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. 5, 12:15 – 1:00pm MT: A ceremony commemorating the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, (Dec. 6) will take place on main campus in the Engineering Building atrium. On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 young students were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal because they were women. Honour the victims by wearing a white ribbon and observing a moment of silence at 11:00am. A livestream of the ceremony will be available for anyone unable to attend in-person. Details here
Dec. 10, 12:00 – 1:30pm MT: The Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA) presents a webinar on From Allies to Actors: Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Justice. The speaker will connect the research on masculinities to real‑world practice – youth programs, educator training, and workplace interventions – and show how these efforts reduce harm, strengthen relationships, and improve wellbeing. Details and registration here
Dec. 11, 11:00am – 12:30pm MT: The CIHR is hosting a webinar to support participants with the requirements of the funding opportunity Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Through Research. This grant is made available to projects that advance, strengthen, and enhance inter-disciplinary, high-impact, and community-engaged health research that addresses the health priorities of 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities in Canada. Webinar details here and register interest for the funding opportunity by Feb. 11, 2026.
Articles and Resources:
Two researchers at Western University are seeking people involved in medical education research with a focus or interest in EDI to participate in a research study, Measuring the Shifting Temperature of EDI Research in Medical Education: An Exploration of the Experience for EDI Researchers in the Current Sociocultural Climate. Click here if you are interested in participating by completing an anonymous online survey that will ask questions related to your experiences with publishing, funding, institutional support, and sociopolitical pressures impacting EDI-related scholarship.
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative has a suite of resources and strategies to help website managers make their websites more accessible to people with disabilities and create a better experience for all users. W3C also has a free online course, Introduction to Web Accessibility, for anyone interested in making their digital technology more accessibility.
A recent health report on the Statistics Canada website discusses Who Is Reaching Out for Help? Examining Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Health Supports Among Girls and Young Women in Canada.
Recordings of recent webinars, podcasts and presentations:
A recording of a recent webinar, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) in Health Professions Education: Implications for Health Learning Systems and Public Health, hosted by the CSM Department of Community Health Sciences and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health and presented by Dr. Aliya Kassam explores how the individual, programmatic, systemic and structural influences in health professions education can assist in the culture change of higher education institutions and healthcare services alike.
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.