Medical expertise and investigation skills: A dynamic combination

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In the latest Professional Conduct Corner, find out how Senior Medical Advisors bring their expertise to CPSA’s complaints process

Senior Medical Advisors (SMAs) are integral to the work we do at CPSA, bringing expertise and practice knowledge to help inform our various programs and initiatives. When complaints are received by CPSA under the Health Professions Act and are directed to investigation, one of the SMAs on Professional Conduct’s team may be asked to investigate complaints. Our SMAs provide a physician’s lens and perspective to such complaints, which can inform next steps. For example, determining which medical records may be relevant to the complaint, or whether an opinion from an expert in the applicable medical specialty is needed. Our SMAs also assist CPSA’s Complaints Director in considering how an expert’s completed opinion should inform the complaint process.

We are pleased to introduce you to the two SMAs who bring their experience and expertise to CPSA’s Professional Conduct team:

Dr. Neelam Mahil MD FRCPC: Neelam trained as a psychiatrist after obtaining her MD from the University of Alberta and joined CPSA’s Professional Conduct team in January 2024. Neelam previously worked with CPSA’s Physician Health Monitoring Program (now Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring) and served on the Complaint Review and Hearing Tribunal committee. In addition to her role at CPSA, Neelam still maintains a clinical practice in adolescent psychiatry. Says Neelam: “CPSA is an excellent organization to work for, with a team that genuinely cares about what they do. The work is both interesting and rewarding, and I look forward to each day.”

Dr. Clark Maul LLB MBBS FCICM: After an earlier career as a lawyer in Australia, Clark obtained his medical degree in Australia before training in critical care medicine. He completed a subspecialty fellowship with the University of Alberta and then worked as a faculty Intensivist at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton before joining CPSA in February 2024. Says Clark: “The role has been a rewarding one thus far, as it has afforded me a means of employing my ‘dual-trained’ medico-legal background to an important public purpose.”

Did you know?

Professional Conduct is always looking for expert reviewers. If you are interested in serving as an expert and reviewing complaint files on a contract basis, visit our website to learn more and contact us to express your interest.

SMA career opportunities may be advertised from time to time on CPSA’s website. Keep an eye on our opportunities webpage for current and future postings.