Dr. Amanda Brisebois

Highlighting dedicated ACTT Physician Leads and their contributions to advancing health care

Dr. Amanda Brisebois

Palliative care consultant
Edmonton

I am gradually transitioning away from clinical work to focus on supporting physicians navigating differences and conflicts in the workplace through my Physician Advisor role with the Zone Medical Staff Associations. In addition, I provide private consulting across Canada, supporting physicians and healthcare organizations in navigating workplace challenges, leadership development, and conflict resolution.

What is something people may not know about you?

I have been living with multiple sclerosis since 2008, and adapting my career around a chronic illness has required significant reinvention over time. Much of that journey was self-directed and came with challenges that ultimately led me toward medical leadership and a deeper interest in how workplace dynamics affect physician wellbeing. Experiences during the pandemic, combined with navigating complex differences in leadership environments, motivated me to pursue formal training as a mediator and professional certified coach — a path that reshaped my career in meaningful ways.

On a lighter note, I am also passionate about dog training and supporting animal communities, which is a personal interest I greatly enjoy outside of medicine.

What appealed to you about becoming an APL?

My involvement with the AMA grew naturally from my work supporting physicians through workplace challenges. Becoming involved with AMA-ACTT felt like a meaningful extension of that work. Having personally invested significant time and resources into developing leadership and conflict-resolution skills, I value opportunities to help make this learning more accessible to other physicians. My hope is that sharing these experiences alongside AMA-ACTT programming helps physicians build sustainable, fulfilling workplaces without needing to navigate the same barriers independently.

What has been your favourite part about being an APL? 

One of the most rewarding experiences has been contributing to the development of a physician conflict-resolution workshop aligned with the CPSA Physician Practice Improvement Program (PIPP). Seeing practical workplace skills integrated into an existing professional requirement allowed physicians to meet organizational expectations while gaining tools that meaningfully improve day-to-day interactions. Collaborating with organizations like AMA-ACTT to disseminate this work demonstrated how structured partnerships can reduce administrative burden while supporting real learning — something I found deeply motivating and gratifying.

What are you looking forward to doing in the future as an APL?

I am particularly excited about program creation and strengthening the connection between physicians’ lived workplace experiences and the educational resources developed through AMA-ACTT. Supporting the design and dissemination of practical, skills-based programming that improves physician wellness, efficiency, and team functioning is an area I look forward to continuing to grow. I also greatly value collaborating with thoughtful, like-minded physician colleagues within the APL community.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Finding alignment between my professional passions and the AMA’s commitment to supporting physicians has been incredibly meaningful. Being part of a community working toward healthier, more sustainable healthcare workplaces makes me feel both valued and hopeful about the future of our profession.