Volume 30 | Fall 2013
PARAphrase
Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta
The Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta
is a non-profit organization that endeavours to provide effective
representation for physicians completing further training in a
residency program. PARA advocates excellence in education
and patient care while striving to achieve optimal working
conditions and personal well-being for all its members.
PARA is run by resident physicians, for resident physicians.
contents
PARAphrase
volume 30 | fall 2013
Contact PARA
www.para-ab.ca
Edmonton Main Office:
{
Table Of
#340, 11044 - 82 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 0T2
Edmonton | (780) 432-1749
Calgary | (403) 236-4841
Toll Free | 1 (877) 375-7272
Fax | (780) 432-1778
Staff:
Interim Chief Executive Officer/Tana Findlay
[email protected]
Director of Operations/Rob Key
[email protected]
Labor Relations Coordinator/Jenny Beaudoin-Pigeon
[email protected]
Communications Coordinator/Aimee Kozun
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant/Roberta Breakwell
[email protected]
Important Numbers:
Alberta Blue Cross
Edmonton | (780) 498-8000
Calgary | (403) 234-9666
Toll Free | 1 (800) 661-6995
AHS Benefits
1 (877) 511-4455
Payroll
Edmonton | (780) 735-0712
Calgary | (403) 699-0505
PGME
Edmonton | (780) 492-9722
Calgary | (403) 210-7984
Call Stipends Assistance
Edmonton | (780) 735-0712
Calgary | (403) 943-1253
24-hour Physician and Family Support
Toll Free | 1 (877) 767-4637
1
PARAphrase/about
Informed • Empowered • Involved
PARA’s Vision
Informed about our patients’ health and
innovations in medicine.
Empowered to create healthy professional
working and learning environments.
Involved in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Alberta.
Table of Contents
2 About PARA
3 PARA's Executive Board 2013-2014
5 President's Message
6 Past President's Message
7 Students' Corner
8 PARA & Resident Physician Duty Hours
9 PARA Medical Education Awards
12 PARA Bursaries & the Taxi Reimbursement Program
13 PARA Agreement Continuance
14 Resident Physicians in the Legislature
15 Resident Physician Wellness
16 Wellness Resources & PARA Benefits
17 CAIR Comments
18 PARA's Conference Sponsorship Program
19 AMA Matters
21 Resident Physicians of the Month
23 PARA’s Financial & Operational Activities
24 PARA's Organizational Design
25 Transition to Practice Opportunities
27 CPSA Considerations
What exactly does PARA do?
1. PARA negotiates an agreement on your behalf that deals with
the non-academic aspects of residency training. These aspects
include pay, working conditions, and benefits.
2. PARA strives to ensure compliance with the terms of this
agreement.
3. PARA enhances resident physician well-being by organizing
social and wellness events, information seminars and
workshops.
4. PARA advocates for individual resident physicians with
professional or academic challenges.
5. PARA advocates on behalf of resident physicians as a whole
at all levels with various organizations:
■ Locally with the Universities, Faculties of Medicine, and
Alberta Health Services;
■ Provincially with the Alberta Government, Alberta Medical
Association, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Alberta; and
■ Nationally (through the Canadian Association of Internes
and Residents) with the Canadian Medical Association,
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada,
Canadian College of Family Physicians, Medical Council
of Canada, Federal Government, and Canadian Medical
Protective Association.
Dues for Canada’s resident
physician organizations
are as follows:
PAIRN
1.00%
PAR-BC
1.55%
PARA
PAIRM
0.95%
0.90%
PAIRS
1.00%
PARI-MP
PARO
1.30%
1.35%
How do we do all this?
How can you get involved?
■ PARA was incorporated in 1975 and has a voluntary
recognition agreement with the Educating and Employing
Entities made up of the University of Alberta, the University of
Calgary, and Alberta Health Services.
■ PARA requires volunteer resident physicians to join our
Assembly and provide direction for the organization. We need
these same resident physicians to volunteer their time for the
various committees on which PARA sits to advocate for their
fellow resident physicians.
■ PARA collects mandatory dues from each resident physician
who is paid through Alberta Health Services. Of these dues,
approximately a quarter goes to the Canadian Association of
Internes and Residents. These dues are tax deductible, have
not risen in over 30 years, and are amongst the lowest in the
country.
PARA volunteer opportunities include:
■ Serving on the Assembly
■ Serving on committees and working groups
■ Serving as an ambassador at external stakeholder meetings
■ Involvement in the planning of events and campaigns such as
Resident Physicians in the Legislature, the PARAdime Charity
Campaign, and social events
■ Attending PARA education, advocacy, and social events.
Of these dues, approximately a quarter goes to the Canadian
Association of Internes and Residents. PARA & CAIR dues are
tax deductable with the total included as part of your T4 slip.
The Assembly is elected prior to the first PARA Assembly
meeting of the new academic year. Resident physicians interested
in becoming involved with PARA should contact the PARA office
for more information.
You are provided time off with pay in your Agreement to
participate in PARA. All reasonable costs associated with
attending meetings are fully reimbursed.
Remember: PARA depends on volunteer resident physicians.
The organization needs you!
28 CPSA Reflections, CMPA Support & Duty Hours
29 PARA Socials Review
30 PARA Calendar of Events
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
2
PARAphrase/executive board
[
President
PARAphrase/executive board
Executive board
2013-2014
]
Dr. David Weatherby [ [email protected]]
For more information on the PARA Executive Board,
visit http://www.para-ab.ca/board/para-executive.
Edmonton & Northern Alberta Ambassador
Dr. Weatherby was born just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up, he spent most of his free time playing
soccer and progressing to rugby in high school and university. He attended Dalhousie University for degrees
in both neuroscience and medicine. David (or Dave as he prefers) is grateful to have matched to the University
of Calgary’s Orthopaedic Surgery Program and is currently in his fourth year. He spent last year as the Calgary
and Southern Alberta Representative on the PARA executive, and is very much looking forward to this year as
President.
Dr. Iio was born and raised in Kamloops BC, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree with majors
in Chemistry and Biology at Thompson Rivers University, formerly known as University College of the Cariboo.
After that, she completed her medical school degree at the University of British Columbia, while partaking in
the Northern Medical Program located in Prince George, BC. She was also involved in an integrated clerkship in
Chilliwack/Abbotsford, B.C. during her third year of medical school. From there, she matched to the University
of Alberta General Surgery residency program where she is currently in her third year of residency. She first
became involved with PARA as a Surgery and Surgical Subspecialty Representative and she currently sits on the
Executive Board in the position of Edmonton & Northern Alberta Ambassador. 
To relax, Dave can mostly be found skiing, shoveling the driveway, or taking his four-year-old Labrador retriever
out for a run. Dave and his wife are expecting their first child in early February. 
Vice President of Leadership & Education
Dr. Allison Sweeney [ [email protected]]
Calgary & Southern Alberta Ambassador
Dr. Natalie Logie [ [email protected]]
Besides medicine, Anshula is passionate about dance and has been actively involved in organizing dance
performances for various multicultural and charitable festivals. She also enjoys the hiking and camping
opportunities that the Rockies provide; she slips out to the mountains any weekend she can.
She initially got involved with PARA in her first year of residency as an observer, and her main goal this year is to
serve as an effective bridge between PARA and the resident physician body. 
Ambassador to the Alberta Medical Association
Dr. Logie heralds from Calgary and completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary in Honors
Zoology. She briefly left the province of Alberta for a semester of marine biology courses in British Columbia, and
then returned to conduct an honors research project studying gliding lizards from Southeast Asia. She spent some
time with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary investigating heaves in horses. While
volunteering for clients with brain injuries, she came to realize her passion for making a difference in the lives of
patients. She moved to Edmonton in 2007 to pursue medical school training followed by residency in Radiation
Oncology. Natalie became involved with PARA in 2011 becoming particularly interested in helping Alberta’s
resident physicians achieve well-being. Natalie herself ensures her own well-being by spending time with her
family, friends, and pets, going to Yoga classes, and travelling. 
Vice President of Operations and Finance
Dr. Lowell Henriques [ [email protected]]
Dr. Henriques grew up in the beautiful seaside town of Lantzville, B.C. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in
Classics at the University of British Columbia before attending medical school at the University of Toronto. Since
coming to Calgary for residency, he has considered it an honour to work with PARA on behalf of his resident
physician colleagues, and he is pleased to be the current Vice President of Operations and Finance. Known for
his sense of humour, he is often to be found wherever joking or banter occurs. In his free time, he enjoys nonmedical reading, spending time with friends, occasionally oil painting (though a self-acknowledged utter hack),
and making wine. 
3
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Dr. Anshula Ambasta [ [email protected]]
Dr. Ambasta describes herself as a citizen of the world having been born in India, raised in Saudi Arabia, and
professionally educated in Canada. She has been a proud Calgarian for the past nine years and received her
undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Calgary. She is currently a second-year resident
physician in Internal Medicine in Calgary, and is hoping to practice as a general internist in the future.
Growing up in Northwestern Ontario, Dr. Sweeney developed a strong sense of adventure and love for the great
outdoors. She enjoys spending her free time swimming, fishing, snowshoeing, and skiing. Following her science
degree at the University of Winnipeg, Allison returned to her Northern roots to complete medical school at the
Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay. Her passion for rural living led her to pursue a Rural
Family Medicine Residency Program in Red Deer, Alberta. As the Vice President of Leadership & Education
for 2013-2014, Allison is looking forward to bringing resident physician issues to external stakeholders and
providing strong advocacy for both her rural and urban colleagues. 
Vice President of Community and Internal Relations
Dr. Brandi Iio [ [email protected]]
Dr. Sylvia McCulloch [[email protected]]
Dr. McCulloch (nee Shamanna) was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She completed her undergraduate
degree at the University of Alberta and attended the University of Calgary for medical school. Sylvia is currently
in her third year of residency in the Internal Medicine program. The summer before last, Sylvia was married
under the midnight sun in Whitehorse, Yukon to the love of her life! In her free time, she enjoys spending time
with family and friends and playing with her puppy, Piper! Sylvia is a runner and is training for a half marathon
this fall. Sylvia also enjoys travelling and fell in love with South America during a trip to Argentina this year and
hopes to visit Chili and Peru in 2014. 
Past President
Dr. Gillian Shiau [ [email protected]]
Dr. Shiau was born and raised in Coquitlam, BC. After spending four years at Queen’s University, completing
dual honours degrees in Biochemistry and Commerce, she returned to the “wet coast” for medical school at the
University of British Columbia. Currently, a fourth-year Diagnostic Radiology resident physician, she is most
likely to be found toiling away in the infamous Foothills Hospital Radiology “Pit”, cooking up a storm in the
kitchen, catching discs on the ultimate pitch, or curling up with an anatomy textbook like any good budding
radiologist! She is a dedicated advocate for resident physicians currently serving on the PARA Executive Board
and the CAIR Board of Directors, a teacher for medical students distilling complicated topics into understandable
chunks, and a conscientious and compassionate clinician taking as much time as necessary to hear about patient
concerns. The best part is she does it all with enthusiasm and an infectious smile. Gillian looks forward to
Dr. Sylvia
McCulloch
[ [email protected]
]
continuing to serve Alberta
resident
physicians as
the 2013-14 PARA Past President! 
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
4
PARAphrase/president's message
PARAphrase/past president's message
“
These five years of residency
are not meant to be just a
stepping stone. This is an
opportunity with which I
have been privileged and I
was beginning to lose sight
of that privilege...
”
My New Perspective on
Work Hard,
Play Hard.
Dr. Gillian Shiau PARA Past President
Diagnostic Radiology, University of Calgary
Residency
Dr. David Weatherby PARA President
Orthopedic Surgery, University of Calgary
My academic and professional careers have
been made up of a series of stepping stones.
I never intended for this to be the case, but
it seems as though at each stage of my life,
I was always looking forward and planning
for the next stage. I knew I wanted to go to
medical school, so my undergraduate degree
was a stepping stone to get there. Medical
school proved to be fun, but, the entire time,
I was planning for my residency. Until this
year, residency had become the same thing;
a stepping stone to my fellowship moving
towards to a staff position.
This year, I was taught, by one of my dear
colleagues, one of the most valuable life lessons
I have ever learned. This colleague was a fifth
year resident physician in my program who
died, following a short battle with cancer, six
days before his residency was to be completed.
His experience has caused me to re-evaluate
what is truly important in my life, and
reflect on how I was choosing to go through
residency.
5
For him, residency was not simply a stepping
stone. Through the long hours, the stressful
days, the exams, and the time away from
his loved ones, he was able to maintain an
uncompromising balance. He excelled at
being a resident physician. Yet, beyond that,
he was able to cultivate relationships with his
colleagues, keep up with his favourite past
times, and be a good friend and loving family
man. I don’t doubt he looked forward to the
next stages of his career, but, at no point, did
he stop living his life during his training.
For him, residency was not just a means to
an end; it was a chance to better himself, to
make lasting friendships, and to truly make an
difference in the lives of others.
After his death, I listened carefully to the words
of those who knew him best. I learned a lot
about him through his battle that influenced
what I thought about myself. These five years
of residency are not meant to be just a stepping
stone. This is an opportunity with which I
have been privileged and I was beginning to
lose sight of that privilege: I had given up on
my hobbies, failed at keeping in touch with
friends and loved ones, and was struggling to
find a balance. I now look at things differently.
I try to have more fun at work while taking
more time to get to know the people I work
with. I have begun to safeguard my time with
family. And I even organize my day differently
– pausing for lunch and for the all-important
third morning coffee.
For the first few years, I let residency become
a trial. It consumed me to the point where
I returned home so fatigued that I didn’t
appreciate where I was in my life. He never did
that. He was empowered by residency. He took
the good – the education, the training, the
mentorship, and made it better. Moreover he
made all the rest positive. Residency was never
a means to an end for him, and his influence
has ensured it is no longer time I will take for
granted. For that lesson alone, I will always be
deeply grateful. He will be missed. 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
As work-life balance becomes increasingly
important amongst residents, we should be
reassessing what working hard and playing
hard entails and how we can achieve an
appropriate work-life balance. What does
that mean in this day and age? Is it a matter
of strictly separating work and leisure hours?
Or is it choosing between or prioritizing one’s
career over one's personal life or vice versa?
One thing I’ve learned during residency
is that the answer, “It depends,” is a pretty
good answer to almost any question. In this
case too, I think the definition of “worklife balance” is different for each resident.
Residency program, level of training,
rotation specific requirements, preceptor
expectations, upcoming examinations, and job
opportunities are just a few of the many workrelated factors that influence the work side
of this equation. Personal influences include
marital status, dependents, family obligations,
extra-curricular commitments, and hobbies.
The ratio of work to play is always in flux and
is highly personal depending on residentspecific factors. The night before a certifying
or licensing exam is unlikely to be packed with
quality family and friend time. Likewise, the
night of one’s wedding or birthday is unlikely
(with any luck!) to be spent on-call. I would
suggest that parity or equality of hours is an
unreasonable metric for work-life balance.
The right work-life balance requires personal
reflection on what this balance means for each
of us, in our specific circumstances with our
specific goals and preferences.
I recently heard the concept of “work-life
balance” re-framed as “work-life fitness”. The
essential elements of this framework include
the fact that by being realistic with ourselves
“
work relationships, so it becomes a positive
cycle. Some of the people I have seen who have
been most successful at achieving what I view
as an optimal work-life fitness level have been
those who appear most settled and content
with what they are doing and what they have
achieved. I believe this contentment derives
from their heightened self-awareness of what
will make them most happy and allow them to
focus on achieving their goals. It is something
to be admired and emulated.
...the more content we are personally, the more
likely we are to be able to provide compassionate
and empathic care...
”
about what our goals are, we can tailor our
work-life balance to what is most appropriate
for us in any given scenario. By doing so, we
become more effective both at work and in
our personal lives because we have identified
our priorities and are able to juggle those
commitments appropriately. Further, the more
content we are personally, the more likely we
are to be able to provide compassionate and
empathic care and to have pleasant collegial
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
Overall, work-life fitness is achievable for
residents. Initial self-reflection on one’s
personal and professional priorities, followed
by identification of one’s career goals, personal
circumstances, and preferences are important
steps to achieving work-life fitness. Being
savvy about one’s work-life fitness is essential,
because a burned-out and stressed physician is
not fulfilled. Satisfied and fulfilled physicians
are able to provide optimal patient care. 
6
PARAphrase/students' corner
PARAphrase/PARA & resident physician duty hours
Medical Student Reflections PARA
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Stefan Link
PARA’s University of Calgary Medical Student Representative
What kind of doctor do you want to be? This
is the ultimate question that any physician
in training must answer. Timing feels like
it is of the essence, so how do you know
you’ve made the right choice? In my humble
opinion, the key is to have an open mind
and to experience as much as possible before
deciding upon a career path, which is what I
tried to accomplish last summer. Should one
choose gastroenterology without having the
opportunity to get nose deep in the action?
Should one rule out surgery before they have
held a retractor in the Operating Room, or
have hit the deck after smelling burning flesh?
My answer would be an emphatic “no!”
It may seem more difficult for students at the
University of Calgary to make these decisions,
because of the accelerated program. This is no
excuse – students should get out there and see
as much as possible as soon as possible to help
make an informed decision. As in life, there
are no right answers - just educated guesses
based on as much information and experience
as you can put together in the time available to
you. Don’t be afraid to take a shot in the dark,
despite some misgivings. Sometimes it’s a dirty
job, but someone has to do it. 
Since June 2011, when an Quebec arbitrator deemed that
24-hour shifts violate the Quebec Charter of Human Rights
and Freedoms and the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, PARA has been dedicated to fostering perspective
sharing around resident physician duty hours along with a
focus on safeguarding the relationship between educators and
trainees in medical education.
PARA’s Key Priorities around the resident
duty hours issue continue to be:
• Ensuring the health and wellness of patients and
all care providers
• The importance of the relationship between
trainees and educators in medical education
• Recognizing the duty hours issue as an opportunity
to engage in principles of self-regulation
• The need to focus on optimizing resident physician
Above: At the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Stefan Link standing under a clone
of the apple tree that Newton used to sit under
when contemplating the nature of gravity.
training through program-specific solutions
The Transitions Ahead
Madura Sundareswaran
PARA’s University of Alberta Medical Student Representative
A friend of mine asked me the other day if
medical school was anything like “Grey’s
Anatomy.” I laughed because this question
served as a reminder of my own questions
about medicine prior to beginning this fouryear journey. What should I expect? Who
will I turn to for help? What challenges await
me? Although we will continue to experience
transitions — such as the shift to clerkship and
residency — I am much less terrified of these
changes as a result of the interactions I have had
with people at various stages of our profession. I
am grateful for the support I have received from
those who are always willing to discuss, teach,
or guide us, students, every step of the way.
So far, it has been a steep learning curve, but a
journey filled with excitement, encouragement,
and inspiration from those whom I meet —
instructors, supervisors, future colleagues,
and peers. I cannot emphasize enough the
importance of interacting with resident
physicians through organizations such as PARA.
The opportunity to meet residents from various
specialties to discuss my current experience
and have many of my questions answered has
proven to be an extremely valuable experience.
I am really looking forward to being one of the
medical student representatives with PARA this
year and fulfilling my role as an advocate for
medical students at the University of Alberta. 
To this end, PARA has been proactive in
engaging in information sharing on the topic of
resident duty hours. This information sharing
has taken the form of partnering with the
Postgraduate Medical Education offices at both
the University of Alberta and the University of
Calgary to host symposia on the topic.
The three symposia at the University of
Alberta touched on the following aspects
of resident physician duty hours:
1. Perspectives on duty hours particularly around
patient and provider wellness, learner-educator
relationships, and principles of self regulation;
2. Evidence on sleep, fatigue, performance, and
learning;
3. Next steps which included presentations on
improving handover communications, early
experiences with duty hours restrictions in
Quebec, and discussion of the report of the
National Steering Committee on Resident Duty
Hours: Fatigue, Risk and Excellence: Towards a
Pan-Canadian Consensus on Resident Duty Hours.
PARA offers the huge thank you to Dr.
Ramona Kearney and Dr. Erin Wright
whose efforts made the symposia possible.
Information and many of the presentations
from these symposia can be found on the
Above: Madura Sundareswaran
7
& Resident Physician Duty Hours
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
PARA website at http://para-ab.ca/residents/
para-and-resident-physician-duty-hours.
As well, PARA has been proactive in its
communications around resident physicians
duty hours. PARA's monthly E-blasts all
include an update on duty hours that cover
recently published reports, resources, and
news coverage of this issue. Articles on
the subject have also appeared in previous
PARAphrases — PARA's Fall magazine —
and PARAdocs — PARA's Spring electronic
magazine. PARA has also offered to present the
background, status, risks, and opportunities
around this issue to interested resident
physicians and at program academic sessions,
conferences, retreats, education days, etc.
PARA’s leadership has made sure to keep
up to date on this issue. PARA's resident
physician leaders have attended:
Finally, the Association has developed duty
hour resources for resident physicians who
are interested in exploring alternative call
systems. Last year, PARA brought in Dr.
Jonathan DellaVedova for a webinar based on
the experience of the resident physicians at
McMaster Children`s Hospital in developing
their alternative call schedule. (A recording
of that webinar can be found on PARA’s
website at http://para-ab.ca/residents/webinarlibrary.) PARA has also begun collecting a
library of alternative call schedules as well
as change management resources that are
available to interested programs. Included
in those resources are handover and fatigue
management tools and reports published
around resident physician duty hours. To view
some of these resources and tools, visit http://
para-ab.ca/residents/para-and-residentphysician-duty-hours. 
• The Resident Physician Duty Hour Panel: Duty
Hours: Solutions across Borders at the 2011
International Conference on Residency Education;
• The Harvard Physician Work Hours, Health, and
Patient Safety Conference;
• The 2012 & 2013 Canadian Conference on
Medical Education;
• The 2012 International Conference on Residency
Education; and
• The Towards a Pan-Canadian Consensus on
Resident Duty Hours Conference.
The information gained at these conferences
has helped identify resources that resident
physicians can use to approach duty hours
changes and assisted in preparing PARA’s
Executive Board members for interviews with
the media on the topic.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
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PARAphrase/PARA clinical teaching awards
PARAphrase/PARA resident physician well-being awards
PARA Clinical Teaching Award PARA Resident Physician Well-being Award
2012/2013 Recipients
Since 1988, the PARA has recognized excellence in resident physician education through the PARA Clinical Teaching Award. The
award is given to a deserving physician at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and, where possible, a rural site.
PARA makes a $500.00 donation to the charity of choice for each of the PARA Clinical Teaching Award recipients.
“[Dr. Lee] ensures that we get adequate time
for learning around each patient. For example,
he adjusts the bookings for his clinic to a
minimum so that he can focus on teaching
and allow more time for residents to work-up
the patients. He spends 2-3 hours the night
before a teaching clinic looking up all the
patients to not only ensure they receive superb
care, but to find cases for us to learn from.
During the clinic he would assign particular
patients to certain residents depending on
what he wants to teach them that day. He also
ensures he reads around what he teaches, so
that he has the most up-to-date evidencebased information.
“Dr. Lee is extremely committed to the
education process. Even as one of the newer
preceptors, he seems to be at ease when
teaching. Moreover, I think his multitude
of years of community family medicine
experience enriches his teaching. His wealth
of knowledge, even on billing and [the]
medical legal aspects of health care, and
stories about all his clinical encounters makes
my experience of academic family medicine
more realistic and will help me transition into
community family medicine.
“Dr. Lee always has the interest of the
resident physician's personal development and
well-being in mind. For Thanksgiving, he took
all the first year residents out for dinner as he
knew all of us were from out-of-province and
did not have family here... When residents are
on a tough rotation such as ICU or CCU and
they have call-back family clinic, he allows the
residents to go home early so that they can get
adequate rest.” 
9
Dr. Robert Perlau
Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alberta Rural
Dr. Brian Rowe
Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta
“Dr. Rowe frequently volunteers to generously
host emergency medicine journal clubs at his
house where all emergency staff and residents
are welcome to discuss recent emergency
medicine papers. He also remembers the last
time residents have worked with him on shift
and will request shifts working together if an
extended period of time has elapsed since [he
last saw them].
“While on shift in the emergency
department, Dr. Rowe does not place an
emphasis on seeing a large volume of patients,
but rather focusing on thorough management
plans of patients to ensure all medical
and social needs are met. He is a true role
model when watching his interactions with
patients. He uses appropriate eye contact and
language specific to the demographics of each
specific patient to gain trust and rapport in
a rapid manner. His communication skills
are excellent and make patients and families
comfortable in even the most stressful
situations.” 
Honourable Mentions:
Dr. Patrick Lee
Family Medicine, University of Calgary
“There are very few medical educators that are
as passionate [about] teaching as Dr. Perlau.
Not only does he take hours out of his busy
schedule to review important orthopaedic
topics with every rotating resident, but he
makes learning relevant to the resident’s future
practice goals. I always look forward to his
family medicine “must know” topics as it
narrows down huge topics like orthopaedics.
“I’ve never been uncomfortable when
approaching Dr. Perlau about a certain
question in mind and he is always supportive
in his response. I hope Dr. Perlau continues to
share his gift of teaching with future residents
that pass through the doors of the Red Deer
Regional Hospital Centre. He is an invaluable
mentor of the Rural Alberta North program.
Thank you Dr. P!!” 
Dr. Keith Brownell
Clinical Neurosciences/Medicine, University of Calgary
Dr. William Fletcher
Clinical Neurosciences/Surgery, University of Calgary
Dr. Helly Goez
Pediatric Neurology, University of Alberta
Dr. Jennifer McCombe
Neurology, University of Alberta
2012/2013 Recipients
PARA recognizes the outstanding contributions of physician educators to resident physician well-being through the PARA Resident Physician Well-being
Award. This recognition is awarded to a physician preceptor at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and, where possible, a rural site.
PARA makes a $500.00 donation to the charity of choice for each of the PARA Well-being Award recipients.
Dr. Michael Yeung
Neurology, University of Calgary
“As a senior resident clinic preceptor for some
of the resident physicians in the program,
Dr. Yeung exemplifies a non-judgmental and
relaxed approach to teaching residents in the
clinical setting. He is ever approachable and
we never have to fear that a question is too
simple for us to ask. He is well known for his
generosity and love of good food and most
clinic encounters or days on service involve
nice meals and sage career advice. He is easy
to talk to with exceptional patience and has
[become] an unofficial mentor and sounding
board for both career questions and life
troubles.
“Dr. Yeung has been instrumental in
supporting many of the residency program’s
social activities. It has been one of his
priorities as a new program director to try to
enhance cohesion and camaraderie among
our resident group. Through his efforts, we
have had several resident-only informal
events and meet and greets, many of which
were paid for out of his pocket. He was also
first to encourage and organize social events
outside the hospital with neuroscience fellows
which has resulted in improved workplace
relationships when on service. Finally, he has
also been very supportive (both personally
and through the program) for athletic teams
and events, including sponsorship of a charity
10 km running race and a long distance biking
event for multiple sclerosis.” 
Dr. May Mrochuk
Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta
“[Dr. Mrochuk] has been serving as a resident
well-being advisor within the Department
of Emergency Medicine since 2009. Not
only does she meet with residents during
the mandatory two visits per year, she
always takes us to coffee whenever [we need
an ear]. In my experience, she quietly and
unassumingly manages to get right to the core
of the problem. She somehow manages to
do this without the usual awkwardness that
accompanies such a meeting.
“May is not only universally loved within
the two Emergency Residency programs, but
is also a favorite amongst off-service residents
and other health-care providers. On my very
first elective at the Royal Alexandra Hospital
(RAH), a friend of mine, who is a nurse in
the emergency department there, [advised
me] that I should switch my shifts to work
with May, because she is so awesome. My
friend was right. May sets the tone at work
by being cheerful and friendly to everyone.
[Impressively,] she acknowledges [and knows
the names of] everyone [on the team] and
genuinely appears to care about how they are
doing. I have never seen her have anything
but positive encounters with patients. She
truly does create a positive environment
for learners, coworkers, and patients. May
embodies wellness and is an example of what
we all aspire to become.” 
Dr. Jennifer Bestard
Neurology, University of Alberta Rural
“I have had the pleasure of working with Dr.
Bestard on several occasions – once when
she was a [senior resident physician having]
just completed her Royal College exam, and
another time as a new staff member. On both
occasions she was amazing to work with! Not
only is she a practical and energetic teacher,
she truly cares about each learner who works
with her. She always has a smile on her face
and can de-stress any situation.
“My first day working in her clinic, I was
greeted with a coffee and muffin. During
lunch breaks she always took the time to sit
down and get to know me. She is full of great
advice – both professional and personal. Every
resident that I know who has worked with her,
as well as her fellow colleagues, and patients
cannot say enough good things about her.” 
Honourable Mention:
Dr. John Ryan
Geriatric Psychiatrist, University of Calgary
Dr. Inderpreet Rai
Family Medicine, University of Alberta
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
10
PARAphrase/interdisciplinar y teamwork award
PARAphrase/PARA buraries and the taxi reimbursement program
PARA Interdisciplinary Teamwork Award
2012/2013 Recipients
PARA Bursaries
In 2008,
Resident physicians often work as part of team providing care to patients and the experience of that team is greatly dependent on the contributions of
its members. This award was established to recognize our allied-health colleagues who value and exemplify a positive team-based approach and who
advocate for healthy and caring work environments for all members of the team and our patients.
PARA established an annual bursary at
both of Alberta’s two medical schools. The
bursaries are for graduating medical students
preferably entering a residency program
in Alberta who meet the requirement for
financial assistance. This bursary offers yet
another avenue through which PARA can
support Alberta’s resident physicians.
Jennifer Cowles
3rd Floor, Unit 36, Foothills Medical Centre
“When I think about individuals who serve
the patient and help the medical team, the
person who comes to mind for exemplary
performance is Jennifer Cowles. Jennifer
Cowles has been the glue of the Medical
Teaching Unit (MTU) at Foothills Medical
Centre for many years. You can always find
her orienting new students to the facilities of
the MTU, facilitating patient discharges, and
ensuring that the little things important to
patient care are not missed.
“In addition to patient care, Jennifer has
a knack for making you feel welcome to the
MTU. As she is the only person to be on MTU
365 days a year, she is the face of MTU and
adds that human quality that every hospital
should strive to demonstrate. You can find
her joking with resident physicians, teaching
medical students, and updating staff on things
that need to be [captured during patient]
handovers between staff physicians.
“Without Jennifer, the MTU would not be
the friendly place that it is today, it would not
have the cohesiveness that is rare for a large
hospital and, for that, we nominate Jennifer
Cowles for the PARA Interdisciplinary
Teamwork Award.” 
Nominate someone you know
for a PARA Medical Education or
Interdisciplinary Teamwork Award
11
The PARA bursary award is administered
by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at
the University of Alberta and the Faculty of
Medicine at the University of Calgary. The
current recipients are listed below. 
Anne Majcher
Patient Relations Department,
Alberta Health Services
“For two year, I had seen her smiling face
on Unit 4A2 at the University of Alberta
Hospital every time I walked through, but
it wasn’t till the end of my second year in
residency that I had the pleasure of working
with Anne Majcher. As unit manager of
a busy neuroscience unit, she is highly
respected by all of her peers including all of
the neuroscience resident and staff physicians.
Despite her role, she remains hands on and
many times takes shifts as charge nurse. She
is hard working, highly informed on the state
of all patients on the unit, kind, approachable,
and patient. When staff has a question about a
patient, they ask Anne, because she will know
the answer! When rotating resident physicians
aren’t sure about what to do in certain
situations they will ask Anne, because she is
approachable and experienced. When a brain
injured patient is acting out and the nurses no
longer know what to do they will look to Anne
for guidance. Families are comfortable with
her because of her kind and warm disposition.
“As a resident physician, I learned so much
from Anne, and always appreciated her
thoughtful consideration before paging me
– deciding if the issue needed to be handled
immediately or put on the doctor board for
later. On a daily basis, she makes my life as a
resident physician enjoyable and easier. Every
member of the neuroscience multidisciplinary
team respects her. She is a great nurse,
amazing unit manager, and humble leader
who leads through example on a daily basis.
She will certainly be missed, as she moves to a
new position in hospital administration, but I
am sure she will continue to make a difference
in the lives of everyone she comes in contact
with.” 
Nominate someone you know
for a PARA Medical Education or
Interdisciplinary Teamwork Award
We know that many of the best, most
dedicated, hardest working teachers go
unrecognized. We want to help highlight the
commitment and passion of these individuals
and the example they set for trainees who
themselves teach and will continue to teach
others throughout their careers.
“I received the letter in the mail today —
thank you very much for this exciting news! I
am honoured and humbled by my selection.”
Dr. Brian Rowe
In a similar vein, PARA has established
an Interdisciplinary Teamwork Award to
recognized allied health colleagues who
value and exemplify a positive team-based
approach and who advocate for healthy
and caring work environments. Help PARA
recognize these worthy individuals.
“Thank you... The recognition has been
uplifting and appreciated. ...& I love my job!!”
Jennifer Cowles
For more information on these awards, visit
http://www.para-ab.ca/news/news-andevents/awards.
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Dr. Aryn Khan
University of Alberta | Family Medicine
University of Alberta
“I was thrilled to have received the PARA
bursary this year.
It has always been a lifelong dream of mine
to someday become a doctor, and although
I took a bit of a winding road to get here,
I finally made it...Dr. Khan. What a huge
change going from student to resident,
but I should be used to change. This year,
my husband and I bought our first house
and moved in while I was seven-months
pregnant. I finished clerkship, gave birth
to our beautiful daughter, Lauren, and
managed to somehow study for my exams
while breastfeeding and surviving on
minimal sleep. I don’t know for sure, but I
think this experience may be very similar to
residency; learning as you go, never really
feeling in control, running on adrenalin and
caffeine, but full of great memories picked
up along the way. Thank you, PARA, for
creating another wonderful memory and for
supporting me as I start this new chapter in
my career.
Thanks to the love and support of my
husband, Reza, I have finally ended up doing
something I love!”
University of Calgary
The PARA Bursary at the University of
Calgary was not awarded this year.
For more information on the PARA Bursaries,
visit http://www.para-ab.ca/news/news-and-events/awards.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
The PARA Taxi
Reimbursement Program
The PARA Taxi Reimbursement Program
was negotiated in 2007 by your resident
physicians’ association and continues
to be made possible with funding from
the Educating and Employing Entities
and PARA. The program was initiated
to contribute to resident physician and
community safety and as an opportunity for
PARA to exemplify resident physician wellbeing as one of our valued priorities. This
benefit was championed by PARA based
on research that illustrates that resident
physicians and members of the community
are particularly at risk from motor vehicle
collisions caused by fatigue. Based on this
rationale, the benefit was established as a
preventive health measure.
PARA's Taxi Reimbursement Program
exists to ensure resident physicians make
it home safely when too tired to drive
after a traditional in-house on-call shift.
Each resident physician is responsible for
making sure that, when we need it, the
taxi reimbursement benefit is available for
those of us who are at the greatest risk of
motor vehicle collisions.
For more information on the risks
associated with driving tired and for
information on how to submit your claims
for in-house call taxi reimbursement, visit
the PARA website at http://www.para-ab.
ca/agreement/benefits/taxi-reimbursement.
12
PARAphrase/PARA agreement continuance
PARAphrase/resident physicians in the legislature
The Continuance of the
Resident Physician
Agreement
& Resident Physician
Duty Hours
If
you have a hardcopy of your Resident
Physician Agreement, you may have noticed
that the current Agreement is dated from
2010 - 2013. That term has been extended. The
PARA Negotiation Committee determined
that this year was not a good one to enter
into public-sector bargaining and that
an Agreement continuance would allow
for a period during which PARA and the
Educating and Employing Entities could
collectively focus on supporting individual
residency programs in the development and
implementation of alternative call solutions.
PARA's Negotiation Committee was
established in the fall of 2012 to prepare for
negotiation in the spring of 2013. It was made
up of 13 resident physicians from both the
University of Alberta and the University of
Calgary. They covered a range of programs
including Anesthesia, Cardiology, Family
Medicine, General and Orthopedic Surgery,
Nephrology, Neurology, Ophthalmology,
Pediatrics, and Radiology, and the full
spectrum of PGY levels 1 to 5. The workload
and time commitment of these volunteers are
some of the heaviest within PARA.
To prepare for negotiation, committee
members do a significant amount of
background reading on negotiation and
strategies for negotiation. To provide context,
the group analyzed PARA’s negotiation
and arbitration history, the development of
benefits over time, and some of the intended
and unintended outcomes of negotiated
benefits. Meetings involved negotiation
simulation exercises for committee members
as well as analysis of the strengths and
weaknesses of different communication styles.
Through simulation, committee members
explored negotiation styles and the impact of
constraints. The committee helped construct
the negotiation survey and reviewed resident
responses generated from that survey.
13
$
!
$!
The members of this committee also
participated in working groups, which looked
in greater detail at the following:
• Duty hours - How are other regions in Canada
approaching duty hours with regard to contract
negotiations?
• Compensation - How are Alberta resident
physicians doing in terms of salary in comparison
to other resident physicians and comparable
health-care providers?
• Benefits - How do Alberta's resident physician
benefits compare with those of other resident
physicians across the country?
• Environmental Scan - what influence might the
fiscal and political environment in Alberta have
on negotiations?
From this information and the results
of the survey, the committee explored
possible opening proposals along with the
opportunities and risks associated with each.
Negotiation strategy was also a key focus.
This work took place through monthly
teleconferences and in-person meetings.
According to the Resident Physician
Agreement, the first opportunity that PARA
had to submit a letter of intent to bargain
was February. At that time, through their
environmental scan, the committee members
were aware that the upcoming Alberta
budget was likely to include significant cuts;
moreover, groups involved in public-sector
bargaining were facing contentious and
difficult negotiations; in February, both the
Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and the
Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) were
in the midst of challenging negotiations.
With this knowledge, the Negotiation
Committee, with the full support of the
PARA Executive Committee and Board of
Directors, recommended that PARA delay
its submission of a letter of intent to bargain
and take a watch-and-wait approach before
engaging in full-scale negotiation. This
decision was revisited at each meeting of the
Negotiation Committee and the Board of
Directors. Having followed the budget and
the initiation of cuts to the health-care and
education sectors and the settlement of AMA
and the imposed settlement on the ATA,
each of which included multi-year deals that
started with three years of 0% increases, the
opportunity for negotiation did not appear to
be improving.
The Negotiation Committee also had the issue
of resident physician duty hours to consider.
Opening the Agreement for negotiation
meant tackling remuneration as well as
duty hours. Duty hours is an unavoidable
part of the Agreement and very much tied
to remuneration. The majority of resident
physicians told PARA that program-specific
duty hour solutions were preferable to a
contract-mandated, one-size-fits-all solution.
The committee recognized that the best
opportunity to design successful, programspecific solutions was outside of negotiation.
Given the fiscal and duty hour context, the
PARA Negotiation Committee unanimously
recommended a two–year continuance to the
PARA Agreement with a mandate to support
the design of program-specific call solutions.
This recommendations was supported by the
PARA Executive Committee and the PARA
Board of Directors.
PARA and the Educating & Employing
Entities — our negotiating counterparts
made up of Alberta Health Services and
Postgraduate Medical Education at the
University of Alberta and the University
of Calgary — have agreed to a two year
continuance and meetings have already begun
to determine how to collaboratively focus on
developing solutions to address duty hours. 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Resident Physicians
in the Legislature
Dr. Chris Fung,
PARA Vice President External Affairs 2012-2013
The resident physicians of Alberta returned to
the hallowed halls of the Alberta Legislature
in April for the Resident Physicians in the
Legislature Event. Resident physicians chose
to discuss their experiences with long–term
care in order to shine light on the system–
wide challenges in the hopes of influencing
positive changes. After a day of advocacy
training, which included sessions with the
Alberta Caregivers’ Association and the
Alberta Medical Association, we set out early
on a snowy April morning to the Legislature
Building. Armed with papers and statistics
from months of research, we met with
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
in teams of three to discuss the need for
better standardization in long–term care and
continued commitment to meeting Alberta’s
future long–term care requirements.
As the day progressed, we met with
representatives of each of the provinces
political parties: Ministers Fred Horne
and Doug Horner from the Progressive
Conservative Party; Dr. Raj Sherman from the
Liberal Party; Mr. Brian Mason from Alberta’s
NDP; and Mr. Matt Solberg, an advisor to
the Wild Rose Party. We also had a tour of
the Legislature, which was a new experience
for myself, who grew up in Manitoba! Mr.
Matt Jeneroux (PC), with whom we also had
a meeting, kindly offered to introduce us to
the Assembly during an upcoming question
period the following week, which both myself
and Dr. William Han were excited to attend.
The MLAs we met with were incredibly
knowledgable about the health-care system
on a macro level. The questions asked of us
were interesting and insightful. Health care
is a major political issue and I was pleased to
see the commitment every MLA had to the
health-care system and trying to improve it.
Though each party had a different view of how
health care should be delivered in the future,
I was reassured by the common goal: systemwide improvement.
The day would not have been possible without
the help of the PARA staff; Sarah, Tana, Rob,
Roberta, and Jenny all were exceptional in
their focus and preparation. I can’t thank
them enough for the work they did behind
the scenes to make the event what it was.
Thank you as well to the resident physicians
who attended and were excellent ambassadors
for the medical profession. Their anecdotes
about their experience providing care to
patients and their passion for medicine clearly
demonstrated their interest in bettering the
system. Finally, the event would not have been
possible without the willingness of the MLAs
to meet with us. Their dedication and interest
were evident in each meeting. Thanks to all for
a fantastic event! 
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
Top resident physician volunteers:
First row: Drs. Serena Siow, Brenda Nakashima,
William Han, Aravind Ganesh, Rafiaa Valji
Second row: Drs. Matt Frey, Chris Fung, Everett
Zdrill, Byron Berenger, Allison Sweeney, Natalie
Logie.
Bottom: Meeting with Minister Fred Horne
PC: Minister Fred Horne, Minister Doug Horner,
Mr. Matt Jeneroux, Mr. Steve Young, Mr.
Naresh Bhardwaj, Mr. David Dorward
Wild Rose: Mr. Matt Solberg, Mr. James Johnson
Liberal: Dr. Raj Sherman
NDP: Mr. Brian Mason
14
PARAphrase/resident physician wellness
PARAphrase/wellness resources and PARA benefits
Wellness in Residency:
What Is It?
Dr. Natalie Logie
PARA Vice-President, Community & Internal Relations 2013-2014
Are you experiencing high levels of stress
in your daily life? As a resident physician,
if you are, you are not alone. Cohen and
Patten (2005) reported that 34% of resident
physicians in Alberta in 2003 had rated most
days of their life as stressful (1). The number
one source of stress was time pressure. While
this data is now a decade old, after speaking
with my colleagues, I don’t believe this
percentage has changed much.
As resident physicians, we hold more
responsibility than ever before and the stress
of daily living weighs heavily. We juggle
multiple priorities, trying not to drop any,
and just when we seem to be able to relax,
someone tosses in another ball.
Thoughts like this take me back to my
medical school interviews, where a common
question was: “How do you find balance?”
After reflection, this seems to be one of
the most critical questions regarding our
development as professionals. Often, balance
is associated with wellness, but what is
wellness? Is it the absence of stress? How can
we cultivate wellness in residency? Why does
wellness even matter? Wellness can be defined
as “being challenged, thriving, and achieving
success in various aspects of personal and
professional life” (Shanafelt et al. 2005)
(2). Numerous studies have demonstrated
poor patient outcomes correlate with high
levels of physician stress. Shanafelt et al. also
demonstrated that resident physicians with
higher well-being scores usually had higher
scores of cognitive empathy (statistically
significant).
How can we cultivate wellness? EckleberryHunt et al. point out that we cannot begin
to analyze what interventions will work
if we have not defined wellness (3). The
definition put forth by Shanafelt et al has
certainly changed my perspective on wellness
and I challenge you to find what wellness
means to you. Wallace and Lemaire (2007)
demonstrated through multivariate analysis
that co-worker support was one area that
could impact favorably on wellness (4).
Examining the culture of medicine around
wellness with our colleagues is the pathway for
change and I urge you to start the discussion.
References:
1) Cohen J.S., Patten S. Well-being in residency training:
a survey examining resident physician satisfaction both
within and outside of residency training and mental
health in Alberta. BMC medical education. 2005;5(21).
2) Shanafelt TD, West C, Zhao X, et al. Relationship
between increased personal well-being and enhanced
empathy among internal medicine residents. Journal of
General Internal Medicine. 2005;20(559–564).
3) Eckleberry-Hunt J, Van Dyke A, Lick D, and
Tucciarone J. Changing the conversation from burnout
to wellness: physician well-being in residency training
programs. Journal of Graduate Medical Education.
2009;1:2(225-230).
4) Wallace JE, Lemaire, J. On physician wellbeing- you’ll
get by with a little help from your friends. Social Science
and Medicine. 2007;64(2565-2577). 
The Search for
A Mentor
Dr. Ilya Shoimer
Dermatology Resident, PGY3, University of Calgary
A strong support system is invaluable
to resident physicians throughout their
training. Often residents will turn to their
family, friends, and colleagues in times of
need. However, the utility of having a staff
mentor as a source of support should not be
overlooked. Mentorship will help residents
develop on a personal, educational, and
professional level.
The word ‘mentor’ comes from Greek,
referring to a ‘wise advisor.’ Mentors are a
15
valuable resource for residents to obtain
advice and guidance involving issues
surrounding academics as well as other
topics including research, career planning,
networking, work-life balance, and transition
into practice. Multiple studies have shown
that there is a positive correlation between
residents who have a mentor and increased
career satisfaction and productivity.
Conversely, residents who do not have an
effective mentor have more difficulty attaining
career success in academic medicine.
Finding the right mentor may not be an easy
task, as such, resident physicians need to be
proactive in their search. A good mentor
should be experienced, be enthusiastic, and
spark your interest. They should be role
models in their domain. Having similar
interests, whether they be clinical, research,
or artistic, will make it easier to establish a
relationship with them. It is essential that they
be committed to the idea of mentoring, and
able to devote enough time to the mentee.
A well-connected mentor in your field of
interest is an added bonus. Lastly, having
more than one mentor may be necessary for
different areas of life.
Happy hunting!
Resources:
Jaswal J, Noy S, Yarascavitch A. CAIR Position Paper
on Mentorship June 2013. The Canadian Association
of Internes and Residents. June 2013. Accessed July
22, 2013. <http://www.cair.ca/u/elibrary/CAIR%20
Position%20Paper%20on%20Mentorship_final_
June%202013.pdf>
Peterkin AD. Staying Human During Residency
Training: How to Survive and Thrive after Medical
School. Fifth Edition. p49-68. Toronto: University of
Toronto Press, 2012. Print. 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
University of Alberta
Resident Well-being Committee
Next meeting: Wednesday, November 20th, 2013
Future meetings: Every other month on the third
Wednesday of the month (January 15th, 2014;
March 19th, 2014 and May 21st, 2014)
Time: 16:00 to 17:00
Location: 1-142 Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy &
Health Research.
Residency is a busy and stressful time. The goal
of the Resident Well-being Committee (RWBC) is
to provide the resources and support necessary
for resident physicians to maximize their own as
well as their family’s health and well-being. The
committee examines professional and personal
issues and advocates on behalf of resident
physicians in work, academic, and personal areas.
The RWBC acts broadly by helping to co-ordinate
well-being events for resident physicians, but
the chairs are also able to assist on an individual
level. Volunteer resident representatives from
each specialty and subspecialty area are invited,
and there are also staff representatives.
To join the committee, simply come to a meeting,
email the co-chairs (Dr. Erica Dance: erdance@
ualberta.ca or Dr. Kathryn Dong: kathryni@
ualberta.ca), or contact the Learner Advocacy &
Wellness Office at (780)492-3092.
University of Calgary
Wellness Committee
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 16th, 2013
(Monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the
month)
Time: 17:30 to 18:30
Location: Room G750 in the Health Science Centre
(Teleconferencing to AHS sites available)
Residency is a time of high stress and burnout.
The mandate of this committee is to support
residents in working to improve their mental,
physical, spiritual and family health. This is a
committee of residents, for residents. We aim
to support resident-led initiatives that work to
improve resident well-being, as well as to provide
a forum for residents’ concerns regarding issues
of well-being, and then working with them to find
solutions.
The committee invites volunteer resident
representation from each
specialty. To join the committee
or to see what it’s all about: a)
come to a meeting!, b) contact
[email protected],
or c) check us out on Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/
groups/residentwellness.
The simple PARA-necessities of residency:
they’re more than just salary and stipends
PARA is your organization. On your behalf, PARA
negotiates the agreement with the Educating
and Employing Entities (EEE), which includes the
University of Alberta, the University of Calgary,
and Alberta Health Services. This agreement
covers all non-academic aspects of your residency.
PARA is pleased to offer resident physicians in
Alberta one of the most progressive agreements
in Canada. And the agreement is much more than
just about money!
(
WellNess
Contacts
Physician and Family
Support Program
Free, confidential 24-hour hotline
1 (877) 767-4637
https://www.albertadoctors.org/services/
physicians/pfsp
Alberta Health Services Employee
Assistance Program
Free, confidential 24-hour hotline
1-877-273-3134
University of Alberta Mental Health
Centre - Psychological Services
Daytime: 780-492-5205
Distress line (outside work hours): 780-482-4357
2nd Floor, Students' Union Building, U of A
www.uwell.ualberta.ca/en/Mental%20
Health%20Centre.aspx
University of Calgary
Counseling Services
(403) 210-9355
Calgary distress line (outside work hours):
403-266-4357
Room 370, MacEwan Student Centre
www.ucalgary.ca/counselling/
ePhysicianHealth.com
Online physician health & wellness resource
www.ephysicianhealth.com
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
2013 PARA Health Benefits include:
1. Supplementary Health & Dental – this Blue
Cross coverage is administered through payroll;
AHS pays 75% and the resident physician pays
25% of the premiums.
2. Flexible Spending Account – Each year, each
resident physician has $1,000 available to cover
costs related to wellness, family care, and
professional development or to invest in an RRSP.
At the beginning of each year, resident physicians
must allocate the use of these funds between
additional health spending, personal spending, or
a group RRSP.
2013 PARA Insurance Benefits include:
1. Life Insurance – As a member of PARA, you are
automatically enrolled in a group life insurance plan
without a medical examination. The value of the
coverage is $150,000 and can be carried over once
a resident physician graduates if they so choose.
2. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Insurance – As a member of PARA, you
automatically receive AD&D coverage. The value
of this coverage is up to an additional $150,000 in
the event of accidental death or dismemberment.
3. Long-term Disability (LTD) Insurance – As a
member of PARA, you are automatically enrolled
in a group LTD plan without the need for a medical
examination. The value of this benefit is 75% of
your regular salary.
2013 Other PARA Benefits include:
1. Taxi Reimbursement Benefit – PARA’s Taxi
Reimbursement Program is administered by
PARA and funded, in part, by the Educating and
Employing Entities and PARA. Resident physicians
are reimbursed for taxi rides after traditional 24hour, in-house call shifts.
2. Compassionate Fund – For the few resident
physicians who are in need of assessment
and/or treatment and require assistance on
compassionate grounds, PARA has ensured
that resident physicians have access to the
Compassionate Expense Program. This program,
administered by the Alberta Medial Association’s
Physician and Family Support Program, provides
access to rehabilitation for substance abuse and
treatment for mental health issues.
For more information on your PARA Benefits,
see the benefits section on the PARA website at
http://www.para-ab.ca/agreement/benefits.
16
PARAphrase/CAIR comments
PARAphrase/PARA's conference sponsorship program
Resident Physicians’ Experiences
at the Canadian Conference on Medical Education
Learning
and Sharing
What Has Your National
Resident Physician Association
Been Up To This Year?
In 2012-2013, CAIR’s resident volunteers
attended more than 100 meetings and
conferences with our national stakeholders,
including the College of Family Physicians
of Canada (CFPC), the Royal College, the
Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
(AFMC), the Canadian Resident Matching
Service (CaRMS), the Canadian Medical
Association (CMA), the Canadian Medical
Foundation (CMF), the Canadian Medical
Protective Association (CMPA), and the
Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities
of Canada (FMRAC). Resident physician
representatives were briefed to ensure that
residents’ views were heard on issues affecting
Canadian resident physicians. Resident
fatigue, physician resource planning, safety
risks, resident physician transfers, mentorship,
inappropriate behavior, and examination
timing were some of the issues in which
your CAIR volunteers made a difference in
residents’ lives.
In the spring of 2013, CAIR conducted its
Third National Resident Survey. Topics
included: satisfaction with residency,
CAIR value/services to members, global
17
PARA’s Conference
Sponsorship Program
Dr. Aravind Ganesh
Neurology, University of Calgary
As per our mission, PARA desires to continue to
improve the well-being of its members and to
be both an advocate for quality education and to
develop and support educational opportunities for
PARA members. To this end, PARA has developed
a Conference Sponsorship Program to provide
funding for resident physicians to attend a select
number of conferences.
Academic and scientific progress is built
standing on the shoulders of giants. Thanks to
generous sponsorship from PARA, I was able
to attend the Canadian Conference on Medical
Education (CCME) in Quebec City in April
2013 – a national forum for medical educators
to share their innovations and network with
“giants” in the field to improve medical
education at all levels.
Above: CAIR Board at the August 2012
meeting
This year, Alberta's representatives on the
CAIR Board of Directors are:
Below Middle: Dr. Maryana Duchcherer
Phsychiatry, University of Alberta
Below Bottom: Dr.Nureen Sumar
Family Medicine, University of Calgary
Innovations in
Canadian Medical
Education
health, residency experience, handovers,
inappropriate behaviours, career counselling
and mentorship, employment opportunities
and recruitment, and transfers. The results are
currently being summarized.
New CAIR position papers on Mentorship and
on Transfers can be found here: http://cair.ca/
en/elibrary/documents.php?s=128
As well, CAIR was an active participant in
the National Steering Committee on Resident
Duty Hours. The final report on Resident Duty
Hours in Canada can be found here: http://
www.residentdutyhours.ca/final_report.php
It is never too early or too late to think about
your future. CAIR’s Transition into Practice
Service (TiPS) helps resident physicians
find the right position, anywhere in Canada.
Register at the TiPS website: http://www.cair.
ca/en/tips/.
For further details about these and other
CAIR initiatives, we encourage you to read
our Annual Report, which can be found
here: http://cair.ca/u/elibrary/2012-2013%20
annual%20report.pdf. Or, contact the CAIR
office at [email protected] or 613-234-6448. 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
See one, Do one,
Teach one
Dr. Anita Day
Internal Medicine, University of Alberta
“See one, do one, teach one” is a principle
statement that has been historically used as a
way to acquire medical knowledge. Attending
the medical education conference has given
me a new perspective on this statement.
“See one” means using technology such as
virtual classrooms, social media (twitter,
facebook,etc.), and incorporating smart
phones and tablets as medical tools. “Do one”
is being instituted through simulation and
observed structured clinical exams. “Teach
one” is a core CanMEDS objective and many
researchers are focused on the best ways to
enhance the learning experience. Going to the
conference exposed me to over fifteen hundred
people innovating, presenting, researching,
and learning about the best ways to deliver
medical education. It is motivating to know
that so many people are invested in our future
as medical colleagues. I would like to thank
PARA for its support in sending me to this
conference. I plan to use the experience to
enhance and contribute to medical education
initiatives in my own program and I would
challenge other residents to take opportunities
to do the same. 
This year, my presentation was on the role of
student-driven voluntary outreach initiatives
in helping provide otherwise-unavailable
clinical experiences to physicians in training.
For that presentation, I was able to draw on my
experiences with the health-care student-run
clinic for the homeless at the Calgary Drop-in
Centre. My hope was that this project would
also encourage further integration of social
accountability into medical training. I was
also enlightened by the various other projects
being presented this year, with the wide
range of topics including the development
of new electronic learning resources for
medical students, and new methods of student
selection and evaluation.
CCME 2013 also offered engaging courses
and workshops. I attended the course “Crucial
Conversations,” during which I learned
conflict resolution techniques and how to
effectively communicate in high-stakes
conversations. I also attended a workshop
on how to properly evaluate educational
innovations — a skill that I will be applying
in my own educational research and in my
current roles as a Medical Student Liaison and
Residency Training Committee representative
in the University of Calgary’s Neurology
residency program.
It was also my first time in Quebec City, which
was resplendent in its springtime beauty. I
am indeed grateful to PARA to have had this
phenomenal experience, and I would strongly
recommend this conference to any of my
colleagues who have an interest in
medical education. 
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
This year, the conferences for which
sponsorship for attendance is available
are as follows:
• The Canadian Conference on Physician Health November 15 - 16, 2013 in Calgary
• The Canadian Conference on Medical Education
(CCME) - April 26 - 29, 2014 in Ottawa
In addition to meeting the education and wellness
focus of PARA’s mission statement, the two
conferences allow PARA to address two of its
long-term goals by encouraging resident physician
education and providing that opportunity in
the areas of physician wellness and medical
education. Moreover, with respect to the CCME,
it has the added benefit of fostering an interest
in and understanding of the medical education
system itself. The hope is that by encouraging
this focus, PARA will positively influence the
future generation of physicians to stay committed
to educating the generations of physicians that
follow them.
For each of the above listed conferences, PARA
will reimburse the expenses up to a maximum
of $2000 of one resident physician from the
University of Alberta, one from the University
of Calgary, and one PARA volunteer. In order to
apply, resident physicians must submit a one-page
summary indicating who they are, their leadership
experience, and why they wish to attend the
conference. Watch your monthly PARA E-blasts
or visit the PARA website for more information on
these sponsorship opportunities.
For more information, visit http://www.para-ab.
ca/news/courses-and-conferences.
18
PARAphrase/AMA matters
PARAphrase/AMA matters
To my PARA colleagues,
I am pleased to provide my thoughts to the members of the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA). Resident physicians are a very important group within
the AMA. About 75% of you are AMA members and we value that relationship.
A Reflection on the Past Year
with the Alberta Medical Association
Dr. Joanna Lazier
PARA Representation to the AMA 2012/2013
Lately, I’ve been thinking a great deal about the importance of relationships in medicine.
When the media or public talk about “physicians” writ large, I think they see a homogenous,
professionally linked group. In many ways that is true — certainly when it comes to putting
Patients First®. In the contentious negotiations with the government that the AMA just completed, the unity shown by profession — including PARA members — was simply outstanding.
At a workaday level, though, I think we are less united than we have been in the past. I am
talking about the simple concept of collegiality among physicians: regular interaction, cooperation, support, personal connections, respect, and guidance. It’s not that this has been lost —
but I do believe that the past decade has seen a weakening of the bond we should be enjoying
as colleagues and professionals.
A year ago, I had no idea what lay ahead as the PARA representative to the AMA. I wasn’t an
overly political person, and knew little about medical policy in Alberta. I looked forward to
learning more about the AMA and how it ran, and welcomed the opportunity to advocate for
resident physicians’ needs at the board meetings.
Shortly after I joined, the government’s rejection of the AMA Agreement in Principle kicked my
crash course in Alberta politics into high gear. I was privileged to be part of such an active, dedicated, and hardworking board. I found a group committed to the development of future leaders
and concerned about issues affecting resident physicians. I learned from the board, as well as
from experts in law, media, and public relations. Suddenly, I found myself well versed in Alberta
medical politics; I was able to explain to other resident physicians and PARA what was going
on and what it all meant for them. I found myself encouraging fellow residents to write to their
Members of the Legislative Assembly with their concerns, and was proud to be able to educate
fellow residents on the importance of following Alberta politics. I even found myself discussing
the events on a cab ride in Costa Rica.
There are many reasons. The “doctors lounge” is mostly a thing of the past: we’ve lost that
chance to talk, exchange ideas, laugh, encourage, commiserate, and generally stay in touch.
Practice patterns have changed. Many community physicians are not involved in the hospital
environment while hospital-based specialists get little chance to interact with community colleagues other than over a patient file on the run.
I was surprisingly sad to walk away from the AMA boardroom for the final time this past July.
I am proud of the year that has passed, for each new resident who now understands the AMA’s
work, and of the commitment the AMA has shown in supporting residents. 
Attendance is dropping at collegial events like the medical society meetings in Edmonton and
Calgary where we used to gather to celebrate accomplishments and excellence together. Zone
medical staff associations struggle to find physicians who feel they have time to contribute to
advancing the agenda of local physicians and care.
Dr. R. Michael Giuffre
AMA President
To my PARA colleagues,
I am pleased to provide my
thoughts to the members of
the Professional Association
of Resident Physicians of
Alberta (PARA).
These things can all contribute to a sense of disengagement and isolation. I say these things
not to forecast doom and gloom, but instead for a positive reason. We have the opportunity
to reconnect with each other. As residents, you thrive in an environment of close collegial
relationships. You are members of PARA — an excellent organization that the AMA is glad to
have as an ally and partner. The relationships that you are in today can be the foundation of
the collegial network that will sustain you throughout your career. I want to strongly encourage you to value — and fight to keep — those friendships and the professional networks you
are building right now. They will sustain you, enrich you, and enliven your career in the years
that lie ahead.
The AMA will be working to build the health care system that you will want to continue to
practice in. I hope you will get involved, stay involved and, with the passing of the years, not
let anyone hit your disconnect button. Make being engaged in collegial relationships — where
you work, where you socialize, how you advocate for better health care — the glue that binds
your career together.
For the AMA’s part, we welcome your presence and plan to bring you the value you need from
your relationship with the association.
Regards,
R. Michael Giuffre, MD, MBA, FRCP, FRCPC, FACC, FAAC
President
PARA and the AMA
The AMA works closely with the Professional
Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA):
• Negotiations
– Supporting PARA in negotiations
and arbitration processes relating to contract
benefits and wage increases.
• PARA
committee input and advocacy – PARA
representatives sit on AMA standing and advisory
committees: Health Issues Council, Committee
on Financial Audit, Committee on Achievement
Awards, Committee on Academic Medicine, etc.
• PARA
and the Representative Forum (RF)
– PARA’s voice in the AMA includes one nonvoting representative to the Board of Directors
as observer and two voting delegates at the
125-member Representative Forum; these
representatives contribute to setting objectives
and developing policy for the AMA.
PARA representatives
2012/13: Dr. Joanna Lazier and Dr. Gillian Shiau
2013/14: Dr. Sylvia McCulloch
and Dr. David Weatherby
19
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Membership benefits – AMA membership includes
Canadian Medical Association (CMA) membership.
Benefits and services of include:
• Physician-focused,
exclusive ADIUM Insurance
Services Inc. (life, disability, critical illness, and
other insurance products for you and your family)
To apply or request information:
Website: www.albertadoctors.org
Phone: Kirsten Sieben, Team Leader, Membership
and Benefits: (780)482-0323 or
1(800)272-9680 (ext. 323)
Email: [email protected]
• Personal
investment services through CMA’s MD
Physician Services Inc.
• Competitive
home/automobile insurance through
TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
• Clinical
resources through CMA websites
• Resident-focused
and transition to practice pages
on the AMA website
• Physician
and Family Support Program (PFSP)
– 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week confidential
support, referral, and counseling services for
resident physicians and immediate family
members (including spouse/partner and
dependent children).
• Practice
• Call
• Flexible,
Access all this information and find more tools and
resources on our website:
https://www.albertadoctors.org/services/residents
Patients First® is a registered trademark of the
Alberta Medical Association
management information to help you
start a practice
tax-effective, and competitive health
insurance benefits available through the AMA
Health Benefits Trust Fund at the conclusion of
your residency training
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
1(877)767-4637 for confidential support and
assistance.
20
PARAphrase/resident physicians of the month
PARAphrase/resident physicians of the month
Nominate a colleague for Resident Physician of the Month today!
Nomination forms can be found at http://www.para-ab.ca/news/news-and-events/awards.
The PARA Resident Physician of the
Month Award is an initiative focused
on improving resident physician wellbeing by recognizing and rewarding
resident physicians who make a
positive contribution to their work
environment while maintaining a
balanced lifestyle. In addition to being
recognized in the PARAphrase or
PARAdoc and PARA E-blasts, recipients
receive a gift certificate for a dinner for
two and a recognition letter is sent to
their program director.
PARA
Resident Physicians
of the Month
June 2013
Dr. Daryl Wile
Neurology
University of Calgary
April 2013
Dr. Billie Au
Medical Genetics
University of Calgary
March 2013
Dr. Caroline Xu
Otolaryngology Head & Neck
University of Alberta
“Dr. Caroline Xu is an incredibly dedicated
and hardworking physician, committed to
patient care and improving her program, as
well as other residents’ well-being. Her quiet
determination, resolve and clinical acumen
are inspirational. You will never hear Caroline
complain even after a really long and hard
shift and she never misses the chance to smile
at a colleague. Great work, Caroline!” 
21
“Dr. Billie Au was raised in Vancouver,
but did her MD/PhD in Toronto, where
she fostered her enthusiasm for scientific
research. I first met Billie at a dinner she
held to welcome me to the program a few
days before starting residency. While I knew
no one and was terrified of starting call,
Billie was able to calm me down, and her
enthusiasm for Genetics was infectious. Since
that time, Billie has continued to serve as a
mentor for me in the Genetics program. She
continues to serve as a leader and innovator
in our program, continuing to introduce new
ways to foster relationships between residents.
Since moving to Calgary, Billie has continued
to develop her research interests, and her
energy in the lab has been infectious to
other residents and learners. Her impromptu
teaching sessions show her strength as a
teacher, and serve as the benchmark for
junior residents. When not in the hospital,
Billie has extended her love of Genetics to
a trip to the Galapagos and shopping for
Genetic Denim.” 
May 2013
Dr. Juliana VanderPluym
Pediatric Neurology
University of Alberta
“Dr. Juliana VanderPluym is a knowledgeable,
pleasant, hardworking resident. She always
takes time to teach fellow residents and has a
calm and understanding demeanor for which
her patients and their parents are always
grateful. When she is not busy learning the
complexities of both the pediatric and adult
nervous systems, managing a busy consult
service with complex cases, and helping plan
half-days, she spends her time with friends
and family.” 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
“Dr. Daryl Wile is a PGY 4 at the University
of Calgary and contributes significantly to
the atmosphere in the University of Calgary
Neurology Program. Daryl worked tirelessly
to enhance and modernize the learning
environment that Neurology residents enjoy
here in Calgary. He has been instrumental
in designing and implementing the Calgary
Neurology residency website which contains
up-to-date information regarding lectures,
seminars and learning opportunities for
Neurology Learners. Additionally, he
helped develop a podcasting system such
that resident lectures can be looked up post
lecture, which will be the beginning of a
large neurology archive from which learners
can further enrich their learning. Moreover,
Daryl has headed a program to help enrich
the Neurology knowledge of other disciplines
by helping put together a series of seminars
to facilitate the Neurology knowledge of
his fellow Internal Medicine residents at
the University of Calgary. Finally, Daryl
constantly strives to contribute to the wellbeing of the residents at the University of
Calgary. He went above and beyond to help
in the final production of the department's
humourous Christmas rounds despite having
family obligations the evening before. Daryl
Wile is an essential member of the University
of Calgary Neurology program and deserves
to be the PARA Resident Physician of the
Month, because of his devotion to the learning
and well-being of his fellow residents.” 
July 2013
Dr. Vimal Prajapati
Dermatology
University of Alberta
“Dr. Vimal Prajapati is truly a selfless
leader, who deserves to be recognized for
his continued commitment to exposing
students from all disciplines to the world
of Dermatology. For example, my career
interests lie in Emergency Medicine and
although Vimal knew this, he had no issues
allowing me to shadow him and even
undertake a short elective in his clinic,
so that he could teach me the important
dermatologic findings that an ER physician
should be able to identify on the spot. He took
time out of his studying and clinic duties to
not only make me a better-rounded student,
but also at least nine other students that I
know of. I find that incredible considering
how grueling his residency currently is for
him. In addition, Vimal also gave me my
first chance at taking on a research project
and guided me throughout the process,
ensuring a successful publication at the end
in the Journal of the American Academy of
Dermatology. For someone like myself, who
had never done research, he allowed me a way
in, and I’ve run with it ever since. Vimal has
gone beyond being effective in his role and
has allowed others to become more effective
in theirs.” 
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
August 2013
Dr. Lindsay Jantzie
Family Medicine
University of Calgary
“Dr. Lindsay Jantzie is an exceptional Family
Medicine resident physician, who is a role
model for future medical students and
residents and deserves the PARA Resident
Physician of the Month Award. As one of
the co-chief residents of the Urban Family
Medicine program, she is always kind,
approachable and takes the concerns of
all the residents seriously. She has always
been proactive about getting any issues that
any of the residents have resolved quickly.
Moreover, Lindsay has strong leadership skills
and is committed to improving the Family
Medicine resident experience. She has played
an instrumental role in helping transition The
Family Medicine Program to the Triple-C
curriculum (from the traditional rotation
based curriculum) and is continuing to liaise
between faculty and residents to [continue to
improve] on the program.” 
22
PARAphrase/PARA's financial & operational activities
PARAphrase/PARA's organizational design
PARA Organizational Design
Serving
mitigating our challenges so that PARA could
most effectively represent resident physicians.
our membership
Dr. Elliott Bogusz
Vice President Operations & Finance, 2012/13
Successful organizations serve their mission,
realize their vision, and achieve their goals
— and they continually ask themselves
“how can we do it better?” Organizational
effectiveness requires six key elements:
people, relationships, leadership, strategy,
capabilities & resources, and infrastructure.
At PARA, we discovered our organizational
strengths are engaged resident physicians
and staff members; a culture of leadership;
a clear mission, vision, and value statement;
and the capabilities and resources necessary
for success. However, we also noticed that
our association was potentially vulnerable in
terms of infrastructure and relationships. Our
biggest constraints – limited volunteer time
and the high degree of resident turnover from
year to year – affects the continuity within our
organization and our relationship building
within the organization and with external
stakeholders. Furthermore, our infrastructure
was not optimally designed to mitigate these
challenges. The purpose of this project was to
design an organizational structure that could
continue to leverage our strengths while
PARA Assembly
The process began with conversations with
the 2011/2012 PARA Board of Directors as
well as the general members. Essentially, this
conversation focused on the basic questions
of what PARA does for its members, what
should it be doing, and how we can bridge
that gap. We analyzed this feedback at the
2012 Executive Retreat, and began developing
and honing the criteria for our new design:
secure a competitive agreement; promote
common interests; represent our members’
diversity; establish a collective and authentic
voice; attract volunteers; enhance networking;
and excel at knowledge management.
These seven criteria guided our design
process. The Design Team created concepts
of governance models, committee structures,
and reporting structures during the summer
of 2012. After multiple revisions and feedback
during the 2012/13 academic year, we
submitted the final design to the Board. The
Board formally supported the new design
at its February 2013 meeting, allowing the
Bylaws Working Group to revise the PARA
Bylaws with the help of our legal counsel. In
May 2013, PARA Board of Directors passed
the new bylaws at a Special General Meeting.
These organizational changes mean more
PARA Strategic and Operational
Working Groups and Committees
Executive Board
When your first
pay cheque arrived,
I'm sure most of you simply thought, “Finally
it begins, a positive income!” For those that
have successfully navigated E-people and
looked at your paystub, you may have noticed
a deduction for PARA dues.
So what has your money been doing? Well
look no further than the fine work of PARA
staff and your elected resident physician
representatives including the PARA Executive
Comittee. From the standpoint of Vice
President of Operations and Finance, the
numerous successful endeavours of PARA
enabled by five dedicated full-time staff
23
(during 2012-13) speaks to successful strategic
planning and execution. The Finance and
Operations Review Committee (FORC)
provided oversight on PARA’s operations
and the Bylaws and policies that guide them.
The FORC provided the PARA Board with a
budget that was approved and ensured it was
consistent with PARA’s mission, vision, and
goals. As well, a full external audit that went
over our records with the finest tooth comb
provided our association with a clean bill
of financial health. Part of the transparency
process is to have independent accountants
Edmonton
& North Council
review our financial statements. PARA’s
books are regularly audited. You will find the
Auditors’ Report above.
At our May 2013 Board of Directors meeting,
we were pleased to hear from our financial
adviser, Vasilis Costopoulos from CIBC Wood
Gundy, that our investment strategy (moderate
risk protecting principal) had performed well
with a 4.95% return this year. Much thanks
goes to the Director of Operations Rob Key
for safeguarding PARA’s finacial health and
ensuring the association is prepared for any
contingencies that may arise. 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Family & Emergency
Medicine/Public Health (3)
PGY 1&2 (3)
Procedural/ Surgical (3)
PGY 3 (3)
Medical (3)
exciting opportunities for PARA and for
interested volunteers (Figure 1). Compared
to the previous 18 positions, there will be
40 delegates to the PARA Assembly. This
diverse group will bring perspectives from
different specialty groups, postgraduate
years, and rural and urban sites. There will
be more clarification regarding the roles and
responsibilities of Assembly delegates as well
as the relationships among the Assembly,
the Executives, the staff, and external
stakeholders (Figure 2). Committees and
Working Groups will work together on new
and legacy projects (Figure 3). Given their
experience on the Assembly, the delegates will
be well-prepared to elect the next Executive
Board. A greater retention of corporate
memory can be encouraged as PARA offers
more mentorship opportunities and Program
Liaisons have the option to extend their term
by one year without an election. I expect that
PARA will be better positioned to effectively
represent and serve the resident physician
membership as a result of these changes.
This project was made possible because of
the unwavering dedication and hard work
of many resident physician colleagues and
PARA staff over the past two years. I am very
grateful for their contribution in making
PARA a more effective organization for
current and future resident physicians. 
PARA Organizational Relationships
PARA's External Stakeholders
Leadership
& Education
Nomination
& Awards
Calgary
& South Council
Program Liasions Members at Large
Dr. Mayank Singal
Human
Resources
Community
& Wellness
PARA
Executive
Board
Contract
Compliance
Working
Groups
Finance &
Operations
Review
Rural (1)
Strategy &
Policy Working
Groups
PARA Staff
PARA
Assembly
PARA
Executive
Committees
& Groups
Program
Chiefs
PARA
General Membership
Negotiation
Diagnostic (3)
Open (2)
Strategic Committees and Working Groups
PARA General Members
Committees à annual legacy projects
Working Groups à flexible strategic advancement
PARA Committees & Groups
PARA Assembly
Operational Committees and Working Groups
PARA Executive Board
Committees à annual legacy projects
Working Groups à flexible strategic advancement
Figure 1: PARA Organizational Structure
Figure 2: Relationships and linkages among PARA Executive,
Assembly, members, staff, and external stakeholders.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
Reporting Relationships:
Assembly à Chief Residents à General Membership
Executive Boards à Assembly
ENAR and CSAR à their respective Council
Lateral Relationships:
Assembly Councils (within and between)
Staff within and between Assembly/Executive
Board/Committees and Groups
Linkages:
Assembly ∞ Program Chiefs
Assembly ∞ External Stakeholders
Executive Board (ENAR & CSAR) ∞ MSA's
Figure 3: Committees are permanent structures, whereas
Working Groups are formed and dissolved as needed.
24
PARAphrase/transition to practice opportunities
PARAphrase/transition to practice opportunities
Resident-Recruiter
Transition to Practice Events
Transition
to Practice Opportunities
The AMA Physician Locum Services (PLS) is
an option for new graduates to gain valuable
and diverse practice experiences, while
assisting rural colleagues to get a needed
break from practice, and while providing
essential medical services to rural Albertans.
PLS is a totally flexible practice arrangement
that does not preclude physicians from doing
private locums or other work. PLS locum
coverage is also a great way to maintain skills
and earn extra income during fellowship
training, regardless of the training location.
PLS’ flexibility allows locum physicians to
“try-out” the program without being locked
in to a service commitment. When providing
PLS locum service, physicians determine their
own schedule and service locations. There is
no term of service, nor any specific amount of
coverage required from locums. Additionally,
there is no cost to join or work through PLS,
and PLS does not retain any portion of your
billings.
benefits from Alberta locum opportunities
are also available to physicians based in other
provinces, and most areas of the United
States. Travel is subsidized or fully covered.
In addition to payment of the guarantee and
coverage of travel costs, a travel honorarium
is paid: $250 for travel of less than four
hours; $500 for travel of more than four
hours (i.e. $500 to $1,000 for your round
trip). Accommodation is provided free of
charge by Alberta Health Services or the local
physician. Locums also receive benefits such
as Rural Remote Northern Program (RRNP)
premiums to their claim payments, for service
provided in eligible communities.
PLS receives coverage requests from
physicians in eligible communities and
communicates these coverage requests
to locum physicians. Locum physicians
contact PLS if there are locum assignments
of interest. Locums have the opportunity to
directly contact the physician requesting the
locum coverage to discuss coverage details.
If the locum physician decides to provide the
requested coverage, PLS staff will book travel
and facilitate the paperwork associated with
the locum assignment.
With PLS, locum physicians can work in a
variety of locations, for which they receive
excellent remuneration. Family medicine
locum coverage is provided to more than
seventy smaller communities across the
province. Locum coverage requests are varied
and, depending upon the community can
be for coverage of a 12- or 24-hour shift,
a weekend, or up to four weeks. Specialist
locum coverage is primarily provided to
the regional centres outside Calgary and
Edmonton (Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red
Deer, Grand Prairie, and Fort McMurray).
The rural physicians/specialists receiving PLS
locum coverage continue to express their
appreciation of locum coverage, and, in some
cases, state that ongoing PLS locum relief is
essential to their continued practice in rural
areas.
Working through PLS eliminates the need to
negotiate the terms and conditions of locum
coverage. As an overview of PLS benefits, a
minimum daily income guarantee is provided
by PLS. PLS also pays locum travel costs,
including flights and/or rental cars, or a
mileage allowance for private vehicle use.
PLS makes travel arrangements for you based
on your preferences. Remuneration and
PLS locum physicians, who are new to
practice, comment on the benefits of exposure
to the varied professional experiences across
many diverse practice environments. PLS
locum opportunities include provision
of clinic and/or ER coverage in practices
ranging from solo family practitioner offices,
Alternative Relationship Plans (ARPs), Family
Care Clinics (FCCs) and multi-physician
25
clinics, or provision of specialist service in
one of more than a dozen specialties.
After each assignment, locum physicians
submit their billings to PLS, and PLS provides
payment of a travel honoraria and income
guarantee, along with claims/on-call exceeding
the income guarantee. Ongoing assistance is
provided to locums to help understand the
Alberta Schedule of Medical Benefits and to
facilitate optimal locum billing.
Locum application forms and additional
information about PLS appears on the AMA
website at https://www.albertadoctors.org/
services/physicians/practice-help/pls/locumphysicians.
Take some of the pressure off in your final
year by knowing what you will do in the
summer of 2014. Plan now to provide locum
services through the AMA Physician Locum
Services. We would like to work with you! 
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Mark your calendar for a great career
development event coming in January
2014. PARA is partnering with the Rural
Physician Action Plan (RPAP) to host the
third annual Resident-Recruiter Speed
Dating events in Calgary and Edmonton.
Join us for an evening in which you can
meet and mingle with Alberta Health
Services and Covenant Health physician
recruiters. During the event, participants
will get the opportunity to meet with
recruitment staff from each zone during
‘speed dates’ to find out about practice
opportunities in each zone. There will also
be information about personal support
and business services available to help with
your transition into practice.
Attend the event nearest you to learn
about the great variety in rural practice
positions, which allows new physicians the
opportunity to apply a broad range of skills.
Rural physicians benefit from a varied
practice, rural financial incentives, and
access to recreation and outdoors activities
urbanites typically drive hours to reach.
Stay tuned for details about the events, and
we will see you in January! 
Alberta Health Services
Physician Opportunities
IT’S
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you're
considering
furthering
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in a beautiful
IfIfyou’re
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Physician Link isthe
the place
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placefrom
for you.
Choose
a wide range of exciting family practice and specialist opportunities throughout the
Chooseonfrom
a wide
range
of exciting
family
practice
province
the site,
get more
information
about living
and working
in Alberta,
find out how
this lifestyle could
be the onethe
you’ve
been searching
and and
specialist
opportunities
throughout
province
on
for. After all, it’s your move.
the site, get more information about living and working
inFOR
Alberta,
and find out how this lifestyle could be the
MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.ALBERTAPHYSICIANLINK.AB.CA
one you've been searching for. After all, it's your move.
For more information,
visit www.albertphysicianlink.ab.ca
Funded by the Alberta Rural
Physician Action Plan
http://www.albertaphysicianlink.ab.ca/
This website lists physician employment available
throughout the province.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has launched
a new physician job website, called Doctor
Jobs Alberta:
www.doctorjobsalberta.com
Doctor Jobs Alberta is exclusively for physicians
and will be a very useful resource for any resident
physicians looking to keep up with current
openings in Alberta, recruiter contact information,
licensing requirements, and so on.
The Canadian Association of Internes and
Residents (CAIR) has a “Transition into
Practice Service” (TiPS), a program designed
to help resident physicians find the right
position anywhere in Canada. TiPS contacts
recruiters on a resident’s behalf to help
determine what positions are available or may
become available.
For more information, visit the CAIR website:
http://www.cair.ca/en/tips/about_tips/ 
AMA PRACTICE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM:
Contact Information
AMA RURAL LOCUM PROGRAM:
Alberta Physician Link
Canadian
Association
of Internes
& Residents
Transition into
Practice Service
Barry Brayshaw
Work: (780) 732-3366
Toll-free:1 (800) 272-9680 ext.366
Fax: (780) 732-3361
email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.albertadoctors.org/
services/physicians/practice-help/pls
This service assists in placing specialist and family
physicians in Alberta rural areas for regular and
weekend relief.
AMA PHYSICIAN PLACEMENT LISTING:
Consuelo Van Doorn
Work: (780) 482-0304
Toll-free: 1 (800) 272-9680 ext.304
Fax: (780) 732-3361
email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.albertadoctors.org/
services/physicians/practice-help/pls
(Click on PLS Job Board.)
This listing is the passive registry of locum practice
opportunities throughout the province.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
Linda Ertman
Work: (780) 733-3632
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 272-9680 ext.360
Website: www.albertadoctors.org/services/
physicians/practice-help/pmp
Email: [email protected]
This service addresses the business side of
medicine and provides physicians with the
opportunity to make informed decisions related to
the operations of their practice.
THE ALBERTA RURAL PHYSICIAN ACTION PLAN (RPAP):
David Kay, Executive Director
2801 Telus Plaza South
10020 – 100 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0N3
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.rpap.ab.ca
DOCTOR JOBS ALBERTA:
Sean Garrett, Project Coordinator – Provincial
Medical Affairs
Alberta Health Services
Work: (780) 735-1488
Email: [email protected]
Webite: http://www.doctorjobsalberta.com/
26
PARAphrase/CPSA considerations
PARAphrase/CPSA reflections/CMPA support/duty hours
A Reflection on the Past Year
with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
A
year ago, I was provided the opportunity to serve on the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
Council as a PARA Observer. I walked into
that first meeting with trepidation. Aside
from a minimal understanding of the CPSA’s
role as both disciplinarian and moral guide, I
had no idea what to expect. I was ushered to
the council table and the meeting began.
Self-Reporting
to the College:
Personal Illness
Dr. Barbara Jones*, an R4 in Internal Medicine, developed Guillain-Barré syndrome
eight months ago. After spending two months
in the ICU, she has been recovering slowly at
home and is starting to think about returning
to work. Her treating physicians are supportive of a gradual return as she still has some
weakness in her extremities, but is improving.
Dr. Chris Fung
PARA CPSA Representative 2012/2013
While discussing her upcoming return with
a fellow resident, Dr. Sam Jarrah, Dr. Jones
was asked if she had reported her illness
to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of
Alberta. “No, I haven’t,” said Dr. Jones warily,
“Why would I have to if I am in recovery?”
She quickly considered the implications
of reporting to the College, including the
possibility of not being allowed to return to
medicine. If they did allow her to return, how
many unnecessary hoops would she have to
go through to prove she was capable?
Dr. Jarrah revealed he had been diagnosed
with bipolar illness three years ago and
monitored by the College since. “It’s been a
positive experience,” he said. “My program
is reassured that I’m managing my condition
and, if things go awry, there’s a safety net in
place.” He added, “I admit it was incredibly
scary to call the College — I thought it could
mean the end of my career.” Still, Dr. Jarrah
explained, he felt he had a responsibility
towards his patients. He was concerned that
if his condition wasn’t managed, it could
significantly impact their care. “It was my
duty to report it,” said Dr. Jarrah.
Dr. Jones was still nervous, but after receiving
encouragement from her neurologist, she
made the call. She had to provide medical
information to the College and give her
program director consent to also report to
the College.
Six months after returning to work, Dr.
Jones has fully recovered. Her program has
expressed no concerns, and the College no
longer requires her to report on her illness.
Dr. Jones feels relieved, supported and confident in her practice. 
*Story loosely based on a number of different
physician experiences
27
Over the year, my eyes were opened to the
myriad of issues the CPSA deals with on a regular basis. From burgeoning issues, including
social media and medical marijuana, to policy
development, the breadth of health care in this
province that they influenced was astonishing.
In addition to discovering the many ways our lives as physicians are tacitly impacted by the
work of the CPSA, I experienced the thrill of being a participant in the process of guiding the
profession. Being treated as an equal in a field, where hierarchy often is the norm, was not only
refreshing, but inspiring. The CPSA council broadened my vision of what providing the best
patient care requires, as well as the importance and difficulty of self-regulation. I strongly recommend that every resident learn about the CPSA through volunteerism to gain an appreciation for how the wheels turn behind a system we otherwise take for granted. I’m glad I did. 
Resident Physician
support from CMPA:
Advice regarding process
The Canadian Medical Protection Association
(CMPA) recently updated assistance available to
trainee physicians as it relates to fairness and
due process when trainees face remediation or
dismissal. In termination cases, the CMPA will in
most cases assign a provincial counsel (Albertabased lawyer) on a limited retainer to explore
the fairness of the process. If provincial counsel
determines the process has been unfair the
trainee is eligible to request further assistance
from the CMPA. In remediation cases, the trainee
is initially advised to seek the advice of PARA.
When the trainee requests additional support
and there is concern about fairness and process,
provincial counsel may be engaged, at the discretion of the CMPA, on a limited retainer to explore
the fairness of the process. 
Keep on Swimming:
Resident Physician Duty Hours
Self-Reporting
to the College
Physicians must report to the College any physical,
cognitive, mental and/or emotional condition that
negatively impacts patient safety now or in the
future. Conditions can include:
• Blood borne viral infections
• Conditions affecting primary senses: vision,
hearing, etc.
• Neurological conditions affecting cognition,
motor or sensory function, or seizure disorder
• Psychiatric conditions
• Substance misuse
• Physical disability
• Metabolic conditions
To see the full list of personal circumstances
physicians are required to self-report, see
the Standard of Practice Self Reporting
to the College - http://www.cpsa.
ab.ca/Resources/StandardsPractice/
EthicsIntegrityandProfessionalism/
selfreportingtothecollege
The Physician Health Monitoring Program (PHMP)
along with the Alberta Medical Association’s
Physician and Family Support Program (PFSP)
offers physicians confidential support, referral
and case management. Loss of practice permit
is extremely rare and physicians often continue
practising while receiving treatment for an illness.
The programs allow physicians to balance
personal privacy with duty to ensure safe medical
practice for their patients.
http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/services/PHMP.aspx
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Dr. Julie Kromm in Mexico
PARA Edmonton & Northern Alberta
Representative 2012/2013
As the issue of resident physician duty hours
continues to evolve, awareness of the complexity of the issue is increasing. Research
is being conducted; committees have been
formed; position papers have been published;
and dialogues are being held at every level,
from the boardrooms of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Alberta Health
Services offices, to duty hour symposiums,
all the way down to the lunch tables at the
hospitals. Many a time, by many a mouth the
phrase “well what about...” has been uttered
to introduce both potential solutions and the
potential challenges. So I ask, what about “... ”?
There are many things to consider when
it comes to resident physician duty hours:
stakeholder expectations, including patients,
staff, nurses, and the general public; handover and continuity of care; educational and
service requirements; personal well-being;
resource availability; Emergency Room wait
times; and so on. The list is endless, and each
component is influenced by multiple factors
that need to be considered as well. In the end,
we are left with a complex interconnected web
of components and subcomponents within
the larger complex health-care system — having to navigate that complexity is a daunting
thought.
Daunting, yes, but hopeless? Certainly
not! At the last duty hour symposium held
in June, Dr. Kearney, the Associate Dean
of Postgraduate Medical Education at the
University of Alberta, pointed out that
dealing with all the factors that influence
and are influenced by duty hours is nothing
new; health care is always faced with limited
resources, and managing the expectations
of patients, health-care providers, and the
public has always been part of health care. She
used the analogy of a river. While swimming
up the river, we are going to be faced with
varying currents, rocks, and floating debris.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
While sometimes the current makes it feel
like we are not going anywhere, the work
needs to be done. We keep swimming... and
maybe, if we are lucky, we can make a few
small changes along the way that leave the
system better than when we started. Part of
the work is just to keep swimming.
It’s hard not to get overwhelmed when faced
with a complex issue, especially those with
high–stakes outcomes, such as people’s lives.
Resident physician duty hours are changing;
there is a precedent — not only in Quebec,
but in the United States, Australia, and Europe. As hard as it seems to find a solution,
we have to as it is our fiduciary responsibility
as resident physicians. Being overwhelmed is
normal, but that feeling is not an excuse to do
nothing — it is a reason to seek more information and identify how others have moved
and are moving forward with this issue. I
would challenge everyone who asks “well what
about...” to not stop there. We have work to
do to find the best possible solutions for our
patients, our programs, and our colleagues. In
the meantime, we keep on swimming. 
28
PARAphrase/PARA socials review
PARAphrase/PARA calendar of events
Fall/Winter PARAdime Charity Campaign
PARA resident physicians collect used clothing, non-perishable food,
and other necessities for shelters across the province.
2013 Statutory Holidays
Calgary Yoga – April 13, 2013
PARA Socials
Back Row: Drs. Rachel Maser, Serena
Siow, Sangeeta Jain, Aoife O’Carroll.
Front Row: Drs. Carmen Fong, Natalee
Bessette, Matt Frey, Laura Miles, Billie Au,
Joanna Lazier
PARAlyzer – July 12, 2013
PARAlyzers are PARA’s signature socials.
Above: Resident physicians at the July
PARAlyzer in Calgary.
OCTOBER
MONday, 14tH
THANKSGIVING Day
NOVEMBER
Monday, 11th
REMEMBERANCE Day
DECEMBER
WEDNESDAY, 25th
CHRISTMAS DAY
DECEMBER
THURSDAY 26th
BOXING DAY
August
16th PARAtreat – On the Patio
26th PARA Assembly Meeting
(Edmonton)
■ PARA’s Social
September
2nd & 6th PARA Labour Day
Classic
18th Managing the Hazards of a
Careen in Medicine Webinar
October
6th *CIBC Run for the Cure
26th Halloween PARAlyzer
Calgary Hitman vs. Edmonton Oil Kings
Hockey Game – December 7, 2012
Above: Dr. Evan Walters and his family
“I won tickets from a spot the stethoscope contest
and was able to take my whole family to an Oil Kings
game. It worked out great because we were able to
go to the game on family day and it was a really fun
experience for all of us!” – Dr. Evan Walters
PARA celebrates Resident Physician
Well-being Day in collaboration with the
Canadian Association of Internes and
Residents and surrounds that day with
Resident Physician Wellness Week (RWW)
activities. This year, RWW activities
included yoga, movie, and PARAlyzer
socials, a family recreation event, and
“Paging for Prizes” on the actual day.
“Just wanted to say that me and my family had a
blast today at Terwillegar” – Dr. Mark Sommerfeldt
about the Edmonton PARA Family Recreation afternoon.
Rural South Practice Management
Session – April 11, 2013
PARAtreat – June 14, 2013
Splatter Party – March 30, 2013
Resident physicians at the March Splatter
Party in Calgary. They are splashing paint onto
the canvas by popping paint-filled balloons.
29
PARA prioritizes collegiality and
community; PARAtreats provide
opportunities for resident physicians to relax
and socialize with their colleagues from
other programs outside of the hospital.
Above: Resident physicians at the June
PARAtreat in Edmonton.
Rural South residents met at a local pub with
one of their faculty members who presented
some pearls & pitfalls of transitioning from
residency to practice.
“We learned some useful tips and had many of our
questions answered about transitioning to practice.
I think that this helped to ease many of the anxieties
that abound surrounding this issue that is not-so-faroff for many of us” – Dr. Stephanie Wehlage
PARAphrase | volume 30 fall 2013
Holiday Social
2014
january
February
April
May
June
TBA
3rd PARA Assembly Meeting
(Edmonton)
TBA Splatter Party
5th PARA Assembly Meeting
TBA PARAtreat on the Patio
18th Resident Physician
23rd Administrative
(Calgary)
Professionals’ Day
Edmonton Oil Kings/Calgary
Hitman Hockey Game
Awareness Day
22nd
January
Wednesday, 1st
New Year’s Day
February
Monday, 17th
Family Day
April
Friday, 18th
Good Friday
May
Monday, 19th
Victoria Day
July
Tuesday, 1st
Canada Day
August
Monday, 4th
Civic Holiday
September
Monday, 1st
Labour Day
Did you know
that each
year, you are
eligible to
receive one (1)
Float Day and
three (3) Flex
Days?
11th *Mother’s Day Run & Walk
12th International Nurses’ Day
2014 Statutory Holidays
Flex & Float Days:
Resident Wellness Week Yoga & Family
Recreation Events – May 19 - 25, 2013
& Effective Communication Workshop
PARA Assembly Meeting (Calgary)
13th CMPA/PARA Webinar
17th PARA Yoga Afternoon
December
8th PARA Jubilations
January February march April May June July August September October November December
Edmonton Yoga – April 13, 2013
PARA recognizes that rural resident physicians
are generally less able to participate in PARA
social events due to travel time, distance, and
expense. As these resident physicians are spread
throughout small towns and cities across
Alberta, it is difficult for PARA to effectively
schedule social and wellness events for them. To
ensure that rural resident physicians still have
access to PARA-sponsored activities, PARA has
allocated funding for resident-initiated social
and well-being activities for both Rural Alberta
North and South. Funding is limited so apply
now!
For more information on and guidelines for
accessing this funding, visit the PARA website
at http://www.para-ab.ca/residents/frequentlyused-forms/para-forms. 
Conference (Calgary)
4th PARA Conflict Management
Donation Drop off:
October through December
2013
Funding for Rural
Resident Physicians
L-R: Drs. Jeffrey Yu, Allison Foran, Jennifer
Rodych, Mary-Pat Schlosser, Ashley
Whidden, Ruth Vilayil, Natalie Logie, Ashley
Mummery, Sharon Chiu, and William Han
November
2nd – 3rd PARA Leadership
Resident Physician
Wellness Day
18th – 24th
Resident Physician
Wellness Week
PARA Movie Night
PARA Yoga Afternoon
PARAlyzer
PARA Family Recreation
Afternoon
May 31st – June 1st
PARA Executive Retreat
•The Float Day is meant to be an extra Named
Holiday, scheduled at your convenience.
•The Flex Days emerged out of negotiations as
a means to recognize that resident physicians
will be scheduled to be on call the day before a
Named Holiday with service carrying over well into
the post-call holiday. Instead of days in lieu, all
resident physicians receive the flexibility of three
(3) additional days to schedule as personal days.
www.para-ab.ca | volume 30 fall 2013
For best practices on scheduling
vacation, see www.para-ab.ca/
news.aspx?nID=782.
*PARA-sponsored
resident physician participants
The scheduling of Flex Days should be in the same
spirit in which they were negotiated, to extend a
weekend or to allow for a personal day off service.
They should be scheduled with advanced notice
and documented with your home-service. These
days can only be taken within the contract year
in which they are earned. For more contract tips,
visit the PARA website at http://www.para-ab.ca/
agreement/know-your-contract.
30
Halloween PARAlyzer
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Calgary
The Garage
#195, 200 Barclay Parade SW
9:00 p.m. to midnight
Edmonton
Chianti
Restaurant
10501 – 82 Avenue
9:00 pm to midnight
RSVP
to [email protected] by
Friday, October 18.
When you RSVP, please
indicate if you will be
bringing a guest without
hospital ID.