag-raising, listen to music, partake in treats, and help leadership representatives launch Pride Week 2025 in a meaningful way. Details and registration here
Articles and resources:
Two recent articles were recently co-authored by members of the UCalgary campus community:
Why employees hesitate to disclose mental health concerns – and what employers can do about it in The Conversation provides ways in which a workplace can support mental health disclosure and how a supportive environment has an impact on decreased absenteeism.
Pluralism is Canada’s national identity and inheritance in the Calgary Herald celebrating Canada Day makes a case for individual and institutional leadership across sectors to embrace pluralism and build a country that celebrates its differences and collective commitment to its people.
Statistics Canada recently released Softening the Blow of Discrimination: The Role of Social Connections In Mitigating the Harms Associated with Racism and Discrimination. This report examines the self-reported experiences of discrimination against racialized people in Canada, the prevalence and nature of discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and the relationship of discrimination with wellbeing and perceptions of Canadian society. Highlighting the impact of discrimination, the rate of fair or poor mental health was almost double among racialized Canadians who faced discrimination (24%), compared to other racialized Canadians (13%).
Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:
A new Canadian podcast, The Fifth Wave: Curing the Healthcare Bias against Women, has launched to bring to light the profound and often dangerous consequences the gap in women’s health and research has had on women. Check out the first episode, “Invisible Women”, featuring the book of the same name by Caroline Criado Perez and the second episode, “Science for Men AND Women”.
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health Voices from the Field Podcast recently discussed Gone South: The Over-reliance on Medical Transportation and its Impact on Inuit Health and Well-being. It discusses how Inuit are often transported to southern Canadian cities to access health care and describes the repercussions of this practice on the health and well-being of the patients and their families.
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.