AMA Long-Service Award

AMA Long Service Awards

Dr. Brad Bahler
Rural Generalist/Family Medicine, Sylvan Lake

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have worked with many AMA programs - Towards Optimized Practice, Primary Care Network Program Management Office, the Practice Management Program. I also served as chair of the Primary Care Alliance for almost ten years. I have worked with the Section of Family Medicine, the Section of Rural Medicine, and on the Physician Lead’s Executive on many initiatives addressing topics such as physician payment initiatives, rural recruitment and retention initiatives, CPAR, and Primary Care Network evolution. I have served as an AMA representative on many committees and groups, such as the board of the Rural Physician Action Plan, medical director for the Primary Health Care Integration Network, representative on the Health Information Executive Committee, and the co-chair of Alberta Health’s MAPS initiative.

I have contributed to guidelines and documents and reports of all kinds, have acted as invited chair for the Primary Care Alliance for nearly a decade, co-chaired the creation of the current MAPS report, participated in the first Blended Capitation clinic in Alberta and helped to design the future support strategy for clinics, assisted with the creation and roll-out of the Primary Care Network Governance Committee, and have had the privilege of contributing in some way to the majority of supports delivered to clinics and PCNs through AMA ACTT and the prior support programs for the past decade.

Service to the profession and our professional association has helped me learn and grow as an individual and has challenged some of my prior notions about how health care should be delivered or even what it means to create an environment for a community to be healthy. But most importantly, what I have learned over the years from peers, many of whom became friends, has had a profound effect on me personally. It is not usually glamourous work, and sometimes it can be difficult, but if you are early in your career, seeking out opportunities within the association is a worthwhile investment.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I spent a lot of time reading, much of it work-adjacent, but it doesn’t feel like work when you really enjoy what you do. I also have a large garden and two greenhouses where I grow twenty varieties of peppers, I enjoy cycling, music, and fly fishing. I have four children, aged 13–20. Three of them are high-level swimmers, so I have spent the better part of ten years at pools with them. 

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Dr. J.A. Michelle Bailey
Pediatrics, Calgary

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
In addition to committee work, I served as President of the Section of Pediatrics. I  was able to represent Pediatrics, a specialty that has traditionally been paid less, in equity discussions and committees, as well as in contract negotiations.

During the COVID pandemic, I was introduced to the world of media interviews and the challenges of representing health issues in an effective way; with so many issues relating to children, schools, and physicians, it was a very active time to be a Section president. I also advocated for issues such as childhood vaccination, GSAs in schools, and mental health services for children and youth.

In general, pediatricians have been increasingly active in the AMA and within the Section Executive Committee. The Section committee includes a mix of early, mid- and later career pediatricians from all areas of practice, and the scope of the Section’s activities has expanded. It has been exciting to see this growing interest and participation.

Working within the AMA opens your eyes to issues in the broader medical profession and provides opportunities to learn about the health system and advocate for our patients, families, and colleagues in a meaningful way. I would encourage physicians early in their careers to consider joining their Section executive or acting as an AMA area representative or committee member; doing so promotes growth in leadership and advocacy and gives you the opportunity to meet colleagues from many areas of practice in Alberta.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I enjoy gardening, hiking and spending time with my friends and my family, including my three now-adult children.

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Dr. John S.J. Bradley
Nephrology and General Medicine, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have had the honour of representing the Section of Nephrology for over ten years. But more than that, I have had the opportunity to listen and collaborate with physicians across all Sections, particularly at the Representative Forums.

As a nephrologist, it has been a pleasure to advocate on behalf of the many dedicated members of my Section and, equally important, on behalf of the patients we serve. I am proud of my involvement in helping to establish the Specialty Care Forum and Alliance. In the long term, physicians and our patients are best served by a collaborative approach amongst all Sections.

Lastly, while recognizing it is not that consequential, I do take satisfaction from the small act of bringing the AMA into the twenty-first century by doing away with the annual toast to the monarch.

I believe strongly that all physicians should at some point get involved with advocacy and/or administration, even if in small ways. Advocating for our patients and our colleagues is part of being a professional.  

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Dr. James Brookes
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Calgary

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have been a member of the Alberta Medical Association Section of Otolaryngology executive since 2012. The Section has had to navigate the changing landscape of medical practice and provide a unified voice for the specialty. Intra- and inter-fee code negotiations, centralized triage, and pandemic response have all been important items tackled by all Sections, including ours.

I have had the privilege to work with other dedicated physicians as part of my Section’s executive. They are committed to the goals of the Alberta Medical Association, to continued dialogue with our members, and to selflessly working towards a better future for our specialty.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I try to prioritize my family time as much as possible. Children are only young once, and I cherish time spent with them. Beyond my busy surgical practice, trying to stay physically fit is key to my wellbeing. And of course, so is finding the deepest powder skiing that Alberta has to offer.

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Dr. B. Wayne Chang
Family Medicine, Calgary

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served as a member of the AMA board of directors, the Informatics Committee, Non-AHS Community Provider Advisory Group (NACPAG), Connect Care Provider Portal (provincial co-chair), CII-CPAR Clinical Working Group, and Personal Health Portal Steering Committee; as Medical Home Physician Champion for the South Calgary Primary Care Network; as a delegate for Calgary Zone and Section of Family Medicine on the AMA Representative Forum; and on the Section of Family Medicine Nominating Committee.

My journey within the AMA has been fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable. From running from the floor for a RF delegate position at a local Calgary CAMSS meeting to eventually being on the AMA board of directors, I have been singularly impressed by the unity and camaraderie of Alberta physicians. To work collectively to meet the challenges of healthcare has been interesting and just plain fun.

The AMA is our organization. It demonstrates how collective action can strengthen the profession and advance the health of Albertans. Only in working together can our varied interests can be realized. We are stronger together.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I am a foodie. Sharing a meal with family and friends is at the heart of connection, and I live by the adage that “food is love”. I am also a bit of a nerd and love reading science fiction, escaping into other realms, and I enjoy physical pursuits such as tennis, yoga, swimming, and hiking (with family). They act as an excellent counterbalance to my foodie tendencies.

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Dr. Dawna M. Gilchrist
General Internal Medicine and Medical Genetics, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served the AMA in various roles related to History of Medicine, first with the Alberta Medical Foundation and most recently with the AMA’s History of Medicine Committee. I also served as the AMA’s representative on the CMA’s Awards Committee for several years. Reviewing the careers and accomplishments of so many people, particularly of Young Leaders, inspired and encouraged me.

Exploration of medical history clarifies our past, informs our present, and provides insight into our future. We must celebrate our achievements and learn from our mistakes. On balance, I have always believed that the good outweighs the bad. The Alberta Medical Foundation and the History of Medicine Committee have supported activities in the history of medicine throughout Alberta, introducing medical students to our profession’s history, animating the continuing interests of our colleagues, facilitating liaisons with medical historians in other disciplines, and fostering historical research at all levels.

To physicians who feel that the history of medicine is not important––I encourage you to read a little further and to reflect on our successes and failures. You might broaden your perspectives, re-calibrate your practice, and enrich your teaching. History is about more than the past; it is happening today and will be the study of the future.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I am enjoying retirement. Life is full of travel, concerts, shared activities with family and friends (often involving great food), a little creative writing (fiction)––all the things that I didn’t have time or energy for while working.

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Dr. Steven Katz
Rheumatology, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served as President of the Section of Rheumatology, have represented rheumatology as our Representative Forum rep for more than ten years, and more recently have co-chaired the AMHSP Council.  

I have been able to advocate for rheumatologists and rheumatology patients, whether by updating our fee schedule or ensuring the best possible implementation of biosimilars in Alberta. I have also been able to elevate the Section’s profile amongst my colleagues, to improve communication, and to introduce annual provincial awards.

The opportunity to meet and interact with physicians and leaders across Alberta has been invaluable. I am always amazed by the views, the debate, and the respect demonstrated at RF, and by how we slowly but surely continue to improve the profession and by trying to create the best environment possible for patient care. Working with the AMA shows the strength of the profession, the support we have, and what we can do when we remain united. 

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Dr. Alika Lafontaine
Anesthesiology, Grande Prairie

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served as a member of the Representatives Forum and on the board, and was a founding member of the Indigenous Health Committee.

The issues that have mattered the most to me are related to the working conditions of my colleagues and advocating for health equity. For northern physicians, the realities of practice are very different from those of our urban colleagues, and serving in the AMA gave me the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussion around policy and advocacy. After the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Final Report in 2016, I also sponsored a motion to adopt the health-related calls to action, one of many motions I sponsored during my time with RF. 

Sometimes people believe that system change happens because a single person stood up to the status quo and overcame it. That belief is a myth. Systems change because many people come together around a single issue for a long period of time. It’s rare for complex, entrenched problems to change quickly. Without change infrastructure––places where people can gather, organize and advocate consistently over a long period––system change rarely happens. The AMA is the best change infrastructure physicians in this province have. Supporting it and become involved is the most effective way physicians can make the health system better in Alberta.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I’ve been building an anonymous reporting network for healthcare harm in Ontario and British Columbia since 2020 (Safespace Networks), with plans to expand to other parts of Canada. I also continue to write and podcast; recent projects include The Healthcare Divide and Health Signals.

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Dr. Melanie Anne Lewis
Pediatrics, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served on the PFSP Advisory Committee for over a decade. Supporting the wellbeing of our learners and clinicians has been a highlight of my career. It has been my pleasure to work with such talented and committed committee members in our united efforts to support our colleagues to find meaning in work, to enjoy sustainable careers, and to ensure tailored resources are available to clinicians facing challenges; this meaningful work has also supported my own wellbeing.

The PFSP Advisory Committee has been essential to providing a voice for physicians and learners who require resources, compassion, and recognition as they work in challenging environments that are often under-resourced and include overwhelming work demands and substantial and often frustrating administrative burdens. I have had the opportunity to present lectures and seminars to colleagues around physician health in addition to providing a voice for medical learners, clinicians, and academic faculty.

The AMA provides a critical voice to address the current occupational hazards of our profession.  Without this awareness and these directed interventions, we cannot provide the quality of care we desire for our patients.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
My pet projects include stewarding the PedsCases website, fostering pan-Canadian collaboration in efforts to support physician health via the RCPSC and AFMC, and developing surveillance strategies to identify environments under threat within our institutions. 
In my off time I enjoy downhill, water, and backcountry skiing, and value spending time with friends and family at our cottage at Shuswap Lake.

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Dr. Ken Makus
Neurology, Sherwood Park

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I had the privilege of serving as treasurer on the Section of Neurology Executive from 2013 to 2023, working with Dr. Scott Wilson and Dr. Kashmere. We successfully organized several Neurology provincial meetings and made various changes to the billing scheme for Neurology while advocating for our colleagues. The greatest reward for me was connecting with colleagues from across the province.

One of the challenges in Neurology has been the under-recognition of chronic neurological care in the Medical Benefits schedule. In support of Dr. Wilson's efforts to improve the remuneration for chronic neurological care, I worked as treasurer and as Site Chief for Neurology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Over the years, my passions have included rural Neurology care and fostering regional cooperation to enhance neurological services.
Since 2000, I have been conducting a monthly Rural Neurology Clinic in Hinton and organizing rural MS clinics. Before the pandemic, we held MS clinics in Lloydminster, Wainwright, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, and other locations, collaborating with the MS society and dedicated local volunteers.

I also have a strong interest in epilepsy care in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. Guided by my mentor, Dr. Starreveld, I have worked for many years with the Edmonton Epilepsy Association and have been involved with the Adult Convulsive Disorder Clinic at the Glenrose since 1999.
One of my colleagues recently noted that a major benefit of our careers is the opportunity to work with talented and generous colleagues. I completely agree. Career satisfaction often increases significantly when you’re part of something larger. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrative staff, rehabilitation team members, and nonprofit organizations, all dedicated to patient care. Working as a team makes what seems impossible possible.  The support of the AMA is integral to facilitating professional collaborations.

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Dr. Trina C. Rosaasen
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
As a delegate at the AMA Representative Forum, I benefited from hearing the voices of my colleagues from across Alberta and across many disciplines sharing concerns about patient care. Sharing those insights with members of my Section, with other physicians, and with patients helps put the challenges currently facing all physicians and our patients into a broader perspective. There are many voices and concerns related to the ongoing health crisis in Alberta. Being able to hear firsthand accounts of how it affects our colleagues, patients, and the health system helps to unify physicians to work towards positive change.

The AMA is our shared voice to the public and the Alberta government. I am proud to serve the AMA by bringing forward the voices and needs of my Section to the RF. These same needs and concerns are often shared by other members and Sections within the AMA. Discovering these unifies us, reminding us all that we have a shared goal of improving patient outcomes. 
The AMA is an invaluable resource for all Alberta physicians. Regardless of our specialties or specific interests, we have shared goals regarding patient care and career sustainability. The AMA provides practical support in matters of compensation, wellness, and sustainability. It is also our united voice to government, advocating for all physicians in the province in order to improve and sustain the care of all Albertans.

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Dr. Raphael Sharon
Pediatrics, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have worked with the AMA in different capacities over the past eighteen years: in the executive and as President of the Pediatric Section, as a member of the Representative Forum, and as representative for the Canadian Pediatric Society in my capacity as Director for Alberta and Northwest Territories. During my time as President, I helped establish Universal Newborn Hearing Screening here in Alberta.

To physicians deciding whether or not to participate in AMA committees or their respective sections, I can only encourage you to get involved. Working with the AMA will give you wonderful opportunities for collaboration and personal growth, and the chance to work on projects you feel passionate about.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I love spending time with my family, including our big Bernedoodle Lucky. I also enjoy running and trying out many different restaurants, both here in Edmonton and in new places I visit.

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Dr. Patrick A. Spiers
Diagnostic Imaging, Edmonton

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the Secretary/Treasurer on the Executive of the Section of Diagnostic Imaging and the Alberta Society of Radiologists (ASR) since the Fall of 2012. It is a privilege to be a part of shaping the present and future of the practice of Radiology in Alberta.

Through careful fiscal policy within the Section during the time of my service, we managed to keep ASR membership fees low while keeping the coffers full. This has helped keep membership in the Section of Diagnostic Imaging (and the ASR) amongst the highest in the country, thus allowing the section to be a more effective voice in advocating for best medical imaging practices in Alberta and for collaboration amongst all the sections within the AMA towards our common goals.

Serving on the Diagnostic Imaging executive for the AMA (and for the ASR) has not only helped me better understand the intersection of day-to-day medical practice with the politics that underpin the way we organize as doctors and advocate for our profession and for our patients, but has also allowed me to give back to the profession in a meaningful way. It’s a worthwhile endeavor that every physician should undertake at some point in their career, but it is especially worthwhile early on.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
When I’m not working on AMA or ASR tasks, reading out cases in a dark room, directing my imaging staff, or helping manage my practice with my other 24 radiologist partners, I spend most of my time managing my three amazing children––Alex, Vivienne, and Ben, aged 11, 9, and 6. I also enjoy producing and DJing electronic music, travelling and riding my road bike around the city with my cycling club.

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Dr. Melanie Stapleton
Gastroenterology, Calgary

REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE
I have served on both the Alberta Medical Foundation and then on the History of Medicine Committee in the AMA. I’ve been interested in the history of medicine since medical school, and the AMA has given me the opportunity to help promote interest and scholarship in medical history in Alberta. 

History is not simply a way of saying how things used to be, but a way to define ourselves and the path we want to take as a profession in the future.  The AMF and HOMC have been able to introduce research grants for both medical students and researchers across the province to fund a wide variety of topics, and supported the creation of a chair in history of medicine at the University of Calgary. Now both universities with medical schools have faculty positions in the history of medicine available. We have also been able to fund annual history of medicine conferences and grants for rare book purchases at both medical school libraries in order to leave a legacy for future physicians and scholars.

Working with the AMA has connected me with colleagues across the province and allowed me to work to fill a gap in medical education and scholarship. It has also shown me the generosity of the AMA membership whose donations, along with the original endowment from Dr Margaret Hutton, support the AMA’s activities in the history of medicine.

PERSONAL INTERESTS
I enjoy skiing, camping, and traveling with my family.

Read the 2023 awards booklet

• Dr. Gregory Boughen
• Dr. R. David Murray
• Dr. Rajpal Thiara
• Dr. Sam Wong
• Dr. Daniel Wood

Read the 2022 awards program

• Dr. Stephen L. Cassar
• Dr. John M. Colebrook
• Dr. Monica L. Hill
• Dr. Jamie J. Irvine
• Dr. Dennis Y. Kunimoto
• Dr. Rufus A. Scrimger
• Dr. Rudolf A. Zimmer

Read the 2021 awards program

• Dr. Luc R. Berthiaume
• Dr. Melanie T. Currie
• Dr. Eduard C. Eksteen
• Dr. Gary A. Gelfand
• Dr. Roxanne M. Goldade
• Dr. Sarah A. Hall
• Dr. Gordon J. Kelly
• Dr. Alan J. Poole
• Dr. Brijendra Rawat
• Dr. Andrew W. Wade
• Dr. Richard A. Ward

Read the 2020 awards program

• Dr. Arun Kumar Abbi
• Dr. Michael P. Bering
• Dr. Earl Austin D. Campbell
• Dr. Graham M.D. Campbell
• Dr. John George Cinats
• Dr. Kenneth James Corbet
• Dr. Albert Stefanus de Villiers
• Dr. Brian Edmond Dufresne
• Dr. Howard Evans
• Dr. Walter John Hader
• Dr. Brian Adam Hauck
• Dr. Jodi Lee Kashmere
• Dr. Robert E. Korbyl
• Dr. Peter Kwan
• Dr. Jacqueline M. McCubbin
• Dr. Rajdeep S. Padwal
• Dr. Scott John Gordon Paterson
• Dr. Jacques Samuel Romney
• Dr. Douglas V. Scott
• Dr. Nairne W. Scott-Douglas
• Dr. Warren Stuart Thirsk
• Dr. Stephen Wainer
• Dr. William Dale White
• Dr. Gerrit Bruce Winkelaar
• Dr. John H. Wong
• Dr. Clarence K. W. Wong