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:

  • July 9, 11:00am – 12:00pm MT: The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion presents a virtual workshop, Dignity and Respect for All: Creating Safer Workplaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ People. in Canada today, there has been a rise in hate-motivated acts towards Trans and Queer communities specifically, which is why it's so vital for allies to learn tools, language and skills to challenge discrimination and create dignity and safety for all.  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

  • July 22, 12:00 – 1:30pm MT:  The Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA) presents a webinar, Sextortion and Deepnudes: What You Need to Know. This webinar will explain sextortion and deepnudes, two new online harms that are on the rise, and what you can do to prevent victimization and support those who are targeted. Details and registration here

  • July 29, 12:00 – 1:00pm MT:  Join the CHI Speaker Series for the next webinar on When There Are No Answers: Building New Pathways Forward in Women’s Health.  Participant will learn about the unique challenges in women’s health and the impact of the sex and gender data gap, and gain practical strategies for moving beyond the system barriers that limit progress. Details and registration here

    Articles and Resources:

  • 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.

  • 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 UCalgary Breaking Barriers Day was held in June 2026, a gathering that explored how ableism presents in our classrooms, labs, campus, application processes, conversations, and more. Click here to watch recordings of the keynote presentations.

  • Recordings of the sessions at the Health Data Research Network Canada’s 4th annual public forum, Health Data for All of Us: Our Health Data Journey, that took place in Ottawa in April are now available for viewing. The forum explored key ethical, equity and privacy challenges related to how our personal data move through the health system.

  • The CornellU podcast recently interviewed Dr. Sarah Temkin, the maker of the documentary 1001 Cuts, which explores the everyday challenges women surgeons still face such as equipment and infrastructure not built for them. 

     

     

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.