Q & A with Councillor Dr. Daisy Fung

Read time: 3 minutes

CPSA Council nominations are open from May 1 to 30, 2025, to fill four regulated member vacancies for a three-year term commencing January 2026. Think you might be a good fit? Put your name forward through our nomination form!

Not sure what to expect? Outgoing Councillor and Edmonton family physician Dr. Daisy Fung shares some wisdom and insights after serving on Council for six years. While on Council, she took part in a number of committees, including the Finance & Audit Committee, which she chaired for over a year. Dr. Fung was also a founding member of the Anti-Racism Anti-Discrimination Action Advisory Committee, which she chaired for two years.

What inspired you to run for CPSA Council?

What really resonated with me was that Council’s work is guided by the north star—doing the right thing, protecting the patients and doing the best for the public. This seemed simple and pure, and a more positive way to direct a lot of the energy I was feeling as a busy community family physician here in Alberta.

We in medicine like to learn lifelong. Serving on Council was completely new to me and so, I thought, this might be a good way to add some diversity to my practice and develop some new skills.

What were some highlights from your time on Council?

When I came onto Council, I joined the Strategic Planning Working Group to help create the current strategic plan. It was such in-depth, detailed work that included a lot of robust discussion and debate about the direction of this organization. Out of those discussions and regular meetings with fellow Councillors, we created two new pillars in the areas of Anti-Racism Anti-Discrimination and Indigenous Connections. Looking back, I’m very proud we set these important strategic directions.

Which three attributes/competencies resonate the most with you and why do you think they are important in a Councillor?

Integrity, humility and communication and that’s probably because I bring these up all the time in my clinical work and as a teacher.

Integrity is important on any board because you have a responsibility for the organization—Council holds CPSA to account for the work that it does, its mandate and for the people CPSA serves: our patients. Humility is important for us as professionals and also as good human beings who can work well in a group to carry out selfless work for the benefit of others. Communication of course is also very important. We can have a lot of skill and knowledge, but without effective communication we can run into a lot of pitfalls that cause unintended consequences and harm.

When you joined Council what were you expecting? What surprised you?

When I joined Council, I was expecting a really steep learning curve and I definitely saw that. For the first year I feel like I spent most of my time listening and learning. The biggest surprise for me was the change in my view of CPSA as an organization and even of self-regulation and regulatory bodies after my six years on Council. I now have a much deeper understanding of the work CPSA does, what guides them and where their hearts are in the work they do.

CPSA is here to serve the public interest—how do you see CPSA Council fulfilling that role?

When you have a Council that is open to conversation, respectful debate, seeing all perspectives and being open while not waffling on decisions, this leads to such good, strong and informed work. This work can then be taken away by CPSA to make it happen, make it real and constantly improve. All the while, CPSA Council is also doing that important work within itself.

Why should a regulated member run for Council?

As physicians, we went into this profession to help patients and do the right thing. Being on Council is fulfilling in a way that dovetails well with our clinical or teaching jobs. For me, it’s even been a way to reduce my risk of burnout by adding variety to my work and giving me a place to divert my energy in a positive way. I also have a deeper understanding of how the system works. That alone has given me reassurance about the future and who is working to make things better and why. That optimism is especially important when things are stormy.

Do Dr. Fung’s words resonate with you?

Get involved in governance and self-regulation by submitting your nomination for CPSA Council by no later than May 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

Questions for CPSA or Dr. Daisy Fung? Email elections@cpsa.ab.ca. Want to hear more from her? Watch the full video interview here!