November 7, 2025
Dear Members,
The AMA’s mission is clear: Advocate for and support Alberta physicians. Strengthen their leadership in delivering sustainable, quality care.
This mission was top of mind as I reviewed new public opinion polling we commissioned. One slide stood out — it captured the deep trust and alignment between Albertans and their physicians. It’s a powerful reminder that the values we hold are shared by the people we serve.
Every year and every day, members and your association have advocated for these things. Recent examples include:
- Access and wait times — highlighted in our widely read and highly regarded Report Card on the State of Health Care.
- Physician wellness — through the Physician and Family Support Program and work on alternative payment models to address administrative burden or align care delivery with needs of different patient populations.
- Fighting misinformaton — including high-profile COVID vaccine promotion and policy discussion.
- Mental health care — advocacy around pediatric mental health over several years, with a new focus on adult acute care and general psychiatry coming soon.
- Care for older adults — via our Safety Net for Continuing Care initiative.
I could go on down the list, but highlighting what we have done is not about self-congratulation. There is always more to do. In my general internal medicine practice, in the many physician meetings I attend, in the letters you send me or even as I review news coverage (do you subscribe to News for Docs?), it’s perfectly clear just how tough things are out there. I will continue to advocate for the things our members expect.
Amid all of the work to be done, I believe it’s important to recognize the work that has been done by all of you and that’s why I’m taking this moment to say thank you. We are collectively the AMA and as a leader in the organization, I want you to know that we see you and stand by you.
Regards,
Brian Wirzba, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association