Meet Melanie Hnatiuk, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Melanie is a family physician practicing at the South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic in Calgary. She currently serves as the President of the Alberta College of Family Physicians and is the Deputy Director of the Well Doc Initiative, where she works to advance physician wellness across Alberta and throughout Canada. Melanie is also the Faculty Wellness Lead and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary and joined the PFSP in 2023.
Deeply committed to purpose-driven leadership and the health of the profession, Melanie brings compassion and authenticity into her work—whether she’s caring for patients, mentoring learners, or supporting colleagues.
Outside of medicine, she’s a proud mom of three and finds her own wellness in the quiet beauty of Fish Creek Park, where she loves spending time outdoors with her family.
What inspired you to become a PFSP Assessment Physician?
We are so lucky in Alberta to have the PFSP program. I love that every physician or family member who calls the line has the opportunity to speak with a physician about their experience. I have personally found benefit from this peer support in the past, and I was inspired to want to provide this same support to others.
What expectations did you have going into this role, and which of those expectations have been realized?
Going into this role, I expected to hear about burnout and other forms of occupational distress that physicians experience, and I definitely hear stories about occupational distress every day I am on call. And of course, physicians are human too and experience the wide range of experiences that every human has. I have been surprised at how much physicians are often carrying in addition to their work-related stressors, whether it be parenting challenges, grief, medical issues, or a host of other life circumstances.
What has surprised you most about the role when providing peer support?
When I take calls for peer support, I am reminded continuously of how incredibly resilient physicians are, often managing complex and challenging personal situations on top of a very busy work life.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your role as an Assessment Physician?
I love that we are beginning to shift the culture of medicine in Alberta and making it the norm for physicians to seek help when needed. It is so satisfying to hear a physician who calls the line say that a colleague found benefit from our support at PFSP and encouraged them to call as well.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being an Assessment Physician?
It is such a privilege to hear people's stories. Sometimes those stories are heartbreaking. In my own journey, I have realized how important it is for me to take care of myself so that I am able to continue to provide others with the support they deserve.
What are some key lessons you have learned when providing peer support as a PFSP Assessment Physician?
One lesson I have learned:
Physicians will often say something along the lines of "I have been meaning to call for a long time." Asking for help is often not easy for physicians, but I find that once physicians reach out, they realize the process is easier than they expected. I encourage reaching out earlier rather than later if you can.
What peer support advice would you share with AB physicians about caring for their wellness?
As physicians, we learn to put our needs last and prioritize the needs of others. Our schedules are often hectic, managing work and possibly family or other commitments. Our well-being is important, and it is so important that we care for ourselves in order to be able to care for others. It can seem impossible to make time for self-care, counselling, or even making a call for peer support, but I encourage people to start small by finding ways to prioritize their well-being. Reaching out to the PFSP for peer support and potential connection to counselling can be a great first step.
Please share a quote/statement that best describes your experience when providing peer support as a PFSP Assessment Physician.
As a PFSP Assessment Physician, I have the privilege of walking alongside colleagues as they face life challenges, offering a safe and confidential space where physicians and their families can feel heard and supported with compassion, understanding, and a connection to resources to support their well-being.