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June 2022 Monthly Newsletter
For content submission forms, deadlines, and the monthly vs. quarterly structure and schedule of the 2022 Family Matters Newsletter relaunch, click here.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022
Dear residents of the graduating class of 2022,
You did it! You made it! You survived two of the most intense and challenging years of your lives and will now have the privilege and honour of becoming the next generation of family doctors.
I cannot tell you how proud I—and the entire department—are of each and every one of you. The steep learning curve, the long hours, the challenging patients...these are all things that made residency hard but also contributed to preparing you for the years to come. And yet, there is no doubt that there is one thing that sets your class apart from all others: you did the whole thing during a pandemic. Your adaptability, resilience, and tolerance in the face of such uncertainty, strain and stress is amazing. You dealt with hospital closures, quarantines and exam snafus with grace and strength; doing more than just surviving, you thrived. Hats off!
And so, good luck to you in your future endeavours. Make sure to leave enough room in your cups and space on the plate for your family, your friends, and yourselves. Take risks in your careers (have fun), take care of each other (stay in touch), and above all else, take vacations!
All the best,
Dr. Michelle Morros, Residency Program Director
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
2022 SPOR Collaborative Forum: Call for Abstracts
In-person on Monday, October 3, 2022 / virtually Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Abstract submissions deadline: June 30, 2022
Join the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU) and our SPOR partners across western Canada and the Northwest Territories, as we host the top experts in patient-oriented research and patient engagement to discuss the biggest issues and latest developments in patient-oriented research.
This year's theme is "Embracing the New Normal: Patient-Oriented Research Practices and Impacts." This hybrid (in-person and online) event will include plenary panel sessions, workshop presentations, networking activities, a poster session, highlighted oral abstracts presentations, and much more!
For more information, click here.
TTCxFSD Excel VBA Session
Friday, July 15, 2022
10:00 am to 11:30 am (virtual)
With macros in Excel, you can automate repetitive or complex tasks. In this 90-minute session, you will learn how to record and play a macro, and the security settings you need to check so that your macros run smoothly. Then we'll look at how to edit macros, using the VBA language to tweak and expand your macros to make them do exactly what you need them to do.
Canva 101: Creating Posters in Canva
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (virtual)
Canva is a fantastic - and free - creative tool. As with anything, it's much easier and more efficient to use with a bit of guidance. In this session you will be guided through the creation of a basic announcement poster to remove any and all intimidation from the Canva content-creating process! This session is for beginner and intermediate users of Canva alike.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Award and Recognition for Local Physician
The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada honoured Dr. Jill Konkin as the recipient of this year's Rural Leadership Award. Several colleagues nominated Dr. Konkin in the fall, and the nominations committee selected her as this year's winner. Nomination letters lauded Dr. Konkin's dedication to educational advocacy, development of rural educational opportunities, and social justice causes.
Family Medicine Residents Honoured by GNH
At the Grey Nuns Hospital Virtual Awards Ceremony this year, four Family Medicine residents received awards. Congratulations to Dr. Amy Poelzer (GNH CCU Resident of the Year Award), Dr. David Antle (GNH Geriatric Resident of the Year Award), Dr. Joshua Tiessen (GNH Family Medicine Resident of the Year Award and the GNH T.R. Clarke Award) and Dr. Nila Suthaker (GNH PCHT Resident of the Year Award and GNH Emergency Resident of the Year Award).
Inspiring Woman Physician Award to DoFM Family Physician
Dr. Jessica Kirkwood is one of this year's recipients of the Canadian Women in Medicine Dr Setareh Ziai Inspiring Woman Physician Award. Dr Kirkwood works with marginalized and vulnerable patients, and has expertise in addictions medicine. She is an active member of PEER, an award winning CPD program. She inspires her colleagues every day with her empathy, dedication and knowledge.
NWT Premier's Award for Excellence to DoFM Faculty Member
Dr. John Chmelicek received the 2021-22 Premier's Award for Excellence for his participation on the NWT Family Medicine Residency Program team. The Premier's Award for Collaboration "recognizes the outstanding achievements of Government of the Northwest Territories employees who work in partnership with other government and non-government employees to improve services to Northwest Territories' residents." Congratulations to Dr. Chmelicek on this outstanding achievement.
Gold Medal Award for DoFM Co-Authored Publication
The National Magazine B2B Awards selected "Improving preventive screening with Indigenous peoples" for its appearance in Canadian Family Physician, awarding the publication Gold in Best How-To Article or Series of Articles. Congratulations to DoFM authors Olga Szafran and Dr. Neil Bell as recipients of this honour. Read the winning article here.
FACULTY & STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Intro to Using eClass
Technology and communication often provide common learning opportunities useful across roles, allowing members across the department a chance to network and learn together in common professional development activities. This session will take you on a 30 minute tour of the FSD eClass course followed by a Q&A. Click here to register.
Contact nbork@ualberta.ca or kmoniz@ualberta.ca with questions.
PD Wellness Bingo Challenge
This is your reminder to participate in the DoFM Wellness Bingo Challenge, running until September 30, 2022. The challenge is the result of collaboration between the Faculty & Staff Development Program and the PD Wellness Working Group aimed at encouraging wellness and reconnection in our DoFM community.
Click here to register for the challenge and get your Bingo card.
Faculty & Staff Development Suggestion Box
Your professional development matters, your feedback matters. Let us know what you think, we love to hear it!
SPOTLIGHT
Welcome Incoming FM-EM Residents!
We are pleased to introduce our incoming FM Emergency Medicine residents:
Chiana Garvida
I'm originally from Ontario where I completed medical school at Western University before coming out to Edmonton for my family medicine training. Some of my favourite things to do in Alberta are going out to Jasper and Banff for some stellar rock climbing and snowboarding! The photo is of me at the top of the first multi-pitch climb I did in Jasper at a crag called Hidden Valley. When I'm not in the mountains, I'm usually reading a book, hanging out with friends, or out enjoying the outdoors with my dog. I'm looking forward to the exciting FM-EM year ahead!
Amanda Gerber
I’m a happy transplant from Calgary, where I completed a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Sociology. It was while I was pursuing graduate studies in Neuro-oncology that I discovered my passion for Medicine. The catchphrase “Still in Edmonton” would be an apt description of my life since, as I completed Medical School, Family Medicine Residency and will now enthusiastically continue my training at the UofA. Outside of Medicine, I’m an avid traveller, nature enthusiast, hobby horticulturalist, animal lover and dog-mom.
Prabhjas (Jas) Hans
Jas is a lifelong BCer, with medical school and residency both done at UBC. He's very excited to see what Edmonton has to offer. In his free time he can be caught watching the canucks, playing sports, and socializing with friends.
Cohord (Buzz) Mason
My name is Cohord “Buzz” Mason, and yes, that is like Lightyear. I grew up on a small ranch just outside Kamloops in the interior of British Columbia. I grew up competing in rodeo from childhood up until my college years then decided I needed a real job. Luckily my brother had gone through the same process, and I was lucky to match to family medicine. Nowadays I have traded in my horse for a mountain bike and try to get out on the trails when I can. Otherwise I like hiking during the summer and in the winter, I try to snowboard, snowshoe and cross-country ski. I am looking forward to getting to know all the other residents!
Vaneet Randhawa
Vaneet is a proud Edmontonian (#loyaltotheoil) who is excited to return home after completing medical school at the University of Calgary and FM residency through Queen’s University. Within EM, her interests include simulation and medical education. In her free time, Vaneet enjoys playing soccer, hiking, spin classes and patio beers with friends. She is excited to re-explore Edmonton’s food scene and River Valley trails and looks forward to joining the EM family!
Daniel Dabbs
Daniel Dabbs was born, raised, and educated in Edmonton. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology in 2010, he returned to university for an After-Degree in Nursing at the University of Alberta, completing this in 2012. Following this, Daniel worked as a Registered Nurse in the Misericordia Community Hospital Emergency Department in Edmonton for four years prior to returning to university for Medical School at the U of A. Most recently, Daniel completed his Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta. Looking towards the future, he is excited to start his third year of residency in Emergency Medicine.
In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time with his wife Brenda, 4-year old daughter Haley and 1-year old son Nathan. They enjoy gardening, going camping, fishing and hiking together along with their faithful pup Lexi.
Spotlight Nomination
Nominate a faculty or staff member for future inclusion in a Family Matters spotlight! The spotlight process has been streamlined to make participating in both the nomination and the spotlight more convenient and efficient.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND TEAM RESOURCES
Confidence in Addictions Medicine Among Family Medicine Educators
Have you ever been involved in teaching Family Medicine residents? Do you want to support understanding of addiction medicine teaching at the resident-level and assist in potential curriculum development? If yes, you have the opportunity to participate in a study on Family Medicine educators' confidence in addiction medicine!
You are invited to complete a short survey estimated at 15-20 minutes. As a show of appreciation, you have the option to enter an optional draw for a $50 Visa gift card.
For more information contact Dr. Cole Sugden (crsugden@ualberta.ca) or supervisor Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio (ginetta@ualberta.ca).
To participate in the study please click here to be transported to a secure data collection survey operated through REDCap.
This project has been approved by the University of Alberta Human Research Ethics Board (ID:
Pro00117478).
Survey Invitation for Family Physicians
"Family physicians have rapidly had to shift to using virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are inviting you to participate in a brief survey to help us understand your perceptions about virtual care as a family physician in Alberta."
Dr. Adam Neufeld (adam.neufeld@ucalgary.ca) and Dr. Vishal Bhella (vsbhella@ucalgary.ca), Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, and Dr. Oksana Babenko (obabenko@ualberta.ca) Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta.
Your participation is very much appreciated. Further information about the study and the link to the survey can be found here.
This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB21-1440) and the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (Pro00120804).
MESSAGE FROM...
Twenty-four years ago I came to Edmonton after twenty-seven years in Northwestern Ontario. The U of A Family Medicine Residency was on a path of rapid evolution from its birth as a focused variation of multiple hospital-based internships to a national leader in distributed and competency-based learning. This was a good fit for me, as I have viewed my life as a constant search for problems to solve and the calories to solve them. An offer of both was made to me by Dr. Moores (Chair) and Dr. Chaytors (Residency Director) if I moved West to take over as Director.
I've missed fully comprehensive Family Practice over the last few decades but the upside has been the phenomenal variety of my ever-changing mix of clinical, scholarly, and administrative work. Alberta, Canada, and the world are enriched by the Family Physicians the University of Alberta produces. Yes there have been challenging times, but I’m confident that the Department of Family Medicine will continue to progress with important contributions to medical care and education.
Do remember: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice."
- Dr. Paul Humphries
Dr. Paul Humphries currently practices in Edmonton and is a Professor at the University of Alberta. He has practiced full-service Family Medicine with GP Anaesthesia, Palliative Care, Obstetrics and Medical Teaching. His current clinical focus is Home Palliative Care and academic foci are assessment, administration and Rural/Distributed training.
He was the founding director of the Northwestern Ontario Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Humphries has been President of the Alberta College of Family Physicians, Director of Family Medicine residency programs, Vice Chair of CaRMS, and a member of the CFPC Board and Committee on Accreditation.
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