Meet this year’s nominees for CPSA Council!

Medical training & experience:

My medical training includes my medical degree which I have received from Alfateh University in 1996 and my certificate from the CCFP of Family Physicians. I started practicing in community clinics and also taught final year medical students. I was also an examiner of Clinical Assessment and Professional Enhancement for International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Unique experience:

As a representative of the Northern Medical Doctors of Manitoba, I gained excessive experience within the administration capacity. This allowed me to grow as an individual all while shaping my leadership skills. I am also currently on the list of panel physicians with the IRCC that are allowed to preform Immigration Medical Exams to people who are in and/or immigrated to Canada. This provided me much more exposure to the Canadian policies and providing care to Non-Canadians.

I strongly believe in the importance of Public Health leadership, and my experiences with people of all walks of life has shaped me into a well rounded individual. I would like nothing more than to continue doing what’s best for my community.

– Dr. Buckley

Medical training & experience:

• • MD I 1983 I U of C
  • Fellowship in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery 1990 UBC
  • Former Head Orthopedic Trauma Division, U of C
  • Former Program Director Orthopedic Residency Training Program -1998-2004
  • Member of Can. Ortho. Found. (COF) Board -2015-2019
  • Have given more than 600 national and international guest lectureships
  • Visiting Prof. internationally more than 50 times
  • Co-Editor of six major international textbooks
  • Coauthored more than 120 papers in journals

Unique experience:

• • Won Best Educator in Surgery U of C – 2006
  • Generated over 1.6 million dollars in research and education funding
  • Organized more than 70 national and international Orthopedic Trauma conferences
  • Started Orthopedic Fellowship in Trauma at the University of Calgary and taught 71 Trauma fellows
  • COA Medal of Service for education leadership
  • Founding member of Canadian Orthopedic Trauma Society 1992 now with more than 60 members

“I have now retired from my long, happy and rewarding clinical practice. The opportunities to give back to Society, and to the Profession are several, and the privilege and honour to serve on CPSA’s Council would be certainly at the top of my list.

My motivation for running stems from my eternal gratitude for the kind teaching and guidance from my mentors, the support and guidance from the College, and the trust and loyalty of my patients and colleagues too many to name.

With the periodic nominations of colleagues to Council, I have voted on almost all occasions. I have been in awe of the hard work and wisdom that is consistently apparent. I only hope, that if I am to be elected, I am able to contribute likewise.”

– Dr. Coe

Medical experience & training:

• LRCP MRCS
  MBBS
  FRCSC

Unique experience:

• Medico-legal work for NWT, CMPA and Crown Prosecutors. Familiarity with the Hospital Privileges Appeal Board process.
• Concern for the Profession’s members increased risk of burnout, suicide (particularly women) and PTSD.

“I served on the CPSA Council from 2004 – 2009, which was one of my first governance experiences, and one that stimulated my interest in improving the health care system that we are an integral part of. So why would I put my name forward again, a decade later? Simply, I believe that the most effective boards have a diverse composition, including younger innovative members, balanced by those who might bring broad experience and perspective from different agencies. I believe I could bring that broad experience and governance skills.

My greatest passion professionally is my clinical practice; I have been on the staff of the Alberta Children’s Hospital for over three decades and take pride in continuing to provide safe and compassionate clinical care. But over the years, I have also become involved with system improvement, particularly by means of effective and relevant professional development. System improvement requires collaboration between the deliverers of health care (physicians, AHS, PCNs), educators (CFPC, RCPSC, universities), regulators (CPSA), medical staff associations (AMA), other health professions, and other agencies (HQCA); I bring knowledge and skills from many such bodies.

I strongly believe that all physicians strive to perform at their best and wish to be part of an excellent health care system that is continuously improving. But we all need support to perform optimally – support that is accessible, non-threatening, and meaningful to our practice. If elected as a Councillor, I would strive to advocate for a College that helps physicians improve their practice, in the interest of their own professional satisfaction and improved health outcomes for all Albertans. In these uncertain fiscal times, the need for maintaining the quality of the health care system is more important than ever!”

– Dr. Cox

Medical training & experience:

• • MBBS, St. Bartholomew’s, London UK (1976), MRCP(UK) Internal Medicine, FRCA Anesthesia, FRCPC Anesthesia
  • Fellowships in Pediatric Anesthesia (1982, London UK) and Pediatric Critical Care (1985, Sick Kids, Toronto)
  • Staff Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Alberta Children’s Hospital (1987 – present)
  • Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Calgary (2009 – present)

Unique experience:

I have extensive governance experience, having been a board member of the Health Quality Council of Alberta, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Alberta Medical Association, and not-for-profit organizations such as Calgary Promusica. For four years until 2018, I chaired the Professional Learning and Development Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

I have an interest in global health and education, volunteering annually with Resurge International in Vietnam or Peru.

As humanity aims for improvement and progressive development, our profession has been unique in its value based promotion of Health of the Nations. Since registration with CPSA in 2007, the functioning of it has been observed with passion and enthusiasm. I have been drawn into the incredible leadership qualities of Trevor as the past Registrar. As King put it clearly “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus”; the ability to openly receive different ideas and synthesize it appropriately to create something better than each of the factors put into is the essence. And I firmly believe in the qualities of a leader to be nothing but inciting a wanting to be naturally drawn into the leader by sheer sense of collaborative interpersonal skills.

I believe in the roles and responsibilities of CPSA and in the importance of having a well knit and efficient College Council. And I believe I am dutiful to offer my skills in the most sincere manner towards the collective functioning of the Council in the most wise manner as possible. Health of the people is superior and we as physicians have a huge responsibility in
helping to maintain it. Hence I would love to be part of the CPSA Council.”

– Dr. Das

Medical training & experience:

• • MBBS from Kerala University, India -1989. Worked as a generalist in India.
  • DPM (Diploma in Psychological Medicine) from Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, Ireland – 2000
  • MRCpsych from Royal college of Psychiatrists, London – 2003
  • 1997 to 2004 in Ireland.
  • 2004 onwards – Alberta Hospital Edmonton and Forensic Assessment and Community Services.

Unique experience:

I believe in the skills of human behavioral observation and non-verbal communication as the basis for any successful communication. Having initiated and run smaller business to support my education helped me learn hands on skills in project development, administration and careful financial management. Games and sports taught about team approach.

I believe that the success of any program or project is heavily dependent on how well the planning is done.

– Dr. Dillane

Medical training & experience:

I obtained an MB BCh BAO from University College Dublin, Ireland in 1996. I subsequently pursued an MMedSci Pharmacology also at University College Dublin prior to embarking on an anesthesia residency programme. I
joined the University of Alberta in 2006 where I completed a Clinical and Research Fellowship in regional anesthesia. I am currently an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta and director of the Anesthesia Preadmission Clinic.

Unique experience:

I was anesthesia fellowship director at the University of Alberta from 2016 to July 2019. I am a past Chair of The Canadian Anesthesiologists Society Regional Anesthesia Section. I am currently an editorial board member of the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia and a member of both the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society Grant Standing Subcommittee and Research Advisory Committee.

“The College has indicated recently that it wants to become more approachable and collaborative with physicians. I have already participated in a group to help the College define what they mean by these terms. Like you, I am skeptical, but I want to believe. And I want more than to believe. The researcher in me wants to help develop measures of effectiveness in the College’s activities. We cannot improve upon that which we cannot measure. It is one thing to say the College is more collaborative, but how do we know without finding a way to measure this? I have long been a researcher of chronic pain, where most aspects are subjective, and yet I know that this type of research still has value. I do believe the College can find ways to measure its effectiveness in various dimensions of activities, and that we can and should also regularly measure what physicians perceive of these same College dimensions.

I have always thought it would be helpful for the College as a whole to be comprised of more physicians who have been in the trenches and still are practising. I have heard from many of my colleagues that being an active practitioner on Council will not change the fact that other key physicians working for the College in various departments have not been in practice for years, but at least the Council composition can be more representative. It is a start. Those of us who are still in the trenches are likely to have more empathy for physicians, and this can only help to create a less adversarial relationship between physicians and the College, especially when dealing with complaints.”

– Dr. Ferrari

Medical training & experience

• • 1990, Doctor of Medicine (University of Alberta)
  • 1994 to present, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Internal Medicine
  • 2010, Masters of Science (University of Alberta); Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta

Unique experience:

Extensive practice experience, working closely with general practitioners in primary care clinics, and understanding their experience and needs. Extensive experience in working with third parties, including teaching institutions, insurers, lawyers, and government.

Recognizing the College’s role as a body tasked with ensuring the safe, proper and efficient delivery of health care can deliver.

Many doctors have told me that they often feel they do not practice their “best Medicine” because of this and thus have their professional actions clouded by fear of reprisal by patients.

The most important thing we can bring to our patients is an honest and unbiased desire to work collaboratively with them to ensure best possible care. This requires both doctors AND patients understand our respective roles.

As an experienced rural and (semi) urban doc with a broad base of experience, I hope to be able to bring my perspective to this issue with the college.

My experience base will also, I hope, serve in good stead in the myriad of other issues the College must address.”

– Dr. Foley

Medical training & experience:

• • M.D. Memorial University of NFLD 1983, CCFP 1985, FCFP
  • I worked in NFLD as a rural doctor for 16 years after graduation.
  • I moved to Medicine Hat in 2004, and worked at our local cancer clinic, practicing as a GPO.
  • I helped set up the local Palliative Care program in 2006 and am at present the medical director of this program. I have a special interest in Pain management but now limit this to malignant pain.

Unique experience:

I have served on numerous committees during my career, including as a board member of the NFLD provincial association as well as numerous other health care related committees.

I have helped develop many programs aimed at enhancing patient care locally, provincially and nationally such as our local palliative care program and contributed to the development of provincial and national pain management strategies.

As a former member of the CPSA Council as the “PARA Resident Representative” I am constantly reminded of the critical importance self-regulation holds for physicians. The standards set by the CPSA guide the practice of medicine in Alberta. Careful planned development of these standards as the healthcare system evolves through medical and technological advances is critical; this mirrors my own desire to work alongside like-minded individuals focused on how we, as a profession, can provide optimal patient care in an ever-changing and demanding system.

Personally, I enjoyed my previous role on the Council. Each of my four children served not only to challenge my time management and commitments, but to delay applying to return to council until things “settled down”. My wife informed me that things would never truly settle down and thankfully she not only supports my decision to run for the CPSA Council, but has decided to run alongside me for the CPSA Council this year.”

– Dr. Fung

Medical training & experience:

• • MD, University of Alberta, 2010; FRCPC/DABR, Diagnostic Radiology, University of Alberta, 2015; Cross Sectional Imaging
  • Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University, 2016
  • Radiologist (Body Imaging), University of Alberta/Royal Alexandra Hospitals, Medical Imaging Consultants, 2016-Present
  • Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Alberta

Unique experience:

• • Previous CPSA council and AMA Representative Forum PARA representative, Vice President (External) PARA (2013-2014)
  • American College of Radiology Committee on Practice Parameters – Ultrasound, member (2016-Present)
  • Canadian Association of Radiology Incidental Findings Committee, Member (2018-Present)
  • Assistant Program Director, U of A Radiology Residency Program

As the mother of four young children and the spouse of a physician I am well aware of the pressures we physicians place upon ourselves in order to balance our personal and professional lives within the constraints of a constantly changing health care environment. The regulatory excellence of the CPSA is the framework upon which all of our practices are built. I look forward to using my passion and determination, along with my clinical experience and support network, to help the CPSA reach even higher heights and guide physicians through the future challenges we as a profession are certain to face.”

– Dr. Fung

Medical experience & training:

• • MD (2006-2010): University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
  • CCFP (2010-2012): University of Alberta Family Medicine Residency Program
  • Clinical practice (2012-present): Home visits, long term care, community palliative /geriatric care, ambulatory clinic
  • Medical Education (2012-present): Assistant Clinical Professor (U of A), resident and medical student preceptor

Unique experience:

In addition to being a full time physician and mother, I co-lead several physician groups through social media, with the largest including over 8000 physician members across Canada. I also co-founded and co-chair an annual accredited conference (Radiology Update for Family Physicians), now in its third year.

I believe. that in the Profession of Medicine, as a doctor, as one of the trusted profession by the people (trusted their personal and medical problems), that we should behave as such to be trusted and maintain our professionalism and Ethics, no matter how busy we are.”

– Dr. Geonzon

Medical training & experience:

I am a graduate from the Philippines and did my residency training at Foothill Medical Center under the Faculty of Family Medicine, University of Calgary. I started my practice in 1985. I have the LMCC. CCFP, FCFP and the Life Member of College of Family Medicine of Canada. I am still practising 4 days a week and an active member in teaching, as a Clinical Preceptor. Faculty of Family Medicine, University of Calgary for more than 15 years. I was active working at PLC hospital for 20 years (1991-2012) and gave up my privilege, when hospitalist are available already in the hospital.

Unique experience:

I am greatly involved in the executive committees in various organization but not in the Medical Professions’ committee except the AMA Board of Trustees for the Benefits and the Out of Country Appeal Committee of Canada, in province of Alberta.

I am looking forward for being a member of the CPSA Council. If ever elected I will do my part to the best of my ability, to do what is needed to do “right” for the public.

I personally want to make a difference in my own life, practice and also help my colleagues who are practicing medicine in the province of Alberta. I want to help the college in the capacity of Councillor to improve the quality of care for individual Albertans. We all have this unique experience with doctors, be it apprehension or fear to have to see a physician for some ailment in our life. When we go through a difficult time, we would like to see the physician as a person who can take care of us when we are in our most vulnerable state.

If I was given a chance to improve the service of delivering healthcare in our beautiful province, I think my experiences could make a difference in providing the best health care possible for all Albertans.”

– Dr. Hamid

Medical training & experience:

I completed my medical degree from Dow Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan in 1984, I completed psychiatry residency at Guys and St. Thomas’s Hospital in London, England. I then received a diploma in psychological medicine from Dublin, Ireland as well as a psychiatry diploma from London, England. I have experience practicing in both Pakistan and England before moving to Canada in 1997 and receiving my FRCPC in Psychiatry.

Unique experience:

I was medical director of ACCESS mental health, mobile response team, and mental health clinic of NE Calgary. My responsibilities included hiring of physicians as well as nursing staff and managers. I was involved in many conflict resolution meetings. I also helped open the unique short stay program at Peter Lougheed Hospital, the first of its kind in Alberta. I was also involved in the steering committee for the development of the mental health clinic at Sunridge.

I enjoy teaching, travelling, photography and am an avid golfer. I have 4 children and live and practice in Calgary.

It is not only a chance for me to meet new challenges and fulfill self-value in the career of medicine. It is also a great opportunity to bring in voice from first-line physicians who are working with all different kinds of patients from day to day practice. I believe I will be a great connection between College and physicians, physicians and health care co-workers, and physicians and patients.”

– Dr. Han

Medical training & experience:

I completed my family medicine training from University of Alberta and practice as an Edmonton-based family doctor in United Health Centres, affiliated with Edmonton Oliver PCN. My focus is full spectrum general practice and includes cancer care, mental health and chronic pain.

Unique experience:

Board Director of Oliver PCN general board and resource committee.

– Dr. Hendriks

Medical training & experience:

• • 2001-Present: General Practice, Alberta Health Services, Wetaskiwin Family Medical Practice, including:
    1. General Practice Office
    2. Emergency Room Work
  • 2001-2010: General Practice Obstetrical Care, Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre
  • 2001-2009: General Practice Anaesthesia, Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre
  • 2000-2001: Generalist in Mental Health, Alberta Hospital Ponoka, Dual Diagnostic Recovery Program. Assisted in Setting up the Program.
  • 1992-2000: General Practice, Crossroads Regional Health Authority, including:
    1. Anaesthesia
    2. Obstetrics
    3. Emergency Room Work
    4. General Practice Office
  • 1990-1991: Emergency Room Physician, Lethbridge Hospital
  • 1989-1990: Anaesthesia, University of Saskatchewan
  • 1987-1989: Family Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  • 1987: M.D., University of Ottawa
  • 1973-1980: Welder including pipe welding on Nuclear Power Plants

Unique experience:

• Previously:
  • Committee Member, Chronic Disease Management for Diverse Populations, Alberta Health Services
  • Co-Chair, Chronic Disease Management, Primary Care Network-Wetaskiwin
  • Co-Chair, Mental Health Program, Primary Care Network-Wetaskiwin
• 2005-2010: Founder, Aboriginal Prenatal Wellness Program-Wetaskiwin Family Medical Practice
• 2003-2004: Treasurer, David Thompson Medical Staff Regional Health Authority
• 2002-2003: Medical Staff President, Crossroads Regional Health Authority
• 2000-Present: Medical Director, Augustana University Paramedic Program now known as Lakeland College Paramedic Program
• 1999-2000: Member Relative Value Guide Committee (Family Medicine), Member Aboriginal Workshop Planning Committee
• 1996-1999:
  • Elected AMA Representative Region 9 {Two Terms) President Region 9 Medical Staff
  • AMA Representative Member Physician Liaison Region 9 AMA Representative Member Utilization Region 9
  • Past Member Medical Advisory Committee
• 1995-1996: Chairman, Department of Anaesthesia, Wetasklwin Hospital Member, Wetaskiwin Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee
• 1988-1990:
  • President, Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Saskatchewan Negotiated substantial contract changes including pay increases and improving working conditions.
  • Member of numerous committees including prelicensure, hours of work sub-committee, CMA committee on Physician Resources
• 1985-1986:
  • President of Aesculapian Society, University of Ottawa (Medical Student President)
  • Member, Advisory Board, University of Ottawa Medical School
  • Member, Faculty Counsel, University of Ottawa Medical School
  • First President of Sanitas Society, University of Ottawa (this is a society devoted to charitable work and raising money for third wor1d countries)

PAIRO Citizenship Award, Professional Association of Interns & Residents of Ontario. Given to a person by his/her peers as someone who demonstrated innovative and effective leadership in areas of student well being, curriculum development, faculty liaison and community involvement.

“As evidenced by my lengthy tenure as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Imaging, College work has always energized me. Over the years as Chair, I have had the tremendous honour of collaborating with a diverse group of radiologists, cardiologists, technologists, and enthusiastic CPSA staff, who draw upon a variety of past experiences and who bring impassioned, unique perspectives to the many challenging issues that our committee has faced. I have learned a great deal from this committee work and those who know me well would say that I have grown as a mediator, as a leader, and as a collaborator over the course of my time with the CPSA. I believe that the time has come for new leadership on the ACDI; however, I remain keen to take on new challenges with the CPSA and I believe that it would be a privilege to do so as a member of Council. As a Council member, I know that I would have the opportunity to further grow as a collaborator and as a leader. In addition, my passion for ensuring that high quality medical care is provided and for protecting the public would serve me well on Council.”

– Dr. MacEwan

Medical training & experience:

• • Medical School UofS ’94 – ’97
  • Diagnostic Radiology residency UofA ’98 – ’03 (FRCPC)
  • Nuclear Medicine residency UofA ’03 – ’05 (FRCPC)
  • Staff Radiologist / Nuclear Medicine Physician CCI ’05 – present (DI Site Lead ’12 – present)
  • CPSA ACDI member ’06 – ’08
  • CPSA ACDI Chair ’08 – present

Unique experience:

• Diagnostic Imaging Site Leader CCI ’12 – present.
• Creativity is required to ensure adequate medical staffing of the department within the confines of fiscal constraint and I have had the opportunity to take a lead role in this regard.

As a member of council, I intend to direct my eorts towards ensuring we continue to provide the high quality care that Albertans both expect and deserve while also addressing the burden imposed on physician’s struggling with their own mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing. As a regulatory body, our obligation to protect the interests of Albertans does not void the moral and ethical obligation of our profession when addressing the healthcare needs of our own. I strongly believe that we can continue to ensure that we exhibit the highest possible standards without stigmatizing members of our profession.

I am committed to maintaining public condence in our profession, the regulatory body, and its members. It would be my honour to serve on our Council.”

– Dr. Montasser

Medical training & experience:

• • MD – University of Calgary 2015
  • Family Medicine Residency – University of Calgary 2017
  • Family Practice Anesthesia – University of Alberta 2018
  • Clinical practice in rural setting since graduation

Unique experience:

Prior to medicine, served with the RCMP from 2005-2012 in uniformed capacity, primarily in northern Alberta, and was the media spokesperson.

I have served on many zonal and provincial committees and would be honored to use the experience gained to help govern our esteemed profession. Some of these committees are listed below:

• STI Lead at the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (2014 – )
• Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta (2015 -)
• Member of the C. difficile Working Group of the Zone Infection Prevention and Control [IPC] Committee {2014 – 2018)
• Member of the University of Alberta Hospital Infection (UAH) Prevention and Control Committee (2014- 2016)
• Member of UAH, Zonal and Provincial Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees (2014- Sep 2018)
• Member of the STI Laboratory Liaison Committee (2015 – )
• Assessments Co-ordinator of the Medical Microbiology Resident Training Program at the University of Alberta (2015 -)
• Member of the Alberta Gastroenterology Laboratory Working Group (2014 – 2019)
• Managed two microbiology laboratories in Interior Health Region, Kamloops, BC {2013 – 2014)”

– Dr. Naidu

Medical training & experience:

• • MBChB – University of Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; 1993
  • Advanced Management Program – Manchester Business School, Manchester, United Kingdom; 1999
  • Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada; 2004
  • Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, Medical Microbiology; 2013
  • Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene – University of Glasgow, United Kingdom; 2018

Unique experience:

• In the last 5 years: Executive Member of the Alberta Section of Laboratory Physicians within the AMA (Feb 2019 – )
• Co-chair of the CPHLN Syphilis Diagnostic Working Group(Jan 2019 – )
• Member of the PHAC Enhanced Surveillance of the Antimicrobial-Resistant Gonorrhea (ESAG) group {2018 -)
• Co-chair of the Alberta Medical Microbiologists Association
  (2014-2017)
• Secretary of International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) Canada (2014 – March 2018)
• I have completed Physician Leadership Institute courses in Leading Change and Leading with Emotional Intelligence, attended the 2019 CSPL Conference, as well as a workshop on Team Dynamics.

– Dr. Ng

Medical training & experience:

• • 2012 -MB, BCh, BAO -Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
  • 2017 -FRCPC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, residency completion University of Manitoba
  • 2018 -Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship -University of Calgary
  • Current -Staff Psychiatrist -Spinal Cord Injury and General Neurology Inpatient Rehabilitation Glenrose and PhysioLogix Clinic

Unique experience:

MBA gold medal recipient from University of Manitoba with concentration in health care administration, including experiences in health care policy, finance and governance.

I am an IMG-Irish Medical Grad-emigrated to Canada in 1984. A Family Physician and Hospitalist, I spent my first 9 years in Nova Scotia, and have been based in Fort McMurray, since 1993. I’m a father of 7, and grandpa of 7 (so far). I live in Edmonton with my wife Charlene RN.

Among our personal interests is the impact of environmental influences on health generally, especially relevant in these tumultuous times.

My time at the College has turned out to be much more interesting and absorbing than I ever anticipated. It has been a time of great change, dealing with issues such as MAID, the opioid crisis, marijuana legalization, and Bill C 21-to mention just a few. The discussions, decisions and direction taken at the College have been of vital importance and I believe have had significant positive influences on health outcomes. In many respects battles won, in an ongoing war.

There are several major health challenges we as a profession are directly facing, including climate change, and the urgency with which we as a profession must act, as patient advocates. More locally, we are also faced with the additional problem of trying to support rural and remote medical services, in an era of aging populations and cut-backs to heath care spending. It is important that we must act in unison, with strong leadership at the helm, in the best interests of our patients, with which we have been entrusted. I firmly believe that the College has this continuing mandate and represents the best forum for tackling these challenges.

We really are very lucky and privileged to be looking after the health of Albertans. I am constantly aware of this, and never take it for granted. With healthcare becoming increasingly complex, world-wide, and not least here in Alberta, the path forward will only become trickier.

I would be grateful for your support, and truly honoured, to continue to represent you.”

– Dr. O’Connor
(780) 799-1040 

Non-clinical work has been an extremely rewarding supplement to my routine work responsibilities. I appreciate the challenge that comes from working in areas in which physicians have received less formal training. I am eager to learn from and work alongside the talented Council members who take on this important responsibility.”

– Dr. Oladele

Medical training & experience:

I completed medical school at the University of Alberta in 2003, and Family Medicine residency at McGill in 2006. I have practiced in diverse contexts: as a locum, rurally, on a military base, at an inner-city clinic on an ARP, doing addictions work, and traditional office fee for service work. I am an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Fam Med at the U of A. This is my sixth and final year on the board for the Edmonton North Primary Care Network, serving as President and VP much of that time.

Unique experience:

Governance: Pres/VP of Edmonton North PCN and associated work at the Edmonton PCN Zone Committee; Institute of Corporate Directors membership and some training.

Communication: over half a dozen Physician Leadership Institute courses, upcoming facilitation training and various other courses. Finances: Expert Finance Session from PCN Board competency training.

Additional information:

I have been an Albertan my entire life and have ties that will bind me here for the rest of my working life. I want to preserve the integrity of the profession for myself, my family, and my loved ones.

CME/MOC is critical for growing professionally and maintaining standards of care throughout a physician’s practicing lifetime. This is true for all specialties and sub-specialties. As a Council member, I look forward to joining a team to help implement MOC options within Neurology that are relevant, informative, meaningful to current patient care and non-punitive.

I was raised, educated and neurology-trained in the U.S. I practiced clinical neurology for nine years there. It has been an honor to practice in Calgary for the last eleven years within a national and provincial system that inherently are obliged to provide access to basic health care for all. More importantly, nearly all patients I’ve met understand, and act upon, the concept that resources are not limitless; and that all Canadians are equally entitled to medical care. Though I favor by far the Canadian mindset, I realize there are challenges and controversies in every attempt at fair and uniform health care coverage. My viewpoint on Council would be informed by experience in both systems.

I have the time, a sense of commitment and a voice to share.”

– Dr. Pearson

Medical training & experience:

• • 2007-present -Neurologist, Dept of Clinical Neurosciences, Univ of Calgary, Clinical Assistant Professor
  • 1999-2007 -Practicing general neurologist, Boston area
  • 1997-1999 -Fellow, Behavioral Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Beth Israel Deaconess Med Center, Harvard
  • 1994-1997 -Resident, Longwood Neurology Program, Brigham & Womens Hosp, Harvard

Unique experience:

• (2003-09) Boston -Milford Medical Center -Medical Executive Committee; Ethics Committee; Stroke Center administrator.
• (2010-present) Calgary -CME Committee, Cumming School of Medicine, Clinical Neurosciences representative; Neurology ARP Management Committee; Residency Program Committee for Physiatry.
• Living and teaching in Tonga/Polynesia for 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer provided growth in more domains of my character than I may ever be fully aware. (1978-80)

I believe in core principles of Family Medicine to improve the health of all people in Canada by setting standards for education, certifying and supporting family physicians, championing advocacy and research, and honouring the patient-physician relationship as being core to our profession.

Once elected for CPSA Council, my goals are to:

• Set standards to develop and sustain skilled family physicians
• Meet the evolving health care needs of our communities
• Promote the value of patient care provided by family physicians and specialists.
• Encourage engagement of our members in CPSA activities and standards.

You can reach me at zahidrafiq@msn.com or 403-874-6304.”

– Dr. Rafiq

Medical training & experience:

• • MBBS from Rawalpindi Medical College, Pakistan 1990. Field Medical Officer Doctors Without Borders in Zimbabwe 1993-1995.
  • Trauma Unit Johannesburg Gen Hospital, Flight for Life ( like STARS) 1996-1997.
  • ATLS instructor 1997-2003.
  • Registrar Gen Surgery, University of Witswaterands, South Africa 1997-2002.
  • GP/Surgeon, Ponoka Gen Hospital, Ponoka, Alberta 2002-2007.
  • CCFP in 2008.
  • FCFP in 2018.
  • Family Practice/Office procedures, Calgary 2007 to present.
  • Examiner for Family Medicine Certification exam (CCFP)
    Preliminary Clinical Assessor for IMGs 2013 to date.
  • Procedural Skill Trainer, Family Medicine Residency Program, University of Calgary.

Unique experience:

Member credential committee, David Thompson Health Region (Central Zone) 2005-2007. Physician Lead, Access and Continuity of care, MOSAIC PCN 2010-2015. Board member MOSAIC PCN 2016 to date. Member Governance Working Group, MOSAIC PCN 2019 to date. President, RMCAANA ( RMC Alumni Association of North America) 2019.

General Secretary, IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) Calgary chapter 2013-2018

Founder and member Board of Trustee, MD-International, not for profit physicians organisation involved in disaster relief, community awareness, education, research and innovation 2012 to date.

The reason I am running for a position on the College Council is that I do care about our profession and its direction. Furthermore, I am also focused on our collective and individual accountability towards society.

In my role as a GIM Section Chief at the Misericordia Hospital I had the honour to lead the group of internal medicine consultants. This provided me with the opportunity to better understand individual physicians and the dynamic relationship of larger groups of medical doctors. I also represent my colleagues in meetings with various administrative and academic bodies. My interaction with non-physician groups gave me insight into their understanding of our responsibilities. It also allowed me to clearly communicate our professional goals and desire to meet them.

Throughout my career I observed that change is not only a constant, but is essential to positive, sustainable and inclusive growth. My experiences thus far allowed me to expand my leadership and executive skills and to better understand our profession. I believe that these attributes will provide me with the ability to serve on the council in an effective way. This will help with delivering good governance and achieve change that is congruent with both societal expectations and with the foundation of our profession.”

– Dr. Slabu

Medical training & experience:

• • 2017-Current: GIM Section Chief at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta
  • 2010-Current: GIM Consultant at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta
  • 2009-2010: GIM Fellowship Program at the University of Saskatchewan
  • 2006-2009: GIM Core Residency Program at the University of Saskatchewan
  • 2003-2006: University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine

Unique experience:

Serving as Section Chief allowed me to enhance my governance, leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.

“I want to be more involved in healthcare in Alberta with public service in mind! I was invited to a Women in Medicine Networking Group by the Edmonton Physicians a few months ago and was inspired and encouraged by the message from CPSA President Dr. John Bradley: to become a part of a group seeking to provide the highest quality of Medicine in Alberta by safeguarding patients and providing direction to physicians. This is a very unique and privileged opportunity to be a part of the Council that governs yourself and colleagues.

By providing guidance and support to physicians, the public is protected through the development and enforcement of standards and regulations: putting into practice the golden rule of treating others as one would like to be treated in a more formal, reproducible and accountable structure.

I am a professional with seventeen years of practice as a surgical specialist in the Central Zone. I am enthusiastic to learn, listen, grow and contribute as a Councillor for the CPSA.”

– Dr. Westberg

Medical training & experience:

• • Premedical school undergraduate degreee: BA Sociology, BSc. (Cert.) Anatomy
  • Doctor of Medicine University of Manitoba 1992-1996
  • Residency Plastic Surgery University of Manitoba 1996-2001
  • Fellow Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada 2001
  • University of San Francisco California Fellowship Hand,
    Microvascular, Peripheral Nerve 2001-2002
  • Attending Plastic Surgeon Red Deer Regiona Hospital, Central Zone 2002-present

Unique experience:

Courses that I have taken towards obtaining the PU Certificate (Physicians Learning Institute): Leadership begins with Self Awareness, Engaging Others, Leadership in Medical Woman, Conflict Management and Negotiation, Managing People Effectively and Leading Change have provided a unique experience and prompted me to further develop, apply and integrate my current skill set in my practical encounters.