Alberta Medical Association

The No Vote + two days

April 1, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: To avoid days of silence at an important time, I wanted to write again before what will be a short break for many.

More lab results available online for patients through My Personal Records

January 11, 2021

In 2021, Albertans will be able to view more lab test results in My Health Records (MHR), the single access point for Albertans’ personal health information. These lab results will be viewable through the My Personal Records (MPR) application. This change is being made to provide Albertans with more access to their health information, and as an additional safety net for patient care within the system.

Understanding the Federal and Provincial Governments’ Role in Health Care

January 15, 2021

The EZMSA is hosting a winter/spring speaker series with four different presentations on the topic government and health care. Events are free of charge for ZMSA members. On January 28, hear from Mr. Matt Jeneroux, Member of Parliament, who served as the federal Shadow Minister of Health from January to September 2020. The deadline to register for the January 28 presentation is January 26 at 11 p.m.

More eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine announced

April 12, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I am sure many of you have heard, Alberta Health announced that Phase 2C of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out begins today.

AMA President-Elect 2021-22: Call for Nominations

March 22, 2021

The Call for Nominations period for the 2021-22 president-elect is open. Nominations are due by 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 21.

Leveraging all we've got in the COVID fight

February 7, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Efficiently vaccinating Albertans against COVID-19 will be a monumental task that will only be accomplished with careful planning and intersectoral collaboration.

January-February 2021 Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

January 13, 2021

Highlights in this issue: Consider rural family medicine residency; Health Law Update: Cambie Surgeries Corporation vs. British Columbia (Attorney General); Student Spotlight: Pauwlina Cyca; AMA Youth Run Club pivots: Virtual Fun, Walk and Roll; Physician Wellness GOATs: Drs. Carmen Gittens and Serena Siow; Shine A Light: Drs. Bernhardt, Hemrick, Mackey and Sligl; and more!

PFSP value, staying well and the importance of advocacy

February 19, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Much like our colleagues on the frontlines everywhere, feelings of distress are common amongst physicians.

More lab results coming online for patients

January 13, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As of February 5, more lab results will be accessible to Albertans through the My Health Records (MHR) portal.

Vote on the Tentative Agreement Package

March 8, 2021

The vote for the 2020-24 Tentative Agreement Package has closed. Results will be announced March 31.

Vaccine in community clinics, a shout out to Laboratory Medicine

April 14, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I’ve written a few times about the work to involve community-based family physicians in delivery of COVID-19 vaccine.

Members voted No on Tentative Agreement Package

March 30, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The membership has voted No to the Tentative Agreement Package between the Alberta Medical Association and the provincial government. 53% of members who voted, voted no and 47% voted yes. The overall vote turnout was 59% – which is considerably higher than for recent agreements. Thank you, members, for engaging in this important vote. Results were to be released March 31, but due to some early media coverage, we are releasing them this evening.

AHS and March 31: Access for patients, fairness for physicians

January 25, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I'm sure most of you are aware, AHS has indicated that stipends for contracted services will end.

Vaccine: A forced pause, a chance for clarity

January 28, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The development of COVID-19 vaccines has brought together some of the brightest minds around the globe and made history by getting vaccines approved and to market within a year.

Update on tentative agreement status

March 3, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have received comments and questions from many members regarding a tentative agreement with government.

Are you hosting a CMA President-elect event?

January 22, 2021

Let’s keep the momentum going! Five Alberta physicians are vying for the position of CMA president in 2022–23 and candidate bios and statements of intent have been posted to the CMA website. Are you/your group planning to host a candidate event (i.e., candidate forum or town hall)? If your event is inclusive of all five candidates, we will help you promote it through the AMA’s social media channels!

Voting now open for 2022-23 CMA President-Elect from Alberta

February 12, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In 2022 an Alberta physician will become president of the Canadian Medical Association.

COVID – We must stay the course

January 7, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Last week we welcomed in 2021. While the new year often sparks feelings of hope, I met the new year with a sigh of relief that 2020 was over. There is, of course, the optimism provided by the vaccine, but it is tempered by the prospect of a long year ahead that will involve many challenges related to the ongoing pandemic. The end of the year was difficult for many of us, isolated from family, trying to carry on traditions in new ways and, for many, dealing with the financial burden the pandemic has brought to bear.

Whistleblowers, seniors care: the AMA weighs in

February 10, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In a year that in many ways has been so unusual, we sometimes forget that “the usual” continues, too.

Ratification vote will proceed: It's up to you now

March 6, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I announced in my February 26 President’s Letter, a Tentative Agreement Package has been reached with the provincial government.

Influenza Immunization Program Update

March 29, 2021

As of March 20, a total of 1,616,957 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta. Alberta Health Services Public Health have provided 215,661 doses; community pharmacists have provided 1,097,475 doses; other providers (which include AHS non–public health sites, long-term care sites, community physicians, AHS Workplace Health and Safety, Covenant Health Occupational Health and Safety and First Nation Inuit Health Branch) have provided 303,821 doses.

Indigenous health: Special issue of ADD

March 10, 2021

Have you checked out our special Indigenous Health issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest yet? The articles in this issue are written by Indigenous physicians, knowledge keepers, and academic leaders of Indigenous health initiatives and education in Alberta. To ensure that this issue thoughtfully, respectfully and authentically represents the experiences and perspectives of its contributors, we employed the services of Indigenous editor, Alicia Hibbert.

A tentative agreement with government has been reached

February 26, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As you know, discussions with government have been ongoing continuously since the Fall. I am pleased to tell you that we have reached a tentative agreement package arising from the negotiations.

Are you interested in the integration of cancer clinical care pathways in primary care?

February 23, 2021

The Enhancing Alberta Primary Care Research Networks (EnACt) research team, led by Dr. Lee Green, is conducting a qualitative research study seeking to understand how family physicians think about and approach the use of Clinical Pathways for Cancer Diagnosis in their practice.

CMA President-Elect Candidates Forum

February 2, 2021

On January 28, the Edmonton Women in Health Networking hosted an "All Candidates Forum" of the five Alberta physicians vying for the position of CMA president in 2022–23. Watch the recording.

Tentative Agreement voting closes March 30; results announced March 31

March 30, 2021

On Monday, March 8 voting opened on the Tentative Agreement Package between the AMA and government. All of the details are available on the Tentative Agreement Package web page (member login required). Voting closes Tuesday, March 30 at 4 p.m. and the results will be announced March 31.

Reporting on feedback, fixing virtual care

April 13, 2021

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I’ve appreciated all the emails and conversations since my last President’s Letter. Many of you have shared your thoughts and hopes for the future.