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Board

Board of Directors

The Board is a governing Board under the Bylaws of the Alberta College of Family Physicians. As per Section 5.1 of the ACFP Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of nine (9) individuals who fulfill the qualifications set by the Board and are elected or appointed in accordance with Board policy.

The Governance Advisory Committee, in accordance with Board policy, request nominations from the Members, review such nominations, and create a roster of individuals who meet the qualifications set by the Board. Such roster, upon approval by the Board, shall be presented to the Members at the next Annual Meeting of Members. No nominations shall be accepted from the floor at an Annual Meeting of Members. 

The Directors shall be elected by the Members. Director terms of office are three years, beginning at the Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) held in March. The ACFP President is the Board Chair and is the official spokesperson on issues that arise during and between Board meetings. 

The ACFP Board ensures that:

    • the organization is properly managed;
    • its property and assets are suitably cared for; and that
    • high-quality services are provided to all its members

 

Officers of the Board

As per Section 3.1 of the ACFP Bylaws, the following officers shall be elected from the Board, as necessary, in preparation for the following Annual Meeting of Members: the President-Elect, Board Secretary, and Board Treasurer. An officer must be a Director. A Director shall be eligible for election as the President-Elect, Secretary, or Treasurer after serving at least one (1) year on the Board.

Non-Voting Board Liaisons

In January 2016, the structure and mandate of the ACFP Board was changed from a representative governance Board to a smaller skills-based governing Board. At that time, the Board adopted a new recommendation to invite Medical Student Liaisons and Family Medicine Resident Liaisons from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary to attend all of the meetings of the Board as contributors without voting privileges.

2025-2026 Board of Directors

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Melanie Hnatiuk
President
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Noel DaCunha
Past President
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Douglas Tuck
Treasurer
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Dinesh Witharana
Secretary
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Munib Ali
Director-at-Large
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Simon Colgan
Director-at-Large
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Lee Green
Director-at-Large
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David Pinzon
Director-at-Large
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Smitha Yaltho
Director-at-Large
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Georgina Altman
Executive Director
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Liv Taylor
Medical Student Liaison – University of Calgary
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Carly Clarke
Medical Student Liaison – University of Alberta
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Tania Luthra
Resident Board Liaison – University of Alberta
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Jeslene Sandhu
Resident Board Liaison – University of Calgary

Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk

My name is Melanie Hnatiuk and I’m a proud family physician. I was born and raised in Alberta, having lived in both Edmonton and Calgary. I spent some time in London, Ontario for medical school at Western, then returned to complete my residency at the University of Calgary. I currently work as an academic family physician at the University of Calgary where I have been privileged to play a role in the training of medical students and residents and to care for many of my patients for over 15 years. I have held various administrative and leadership positions both at the Department of Family Medicine and with other organizations in Alberta. I’m married and the mom of three children (and one dog). I love spending time outdoors with my family.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I am passionate about contributing to the work of the ACFP because I believe that family medicine is the foundation for a high-quality, compassionate, and efficient health care system. Individuals, communities, and the system as a whole benefit when Family Medicine has strong representation.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I value the work the ACFP has done to advocate on behalf of Albertans by representing family physicians. The ACFP’s collaboration with stakeholders will ensure our discipline remains adaptive to the needs of the communities we work within.

Dr. Noel DaCunha

I’m Dr. Noel DaCunha and I live and work in Westlock, a small town an hour north of Edmonton. I have practised rural family medicine in Alberta for thirty-two years, having previously trained in London, England.  Teaching students and residents is one of my greatest joys and I embrace all that rural Alberta has to offer.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I joined the Board because I felt I had accumulated sufficient knowledge and experience to add to the perspective of the board and hopefully make a positive contribution.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
Since joining the Board, I have grown to appreciate the challenges facing family medicine in Alberta and Canada and the need for strong leadership, advocacy, as well as well directed professional development programs and research. I am proud of the leadership role that our Board has taken with respect to the opioid crisis and our active engagement with the developing and rapidly changing primary care landscape in Alberta.

 

Dr. Doug Tuck

My name is Dr. Douglas (Doug) Tuck, Maj (Ret) CD1. I am a GP primary working as a contractor supporting the Canadian Armed Force, with experience in locums in Alberta.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
Currently I am the Treasurer on the ACFP. I volunteer because I believe in giving back to the communities to which I belong. This allows me to keep abreast of changes to our profession, network with my peers, and hopefully advance the specialty of family medicine.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I value the work the ACFP does both in providing quality/timely CPD to support family physicians and also the advocacy work that the ACFP has been doing to help ensure the voices and values of family medicine are being heard at many planning tables at the provincial level.

Dr. Dinesh Witharana

I’m Dr. Dinesh Witharana and I’m a family physician based in Spruce Grove who primarily focuses on community primary care of palliative patients. I often bring residents with me to my hospice rounds and home visits. I also enjoy participating on the Provincial Palliative Tumor Group as an Executive Member, the AMA Section of Palliative Care Fee Committee, and the Core Committee for Cancer Strategic Clinical Network. I am the family physician representative on the Edmonton Zone PCN Sub-Committee for improving transitions of care, and previously served as a member of the ACFP First Five Years in Practice Committee.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I am a strong supporter of the ACFP Vision of advancing health for patients, their families, and communities where every Albertan has a patient-centred medical home, and believe that providing more support and resources for primary care will be essential to achieving this vision.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
What I value the most about the ACFP is it’s very member focused. When you meet the staff, their sole interest is how to better support family physicians in Alberta, and they quickly feel like family.

Dr. Munib Ali

I’m Dr. Munib Ali, a resident physician training in Calgary where I was also born and raised. I am driven by a passion for research, innovation, and harnessing technology to push the frontiers of primary care, with a particular focus on improving healthcare for our growing senior population.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
In this rapidly shifting landscape of Family Medicine in Alberta, there is a need for physician involvement in policy, leadership, and advocacy. During my time as the resident liaison between the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) and the University of Calgary Department of Family Medicine, I was continually inspired by the passion, vision, and incredible talent of those around me. The dedication and skill are instrumental in creating measurable changes. I found the group here to be both welcoming and collaborative; an ideal place to grow and learn from.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
The ACFP has a reputation and propensity for being a strong and unified voice for Family Physicians in Alberta. The leadership initiatives that it undertakes as an organization are intentional, diplomatic, and accomplished with deep consideration of its constituents. I value that it’s both a platform and service, especially for those earlier in their careers who desire change – like myself.

Dr. Simon Colgan

I am a full-time palliative physician in community and tertiary care and the lead physician for CAMPP (Community Allied Mobile Palliative Partnership) in Calgary, an equity-focused palliative program to under served populations.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I really want to try and promote and advocate for equity related topics including – poverty, food security, harm reduction, climate change.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I think it has a huge reach within primary care politics and I believe tackling upstream determinants of health are crucial for some of our health care problems.

Dr. Lee Green

I am a family physician and health services researcher with an academic and clinical background. I previously served as the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta. Additionally, I served as a faculty member at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
Family medicine in Alberta is in a time of rapid and major change. We face significant challenges in how our practices are organized, how our work is compensated, and how we relate to the health care system as a whole. The ACFP will have an important role in how this time of transition plays out. I hope to contribute my many years of experience in health services, research, and health care organization leadership to helping the ACFP navigate these interesting times.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
The ACFP has a key role in the transformation of health care in Alberta. It is a true professional organization, not a lobby or interest group, and is well positioned to provide important guidance and support to family physicians and their teams as well as to health system leaders as primary care undergoes major transformation.

Dr. David Pinzon

I am a family and emergency medicine doctor in Edmonton. I am a clinical lecturer for the University of Alberta Family Medicine program. Currently I serve on both the ACFP Board and the Member Engagement and Recognition Committee.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals on the Board, contributing to strategic decision-making and ensuring that the organization continues to thrive and make a positive impact. 

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I value the ACFP’s great effort and commitment in optimizing healthcare and the role of family physicians in Alberta.

Dr. Smitha Yaltho

My name is Smitha Yaltho, and I feel privileged to work as a family physician. Why? I believe that being a family physician has been the best job any physician can hope to have. I have personally grown in my own abilities and skill sets with diverse opportunities in ambulatory practice, acute care and work in Facility Living.  Working in primary care has been exciting and has also afforded me tremendous opportunities for growth while still remaining stimulating in its complexity.  I believe that Family physicians are trusted partners in patient care – every step of the way. 

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I currently have an interest in Physician Leadership and trauma informed care. I have served as a director with the Board of Directors with the Edmonton North PCN, Edmonton’s largest PCN. Thereafter, I have worked as the Director of Medical Services with CapitalCare (also based in Edmonton) for almost 6 years. It is my express wish that my contribution on the ACFP board of directors will highlight the excellence of family medicine that exists right here and now within the Alberta health care system. 

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
Ability to highlight and further support the excellence of primary care right here in Alberta.

Georgina Altman

Executive Director

Hi,  I’m thrilled to be leading an organization that plays such an important role in supporting family physicians across Alberta. With over 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership, health care philanthropy, and strategic planning, I’m passionate about bringing people together to make meaningful change—especially when it comes to health care. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with incredible teams to strengthen governance, build strong community and government partnerships, and advocate for better access to care. I’ve led initiatives to improve funding and infrastructure in underserved areas, helped shape policy, and secured major investments for long-term sustainability.

At the ACFP, my focus is on listening to our members, building relationships, and working alongside our Board and partners to ensure family medicine has the support it needs to thrive—now and into the future.

What is a fun fact about you?
I was co-producer for a collaborative Christmas Album that won an award from the Saskatchewan Country Music Association!

What is your favorite song/music?
I love all kinds of music. Right now Florence & the Machine is at the top of my playlist!

What is your favorite pastime?
Spending time catching up with friends and family.

What is your favorite food?
I really enjoy being adventurous with food! Add cheese and I’m sure to try it!

Favourite quote:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity.”

—Amelia Earhart

Liv Taylor

My name is Liv Taylor and I am a first-year medical student at the University of Calgary. Before beginning medical school, I completed my Bachelors of Science at Mount Royal University. When I’m not at school, you can find me hiking in Kananaskis, kayaking the Glenmore Reservoir, or watercolour painting!

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
I am volunteering to serve on the Board as I have a vested interest in the ongoing changes within Alberta’s political sphere, and the impacts these decisions have on Alberta’s primary care physicians as well as on my peer’s perceptions of family medicine. I believe that family medicine is an integral component of our healthcare system, and I am excited to work alongside the rest of the Board in our pursuit to support family physicians and encourage excellence within the field of family medicine.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable? 
The commitment to supporting and providing resources for family physicians as well as their emphasis on professional development opportunities.

Emily Cox

My name is Carly and I am a Medical Student at the University of Alberta and am proud to represent the Class of 2027. I have lived in the Calgary area for 21 years with my husband and soon to be teenaged son. My professional background includes NICU and Psychiatric Nursing, and have been a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care and Emergency Psychiatry since 2018. In my time off, I love travelling, gathering around a camp fire with friends, and karaoke.

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
As a new medical student with ongoing allied experience in Primary Care, I continue to feel the impact of the ever changing landscape of Family Medicine. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the hard work and experience of our expert Family Medicine colleagues in the ACFP with the student body.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
The ACFP works diligently to advocate for Family Medicine as a foundation of health for individuals, communities, and the entire health care system. They are committed to supporting Family Physicians in their innumerable and often unseen roles, celebrating their diversity and adaptability. The ACFP puts a spotlight on the importance of building strong professional and client centered relationships that extend well beyond individual interactions.

Dr. Tania Luthra

I completed my undergraduate medical training at the University of Alberta and I am completing my family residency in Edmonton as well. My interests in medicine include low risk obstetrics, women’s health including office procedures and chronic disease management. Outside of medicine, I enjoy dancing, reading and knitting!

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
As a resident, I recognize so many aspects of the job are difficult to learn on the job such as understanding how governmental policies affect us and our patients, finding community resources and programs that help with our patient’s barriers whether lifestyle or socioeconomic and making connections with specialists who help guide our care when needed. I want to use this opportunity to learn these skills while I am a resident and to encourage my colleagues to do the same so we may be the best advocates for our community. I also want to help myself and my colleagues do the best to prepare for practice by learning how to run a clinic efficiently and how to continuously keep up with latest guidelines.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable? 
Continuing Professional Development: how to keep up to date on direct patient care and on community/provincial resources that can serve our patients.

Dr. Jeslene Sandhu

Why are you volunteering to serve on the Board?
Jeslene is eager to join a team that is dedicated to enhancing family medicine learning opportunities and ensuring that members feel supported and engaged. As Resident Board Liaison, she brings a strong background in relevant committee experience and a genuine passion for learner advocacy and system improvement.

She is particularly interested in collaborating with ACFP committees, including the First Five Years of Family Practice and Research Committee.

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