Alberta Medical Association

Stabilization on the table, three things you need to do

November 29, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In the time frame of Budget 2024, Minister LaGrange has committed to stabilization and restoration of family medicine and rural generalist care. The AMA has put the first stake in the ground with a proposal for immediate financial stabilization of primary care. The Strike Team has identified three priorities for stabilization

News coverage: Local Doctors, Local Issues

November 28, 2023

Local Doctors, Local Issues is an initiative to learn what doctors across the province think about the state of the health care system and where solutions may lie. View ongoing media coverage of AMA President Dr. Paul Parks as well as the schedule of the Alberta-wide member-only town hall meetings hosted by Dr. Parks and AMA Executive Director Athana Mentzelopoulos.

What is Primary Care?

November 23, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Yesterday we cut through the fog created by government about who provides primary care in Alberta. Our colleagues across the health care spectrum deserve respect and support. So do family physicians, who cannot be replaced by nurse practitioners. Integrated teams have been demonstrated to be the best model for primary care — evidence supports the model. It is misleading to suggest otherwise.

Moving fast to save family and rural generalist medicine practices

November 21, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In February the government will introduce its budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, and we are working to ensure that commitments made to support family medicine and rural generalists form part of the priorities that are included in that plan.

We are advocating relentlessly

November 17, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Local Doctors, Local Issues tour has allowed me to engage with hundreds of physicians across the province and I continue to be impressed by your passion and insight. Wednesday night nearly 400 members joined our virtual town hall.

Changes to lipid reporting and the LDL-C equation in Alberta

November 16, 2023

On November 5, 2023, clinical laboratories across the province made changes to lipid result reporting and the LDL-C calculation using the National Institute of Health (NIH) equation rather than Friedewald equation.

Government’s announcement today about health system reform

November 8, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You are likely already aware the government has now unveiled plans to “disaggregate” health care services in our province. This restructuring will ultimately see the establishment of four separate crown corporations responsible for various aspects of health care.

We are your voice

November 3, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Yesterday afternoon, mid-way through my provincial Local Doctors, Local Issues tour, I held a news conference to broadcast what members have told me about changes needed in our health care system.

Advocating for all members

October 30, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On October 16, I launched the province-wide Local Doctors, Local Issues tour to re-connect with members and raise awareness changes needed in the health care system.

A promise made by MOU, a virtual care announcement

October 24, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange that was referenced in last week’s release of the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS): Strategic Advisory Panel Final Report.

MAPS final report released, AMA and Alberta government to strike an MOU

October 18, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Earlier today, the Minister of Health released Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS): Strategic Advisory Panel Final Report. Many of you were involved in extensive consultations that formed the basis of this report, and we have been waiting anxiously for its release as family medicine and primary care have continued to erode in Alberta.

Apply for leadership opportunities with the CMA

October 18, 2023

The CMA Nominations Committee is seeking to fill vacancies for positions on the CMA Board of Directors, Audit and Finance Committee, Awards Committee, Committee on Ethics and Nominations Committee, as well as the vice chair of the Annual General Meeting. Applications are due December 29 and terms will begin in 2024.

Call to action

October 12, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Last week I met with Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange to discuss the ongoing crisis in family medicine and the proposal the Alberta Medical Association has submitted to address it.

The year ahead: Repairing and rebuilding

October 6, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I begin my AMA presidency, I have been thinking a lot about where things stand and the year ahead of us.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you

October 5, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This is my last President’s Letter. Tuesday evening, at the AMA’s 118th Annual General Meeting, I delivered my valedictory address with thoughts at the end of my term.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023

September 29, 2023

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In honour of survivors, their families and communities, we hope you join us in reflecting on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, and what you can do to achieve mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Please note the AMA offices and phone lines will be closed Monday, October 2 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday October 3.

RF supports next steps for Income Equity Initiative

September 28, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Fall Representative Forum marked a major milestone in terms of the AMA’s Income Equity Initiative. Delegates expressed strong support for IEI and use of the Income Equity Measure to guide AMA decision making.

Minister's announcements

September 27, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Representative Forum meeting last weekend included a candid session with Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange. The minister addressed the RF and then took questions from the delegates.

Top-up for one-time payment coming

September 18, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Progress continues toward implementing the agreement. Top-ups to the one-time recognition payments that were issued in December of 2022 will be made this week.

Lab physicians: Fair treatment and due process

September 14, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I wrote to you May 31 regarding the fact that our laboratory medicine colleagues have been without a contract for five years despite our continued efforts to advance one. Alberta Health Services agreed last May to the AMA’s proposal for arbitration and this is now scheduled to take place in November.

We have a lot to talk about

September 8, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board meets next week in final preparations for the September 22-23 Representative Forum. The RF’s guidance will be more important than ever at this time and in this environment.

2023-24 dues

August 31, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The 2023-24 annual membership renewal statements will be sent to all members next week. After five years of frozen AMA membership dues, the Board has decided to increase dues for some membership categories. This will help the AMA to continue providing support to members in these increasingly challenging times.

Lab physicians hope for stability in latest changes to lab services

August 21, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Last week, Minister LaGrange announced that Alberta Health Services has signed a memorandum of understanding with the ownership of Dynalife, which will see the private provider (Dynalife) transfer all of its staff, operations and physical locations in the province to the government-owned Alberta Precision Labs by the end of 2023.

Message to doctors evacuating NWT or northern Alberta communities

August 19, 2023

If you are a physician, resident physician or medical student evacuated from your home or practice community due to the wildfire and need a place to land in Edmonton or another community, we may be able to help.

Connect Care conversation with Alberta physicians

August 18, 2023

AHS and the AMA are inviting physicians from across Alberta to join a conversation about Connect Care.

Family medicine crisis

August 17, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This is another brief update on activity. There has been daily contact with government and AMA senior staff. There have been meetings between primary care physician leaders (Section of Family Medicine, Section of Rural Medicine, Primary Care Networks Physician Leads Executive) and the minister. All our representatives are aligned and clear on our commitment to membership and the need for urgent action to address the sustainability crisis in family medicine.

Second retroactive payment

August 16, 2023

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Alberta Health has released a bulletin regarding fee-for-service retroactive payments under the agreement.