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Governance Advisory Committee

The Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) is a governance committee of the ACFP Board. This Committee supports and guides the Board in fulfilling its legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities of the organization. These responsibilities include:

  • Recruiting and screening of nominations for potential Board and/or Committee members
  • Reviewing of governing documents, including ACFP Bylaws, and provision of recommendations for changes to be presented to the Board and the Annual Meeting of Members (AMM) of the ACFP for approval
  • Educating and evaluating the effectiveness of the Board and its members

Become a Committee Member

Currently, the GAC is looking to add at least one, but up to three Members-at-Large.

Email your application to governance@acfp.ca. Please include a letter of interest (250 words max) and a summary of your experience or a copy of your CV.

Committee Members

  • Dr. Sudha Koppula (Chair), Edmonton
  • Dr. Noel DaCunha (President), Westlock
  • Dr. Diana Hong, Edmonton
  • Dr. Yasmin Majeed, Calgary
  • Dr. Richard Martin, Grande Prairie
Sudha Koppula
Chair
Noel DaCunha
President
Diana Hong
Member-at-Large
Yasmin Majeed
Member-at-Large
Richard Martin
Member-at-Large

Terms of Reference

The Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) is a governance committee of the ACFP Board of Directors

Purpose

This Committee provides support and guidance to the Board in the fulfilment of its legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities through management of the ACFP bylaws; management of governance policies; oversight of the succession of the Board of Directors and Committees; and education and evaluation of the Board and its members.

Dr. Sudha Koppula

I’m Dr. Sudha Koppula and I was born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, where I also completed my family medicine training. I now enjoy a broad range family practice located at the MacEwan University Health Centre. I have benefited from knowledge and mentorship from many sources. These have been instrumental in inspiring my academic career at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta, and my interest in medical education, especially faculty development.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I wish to serve on this committee because I enjoy the work of the GAC, especially advising the Board which I have served on for many years. Having served on the Board, I recognize how important the GAC’s guidance and advice is relating to potential Board members, bylaw updates, and organizational processes. The GAC group is great too! We have a wonderful group of ACFP members serving on the GAC and it is a joy to connect with them during our meetings. We have a great time with governance!

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
The ACFP work that I find most valuable is our efforts to attract learners to our discipline. I enjoy that a great deal and think the ACFP does an excellent job of promoting family medicine. I also enjoy our research efforts, especially encouraging high quality research among family physicians across the province and collaboration among researchers.

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. Diana Hong

I’m a community family physician in Edmonton, where I have the privilege of providing comprehensive primary care to the patients and families I serve. I completed both my Doctorate of Medicine (MD), and my Family Medicine residency at the University of Calgary.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
Strong governance practices support the ACFP to uphold its strategic pillars and values, and ensures accountability and transparency to members and stakeholders. I look forward to working with the committee to support the Board in this important area, and learning more about the ACFP from a strategic level.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
ACFP does so much valuable work for the profession of family medicine in Alberta. From advocating for family physicians and advancing primary care in the healthcare system to supporting medical education and research, the ACFP represents and supports family physicians and family medicine in many ways. What I value most is the passion of the ACFP team that leads and supports the organization – a small but mighty and dedicated crew that really believes in the value of family medicine and family physicians.

Dr. Yasmin Majeed

I’m Dr. Yasmin Majeed and I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. After completing medical school and postgraduate training in pediatrics, we left the country since my husband’s job as an engineer entailed a lot of travel. The good fortune of living in different parts of the world has given me a clear perspective on health care delivery around the world.

We decided to make Canada home and moved to Alberta. Living in Calgary was like a dream come true with its rivers, lakes, and mountains – we got into hiking and skiing. Getting back into practice as a physician, raising three children, and rediscovering what I loved to do was an uphill task. After being accepted for residency in family medicine, I completed a third year in Palliative Care. I now work as a chronic pain consultant at the Chronic Pain Center in Calgary and I’m part of the Pain Residency Learning Committee at the University of Calgary.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I am volunteering on the Governance committee to support the ACFP, in the tremendous work they are doing for the benefit of the physician community in Alberta. It has given me good insight into the effort that goes into managing the smooth running of the organization, with due attention to the bylaws. It has helped me learn and grow from the experience and expertise of my colleagues.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I value the transparency and advocacy work done by ACFP and I am honored to be part of this dedicated team.

Dr. Richard Martin

I’m Dr. Richard Martin and I’m happily committed to comprehensive family medicine, medical education, and leadership since 1993. Less happily committed to paperwork and lawn maintenance, but someone has to do it.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I am truly honoured to return to working with the ACFP leadership in furthering family medicine and supporting my family medicine colleagues across Alberta.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
As the voice of family medicine, the work of the ACFP has far-reaching influence in advancing our collective goal of family medicine excellence through support, education, organization, and collegiality.