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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

Committee Members

  • Dr. Sudha Koppula (Chair), Edmonton
  • Dr. Salah R. Saleh Ben Hamed, Edmonton
  • Dr. Noel DaCunha (Past President), Westlock
  • Dr. Diana Hong, Edmonton
  • Dr. Adedayo Olawuni
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Sudha Koppula
Chair
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Salah R. Saleh Ben Hamed
Member-at-Large
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Noel DaCunha
President
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Diana Hong
Member-at-Large
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Adedayo Olawuni
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.

Download Terms of Reference

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. Salah R. Saleh Ben Hamed

I have served as lead physician at Terwillegar Family Clinic in Edmonton since 2016. With over 30 years of clinical, educational, and administrative expertise, I have worked across Canada and Libya in both acute care and community settings. My previous roles include Hospitalist and Emergency Physician in New Brunswick and Senior Medical Officer in Newfoundland and Labrador, where I have established the province’s first multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic. I hold medical and postgraduate qualifications in diabetology and family medicine, and I am actively involved in teaching, examining, and advancing diabetes care both nationally and internationally.

What attracted you most to this volunteer position? Why do you want to volunteer on this Committee?

I am particularly drawn to this volunteer position because of its strong focus on governance, accountability, and strategic oversight. The opportunity to contribute to the development and review of bylaws, support fair and transparent recruitment processes, and enhance board effectiveness aligns closely with my experience and interest in leadership and organizational excellence. I value the chance to support a structure that ensures the Board can function ethically and effectively while continuously improving through evaluation and education.

What do you value most about the work of the ACFP?
What I value most about the work of the ACFP is its commitment to strong leadership, professionalism, and continuous improvement. The emphasis on clear policies, strategic direction, and accountability reflects a dedication to high standards in family medicine. I also appreciate its focus on education, collaboration, and supporting both the organization and its members to achieve excellence in serving communities.

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.

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