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Member Engagement and Recognition Committee

The Member Engagement and Recognition Committee (MERC) serves to ensure the ACFP is meeting the needs of its diverse membership. The committee is responsive to emergent member needs, and will, where necessary, create sub-committees or task forces to identify and meet these needs. This committee reports to the Executive Director with strategies and recommendations and will work with the ACFP staff to implement these through operational means.

Become a Committee Member

We are currently recruiting for the following positions: 

  • 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. Cian Hackett, Red Deer (Chair)
  • Dr. Marwan Al-Doori, Edmonton
  • Dr. Priyanka Hansraj, Edmonton
  • Dr. Vivek Kumar, Edmonton
  • Dr. Shirley Samuel-Haynes, Edmonton
  • Dr. Simran Sharma, Calgary

 

→ View Bio
Cian Hackett
Chair
→ View Bio
Marwan Al-Doori
Member-at-Large
→ View Bio
Priyanka Hansraj
Member-at-Large
→ View Bio
Vivek Kumar
Member-at-Large
→ View Bio
Shirley Samuel-Haynes
Member-at-Large
→ View Bio
Simran Sharma
Member-at-Large

Terms of Reference

The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) Member Engagement and Recognition Committee (MERC) is an operational committee which will assist in developing operational tactics in the areas of communications; member engagement; public, partner, and government relations; and the provision of member services. 

Purpose

The Committee will provide advice and support to the ACFP’s member engagement, communications, and stakeholder relations efforts ensuring that the members’ perspectives are represented and that all members feel part of a prestigious professional community. The Committee will work with the staff team and spokespersons to ensure that messages and initiatives align with the diverse perspectives of family physicians in the province. The Committee will ensure that all members are recognized for their contributions to family medicine and primary health care through a variety of communications, awards, and recognition programs.  

Download Terms of Reference

Dr. Cian Hackett

I’m Dr. Cian Hackett. Since graduating from a rural family medicine residency program based in Red Deer, I have practiced full scope rural medicine in Rimbey, Alberta, along with teaching roles and locums in neighbouring communities. I enjoy biking, cross-country skiing, and live music.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I volunteered for this position because this committee allows me to recognize the achievements and dedication of my colleagues, the merits of whom never cease to awe. I am keen to promote excellence within family medicine and have a particular interest in diversity and equity.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
What I value the most about the work of the ACFP is its commitment to patient-centred, generalist family medicine.

Dr. Marwan Al-Doori

Dr. Marwan Al-Doori is a Family physician practising in Edmonton since 2015, providing comprehensive, full-scope care and co-founder of New Glenwood Medical Clinic. Completed Care of the Elderly Diploma (University of Alberta, Jan 2026) with a focus on multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and complex geriatric care.

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

I am drawn to this opportunity as it aligns with my commitment to strengthening community-based family medicine and supporting system-level improvements in care delivery.

What do you value most about the work of the ACFP?
I appreciate its role in promoting high-quality, patient-centered care and addressing the evolving needs of communities across Alberta.

Dr. Priyanka Hansraj

I am a family physician in Edmonton. I completed medical school at University of Toronto and returned back home to Edmonton for my family medicine residency training at University of Alberta. In my spare time, I enjoy many arts and crafts hobbies particularly painting, sketching, knitting, and cross-stitch embroidery.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
My experiences in this profession have shown me how talented and accomplished many of my colleagues are, whether it be medical students, residents, or staff physicians. I wanted to be a part of the group that gets to acknowledge and recognize such talent in our province.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
What I value most about the work of the ACFP is its representation, advocacy, and commitment towards family medicine and overall patient care in Alberta.

Dr. Vivek Kumar

I am a family physician in Edmonton. I am originally from the land of the Vedas. I completed medical school at the University of Calcutta, India and did my Family Medicine residency training at the University of Alberta. In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, listening to melodies, cooking, and playing with my two beautiful children.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I wanted to be a part of a group that acknowledges, appreciates, and cherishes the contributions of a family physician in various domains of health care. There are several amazing and inspiring family physicians out there in the community and recognizing their efforts is a wonderful way to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude for their efforts.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I consider the ACFP to be a valuable platform and a great resource for fellow family physicians to connect and support each other. I feel that we can learn and benefit from each other’s experiences and contribute together to provide excellent care to our community.

Dr. Shirley Samuel-Haynes

I am a family physician with an interest in care of the elderly. I work at multiple sites in Edmonton.

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?
I volunteered to serve on the Membership Engagement and Recognition Committee to ensure the ACFP meets the needs of its members and recognizes excellence amongst its members.

What about the ACFP’s work do you find most valuable?
I think the ACFP’s work in advocacy and community is most valuable.

Dr. Simran Sharma

I’m a new graduate family physician trained at the University of Calgary, and currently a third-year Public Health and Preventive Medicine resident. I grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and I’m loving my Alberta residency adventure from exploring the mountains, walking trails, and amazing food scene!

Why are you volunteering to serve on this committee?

Bringing a systems-level lens and as a new family medicine graduate myself, I’m especially motivated to help build a strong “welcome and stay” pathway for early-career physicians: understanding what new grads need, lowering barriers to getting involved, and creating strategies to retain, re-engage, and grow younger membership.

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 how it creates a strong sense of professional community by genuinely representing members’ perspectives, aligning messaging with the diverse realities of family physicians acrossthe province, and celebrating members’ contributions through communications, awards, and recognition.

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