MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

AMHSP TIPS

AMHSP Individual Service Agreement (ISA) Tip

Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the AMHSP policy explicitly lay out the rules around specific Participating Physician requirements. All physicians must fall within one of the five Physician Profiles outlined in the table, and all pillars must be rounded to the nearest five percent. Over the coming months, division directors will be asked to comply with these requirements.

There is some flexibility in terms of defining certain jobs within specific pillars. For example, a Resident Program Director’s role will predominantly fall within the Administration pillar, but some functions or tasks may also fall within the Education pillar. Please discuss details with your division director for clarification and to ensure compliance.

All AMHSP policies can be found on the AMHSP website.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Effective Monday, August 18, 2025

ONEcards or Generic Proximity Cards will be required to access Floors 3 – 13 in CSB by elevator. If you already have access to the building on your card, then you will automatically have access to the elevators.

If you require access, email your DAS or Team Lead before August 18, with a photo (back and front) of your ONEcard, to program your access.

Kick-start your semester and your team. 

Venue: Corbett Quad, corner of 112 Street and 82 Avenue
Food Trucks: El Mero Mero, Starvin Marvin's and Veggie Delights
For Whom: Free for DoM faculty, residents, staff and learners, however you must complete the registration to reserve your attendance. 

Sabbatical for Academic Faculty Members

Now is the time to consider a sabbatical opportunity for the upcoming academic year. Submit an application by September 15 for a sabbatical time between July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027.  

Who is eligible: Tenured academic staff
Who is not eligible to apply: Sabbatical does not apply to AMHSP, Clinical Faculty, TRAS or FSO teaching appointment

Please join us in welcoming the following DoM members:

• Dr. Jennifer Croden, assistant professor, Division of Hematology

• Roxanne Perich, medical education program coordinator (MEPC) for Nephrology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

• Katalin Sari, MEPC for Gastroenterology Residency and Fellowship

Spend Time in the DEC and Enter to Win!

Whether you’re meeting with a colleague, enjoying a quiet moment, or catching up on work, each visit to the Department Enrichment Centre is a chance to win. Scan the QR code in the DEC, and let us know how you used the space to enter our monthly draw for DoM swag or dining gift cards.

Congratulations to our July contest winner, Jennifer Staniland, DoM Medical Education!

DoM ACCESS, COMMUNITY
AND BELONGING

Stereotype Threat:
What is it, and how does it affect us?

Stereotype threat is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals feel at risk of conforming to negative stereotypes about their social group.

Stereotypes exist about every culture/group/social identity. Stereotype threat occurs when people are aware of a particular stereotype related to their identity (such as their race, age, or gender) and the anxiety of confirming that stereotype negatively affects their performance.

Stereotype threat typically occurs in high-stakes situations (exams, professional evaluations, interviews, etc.). Performance is impeded by whichever social identity stereotype a person feels is most obvious in their circumstance. For example, the stereotype "white men can't jump" may lead white high jumpers to fail clearing the bar at their usual height in high-level competitions. Another negative stereotype, "women aren't good at math", may lead women math majors to perform worse than men on examinations. 

Stereotype threat may explain long-standing differences in performance outcomes for various social groups rather than truly representing differences between social groups.

Dissociating stereotypes and identifying positive role models in marginalized groups can help combat stereotype threat. When there is greater representation of minority identities, a critical mass is formed, which can result in the dissipation of stereotype threat and an enhancement of psychological safety.  

The following 3-minute video further explains stereotype threat.  

Read other ACB definitions and topics on the DoM ACB site.

DoM RESEARCH

Research News

CIHR Spring 2025 Project Grant Competition Results

Congratulations to our members on their successful grant applications!

1. Fully-Implantable Intraspinal Microstimulation System for Restoring Mobility after Spinal Cord Injury.
   Mushahwar, Vivian
    
2. Advancing Learning in Neurorehabilitation (ALIGN): Co-design, implementation and evaluation of a patient-centred measurement framework within a provincial learning health system.
   McCabe, Erin; Ho, Chester; Manhas, Kiran J; Parrilla Lopez (Santana), Maria Jose; Zwicker, Jennifer D
    
3.  Understanding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening (including self-sampling) beliefs in Indigenous communities in Nunavut: A community-based and led, culturally safe, on-the-land approach.
   Sharma, Sangita; Baker, Kukik; Tagalik, Shirley

Faculty Funding and Awards

CIHR Fall 2025 Competition Deadlines | Aug. 8: SRO re: research security requirements. Aug. 13: CIHR registration. Aug. 20: Risk Assessment Form (RAF). Aug. 28: Researcher Home Page for RAS review. Sept. 9: ResearchNet submission. Sept. 10: CIHR application.

2026/27 Heart & Stroke Research Competitions are now open, including:

• Grants-in-Aid | RSO: Aug. 21. Sponsor: Aug. 28.
• New Investigator Award | RSO: Aug. 27. Sponsor: Sep. 4.

Trainee Funding and Awards

2026 Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) | Sept. 15. The CGRS D is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the Tri-Council granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) to prospective and current PhD students. Value: $40,000 per year for three years. For more info on application processes and deadlines, see the GPS website.

For more Funding and Award Opportunities, see:

Members' Research Publications

Kaur, K., Beghin, J., Meier-Stephenson, V. “Comparative structural insights of X protein across species and the “lost” BH3-like domain that may explain the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma in birds” Infection, Genes and Evolution (2025); 32:105777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105777.

DoM NEWS

Dr. Glen Jickling (associate professor, Division of Neurology) and team will receive $4.79 million over four years to examine how environmental and genetic factors impact stroke risk. (The Gateway)

• Dr. Mahua Ghosh (associate professor, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism)
  • Update: More awareness, education needed to better treat polycystic ovary syndrome (Folio)
     
• Dr. Monty Ghosh (assistant professor, Division of General Internal Medicine)
  • Bankers, athletes, students are using drugs. This hotline tries to keep them safe (CBC News)
     
• Dr. Colleen Norris (adjunct professor, Division of Cardiology)
  • ‘I just don’t feel like myself’: new clinic to focus on women’s health before, during and after menopause (Folio)
    ​
• Dr. Lynora Saxinger (professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • Alberta measles outbreak 'an appalling situation,' says infectious diseases specialist (CBC News)
  • Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S. (CBC News)
  • Measles cases in Alberta pose risk for the territory, says N.W.T. public health (CBC News)
     
• Dr. Stephanie Smith (professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • Some Alberta hospitals triaging probable measles patients in vehicles (CBC Lite)
     
• Dr. James Talbot (associate clinical professor, Division of Preventive Medicine)
  • 'Measles capital of North America': Alberta doctors sound alarm on immunization (Edmonton Journal)

HAPPENINGS IN DoM

Do you work with older adults or know someone who does? Join us for this engaging seminar and learn the latest vaccine guidelines, improve patient care, and help protect your aging population from preventable illness. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your practice and community health.

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (lunch included for those who attend in person)
Location: Lister Conference Centre and Zoom
Cost: $50 (practitioners), $30 (students/fellows)

Please share this with those who work with older adults.

The MGRs will resume on September 12.

Drop-in to meet with DoM support team representatives from Research, Internal Engagement & Events, Finance, Human Resources, Division Program Support (DPS), and Division Administrative Support (DAS).

Get answers to your questions, learn about available services, and find out how we can support your work in a casual, drop-in format. Plus, update your headshot at our drop-in photo booth! Questions: domevent@ualberta.ca.

Elevate your skills at the Pulmonary Update, where you’ll apply the latest evidence and guidelines to both common and novel respiratory diseases. Join us to refine your expertise and improve patient outcomes. 

The Department of Medicine is hosting a free, drop-in community event connecting you with local health experts for a day of learning, conversation, and community connection.

Please share this with anyone who would benefit from engaging health talks, informative booths, and practical resources to support lifelong wellness.

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

Making Change Stick: Implementing Innovations Sustainably | Sept 17-19. This two-day workshop is designed to help physicians, health-care leaders and researchers overcome common challenges when integrating new practices into daily clinical care. 

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA NEWS

• As of Aug. 1, the VP Research and Innovation portfolio is now the VP Research (VPR) portfolio and the Office of the Dean of Students is now Student Success and Experience (SSE).

• New Indigenous-led research partnership with U of A and U of C aims to improve health for Treaty First Nations children and families in Alberta. 

• Student Loans 101 workshop. Thinking about applying for student loans but looking for some guidance first? This workshop will walk you through the Alberta student loan application process. Note, you must be an Alberta resident to attend this workshop.

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES NEWS

Free AMA webinars support PPIP requirements. The Alberta Medical Association Accelerating Change Transformation Team (AMA-ACTT) is offering free, interactive webinars to help physicians meet the Physician Practice Improvement Program (PPIP) requirements by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta.

These sessions are ideal for primary care providers looking to complete their mandated PPIP activities with practical, step-by-step guidance. Upcoming sessions include:

• Virtual Care Standards of Practice | Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Steps for Growing a Health Team Culture | Sep. 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Facing the Drain of Medical Practice | Sep. 18, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Register and learn more.

HELPFUL SUPPORT & TIPS

• Changes to PCard Use: What you need to know. The PCard can no longer be used for the purchase of new computer equipment (desktops, laptops and lab/classroom/meeting equipment) or cellular devices or plans. All new computer equipment must be procured through IST to ensure security.
   
• Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre: avoid the rush with their new occupancy dashboard. Use it to plan your workouts during quieter times and make the most of your visit. Staff and most students have free access.
   
• 2025 Support Staff Research Enhancement Award | Oct. 3. Nominate your support staff (NASA) who consistently makes a positive contribution to the research success of your faculty/department/unit. Two prizes of $1,000.
   

• Google Storage Tip: What adds to your Google storage count? Google MyDrive, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Meet recordings, WhatsApp Backups on Android.
  What doesn't add to your Google storage count? Shared drives, Google Sites. Note: A Google Shared Drive has a maximum of 500,000 items. You will see a warning banner when you have 20% left.