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:

  • Sept. 17, 11:00am – 12:30pm MT:  Join a free virtual tour of the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School to help gain context and awareness of the reality of the lived experiences of Indigenous children at residential schools. The webinar provides the background of the institution over its 140-year history, shows different rooms in the school and includes interviews from five Survivors of the Mohawk Institute. Register here

  • Sept. 23, 4:00 – 5:15pm MT: Everyone is welcome to attend the 2026 Guenter Lecture, From Classroom to Community: Imprinting Social Accountability in Medical Education in Nepal and Beyond, either in person at Foothills campus or online.  Details and registration here

  • Sept. 29, 8:00am – 6:00pm MT: The CSM Office of Planetary Health is hosting Planetary Health Day 2026, a day of keynote presentations, clinical panels, and interactive sessions connecting climate, health, and community. Register to attend in-person at Foothills Campus (including complimentary lunch and reception) or online.

    Articles and Resources:

  • Think that only humans can form biases and stereotypes?  Researchers at Princeton University and the University of Chicago conducted a simulated hiring game with four fictional ethnic groups using large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The models began segregating candidates from different groups into different jobs based on early observations of hiring outcomes. This is an important consideration as companies increasingly use LLMs for things like screening resumes.

  • University Affairs recently published an article, EDI in Admissions and Hiring: The Case in Favour, written by Dr. Malinda Smith, UCalgary’s Associate Vice President (Research-EDI), descripting how incorporating equity principles in selection, recruitment, and hiring strengthens excellence within universities.

  • The UN Human Rights recently released Navigating the Pushback against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Business and Human Rights Analysis. This brief examines recent trends and debates relating to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the corporate world, through a business and human rights perspective. It looks at real-life consequences of DEI reversals and showcases good practices of companies that have remained committed to EDI.

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • The Docs With Disabilities Podcast has released a three-part series that examines the consequential decisions that disabled healthcare providers make about whether, when, and how to disclose a disability. Episode One focuses on the Decision to Disclose. Episode Two discusses Medical Culture, Stigma, and What Prevents Disclosure. Episode Three looks at Creating the Conditions for Disclosure.

  • Late in ‘88 is a podcast hosted by Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda, two friends from grade school who share their experiences of growing up queer and gender non-conforming in Calgary in the 1980s and ‘90s. The podcast series hosts special guests and experts including grade school classmates, curriculum professors, clinical psychologists, and experts in their fields.

     

     

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.