I want to
Linkedin-in Facebook-f Twitter

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

After completing medical school at the University of Alberta, I returned to my hometown of Calgary to practice as a family physician. I have been in practice since 2017, working across a diverse range of settings including academic clinics, occupational injury services, walk-in care, and longitudinal family practice, as well as incorporating CBT-based approaches into patient care. I value the comprehensive, holistic nature of family medicine. I am passionate about medical writing, and I have authored essays and a nonfiction book. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, yoga, watching films, and travelling the globe.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I am interested in serving on the ACFP Governance Advisory Committee because I value the role strong governance plays in supporting a resilient, member-focused professional organization. Alongside many colleagues, I have experienced the healthcare challenges of recent years in Alberta, which have reinforced the need to renew and strengthen the defining qualities of family medicine as a foundational specialty. Now more than ever, I believe family physicians are seeking to strengthen their professional organizations and ensure primary care continues to evolve and thrive. I believe strong, comprehensive family medicine is central to the future of healthcare, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute my clinical perspective and experience across diverse practice settings to support the ACFP’s mission.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I value the ACFP’s commitment to strengthening and advocating for family medicine across Alberta. In particular, I appreciate its role in supporting family physicians through education, collaboration, and leadership, while helping to ensure the profession remains sustainable and responsive to patient and community needs. I am proud to serve as a member of the Governance Advisory Committee, as I believe it plays a vital role in guiding the organization’s effectiveness and long-term direction.

 
 

 

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.

Dr. Adedayo Olawuni

I am a Calgary-based family physician with diverse clinical and governance experience in Canada and internationally, including service on a Primary Care Network board. My work reflects a strong commitment to physician advocacy, competency development, and collaborative leadership. I bring a strategic, accountable approach to governance, with a focus on fostering effective partnerships and sustainable systems. Passionate about primary care transformation, I am dedicated to advancing high-quality, patient-centered care that meets the evolving needs of communities that we serve.

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

I was drawn to volunteer with the Governance Advisory Committee of the ACFP because of its meaningful role in shaping how the organization serves both physicians and patients across Alberta. With my background in clinical practice and governance, I value the opportunity to contribute to thoughtful, transparent decision-making that strengthens the profession. The committee’s focus on accountability, strategic alignment, and effective leadership resonates with my interest in building resilient systems. I am particularly motivated to support governance practices that enable primary care innovation and ensure the voices of front-line physicians are reflected in organizational direction.

What do you value most about the work of the ACFP?
What I value most about the work of the Alberta College of Family Physicians is its unwavering commitment to strengthening family medicine as the foundation of an effective healthcare system. I appreciate its focus on supporting physicians through advocacy, education, and leadership development, while consistently prioritizing high-quality, patient-centered care. The ACFP’s role in advancing primary care innovation and fostering collaboration across the healthcare system aligns closely with my own values. Its ability to amplify the voice of family physicians and translate frontline realities into meaningful system change is particularly impactful.

Find a Family Doctor

Register for the Summit

Attend Thursday Evening Webinars

Report my Mainpro+ Credits

Volunteer with the ACFP

Nominate a Colleague