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PARA
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rofessio
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lberta
Volume 38 | Fall 2017
EXECUTIVE
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
EXPERIENCES
AWARDS
GET SOCIALRETHINKING LEARNING
WHO'S WHO
Contact Us
#340, 11044 - 82 Avenue NWEdmonton, Alberta T6G 0T2
Edmonton | (780) 432-1749 Calgary | (403) 236-4841 Toll Free | 1 (877) 375-7272 Email | [email protected]
Rob KeyChief Executive [email protected]
Tara MaddenMember Affairs [email protected]
Kiersten DoblankoCommunications [email protected]
Robin RaworthMember Services [email protected]
Ravneet SaranMember Services [email protected]
Informed about our patients’ health and innovations in medicine.
Empowered to create healthy professional working and learning environments.
Involved in shaping the future of health-care delivery in Alberta.
CONTENTS2017 - 2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
03
05
2017 - 2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD
WELL-BEING AWARD
CLINICAL TEACHING AWARD
RESIDENT PHYSICIANS OF THE MONTH
06
07
09
AT THE CCME & CCPH
PARA SOCIAL EVENTS
PARA ON INSTAGRAM
11
12
13 CCME IN WINNIPEG, MB
Getting to know the Executive Board / p03
Check out the 2016 - 2017recipients / p06
Resident Physicians at the CCME / p11
PARA-sponsored events / p12
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
3 4
Dr. Catherine Cheng, [email protected]
Psychiatry, PGY 3, University of Alberta
I see involvement with PARA as one of the most enriching aspects of residency. My most lasting memory with PARA thus far has been the executive retreat which kicked off our new academic year. The energy and passion at this retreat has been providing the fuel for the year. It was said by one of our Past Presidents that the best way to improve residency is to roll your sleeves up and get involved - I could not agree more. If you have passion for an issue, a thought that could improve health care delivery or an idea to change the way we all experience our years as resident physicians, roll up your sleeves and get involved with PARA so we can help you make it happen.
I have been involved with PARA since my first year of residency and have had incredible experiences working with the Association. I had the pleasure to be the Alberta Medical Association Ambassador and I now sit on the Resident Doctors of Canada Board.
Outside of the hospital, I enjoy camping and an expertly crafted cocktail – preferably at the same time.
President Dr. Michael Martyna, [email protected]
Dr. Bethany Ostrowerka, [email protected]
Psychiatry, PGY 3, University of Alberta My past year on the Executive has certainly been one of doing! In my role as ENAA, I have been honoured to represent resident physicians to a variety of external bodies and to develop a strong understanding of how PARA interacts within the complex structure and operation of these organizations. I have been able to develop robust connections with many stakeholders, which I consider one of my greatest assets moving forward. It is my ambition to utilize the experience, momentum and relationships I have acquired this year to continue the service of my peers (even the Flames’ fans!).
When I’m not representing PARA, you can spot me at nearly any of the city’s hospitals, as I am spending my PGY 3 year working in both Child and Geriatric Psychiatry.
I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to continue to represent the resident physicians of Edmonton and Northern Alberta and the entire PARA membership again this year. I am so looking forward to what’s to come!
Past President
Dr. Sylvia McCulloch [[email protected]]
Dr. Deepak Dinakaran, [email protected]
Radiation Oncology, PGY 4, University of Alberta
I have been involved in PARA initially as a Member at Large, before becoming the Vice President of Operations & Finance (VPOF) last year. I have had a great experience and our Association has seen some big challenges that could not have been better dealt with thanks to a strong Executive Board and staff. Given this very positive experience, I decided to extend my term as VPOF for another year. I encourage anyone to participate in PARA because it will give you an insight into what the Association has done in the past and what it continues to do in the present and in the future. The short summary is, PARA is one of the instrumental factors in what makes your residency training in Alberta that much better. The PARA office staff, Executive Board and Assembly Delegates have a genuine interest in improving the training experience and the well-being of all resident physicians and year-after-year have made significant progress in that pursuit.
PARA is an Association where we have the resources and motivation to make meaningful changes in the lives of resident physicians and I hope to be a part of it for the rest of my training to help make this happen.
Alberta Medical Association Ambassador Dr. Jordan Stosky, [email protected]
Radiation Oncology, PGY 4, University of Calgary
I have previous experience with the AMA as the University of Calgary medical school representative to the AMA in 2012-2013, having attended various representative forums in that role in the past, as well as participating in and chairing the committee with the AMA during that time frame. My keen interest in medical policy and advocacy and previous experience will serve PARA well.
I will closely liaise between the PARA Board and the AMA and advocate the need for resident physician representation on appropriate AMA committees. Often times there’s oversight for resident physician participation at the provincial level and I think that there’s a real opportunity for involving resident physicians in committees; this makes sure that resident physicians are appropriately consulted as stakeholders, as well as creates other leadership and professional development opportunities for resident physicians.
In my spare time, I enjoy board games, learning how to play the bass guitar and am an avid CBC radio one listener.
Psychiatry, PGY 2, University of Alberta
I am happy to return “home” to Edmonton following several moves around the country during my time with the military. During my PGY 1 year, I enjoyed my involvement in the PARA Assembly as a Member at Large and am excited to further this involvement as the VP Leadership & Education. My time with PARA last year allowed me to connect with resident physicians outside of my home program and I look forward to continuing to foster these relationships and make resident physicians aware of what PARA is and what it has to offer.
As a PARA Assembly Delegate, I had the opportunity to be part of an internal review of a residency program for Royal College accreditation purposes. This gave me the chance to examine medical education through a different lens, as well as act as an advocate for resident physicians, as I was able to forward concerns on their behalf to PARA. I feel my interest in medical education, as well as my ability to liaise with fellow resident physicians, PARA Executives and faculty will be an asset to this position.
Dr. Michele Foster, [email protected] President Leadership & Education
Family Medicine, PGY 2, University of Alberta
Physician health and wellness has been a passion of mine and I feel that I’ll be able to utilize that passion and the VPCIR position to promote and encourage wellness in resident physicians at all stages of training. Healthy resident physicians help make healthier patients and a healthier community as a whole. I am eager to advocate on your behalf and develop programs to foster a learning environment where resident physician wellness is possible. Increasing attendance and varying our family-friendly activities is only a small part of how I plan to achieve this.
PARA is in a position to benefit the community at large outside of our duties in hospitals and clinics. The PARAdime campaign is a great example of our community engagement and I’m anticipating another great turnout and involvement by our great community of resident physicians in this province. I am looking forward to spearheading these activities and working with the team to come up with other ways to engage resident physicians in the community.
Dr. Charlene Dinakaran, [email protected] President Community & Internal Relations
Internal Medicine, PGY 2, University of Calgary
Friends, Romans, Countrymen and fellow resident physicians: this is my first year on PARA and I am pleased to serve your interests as the Calgary and Southern Alberta Ambassador.
I wanted to be on the PARA Executive Board after realizing just how often we call on the Resident Physician Agreement. Casual references are frequently tossed around to the Agreement on everything from call stipends to vacation rules to pay. It is a foundation on which we build our relationships with the universities and AHS. I will do everything within my ability to ensure that these terms are adhered to and will work to represent you to the PME office.
I encourage you all to know your Agreement, contribute to PARA in one of the many ways available and to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
Dr. Taylor Wong, [email protected] & Southern Alberta Ambassador
Psychiatry, PGY 4, University of Alberta
I am passionate about resident physicians' advocacy and representation, which is what led me to become involved with PARA in my first PGY year. Being a part of the PARA community has been an enriching experience and has given me an opportunity to meet resident physicians from different backgrounds with the common goal to represent the Albertan resident physician voice.
I have met many inspiring and engaged resident physician leaders, many of whom I consider lifelong colleagues and friends. Externally, I have represented you on the Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) board and as an Alberta Medical Association (AMA) delegate. Outside of residency, I am passionate about seniors' care and housing issues and serve on the Greater Edmonton Foundation – Seniors Housing Board of Directors.
Vice President Community & Internal Relations
Vice President Leadership & Education
Vice President Operations & Finance
Calgary & Southern Alberta Ambassador
Edmonton & Northern Alberta Ambassador
Alberta Medical Association Ambassador
Past President
www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
2017-2018
Executive Board
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 20175
President's Message
Dr. Michael Martyna, PresidentPGY 3, Psychiatry
University of Alberta
"PARA fought hard throughout negotiations and arbitration to seek fair compensation for resident physicians."
As we approach 2018 with nearly half of the academic year at our backs, I would like to take time to take stock of the first months of my term. As I have stated before, it is an honour to serve as your President. The confidence placed in us by our resident physician body allows our hard-working executive and staff team to continue to function and get results.
On July 1 of this year, the language of the new Resident Physician Agreement came into force. This day was a culmination of more than two years of preparation and negotiations. This new agreement has been rebuilt from the ground up, with the goal of achieving greater clarity and further protections for PARA members. Monetary aspects of the Agreement were sent to arbitration as the parties to the deal were unable to reach agreement during negotiations.
PARA fought hard throughout negotiations and arbitration to seek fair compensation for all Alberta resident physicians. Our arbitration asks were well researched and supported. We presented what we considered reasonable pay increases. I believe Alberta resident physicians deserved a different outcome than what was received in arbitration. That said, the arbitration ruling was made in consideration of the economic situation of the previous year. Quite unfortunately, retroactive pay was restricted to current resident physicians only.
PARA will be back at the table with the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services within this academic year. As an Association we have learned much from this past round of negotiations and will use that knowledge in the coming negotiations. Our negotiations committee will soon be reformed – I would call on all interested PARA members to join the committee, share your views and talents and help create our approach to the new round of negotiations.
Amongst the top of my priorities for this year is Physician Resource Planning. For the last year I have been involved in the resource planning conversations from both the PARA and the Alberta Medical Association perspectives. As any changes made to physician distribution or practice conditions would certainly have a significant impact on those completing residency, this file has received my direct and full dedication, as well as the coordinated efforts of our CEO and staff team. Already we have contributed to the conversations with Alberta Health and the Health Minister that resulted in the assurance that no conditions will be place on PracIDs, including no geographical restrictions. As well, PARA has earned a seat at the table as part of the Physician Resource Planning Advisory Committee, the official government committee tasked with creating a physician resource plan.
My promise to the resident physicians of Alberta is that I will be at that table to ensure our views are represented every step of the way. I have heard loud and clear from our senior colleagues, especially those in family medicine, that they are uncertain of what the future holds. I will communicate with you all to the fullest of my ability to help relieve this uncertainty going forward. I welcome your feedback on this issue and encourage you to contact myself or the office with your thoughts. I believe we are well positioned with regards to physician resource planning and we will continue to advocate for Alberta resident physicians in the context of our complex health system.
This year we have also continued to strengthen our relationships with some of our most significant external partners. PARA and Resident Doctors of Canada continue to collaborate and are nearing the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The AMA and PARA continue to work closely on issues facing health care in Alberta. Alberta resident
physicians are continually invited on to additional committees with the AMA and regarded as highly effective members. Our initiative to increase resident physician contact with MLAs has continued with our annual Resident Physicians in the Legislature event and we look forward to further advocacy efforts with our MLAs.
Our most important relationship is of course with each of you. This year I strive to engage with our members. The PARA Executive and staff are dedicated to moving PARA towards being as high-yield as possible for our members. With all that is new on the horizon, we have continued with what our members have always valued and enjoyed. Our PARAlyzer events, picnics and other wellness activities are charging ahead and have been well attended. The annual PARAdime campaign is set to begin shortly, an event that is a long standing tradition at PARA and very well received. Also returning this year are our Leadership Workshops, which will take place early November in both Edmonton and Calgary. And as always, the PARA Executive and staff are available to assist our members in any difficult situation throughout their residency training.
As we move into the new year we find ourselves in a time of significant change and challenge. I am filled with optimism that we will face the coming opportunities with courage, ingenuity and integrity. PARA will continue to do this work and it is my absolute pleasure to represent our members at each and every table I am called to. I ask that each of you that read this message take a moment to reflect and please connect with us if you have thoughts you would like to share. I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. I am looking forward to what the New Year will bring. ◊
Dear colleagues,
Dr. Paula BurkeFamily PhysicianFamily MedicineUniversity of Alberta (Rural)
“Dr. Burke is extremely cognizant of resident physician well-being during clinical teaching. She checks in at the beginning, throughout and at the end of our shifts to make sure that we are doing okay. She reviews cases not only from a medical management perspective, but also from a resident physician well-being perspective - issues such as misdiagnosis and how this can affect our well-being and the care we provide.
Dr. Burke is interested in our lives outside of medicine. She understands that things outside of current cases do affect our clinical care, confidence and overall well-being.
Dr. Burke is a shining example of work-life balance. She takes care of her own well-being by taking post-call days as she needs them, working a schedule that also allows her to spend time with her young family, and to do activities outside of medicine. She advocates for resident physicians to recognize their own limitations and work towards a life that balances career commitments with personal commitments so that we can be fully present and effective in a clinical environment.” ◊
Dr. Melanie Marsh-Joyal Associate Program DirectorPsychiatryUniversity of Alberta
“Around the Department of Psychiatry, when you think of the residency program, you think of Dr. Marsh. When you think of Dr. Marsh, you think of the residency program. The two have truly become inextricable since Dr. Marsh began her tenure as the Associate Program Director. During this time, she has distinguished herself as the preeminent advocate for and mentor of the resident physicians within Psychiatry.
While Dr. Marsh has distinguished herself as the ultimate champion of resident physicians in her role, she concomitantly demonstrates her unwavering commitment to learner wellness as a clinical preceptor. Beyond her cognition of and insistence that her resident physicians take breaks, receive teaching and be kept well-fed with coffee and treats, she supports our clinical well-being by actually BEING there on-call, a rare occurrence in a home call service like our own. It is not unusual for Dr. Marsh to remain at the hospital well into the evening or even early into the morning, to not only support resident physicians as they take calls and see consults, but by supporting us by actually taking calls and seeing consults herself." ◊
Dr. Claire Temple-OberleAcademic StaffPlastic SurgeryUniversity of Calgary
“Dr. Temple-Oberle encourages resident physician well-being within the Plastic Surgery program through education and intervention. Some examples of Dr. Temple-Oberle’s efforts are: development of a humanities journal club, creation of a physician burn-out conference and resident physician teaching rounds on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Temple-Oberle is open and transparent regarding her own on-going work against burnout and achieving balance at work.” ◊
Honourable Mentions
Dr. Richdeep GillGeneral Surgery
University of Calgary
Dr. Kathryn KoliaskaPublic Health and Preventive
MedicineUniversity of Alberta
Dr. Steven LopushinskyPediatric General Surgery
University of Calgary
PARA recognizes the outstanding contributions of physician educators to resident physician well-being through the Resident Physician Well-being Award. This recognition is awarded to a physician preceptor at
the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and a rural centre.PARA makes a $750 donation to the charity of choice for each of the PARA Well-being Award recipients.
Resident Physician Well-being Award2016-2017 Rec ip ients
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PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
ARA recognizes excellence in resident physician education through the Clinical Teaching Award. The award is given
to a deserving physician at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and a rural site.
PARA makes a $750 donation to the charity of choice for each of the Clinical Teaching Award recipients.
PCLINICAL TEACHING AWARD 2016-2017 Recipients
7 8
Dr. Karen KingMedical Oncologist
University of Alberta
“Dr. King is willing to take time out of her busy clinics not only to do bedside teaching, but to observe clinical interactions between learners and patients and give appropriate feedback. In doing so, she is able to deliver constructive feedback in a way that allows resident physicians to improve while still acknowledging their strengths and providing encouragement. She is the lead for the breast tumor site for the residency program and is willing to schedule time to do one-on-one teaching. She also recognizes areas where teaching is needed and takes time to teach according to learners’ needs.
Dr. King seeks to assist resident physicians in becoming skilled, effective clinicians. She is able to do so by identifying areas that need improvement and by following up with the student to ensure that their learning needs are addressed. This is done in an incredibly kind and supportive fashion without shame - rather, with an acknowledgement that training is indeed a time for learning, and ensures there is the didactic, clinical and personal support present in order to achieve the educational goals.
Dr. King works with resident physicians to achieve one goal: to help us develop our knowledge and skills to become competent, effective, caring physicians. Dr. King serves on the Resident Programming Committee, and consistently strives to make the program a success in producing excellent physicians.
She not only models a healthy lifestyle by being involved in activities such as Bust a Move, which raises money for Oncology research through sponsored physical activity, but also inquires after our own healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, she makes herself available to listen.” ◊
Dr. Gilles LauzonDivisional Head
DermatologyUniversity of Calgary
"Dr. Lauzon is known nationally for his expertise in the basic science of skin and immunology and leads a newly established research laboratory in Calgary. Dr. Lauzon has played a pivotal role in the development and instruction of the ‘Basics of Skin Science’ (BoSS) course offered free-of-charge to Canadian dermatology resident physicians annually. For our program, he provides monthly basic science teaching, in which he spends over ten hours reviewing each presentation topic for new research and their implications.
Dr. Ryan McCollGeneral Surgeon
University of Alberta(Rural)
In addition to teleconferencing teaching sessions to other programs, he has travelled to Edmonton and Ottawa to teach resident physicians without compensation. There is little doubt that his efforts relate to the success of dermatology resident physicians on the Royal College certifying examinations.
Many of Dr. Lauzon’s lessons to the resident physicians are by example. Through observing his interactions with patients, resident physicians, administrative staff and colleagues, he has taught us about conflict resolution, time management and medical ethics. He is known among his dermatology and non-dermatology colleagues for his devotion to thoroughness and the continuum of care. One resident physician recalls, “Dr. Lauzon can often be found on his knees in clinic—looking closely for tell-tale lesions on the legs and feet of patients. He will attribute this to his years in seminary in Quebec, but the truth is that he conducts a meticulous physical exam and values patient comfort over physician preference.” He often provides patients with his direct office number so that they can reach him directly with questions or concerns. He frequently sees his own patients when they are in hospital when he is not on call to check-in and ensure that there is nothing from a dermatology standpoint that can be optimized to ensure a more rapid recovery. " ◊
“Dr. McColl is an exceptional clinician and surgeon. He takes the time to listen to patients’ concerns, understands diseases in the patients’ contexts and explains things clearly. The nominators have all observed him go above and beyond for individual patients in our experience working with him, such as liaising with additional services to ensure the patient gets the care they need, and calling radiologists to discuss complex cases. He is a role model for quality care that is evidence-based and patient-centered and a clinician to which we can all aspire.
Dr. McColl is a general surgeon in Red Deer who is well known among the resident physicians based in Red Deer as a fantastic bedside teacher. We all specifically try to spend more time with him on our two-month general surgery rotation due to the quality of his teaching. He teaches to our level and needs as future rural family physicians, is clear about referral recommendations, best practice, typical and atypical presentations and his approach to patient care. He is interested and listens to our clinical assessments, and places an appropriate amount of trust and responsibility on the resident physicians with whom he works.
Honourable Mentions
Dr. Brock DebenhamRadiation OncologyUniversity of Alberta
Dr. Alexander DoroshenkoPreventive MedicineUniversity of Alberta
Dr. Robin EcclesPediatric General Surgery
University of Calgary
Dr. Chris KeelingDermatology
University of Alberta
Dr. Sudha KoppulaFamily Medicine
University of Alberta
Dr. Artan ResoGeneral Surgery
University of Calgary
Dr. Mary Ann ThomasMedical Genetics
University of Calgary
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017 www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
Dr. McColl is conscious of our role in the health system, the strains on resident physician well-being and advocates for each of us personally when we work for him. He is interested in our personal lives outside of residency, interested in sharing his personal life with us and how he balances life and work and committed to ensuring our working hours are spent on educational clinical work. He doesn’t keep resident physicians any later than needed, sending us home when our work is done instead of at a certain time or waiting for consults to come in. In our program, we all know that working with Dr. McColl, we can share with him if we are having personal difficulties or struggles with our own well-being.
Dr. McColl consistently teaches to the resident physicians’ level as learners. He knows that we are not going to be general surgeons, nor are we fully fledged rural physicians, but that we are fairly close to managing patients independently in a rural setting and he teaches to this level. He recognizes that each learner will have had different learning experiences in the past and future, different career aspirations and he teaches towards these personalized experiences and goals. He treats us as junior colleagues and clearly recognizes our dual role as service providers and learners." ◊
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
MARCH 2017Dr. Jill StonePGY 5, Plastic SurgeryUniversity of Calgary
“Jill is an exemplary resident physician. Her work ethic is unparalleled and her knowledge base is vast. She is an excellent role model to her junior resident physicians. She has an innate ability of boosting morale and she does it with humour, grace and kindness. She will go out of her way to teach and she teaches in a way that is appropriate to the level of the learner. She also works very hard at research, publishing in many different journals under a wide variety of subjects. She is dependable and pleasant to be around. I have very much enjoyed having her as one of my senior resident physicians and know that she will be an amazing plastic surgeon in the future. She is very deserving of this award!”
Dr. Ravi Seyed MahmoudPGY 2, Rural Family MedicineUniversity of Alberta
“Ravi is a confident, out-spoken advocate for his patients. He is thorough and thoughtful, always exercising compassion in his care for others.
What few resident physicians and staff know about is the sacrifice Ravi has made for his community. He was among the medical team responsible for caring for the patients at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre as the wildfire engulfed the community of Fort McMurray in May of last year. In a short-staffed, resource-limited environment, he continued to care for patients right up until the evacuation order. Ravi assisted with the supervision of the medical evacuation and transfer of unstable hospitalized patients out of harm's way at the local airport. He then spent days working in a make-shift urgent-care centre, seeing patients in an airplane hangar and evacuation camps north of the city. Ravi has shown he can rise to the challenge of disaster and continue to support his community in times of dire need. Like thousands of others, Ravi lost his home and almost everything he owned in the wildfire.
Despite the loss of much of his community, Ravi remains optimistic for the re-build of Fort McMurray.”
APRIL 2017
MAY 2017Dr. Aaron HockleyPGY 6, Neurosurgery University of Calgary
“Dr. Hockley is simply what every resident physician dreams to be. He is very committed to his work and is patient, knowledgeable, caring, inspiring and intelligent. Dr. Hockley is one of the best resident physicians I have ever seen and he is a very inspiring team leader whose love for his profession is infectious to everyone around him.
He provides the junior and senior resident physicians with all the help they need to become better physicians and he is able to recognize his junior colleagues’ skills and pushes them to learn more and get excited about what they are doing. He is so very caring to his patients and they remember him."
JUNE 2017Dr. Launny LowdenPGY 5, General PathologyUniversity of Calgary
“Launny exemplifies all of the qualities an extraordinary resident physician should have. She was the first medical student to match to our program when it was first established through CaRMS and she has played a significant role in the program's development and current successes. Her contributions to our database of learning and teaching materials are invaluable. As an example, during her senior year, Launny volunteered to create a series of lectures and practice exams compiling most of the hematopathology material we need to know for our residency training. Because of her hard work, as a junior resident physician I feel much more confident going into my clinical pathology rotations and know that I will be able to get much more out of them with this background.
Besides academics, Launny is also strongly involved in promoting resident physician wellness and team-building. She has organized numerous social activities for our resident physician group. At the national level, Launny has played a lead role in re-establishing both the Residents Section and the General Pathology Section of the Canadian Association of Pathologists."
Dr. Marcie VeitchPGY 3, Family Medicine and Enhanced Skills: Emergency MedicineUniversity of Calgary
“Marcie is a fantastic physician, leader, role-model and friend. As co-chief, she works hard to ensure that our cohort extracts the maximum benefit from our jam-packed and sometimes overwhelming fellowship year, while keeping her finger on the pulse of resident physician well-being. Drawing on her background as a varsity pole vaulter, Marcie is always looking out for her team; she has been instrumental in recording and sharing key learning points from our simulation program, advocating for our cohort on the residency training committee and keeping us on track with key tasks during our transition to practice. Marcie also infuses fun and humour into her leadership role, with lighthearted “Chiefs’ Briefs” email updates and hilarious mock newsletters documenting our successes and milestones. In her personal life, Marcie maintains balance by consciously “unplugging” to take time with family and friends, travel and sports such as skiing.
On a personal note, Marcie is always available as a sounding board, and provides great advice and encouragement when difficulties or self-doubt arise. She is an incredible co-chief resident physician, and this year wouldn’t have been nearly as smooth or enjoyable without her. I look forward to being colleagues and friends as we transition into staff life.”
JULY 2017Dr. Jori HardinPGY 5, Dermatology University of Calgary
“I have known Jori for the past five years as a fellow resident physician colleague and I can attest to her excellence in both academic and non-academic settings. Her academic achievements include teaching awards and publications in the top dermatology journals. I have seen her on numerous occasions coming in hours before the start of clinic to teach rotating medical students and resident physicians the basics of dermatology. She even creates summary notes for learners to take home and study. She takes time out of her busy schedule to also teach at the medical school (even during her Royal College year!), as she values imparting her knowledge to the coming generation of physicians.
Jori has had two wonderful children during her residency. She puts high priority on her family and is an inspiration to our program of how to balance life and studies. She wakes up at 5:30 every morning to study, so that she can spend the rest of her waking hours with her children. She is also an avid runner and has also been known to wake up before daylight to do interval training.
Jori is an exemplary resident physician who characterizes the kindness, integrity and hard work that makes for a great physician."
PARARESIDENT PHYSICIANS
Nominate a colleague for Resident Physician of the Month today! Nomination forms can be found at para-ab.ca/forms
JUNE 2017
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OF THE MONTH
The PARA Resident Physician of the Month Award is an
initiative focused on improving resident physician well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident physicians who make
a positive contribution to their work environment while
maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Recipients are recognized in the Fall or Spring PARAphrase and the monthly PARAscope. They also receive a monetary award and a recognition letter is sent
to their program director.
As the 2016-2017 academic year wrapped up, we honoured two resident physicians who were completing residency at the end of June.
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017www.para-ab.ca | volume 38 fal l 2017
PARA Bursary Recipients
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PARA strives to continue to improve our members’ well-being and to be both an advocate for quality education and to develop and support educational opportunities for PARA members. To this end, PARA has developed the PARA Conference Sponsorship Program to provide funding for resident physicians to participate in a select number of conferences.
Sponsorship for attendance is available for the following conference:
Canadian Conference on Medical Education, April 28 - May 1, 2018 Halifax, Nova Scotia Deadline for applications: January 15, 2018
Interested applicants must submit a one-page summary to PARA indicating who they are (name, program, level of training, university), their experience in the area of medical education, and why they wish to attend the conference.
Successful applicants will be responsible for their own registration and travel arrangements. PARA will reimburse these resident physicians up to a maximum of $2000 for their expenses in accordance with the PARA Expense Policy.
Watch your monthly PARAscope or visit the PARA website for more information on this sponsorship opportunity.
PA R A’ SCONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
The theme of the 2017 CCPH was "Burn Brightly, Not Out", referring to optimizing physician wellness and performance. There were three separate but related streams: systems level interventions, individual level strategies and current trends and innovations. I sat in on a plenary of the Ottawa Hospital's wellness committee members who shared insights from their six-year project to improve wellness, listened to a presentation by my mentor Dr. Jane Lemaire on the influence of culture and context on physician wellness and participated in an interactive session by the Ontario Physicians' Health Program first responders. My favourite part of the conference was easily Dr. Tait Shanafelt's invited address. He is an expert on physician burnout and wellness and has authored many of the landmark papers in this field. I cited his work in creating the recent Calgary Hack-a-thon, as well as in a paper I submitted to the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Canadian Conference on Physician Health (CCPH)Dr. Shannon RuzyckiPGY 5, General Internal MedicineUniversity of Calgary
P R O G R A M
Canadian Conference on Medical Education (CCME)Dr. Sydney PearsonPGY 5, General Internal MedicineUniversity of Calgary
In conjunction with the CCME, the Creating Space Symposium delivered on a dream that I’ve had since I was a medical student - to meet Rita Charon, the so-called mother of narrative medicine. In her workshop, we immersed ourselves in the works of artists, poets and novelists (James Whistler and Michael Ondaatje to name a notable few) to uncover the hidden meaning behind words and form. Inherently, we do this daily in our assessments as resident physicians; a history and physical are packed with clues that help physicians frame a patient’s illness. Training in narrative medicine encourages us to take the time to reflect on the subtleties of the stories we receive from patients and to appreciate them in the context of our own life’s narrative.
PARA bursaries are awarded to graduating medical students who are entering a residency program in Alberta.
University of Calgary 2016 Recipient:Evan Genge
Matched to Family Medicine at the U of C
University of Alberta 2016 Recipient:Baljot Chahal
Matched to Diagnostic Radiology at the U of A
PARA Social Event Funding for
Rural Resident Physicians
PARA recognizes that rural resident physicians are generally less able to participate in PARA social events due to travel time, distance, and expense. As these resident physicians are spread throughout small towns and cities across Alberta, it is difficult for PARA to effectively schedule social and wellness events for them. To ensure that rural resident physicians still have access to PARA supported activities, PARA has allocated funding for resident physician-initiated social and well-being activities for both Rural Alberta North and South.
For more information on and guidelines for accessing this funding, visit the PARA website.
PARASocial Events
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Picnic in the Park
Swing Dancing
Teddy Bear Fun Run
Welcome PARAlyzer
Cooking Class
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PARA ON
#PARAsummer
#PARAthankful
#PARAyearinreview
#PARAwellness
#PARAhappy
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For more information, contact the PARA office at780.432.1749 or [email protected]
PARAphrase | volume 38 fal l 2017
