Nov 4, 2021
It was a time and space for them to explore various concepts that they could choose to use in their wellness journey.
RWC 2021 was a collaboration with the University of Alberta’s Office of Advocacy and Wellbeing and Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta and the AMA's Physician and Family Support Program.
Thank you Residents for your participation in RWC 2021 - Wellness AF*!
*And Fun! What did you think we meant?
- Information on the sessions and coaches.
- Schedule for RWC 2021's morning and afternoon sessions
Station Information and Coach Bios
Start your conference experience with the infectious energy of Dr. Siobhan Deshauer, who has a special interest in social media and medicine. Siobhan will share her perspective on personal wellness during residency.
Siobhan Deshauer MD
Dr. Siobhan Deshauer is a PGY5 rheumatology fellow with a special interest in social media and medicine. Originally trained as a classical violinist, Siobhan earned a Bachelor of Music at Indiana University before pursuing her medical training at McMaster University. She is the creator of Violin MD, a popular YouTube channel with over 62 million views and 809k subscribers. Her upbeat videos bring medical education to the public while vlogging call shifts, shadowing allied health professionals, interviewing patients and explaining medical case reports.
Learn about and try out two practical strategies to turn imposter syndrome into confidence.
Beth Pedersen MD, FRCS(C), CEC, ACC
Dr. Beth Pedersen is a staff orthopedic surgeon at the University of Alberta and Stollery Hospital as well as an executive coach for the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders and Leads Canada. Beth uses coaching to help physician leaders maintain wellness and to be empowered leaders. She also enjoys working with residents to become more confident and capable by focusing on mindset, interactions and preparation. Outside of work you can find her spending time with her husband, children, friends, and neighbours enjoying good food and sunshine.
Resources
- “Imposters don’t all experience failure-related shame the same way. And the reason is that they don’t all define competence the same way.” Valerie Young
- Young, V. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It. Crown Business/Random House, 2011.
Spend some time understanding how our experiences shape the way our mind sees the world.
Ekua Amponsah Agyemang MD, MPH
Dr. Ekua Agyemang is a public health and preventive medicine senior resident (PGY4) at the University of Alberta. Ekua trained in Ghana and worked with people living with HIV/AIDS before moving to Canada for a Mast of Public Health in global health and residency. Outside the joys of medicine, she enjoys volunteering with her church community, exploring the outdoors with her friends as well as doing taekwondo with her three children.
Bina Nair MD, FRCPC
Dr. Bina Nair is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with a specialization in addiction medicine, and an associate clinical professor at the University of Alberta. Adding to her clinical work, Bina has developed curriculum for residents on equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism and physician health.
Resources
- guidetoallyship.com
- National Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Series – San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training www.sanyas.ca/home
- implicit.harvard.edu
- www.cps.ca/en/policy-and-advocacy/antiracism-resources-for-child-and-youth-health-care-providers
- www.ualberta.ca/medicine/resources/faculty-and-staff/support-wellness/index.html
- www.ualberta.ca/medicine/about/social-accountability/diversity/index.html
- www.ualberta.ca/medicine/resources/faculty-and-staff/professionalism/index.html
Smartphones, smartwatches and connect care. We can be constantly connected to our work, so how are we protecting our personal boundaries? Let's talk about that.
Lyn Sonnenberg MSc, MD, MEd, FRCPC (Peds, Dev Peds)
An educational innovator, Dr. Lyn Sonnenberg is a forward-thinking, intuitive and strategic advisor who inspires and empowers. Technically in her PGY19 year, Lyn is an experienced clinical and academic leader with advanced skills in assessment and education technology and is recognized nationally and internationally for her teaching excellence, both as a medical education futurist and an equity, diversity, inclusivity and anti-ableism champion. As a former program director, she is a positive disruptor and effective change agent, while being authentic and genuine. She currently is the Associate Dean, Educational Innovation and Academic Technologies at the University of Alberta, where she is also an associate professor of pediatrics and practicing neurodevelopmental pediatrician. She criss-crossed the country during her training and loves climbing mountains and shooting things (with her camera).
Resources
Can life get any fuller? Strategies, resources and real-life experiences to support you in planning a family along side residency.
Rob Key PARA CEO
Rob has been supporting and advocating for resident physicians for the past 10 years. Outside of his work with PARA, he is a husband to one wife and father to four kids. So, family life keeps him very busy.
Panelists – a.m.
- Michael Keough MD
- Jennifer Dvorak MD
- Adrian Battiston MD
Panelists – p.m.
- Victoria Nkunu MD
- Lenka Stafl MD
- Meagan Roy MD
Resources
For Maternity and Parental Leave Checklist and Child Care Resource List visit University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Postgraduate Resources
A safe place to discuss a difficult subject, this session will present a perspective on suicidal risk that validates and creates strategies for empowering the helper to cope effectively with a suicidal patient or colleague.
Fleur Yumol MSC, MSW RSSW, RSW (Managing Director)
Fleur Yumol has over 20 years experience as a clinical social worker. She has a passion for people and organizations and recently started her own boutique organizational wellness company. Fleur received her Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary, and her master’s thesis was based on understanding the effectiveness of group therapy by modality. She received her Master of Science degree in business administration and economics from Lund University in Sweden where the focus of her thesis was understanding employee morale during an economic downturn. She enjoys working with leaders to increase engagement, efficiency and overall, well being within organizations. For over 20 years she has been working with physicians through PFSP as a therapist and now as the administrator of the 24/7/365 support line. Fleur is also passionate about physical health and well being, she has completed several marathons and triathlons, and loves white-water kayaking and rock climbing.
Resources
A list of resources in Alberta for individuals in crisis, experiencing suicidal ideation or require support within the community. This document is part of the resources provided to those residents participating in the Resident Wellness Conference 2021.
Explore how happiness is an advantage and how to make it a habit.
Robin Raworth PARA, Member Services Coordinator
Robin works closely with the Vice President of Community and Internal Relations and the Community and Wellness Committee, organizing well-being related activities and initiatives, as well as overseeing wellness grants and event funding. She is also a staff liaison to the Inclusivity and Anti-racism Working Group. In addition, Robin works in the areas of Agreement Compliance and organizing Letters of Understandings annually. Robin sits on Health and Safety Committees with AHS and other unions.
Resources
Supporting each other and building meaningful connections through peer support.
Sandy Dong MD, MSc, FRCPC (Emergency Medicine)
Dr. Sandy Dong is a residency program director for emergency medicine at the University of Alberta. With the help of Well Doc Alberta, Sandy is currently piloting a resident to resident formally trained peer support team in the program. Additionally, he has CISM (and I think also Well Doc?) training and is one of the peer supporters at the Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency department as well.
Alison Kirkham BA, MD, FRCPC (Em)
Dr. Alison Kirkham is an adult and pediatric emergency physician at the University of Alberta and Stollery Children's Hospital. Alison hails from rural Saskatchewan and has a fine arts background prior to medicine. She is partner to a talented chef, mother to three spirited children, cuddler to a rescue dog and a Mexican cat, and a fiery feminist.
Resources
- Well Doc Alberta Physician Peer Support Team Development and Training Process
- CMA Physician Wellness Hub – Peer Support
- Promising Approaches to Reducing Burnout and Improving Well-Being (Panel Discussion)
(Jo Shapiro, Director, Centre for Professionalism and Peer Support, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, developed gold standard for physician peer support)
Be empowered about wellness! Engage with a resident colleague who has created and implemented various wellness initiatives for the benefit of her fellow radiology residents and her own personal wellness needs.
Alanna Supersad MD
Dr. Alanna Supersad is a radiology resident at the University of Alberta. She is from Edmonton and lived in Calgary for a swift three years for medical school. In non-virtual times, you could find her hopping an international flight in search of a new adventure, shooting some hoops or enjoying quality time with family and friends. Resident wellness is something Alanna is passionate about; she enjoys working with colleagues to provide ideas and opportunities for residents to improve their personal and professional wellness.
Resources
- PARA grant information
- Marnie Hinton Award for Physician Wellness
- Remember to check with your specialty association to see if funds are available.
- AMA Awards, scholarships, bursaries and grants
Not just surviving but thriving! Sensible and sustainable meal planning for residency and life!
Lalitha Taylor RD
Lalitha Taylor, is a University of Alberta alumna and award-winning dietitian. Based in Edmonton, Lalitha has been practicing as a dietitian for almost 17 years. She has a diverse dietetic background with dynamic communications skills which has allowed her to engage in various media outlets, including her former role as a national spokesperson for Dietitians of Canada. She is currently the nutrition columnist for CBC Edmonton a.m. radio. Lalitha is seen in numerous clinics and hospitals across Alberta on Health Unlimited Television. Lalitha currently runs her own private practice and enjoys seeing a variety of clients across the life span. Besides nutrition, Lalitha enjoys road-biking, training her puppy and painting.
Resources
Connect with a performance coach who will introduce you to a technique that helps athletes who use it to optimize their performance during high pressure, high stakes conditions.
Brice Willis MC, Psy D
Brice Willis is a mental training consultant and performance coach from Calgary, Alberta. Outside of his professional interests, Brice enjoys coaching and training in the sports Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling.
Resources
- Hanin, Y. L. (2000a). Individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) model. In Y. L. Hanin (Ed.), Emotions in sport (pp. 65-89). Leeds, UK: Human Kinetics.
- Harmison, R. J. (2011). Peak performance in sport: Identifying ideal performance states and developing athletes' psychological skills. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 1(S), 3–18.
- Robazza C, Pellizzari M, Bertollo M, Hanin YL. Functional impact of emotions on athletic performance: comparing the IZOF model and the directional perception approach. J Sports Sci. 2008 Aug;26(10):1033-47.
- Robazza, C., Bortoli, L., & Nougier, V. (2002). Monitoring of precompetition affect in elite Italian archers during the world championships. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 33, 72–97.
- Ruiz, M. C., Raglin, J. S., & Hanin, Y. L. (2015). The Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) Model (1978-2014): Historical Overview of Its Development and Use. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-23.
- Win the Game of Life with Sport Psychology Jonathan Fader YouTube video - What separates good athletes from elite athletes? While skill, talent and athletic ability all factor in, mental skills are the major difference maker.
A favorite of attendees in past RWC conferences, it’s fun and eye-opening! You’ll see what Maya Angelou meant when she said “we are more alike my friends than we are unalike.”
Sue Reid MD, FRCPC
My pronouns are She/Her. Soon to retire anesthesiologist. I've been called "Alberta Med Twitter's Auntie!" and I am an advocate for physician health and publicly funded health care. Enthusiasm and humour are my superpowers - plus my English accent. Iris is my clown! She is not scary!