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Year in Review

The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) publishes the Year in Review (YIR) to report about the highlights of the past year for the organization and its membership. It captures the developments, the milestones unlocked, the strategies utilized, and the efforts made to improve the delivery of programs and initiatives.

For a glimpse of what ACFP had been doing in the past few years, read our latest Year in Review and check out our previous publications in the thumbnails at the bottom of the page.

2023 Year in Review

My first year as President of the Alberta College of Family Physicians has been a journey in leadership, advocacy, and service. From my practice in Westlock, this role has allowed me to be part of something bigger and to represent my fellow family physicians from every corner of the province. Thank you for entrusting me with this position as we continue to advance the value of family medicine.

Ensuring that family medicine is the foundation for a healthy Alberta is a collective effort. This mission would not be possible without each and every one of you. Your persistent dedication to delivering high quality patient-centred care in the communities you serve continues to be a constant in an ever-changing health care landscape. Being the voice for Alberta’s family physicians is an honour and a privilege for the ACFP; one that the organization embodies at every table it is invited to.

This year, the ACFP engaged in many discussions with the Ministry of Health and other primary care groups to bring family physician perspectives to the forefront of policy-making and health care programming. All the while, it offered the exceptional continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities you have come to rely on and expect from the ACFP.

Two notable examples from 2023 include the delivery of a record-setting hybrid Family Medicine Summit, the first of its kind, and the ACFP’s involvement with the Government of Alberta’s Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative; more specifically, being tasked with providing recommendations for reducing administrative burden. Although it is a milestone to have a key role in shaping system-level improvements, we know that there is still a long way to go,
and the work continues.

Your confidence, support, and commitment to the ACFP sustains all who are directly attached to the work including the Board, Committees, and the ACFP staff who unfailingly collaborate every day to achieve our common goals. Thank you again and I look forward to sharing more positive developments with you all in 2024.


Noel DaCunha, MBBS, CCFP
President
Alberta College of Family Physicians

Previous Year in Review Publications

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 this committee?
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.