Thank you for the past 12 months

Dear Members, 
 
Well, that was a year. A year of chaos, achievements and setbacks. Health care in Alberta is in a state of upheaval and patients are the ones paying the biggest price. As I reflect on this past year the one thing that remained consistently stable was you, the AMA membership. You have shown up every single day tirelessly caring and advocating for Albertans. It has been a true honour to serve as your AMA president. 
 
Another year has come and gone and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by what still lies ahead, but as I stated in my first letter and will say in my last, we will not walk away. This year, there were many instances of AMA perseverance and success and I believe these accomplishments should be acknowledged.  
 
It would be hard not to start with the PCPCM and the tireless work to make it reality. Family physicians can now get compensated for their unique line of work and we are already seeing practices stabilizing. We can only hope the momentum will grow as students and residents see this as a rewarding and sustainable career. 
 
Turning to acute care, we chipped away and achieved a Stipend Working Group report which can be pivotal in implementing parts of the AMA Acute Care Stabilization proposal. Working groups are forming to deliver modern ARPs, incentives for after-hours care are on the horizon and stipend models will soon have viable replacement options.  
 
Market Rate Review was another success. By challenging codes with government and engaging AMA sections we have come out ahead. I am confident in the strategy of the negotiations team and their ongoing work on your behalf. 
 
In terms of public advocacy this year, AMA has become a strong voice filling the large void in Alberta’s public health. The amount of media engagements I took on this past year has shown me the essential role that we all must play in education and advocacy. Alongside media work, the AMA Informed Reform advertising campaign has grown the PatientsFirst.ca community to over 66,000 Albertans who are active in pushing for better care in the province. The momentum is strong and continues to grow. 
 
Unfortunately, we are still witnessing the dismantling and reorganization of our system: four pillars, four health ministers, four agencies, seven corridors and the list goes on. Yet we see no integration, nor a functional plan. In this time the AMA has seamlessly pivoted, reorganized and is ready to work ensuring that patients don’t fall through the gaps and get the care they need. 
 
It has truly been an honour and privilege to serve as the President of the AMA. Thank you to all the AMA members, staff and my colleagues for your support, encouragement and kind words these past 12 months. 
 
Sincerely,

Shelley Duggan, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association