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:

  • Apr. 30, 10:00 – 11:00am MT: The next session of AAMC’s IDEAS Learning Series is Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Medical Students and Residents with Disabilities. In this webinar, learners with disabilities will discuss their experiences applying to and entering medical school and residency, ways they have found support and mentorship at their institutions, challenges they have faced on their journeys, and their work and leadership enhancing genuine disability access and inclusion in medicine.

  • May 1, 1:00 – 2:00pm MT:  The Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada (AFMC) presents their next Wellbeing Matters Webinar, How Does Culture Change Happen: The Theory of Change, presented by Dr. Marcia Anderson. This webinar will explore how leadership needs to evolve to promote culture change in academic medicine. 

    Articles and resources:

  • The latest edition of a podcast series created by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada - Ottawa branch discusses Trailblazing Women in Canadian Medicine (1812 – 1949).
    Listen here

  • The latest blog post of the Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. discusses Pretendians and the Indian Act, and the impacts and harms caused by identity fraudsters, including in academia. For a more extensive report, see the USask report on Indigenous Identity Fraud by Jean Teillet.

  • Dalhousie Medical School’s Disability in Medical Education group has developed an online guide, Am I Ableist? Disability Awareness in Healthcare. Although written for medical students, historical context and reflection activities are useful for any healthcare professional.

Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • The American Medical Association podcast series on Equity in Our DNA recently discussed Misconceptions of Race, Ancestry, and Genetics, describing the harms of race-based medicine and providing steps that health care professionals can use to adopt precision medicine. Listen here

  • The Health Data Research Network Canada has released a recording of a webinar on Going Beyond the Binary: Using Sex and Gender in Routinely Collected Data. Available here

  • A recent episode of The Weeds Podcast discussed How Racism Ages Black People, with Dr. Uché Blackstock explaining how the stress of racism ages Black people’s bodies at a faster rate. Listen here

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. They have numerous COVID-19 physician wellness services. Well Doc Alberta also provides newsletters, support services, and a literature corner.

Well Doc Alberta hosts a physcian wellness podcast series. The EZMSA Vice-President, Dr. Cheryl Mack, is featured with Dr. Eric Wasylenko in Ep. 7 on “Physician Wellness through an Ethical Lens”.

Alberta Health Services
AHS also has resources available for medical staff. Every second Tuesday they host “AHS Physician Wellness during COVID-19” from 5-6pm via zoom. Registration is available on their website link above. This meeting is hosted by EZMSA Treasurer, Dr. Jennine Wismark, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Physician Wellness and Development at Covenant Health, and Dr. Debrah Wirtzfeld, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Diversity and Wellness at AHS.

AHS provides general resources by clicking the link above and MDwellness@ahs.ca as a contact.

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.

They have released a new podcast featuring physicians, learners, and leaders about what being a “healthy” physician means, the barriers that still exist, and the people, programs, and projects that are helping medical professionals stay well.

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.

The CCYYC recently released a one pager including some important statistics about the collective and feedback from those who have accessed their 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.