Southern Alberta Preceptor Summit

Opening Plenary

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. MT

Hosted by Dr. Debakanta Jena

By the end of this session, participants will be equipped to:

1. Reflect on the motivations that lead people to become physicians;
2. Consider what aspects of medical practice in the future will remain the same and which will change;
3. Identify enjoyable aspects of the medical profession that can sustain us.

Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. MT

Hosted by Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie

By the end of this session, participants will be equipped to:

1. Recognize the vagueness of the term ‘wellness’ and discuss what the notion ‘wellness’ may or may not encompass;
2. Identify strategies to improve life enjoyment utilizing logic;
3. Apply concepts of intentional living to daily life examples.

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. MT

Hosted by Dr. Erich van der Linde

1. Learn how to create a medical education culture in their community;
2. Realize how IMGs can be engaged in medical education;
3. Develop strategies for community involvement and partnership in medical education.

Time: 3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. MT

Hosted by Dr. Kristy Penner, Dr. Peter Koegler, Dr. Elaine Godwin, Dr. Sarah Makhdoom, Dr. Clark Svrcek and Dr. Jacqueline Hui.

By the end of this session, participants will be equipped to:

1. Describe the timeline and goals of family medicine residency curriculum re-design as it relates to the College of Family Physicians of Canada Outcomes of Training Program (OTP);
2. List potential residency program admission process changes related to IMG applicants and residency program expansion;
3. Deduce current goals, academic opportunities, and timelines related to the Southern Alberta Medical Program expansion;
4. Generate innovative ideas for the future of rural medical training.

Closing Plenary

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. MT

Hosted by Dr. James van Leeuwen

1. Investigate the economic, demographic, and cultural realities of today's rural communities and the opportunities and challenges in a time of accelerating economic and social change;
2. Distinguish the evolving relationship(s) between rural communities and health professionals and the impacts and implications for rural recruitment and retention;
3. Identify strategies and tactics for improving recruitment and retention in rural communities.

Since 2017, Dr. Godwin has held the role of Lethbridge Site Director, where her enthusiasm lies in witnessing the development of learners as they navigate through the rural program. Presently, her professional practice revolves around being a low-risk maternity physician. She operates as a locum, collaborating with healthcare groups in both Calgary and High River.

In her personal life, Dr. Godwin takes pride in being the mother of three grown boys. Together with her husband Darryl, they call the picturesque small town of Diamond Valley in the Alberta Foothills their home.

Dr. van der Linde serves as a rural generalist, providing care to the residents of Brooks and its surrounding areas. Alongside his primary role as a family physician, he holds expertise as a family practice anesthesiologist and obstetrician, and he also performs surgical procedures as part of his duties within the hospital. As a community medical director for Brooks, Dr. van der Linde actively participates in various zone committees, including his position as the chair of the Recruitment Committee. He strongly advocates for family practice anesthesia within the Collaborative Advisory Group for General and Family Practice Anesthesia in Canada. In 2020, Dr. Erich van der Linde was honored with a Rural Service Award from the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada.

Dr. Hui undertook her studies in Family Medicine and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto, supplemented by her pursuit of a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Gorgas Institute. Her journey has taken her across various countries, including Kenya, the Netherlands, and South Africa, where she resided and taught. This rich international experience was followed by the completion of her Master of Health Professions Education in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Presently, Dr. Hui has a specialized focus on Palliative Care, which she practices alongside her role as the Assessment Director within the University of Calgary Family Residency Program. Her commitment extends to areas of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) as well as social justice. Furthermore, she's actively navigating her new responsibilities as the Co-Complex System Navigator for the OTP project, embracing this role with enthusiasm and dedication.

Dr. Penner is a dedicated rural generalist residing in Crowsnest Pass. With a strong passion for rural medical education and leadership, she has been actively involved in teaching medical students and residents from both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. Recently, she has taken on the role of Co-Site Director of the Rural residency Program – Lethbridge site. In her free time, Dr. Penner enjoys exploring the great outdoors, whether it be on foot, wheels, or skis.

Born and raised in Oyen, Alberta, Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie initially pursued studies in social and law before embarking on a career in medicine. She was a U of C Tuatara and successfully completed a rural family medicine residency in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her journey also led her to undergo training in Family Medicine Anesthesia in Calgary, and she furthered her education by attaining a Masters of Public Health from New Mexico State. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in activities such as camping and sewing, and she's currently in the process of learning to play the accordion. Adding to her accomplishments, she's a proud parent to an amazing 5-year-old daughter.

Dr. Koegler achieved his medical degree from the University of Alberta Medical School in 1995 and went on to complete his residency in Family Medicine at the Grey Nuns in Edmonton. Establishing a comprehensive family practice in Lethbridge in 1997, he has been dedicated to this role for over two decades, providing obstetric care for the duration of that time.

Within the medical community, Dr. Koegler is a valued member of the Adult FASD Assessment Clinic (Lethbridge) and the Lethbridge Regional Sleep Clinic. His association with the University of Calgary Rural Family Residency Program dates back to 2001 when it was known as Rural Alberta South – RAS. Over the years, he has contributed extensively in various capacities such as a preceptor, Site/Unit Director, a former Rural Program Director, and his present role as the Medicine Hat Site Director.

Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Koegler shares a 38-year-long marriage with Joanne. Together, they are proud parents to six children, grandparents to ten grandchildren, and the loving owners of a dog.

Dr. Sarah Makhdoom is a dedicated physician who graduated from Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan and completed her Rural Family Medicine Residency at the University of Calgary. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. She has recently taken on the role of Rural Director for IMG residents. From 2020 to 2022, Dr. Makhdoom led as President of Canadian Global Care through the global pandemic, raising awareness on COVID prevention and management. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Mahkdoom has been actively involved in improving maternal health at the grassroots level and is passionate about giving back to local and international organizations.

Dr. Clark Svrcek is a Family Physician at the Academic Teaching Clinic at South Health Campus and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary.  He is the Interim Undergraduate Family Medicine Director at the Cumming School of Medicine.  His previous life as a civil/environmental engineer has informed his (research and education) interests in Planetary Health, the intersections of nature and the built environment, and how that all comes together in active, healthy communities. 

When he's not working, you can find Clark (or not) adventuring in nature with his family, providing engineering (and sweat equity) support for his family's urban permaculture project, or desperately trying to organize thousands of digital photos.