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. 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. 24, 11:00am – 12:00pm MT: The next Big IDEAS about Health Data, presented by the Health Data Research Network Canada, is Quantifiable Indigenous Concepts: Increasing Precision of Population Analysis by Including “Indian Act” Legislation. The presenter will introduce seven Quantifiable Indigenous Concepts (QICs) developed from Canada’s 2021 Census of Population and explores how they can strengthen the way Indigenous populations are identified, disaggregated and analyzed. Details and registration here

  • Sept. 25, 1:00 – 4:00pm MT: Drop by the UCalgary Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Office (SGBVP+SO) Open House at MacEwan Student Centre.  Meet the team, see the new SGBVP+SO space and write a message of support for anyone who has experienced sexual and gender-based violence. Details here

    Articles and Resources:

  • A new Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences report presents the findings of a comprehensive Canada-wide survey of Jewish postsecondary students on their experiences of all forms of antisemitism. The report details hundreds of experiences of antisemitism reported by Jewish students and highlights the impact these experiences have on Jewish students’ sense of safety and belonging within university communities.

  • 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.

  • A recent article in JAMA Network looked at the Mental Health of Youths Who Use Puberty Blockers. The study found that puberty blocker prescription was associated with partial attenuation of mental health disparities for transgender youths, suggesting mental health benefits.

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • The Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) recently hosted a webinar, Defining Gender-Based Violence with 2S/LGBTQIA+ Communities that shared key findings from a BC study, exploring how 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities define and experience gender-based violence (GBV). The webinar highlighted how definitions and understandings of GBV are often limited within mainstream frameworks and may not fully reflect the lived realities of 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities.

  • The Health Data Research Network Canada has launched a free, open-source online curriculum designed to help researchers, data professionals, community partners and organizations better understand how systemic oppression shapes the collection, access and use of health data. The IDEA Unlearning Club curriculum explores topics such as racism, privilege and oppression, and connects these concepts to the health administrative data lifecycle. Through self-paced online modules and short explainer videos, participants examine how historical and systemic inequities can influence data practices — and how those practices can be improved by incorporating IDEA.

     

     

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.