MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

AMHSP TIPS

AMHSP Individual Service Agreement (ISA) Tip

Chapter 2, Sections 6.3–6.5 of the AMHSP Policy provides a definition and breakdown of FTE.  Participating physicians (1.0 FTE) are required to provide a minimum of 46 weeks of Clinical and Non-Clinical Services in a fiscal year (starting April 1).

• Minimum part-time participation in the AMHSP is 0.4 FTE.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME)/Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a Participating Physician’s personal responsibility and time-related to CME/CPD is not included in a Participating Physician’s FTE.

The FTE definition for all Arrangements is 2,300 hours per year, based on 230 days of service at 10 hours per day, or 460 half days per year.

Please work with your Division Directors to ensure your ISA reflects the correct breakdown of your FTE. 

All AMHSP policies can be found on the AMHSP website.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Protect Yourself. Protect Others.
Get Your Flu Shot: Oct. 8 - 31

See YEG Area and Provincial schedules of WHS Immunization Clinics.

Please join us in welcoming the following DoM member:

• Dr. Radhika Kadangot, assistant clinical professor, Division of Neurology

The Department of Medicine is developing a new series designed to support faculty as they prepare for the next stage of their academic and clinical careers. From planning your research legacy to navigating patient transitions and exploring life after full-time practice, this series will offer practical tools and candid insights from colleagues who have been there. Watch for details in the coming weeks!

Congratulations to the winners of this year's draws:

• Rose Franz, support staff, Division of Gastroenterology
• Chester Ho, professor, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
• Ashley McPherson, divisional program support (DPS)
• Andrew Wu, resident, Division of Neurology

Put a name to the face!

As the largest department at the university, it can sometimes be difficult to remember who does what. To make it easier, we’ve added photos of our administrative staff so you can quickly identify who you’re working with. Click the link to see our team.

DoM ACCESS, COMMUNITY
AND BELONGING

Finding the Leaders Amongst Us

Leaders come in a variety of forms, and they don’t all work at the top. Leaders exist at all levels of an organization, and it is important to be aware of how leadership might look different for a range of people.

Hidden leaders are individuals within a team that possess valuable qualities that have not yet been identified or fostered. Bringing people who may not fit the typical mold of leadership to the forefront allows them to develop their potential and for teams to benefit from their unique approach. Questions that can help recognize hidden leaders are:

1. Who has quiet influence in the group?
2. Who do others look to for an example or for support?
3. Who do you work with that simply knows how to get things done?

If you have important qualities that you have not yet been able to apply in your workplace, speak to a trusted colleague or your Divisional Director. Together you can find ways to use your strengths in current projects or to develop a plan to hone your skills further. Leadership development opportunities are available through university or health care-associated programs and can be a great start to help build leadership potential.  

If you already have an established leadership role within the Department, you play an important part in identifying hidden leaders within your team. Your encouragement, mentorship, and sponsorship are invaluable in helping others develop a vision for their future and a plan to get there. If you would like support for how to identify and support future leaders in your workplace, please reach out to the Department. We all benefit when more people can bring their full potential to the work we do!

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

DoM RESEARCH

Research News

We are thrilled to congratulate and announce the successful recipients of the 2025 DoM Translational Research Implementation Fund!

• Dr. Branko Braam, professor, Division of Nephrology
  Developing photo-acoustic imaging for the study of kidney nephron coupling and oxygenation/perfusion matching
• Dr. Stephanie Thompson, associate professor, Division of Nephrology
  Advancing methods to identify peripheral determinants of exercise intolerance in health and chronic disease: a validation study
• Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis, professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine
  Innate immune effects of vaping in humans

Research Administration

• Chat with Research Admin Specialists | Oct. 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drop by to 4-440 University Commons with your research administration questions.

• Education: Finalizing Funding | Oct. 22, 11 a.m. (Virtual) 

• Education: Tri-Agency Guide to Financial Administration | Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. (Virtual)

Faculty Funding and Awards

Kidney Foundation of Canada

Allied Health Kidney Research Grant - Supports allied health professionals conducting research in nephrology and organ donation, including clinical, health services, social, cultural, environmental, and population health. | 
Oct. 27: RAS. Nov. 3: Sponsor.

Allied Health Kidney Doctoral Fellowships - Supports the development of allied health investigators in nephrology and organ donation in Canada. | Oct. 27: RAS. Nov. 3: Sponsor.

Kidney Health Research Grant - Funds research across biomedical, clinical, health systems, and population health to improve treatments and quality of life for kidney disease patients. |  Nov. 6: RAS. Nov. 14: Sponsor.

More Funding and Awards

• M.S.I. Foundation Call For Letter of Intent | Oct. 31. Up to $50,000/year for max of 2 years. Eligibility: Novice Alberta investigators (≤5 years’ experience); postdocs/graduate students not eligible. Focus: Health services or population health research in Alberta
   
• 2026 Royal Society of Canada Nominations for Fellows and College Members | Oct. 8: Royal Society of Canada Nominations webinar
  • Oct. 20: Letter of intent and review request to Priscila Magaldi Netto.
  • Nov. 10: Draft to Priscila. Dec. 15: Sponsor.
     

• 2025 Kaye Competition | Nov. 17: Letter of Intent (LOI). 

Trainee + PDF Funding and Awards

2025-2026 Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) | Nov. 3. Apply today for the various grants and awards for graduate students and PDFs dedicated to advancing dementia research. Value: $150,000 CAD over 2 years ($75K/year).

Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's (CGRS-M) National Competition | Feb. 9, 2026. This program, jointly administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, supports high-calibre scholars in Canadian master’s programs. 

For more Funding and Award Opportunities, see:

Members' Research Publications

October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month

The following highlights research conducted by DoM members related to this month’s theme.

• Wagg A, Agholme F, Schwiegel H, Huige N, Hayder-Beichel D. A post-market, cluster randomised controlled trial of the effect of the TENA SmartCare Change Indicator on continence care efficiency and skin health in nursing homes. Age and ageing. 2025;54(8): DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afaf236

DoM NEWS

Congratulations to Dr. Anoop Mathew on receiving the FoMD Excellence in Mentoring Award! Read more about his lasting impact on his learners.

Congratulations to Dr. Sebastian Straube on receiving the Alberta Medical Association Medal for Distinguished Service! 

Dr. Adrian Wagg, professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, along with others to create a simpler care pathway for people living with dementia so they can get an earlier diagnosis, start treatment sooner and slow progression of the disease. (Folio)

Dr. Heather Armstrong, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, and her lab have developed a tool to test gut microbiota and provide a precision diet to improve or restore your health. (Folio)

A study by Dr. Padma Kaul, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, and team finds a link between maternal asthma and preterm birth, low birth weight and C-section delivery. (Folio)

• Dr. Sofia Ahmed (professor, Division of Nephrology)
  • 'You can't afford to ignore this cohort': It's time to talk openly about women's reproductive health (Calgary Herald)
     
• Dr. Quentin Durand-Moreau (associate professor, Division of Preventive Medicine)
  • Travailler fort...mais ne pas travailler trop (Radio Active, CBC)
  • New book: Job Stress Revisited: A Thought Provoking Take on Mental Health and Work offers a critical and much-needed re-evaluation of how job stress is understood, addressed, and managed in modern workplaces.
     
• Dr. Justin Ezekowitz (professor, Division of Cardiology)
  • Calgary man goes without heart medication during national shortage (CTV News)
     
• ​​​​​Dr. Giovanni Ferrara (professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine)
  • People with respiratory issues are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke (CBC News; 14 interviews across Canada)
     
• Dr. Monty Ghosh (assistant professor, Division of General Internal Medicine)
  • Could an open-air drug use bylaw work in Calgary? (CBC Radio)
     
• Dr. Patrick Pilarski (professor, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
  • Here’s how made-in-Canada AI is putting people first (Financial Post)
     
• Dr. Lynora Saxinger (professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • The backlash against RFK Jr's MAHA movement (CBC Radio)
  • COVID cases starting to climb across parts of Canada (CBC News)
  • Ask a prof: What should students know for this year’s cold and flu season? (The Gateway)

DoM Enrichment Centre (DEC) in 8-111 CSB

Congratulations to our September contest winner, Jackelyn Axworthy, Divisional Administrative Support with the Division of Infectious Diseases.

HAPPENINGS IN DoM

Classroom D - 2F1.04 WMC, University Hospital

Join us in person for coffee and good conversation, or click on links below to register on Zoom.

• Oct. 10 - From Failure to Function: Heart Failure 2025 and Beyond, 
  Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, professor, Division of Cardiology
• Oct. 17 - TOPIC: Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension - What to Look for and the Development of a Program Locally, Dr. Rhea Varghese (assistant professor), Dr. Jason Weatherald (associate professor), Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Dr. Steven Meyer, associate professor, Department of Surgery, U of A
• Oct. 24 - TBA, Dr. Robert Gniadecki, professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, U of A
• Oct. 31 - TOPIC: Virtual Hospital, Dr. Greg Hrynchyshyn, clinical professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, U of A
• Nov. 7 - Leadership Development Series, Dr. Ashley Whidden, assistant clinical professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, U of A

In case you missed it:

• Sept. 12 - State of the Department, Dr. Narmin Kassam
• Sept. 19 - Changes in the Microbiome from Birth Through Adult Life Impacts How the Gut Responds to Dietary Fibres, Dr. Heather Armstrong
• Sept. 26 - Impact of a Community-Based Rehabilitation Intervention on the Disability Experienced by Mayan Adults Living with Chronic Diseases: A Syndemic-Based Evaluation, Dr. Adalberto Loyola-Sanchez

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.

The Departments of Medicine and Family Medicine are hosting this event to empower clinicians to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care to people living with Parkinson's disease—and their care partners—through every stage of the illness.

Learn practical, proven strategies to accurately diagnose, treat, and manage Parkinson’s disease, from supporting patients and care partners with symptom management to lifestyle guidance and neuropalliative care.

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

• Clinical Reasoning Workshop Series. This three-part workshop series is spaced out to provide time to practice and have real-time reflection on their clinical teaching. Register through the Office of Faculty Development website.
  • Workshop 1: The Fundamentals of Clinical Reasoning (Oct 24, 10:30 a.m. - noon)
  • Workshop 2:  What’s in a Question? Effective Questioning Techniques to Foster Clinical Reasoning (Nov 21, 9 - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Workshop 3: Expanding your Toolkit for Teaching and Assessing Clinical Reasoning (Dec 12, 9 - 10:30 a.m.)
     
• Global Health Fair | Oct. 21, 12 - 1 p.m. The impact of a community-based rehabilitation intervention on the disability experienced by Mayan adults living with chronic diseases: A syndemic-based evaluation, with Dr. Adalberto Loyola-Sanchez.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA NEWS

• Edmonton Clinic Health Academy has been renamed the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Academy building, and the new Kipnes Institute, based in the College of Health Sciences, will ensure health research gets to patients and communities faster.
   

• 2024-25 Annual Report on Research and Innovation. This year’s report showcases the incredible work being done across our community, featuring compelling stories and key statistics that highlight our impact within six areas of global excellence and growth.

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 virtual sessions include:

• Facing the Drain of Medical Practice | Oct. 20, 6:00 p.m.
• Quality Improvement Basics: Keeping it (Small +) Simple | Oct. 21, 6:00 p.m.
• Virtual Care Excellence: Understanding the Standards of Practice | Oct. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Beyond the Pizza Party: Steps for Growing a Healthy Team Culture | Nov. 4, 6:00 p.m.

Register and learn more.

HELPFUL SUPPORT & TIPS

• Hoodie Sale | until Oct. 10. Take advantage of great deals on hoodies, crews, sweats and more. Prices are deeply discounted, so shop early as the sale often sells out quickly. This year’s limited-edition 1908 design brings vintage varsity vibes and big school spirit energy. 
   
• Managing Time Authentically | Oct. 20. This workshop is for faculty and staff who want to take control of their time and to use it in a more holistic, authentic way. You will engage with specific tools, tips and techniques to help you determine your priorities and to discuss what is standing in your way of setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries. 
   

• Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training | Oct. 21.  This two-hour certified suicide prevention training program will help campus members gain skills to recognize and support people who may be having thoughts of suicide. 
   

• Recognize, Rest, Reset: Integrated Awareness + Well-being | Nov. 13. You're invited to explore your personal path to happiness and wisdom by building awareness of how we respond to, adapt and integrate information in changing contexts.