Thank you for the privilege of serving you

October 5, 2023

Never has a year gone by so fast. It’s been exhilarating. It’s been exhausting at times. It has been so much more than I expected. It’s something I never would have imagined could be part of my career. It has been a privilege.

So much has happened. And yet so little.

I sometimes feel like I am on a Ferris wheel going in circles.

In this first full year under the new agreement, we were hoping for stability and improved relationships with both government and Alberta Health Services. We also knew that an election in May 2023 would be a game changer.

We of course got more change than expected. We kicked off my year as president with a provincial leadership race in the United Conservative Party, followed by an interim premier and cabinet. Then there was an election, and a newly elected premier and yet another new cabinet: Not my excuse, just my reality.

Some bad history was put to rest in this way and some people we won’t miss – and we also lost some people with whom there had been promising relationships for the profession.

Overall, though, the relationship with government seems to be getting back on the road to rebuilding and healing. There’s still a lot of room for trust. Having an agreement and formal, structured venues to bring issues and to do work makes a difference.

We have also worked collectively with the Canadian Medical Association on issues like national licensure, Indigenous health and teams-based care. We have worked with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta on national licensure and accelerated integration of international medical graduates. We have worked with AHS on physician remuneration, stipends and overhead.

But we have lost the Alberta Advantage. We used to be a destination of choice for learners, residents and practicing physicians. We had the most advanced medical home in Canada. We had people clamoring to come here as preceptors, clinicians and researchers.

This year CaRMS spaces went unmatched by the dozens. Our medical students and residents tell us that we fall to the back of the line as a training location because of ongoing instability and the perception of a hostile environment for physicians. We have insufficient preceptors in the community and academic centers.

I acknowledge all the efforts and progress that have occurred, but some of the biggest tasks still remain undone. We do not have a comprehensive and well-aligned framework for physician compensation in AHS for our colleagues. And, as everyone knows, our essential community-based family medicine practices are collapsing, with more closing, relocating or reducing their offerings every day.

Emergency rooms are overcrowded with people, underdiagnosed perhaps from COVID or those who can’t access a family physician.

We are running out of time and options.

The minister came to the Fall Representative Forum and said clearly that she had heard these concerns, that she shares them and they are working on solutions. I’m trying to take her at her word, but I would like to see some action. Optimism isn’t easy but it is the only option and I shore it up with determination.

Let’s talk about some facts.

Fact: There are no better physicians or physician leaders than there are in the membership of the Alberta Medical Association. Thank you for your membership, thank you for your service and your commitment.

Fact: We love this province and our patients and we want things to work. We will meet and work with government if they will work with and listen to us.

Fact: You have a Board of Directors who walks every step of every day with you … and shares your worries. These are physicians; these are your colleagues. It’s not a group of strangers.

Fact: You have an amazing, eloquent and unflappable colleague coming forward as your president for 2023-24 in Dr. Paul Parks. Every politician in Alberta knows him; as does every media outlet and many Albertans. You can bet he will lead the Board and take us where we need to go.

And I say “us” because I will be by his side as immediate past president and I will never stop cheering for you. We will work together and say what needs to be said.

I’d like to thank a few people for what they have done for me this year.

First of all, to the membership, I would like to thank you for your support and for your critiques. I got many, many unpleasant emails but it actually is truly quite a privilege to hear what members are thinking and saying. There is no point in being a leader if you turn around and find no one is behind you.

Thank you to the AMA Board of Directors for your wisdom and passion.

Thank you to the AMA staff for keeping me glued together and on point. Thank you to our departing Executive Director, Mike Gormley for your knowledge, experience and calming support. Thank you to our new incoming Executive Director, Athana Mentzelopoulos – we are in really competent hands.

Thank you more personally to my spouse, Eric, for being there to hold the rest of my world together and to Gecko, my support dog, for endless love and always being happy to see me no matter how many times I postponed.

Thank you to my hospital call group – Dr. Gerry Prince, Dr. Tom Mohanraj, Dr. Sally Bolstadt - for accommodating my crazy schedule.

Thank you to my medical office assistant, Miss Dolly Berg, for your endless support and encouragement. And thank you to Vera Bozunovic at the AMA for all you did. Hopefully, Paul will be less of a luddite, and it will be simpler for you.

Finally, I would like to say I hope I lowered the bar, or at least the appearance of a bar. When working on issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion, I often hear about people not applying for positions or aspiring to positions because they can’t see themselves in the role. But I can tell you truly that I never saw myself here either. And I can tell you truly that the people who admitted me to medical school never saw me here either. I took off all my jewelry, all my earrings, all my makeup. So, I want to say to everyone that you can be whatever you want to be. There are no barriers to your goals and there is no standard you need to live up to. I hope my presidency has demonstrated this.

Thank you very much for the privilege of serving you. I will truly miss it and you.