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Annual Meeting of Members

The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) 2025 Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) was held at the Family Medicine Summit in Banff on March 8, 2025. Members participated both in person and virtually, exceeding the AMM quorum requirements.

Dr. Noel DaCunha presented the President’s report and the official release of the 2024 Year in Review. Members were able to vote electronically on the 2024 Audited Financial Statements, the ACFP Membership Fee Increase*, Appointment of the Auditor, and lastly the 2025 Board Slate. The 2025 Budget Plan was presented for members’ information only.

*The Board proposed an inflationary increase to all classes of membership by 3%. The ACFP members were fully supportive and approved the membership fee increase. The fee increase will come into effect July 1, 2025.

2025 AMM Highlights

The College of Family Physicians of Canada’s (CFPC) President, Dr. Carrie Bernard, extended greetings to the ACFP membership. Following the greetings, Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk was installed as the ACFP President with Dr. Noel DaCunha becoming the Past President. Please see their respective addresses to the membership as Outgoing President and Incoming President below.

Noel DaCunha

Past President

Melanie Hnatiuk

President

Welcoming the New Board Directors and Board Secretary

As part of the 2025 Board slate, members approved the appointment of Drs. Smitha Yaltho, Munib Ali, and Lee Green to step into the role of Directors-at-Large, and Dinesh Witharana to step into the role of Board Secretary.

Munib Ali

Director-at-Large

Lee Green

Director-at-Large

Smitha Yaltho

Director-at-Large

Dinesh Witharana

Secretary

2025 AMM at a Glance

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I’m Melanie, a family physician from Calgary. I’ve been practicing there since completing my residency at the University of Calgary in 2006. I have cared for my panel of patients for almost 20 years, and taught learners throughout, but those of you who know me will know that I’m, admittedly, a bit of a restless person. I love new challenges and am passionate about contributing in meaningful ways. Throughout my career in addition to my family practice I have been involved in various additional clinical and leadership roles. These experiences have shaped me into the person and physician I am today, and I am truly honored to serve as your new President of the Alberta College of Family Physicians.

Like many of you, I’ve had a complex relationship with family medicine. I love the variety, the lifelong learning, and the deep connections I build with my patients. But it hasn’t always been easy. At times, I’ve struggled with the weight of responsibility that comes with caring for people in a system that hasn’t always supported those of us in family medicine. More recently, the challenges have felt even greater, as we navigate a landscape where we’re asked to do more with less, often feeling like we’re carrying the burden alone.

And yet—here we are.

We’re here at Summit to celebrate family medicine: the demanding, ever-evolving, deeply rewarding profession that brings us together. This year’s gathering is particularly special as we mark the 70th anniversary of the Alberta College of Family Physicians. Seventy years of advocacy, education, research and commitment to family medicine in this province. Seventy years of family physicians like you showing up, day after day, to provide the best care possible for Albertans. That is something to be proud of.

As a profession, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Yet there is reason to hope—a new payment model in the PCPCM; Primary Care Alberta is now operational, introducing a structure that we hope will recognize and support the critical work we do. For the first time in a long time, we see the potential for a future that allows us to practice in ways that are sustainable, effective, and fulfilling. But we also face uncertainty. Political shifts, increasing patient complexity, and resource constraints continue to challenge us. Change is the only constant, and while change can bring opportunity, it also brings fear, frustration, and loss.

So where do we go from here?

As the ACFP Board, we believe it is our responsibility to help shape that future—not just react to it. Team-based care is on the horizon. The way we practice will shift. And while this can feel unsettling, we’ve already seen evidence of successful models of care, thriving even in this challenging system, proving not only that meaningful, high-quality care is possible, but that the people providing that care can enjoy their lives and be well while doing so. Our goal is to advocate for a system that supports all of us in delivering the care our patients deserve, and to provide you with the educational resources you need while you continue the great work you are doing.

But we can’t do this without your input. We need to hear from you. We need to understand what’s working, what’s not, and what you need to feel supported in your practices. This weekend, I encourage you to connect with me and our board members—stop us in the hallway, share your thoughts, your concerns, your hopes. We know this journey hasn’t been easy, and we recognize the emotional toll that change brings. But together, we have the power to build something better.

Family medicine is the backbone of our healthcare system. You are the backbone of our profession. And as we navigate this evolving landscape, I want you to know that the ACFP is here for you. To listen, to advocate, and to work alongside you to create a sustainable system where we can do what we do best: provide exceptional care to our patients.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for the work you do every day. I look forward to the conversations, the challenges, and the opportunities ahead—together.