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:

  • Mar. 30, 11:30am – 12:30pm MT: Faculty members, learners, and staff at Foothills campus are invited to drop in at a Multicultural Event in the HRIC Atrium.  Experience a rich mix of traditions through food, and interactive booths representing diverse communities. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and appreciate the cultural diversity within our community!

  • Apr. 2, 1:30pm MT:  All professionals, students, and members of the community are invited to an online webinar, Indigenous Mental Health, hosted by the University of Regina. Dr. Holly Graham will discuss Indigenous mental health in rural and remote areas. Details and registration here

  • Apr. 9, 12:00 – 1:00pm MT:  Join the One Child Every Child Equitable Pathways Reading Group as they discuss Working Together: Practicing the Science of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Mikki Hebl and Eden King, once a month until June 11. Join in person or online. More details and registration here

  • Apr. 21:  Health Data Research Network Canada’s 4th annual public forum, Health Data for All of Us: Our Health Data Journey, takes place in person (Ottawa) and online. The forum will explore key ethical, equity and privacy challenges related to how our personal data move through the health system.

Articles and Resources:

  • A recent article in The Lancet addressed structural ableism faced by physicians with disabilities, and how the Ottawa Hospital now has policies in place related to workplace accommodations.  Check out Being Human: Ableism, Advocacy, and Strengthening Medicine by Michael J Quon.

  • The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) blog addressed the Myth of Reverse Racism, discussing how the idea of reverse racism is problematic and harmful, and discusses the role of allies and accomplices in moving equity and social justice forward. The article also highlights a comedic video discussing reverse racism and what it might look like.

  • Statistics Canada looked at health-adjusted life expectancy, a measure of both longevity and health status, of Canadians and found that females live longer but spend more years in poor health than males. Data also showed socioeconomic disparities, with those in higher income quintiles generally living longer in good health compared with those in lower incomes quintiles.

    Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:

  • A recent episode of Lime, Listen & Learn: The People Leadership Lounge involved the host, Abbiola Ballah, speaking with Minette Norman, author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader, about the pressure to change how we talk about inclusion and what it means to keep leading with it even when the name changes.

  • The Continuing Education department at the University of Alberta is offering free registration until Feb. 28 for an asynchronous micro-course, Black Canadians: History, Presence, and Anti-Racist Futures. The 8-hour course explores some of the major histories, migrations, artists and activists that have contributed to the presence and survival of Black people in Canada.

  • A recent episode of the All My Relations podcast focused on Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Collective Rights & Responsibility. It explores data sovereignty as a collective responsibility, highlighting how Indigenous communities can resist exploitative data systems and advocate for sovereignty through tangible actions like data infrastructure, legislation, and culturally grounded frameworks to protect stories, lands, and communities.

     

     

     

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.