What is PARA?

The Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA) is a non-profit organization that endeavors to provide effective representation for physicians completing further training in a residency program.

What does PARA do?

1. PARA negotiates a contract on the behalf of resident physicians that deals with the non-academic aspects of residency training. These aspects include pay, working conditions, and benefits.
2. PARA strives to ensure compliance with the terms of this contract.
3. PARA enhances resident physician well-being by organizing social events, information seminars, workshops, and research.
4. PARA advocates for individual resident physicians with professional or academic challenges.
5. PARA advocates on behalf of resident physicians as a whole at all levels and with various organizations:

• Locally with the Universities, Faculties of Medicine, and Alberta Health Services
• Provincially with the Alberta Government, Alberta Medical Association, and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta; and
• Nationally (through the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents) with the Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Medical Council of Canada, Federal Government, and Canadian Medical Protective Association.

How do we do all this?

• PARA was incorporated in 1975 and has a voluntary recognition agreement with the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and provincial health authorities (currently Alberta Health Services).
• PARA requires volunteer resident physicians to join our Board of Directors and make decisions for the organization. We need these same resident physicians to volunteer their time for the various committees on which PARA sits to advocate for their fellow resident physicians.
• PARA collects mandatory dues from each resident physician who is paid through Alberta Health Services. Of these dues, approximately a quarter goes to the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents. These dues are tax deductable, have not risen in 29 years, and are amongst the lowest in the country.

How can you get involved?
The Board of Directors is elected during the first PARA board meeting of the new term, usually held in August. Resident physicians interested in either board or committee involvement, please contact the PARA office for more information.
Resident physicians are provided with time off with pay in their contract to participate in PARA. All costs associated with attending meetings are fully reimbursed.