Dear Alberta Resident Physicians,
To both new and returning residents, welcome! My name is Siavash (Sia) Zare-Zadeh and I am your 2025–2026 PARA President.
I am honoured to step into this role at such a pivotal moment. Together with our new board of directors, we will be focusing our efforts on three key priorities: Call Review, Agreement Advocacy, and Resident Spaces.
Call Review is at the top of our agenda. Thanks to the success of last year’s negotiations, we have a meaningful opportunity to improve how call is experienced. Our work with Alberta Health Services and university stakeholders is underway. To be forthright, outcomes and on-the-ground changes will take time. However, rest assured, we are championing the next evolution of after-hours care to ensure resident well-being and safe, sustainable patient care.
Agreement Advocacy will be a major area of focus. Residents need to know that PARA will stand with them when issues arise in the workplace or within their program. We are committed to addressing agreement breaches professionally and promptly.
Resident Spaces matter. Every resident deserves safe, clean, and welcoming call rooms. Our agreement outlines expectations around these spaces, and we will work closely with our partners to gather data, identify gaps, and advocate for improvements. Your on-call environment directly affects your ability to care for patients; it deserves our full attention.
Of course, progress takes time, collaboration, and feedback. Your voices will guide our work, and I encourage you to engage via the PARA Advisory Council.
It is a privilege to serve, and I am looking forward to the year ahead.
Sia
2025-2025 PARA President