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:
Dec. 17, 12:00 – 1:30pm MT: The Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA) presents a webinar on Allies for Gender Equality. This presentation will introduce best practices to building allyship and accountability among men and boys. Details and registration here
Jan. 6, 9:00am – 12:00pm MT: The CSM community is invited to attend From Bystander to Upstander: Intervention Training, hosted by the Office of Faculty Development. This three-hour virtual course will prepare learners, faculty, and staff to speak up and stand up when they witness discrimination and harassment. (also offered in person on Feb. 11) Register here
Jan. 13, 3:00 – 4:00pm MT: One Child Every Child (OCEC) coordinates a hybrid (in-person at Foothills campus and Zoom) Reading Circle: Embers - One Ojibway's Meditations by Richard Wagamese. All those interested in discussing the book and Wagamese’s thoughts on feeling joy in everyday things. Also offered May 12. Register here
Articles and Resources:
JAMA Network has published a recent article on When Words Disappear—How Banning Words Imperils Health Care Communication.
The Government of Canada has a website, Inclusionary: A collection of gender-inclusive solutions, that contains a list of gendered words, along with suggestions for inclusive solutions
Proposal submissions are now being accepted for the Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching, hosted in April 2026 by the UCalgary Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. The 2026 conference theme is From Disruption to Connection: Digital Transformation in Postsecondary Education, with a great number of potential session topics, including those with an EDIA slant. More information on submitting a proposal by the Jan. 9 deadline here
Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:
The Health Data Research Network Canada’s YouTube channel has recordings of past webinars, including Data on the Social Determinants of Health, Centring Racial Equity Throughout the Data Life Cycle, and AI in Health – Ethical, Legal, Privacy & Equity Challenges.
The Docs With Disabilities Initiative podcast has a series of episodes that focus on the experiences of health care providers with disabilities by having critical conversations with the doctors, researchers, administrators, faculty, and policy makers who are working to make medicine an equal opportunity profession. There is an accompanying series, Research and Resources Rounds, where the podcasts provide an overview of the literature and resources relevant to disability inclusion in health professions education. reviewing critical commentaries and research articles in 15 minutes or less.
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.