Staff

Courtney is honoured to serve and advocate for resident physicians in Alberta. She brings extensive experience in government and stakeholder relations, public affairs, advocacy and strategic planning across health care, academic research and government. 

As Director of External and Government Relations, Tara oversees PARA’s advocacy and stakeholder/government relations portfolios. With PARA since 2015, Tara collectively has more than 25 years of communications and advocacy experience in the regulatory and professional association environments, much of it within health care.

Tara is passionate about the power of community and is a committed community volunteer. She is also a self-proclaimed word nerd, avid hockey fan, shoe connoisseur and travel addict. Her perfect day would include copious amounts of coffee, a beautiful landscape, a good book and non-stop tunes. She is also avidly anti-Oxford comma (and relishes the chaos this stance brings).

As Manager of Communications, Kiersten leads the strategic direction and execution of communication initiatives for PARA. With PARA since 2016, she excels in crafting compelling messages and fostering positive relationships with members and partners. Driven by a commitment to excellence and a goal to draft impactful professional content, Kiersten continuously seeks to innovate and enhance PARA’s communication efforts.

Beyond her professional realm, Kiersten is passionate about baking, traveling, reading and enjoying quality time with her two young children and husband.

Robin has been with PARA since 2015. She works in Agreement Compliance, assisting resident physicians and programs with Agreement-related questions and approving Letters of Understanding annually. She is available for academic half-day presentations on the Agreement; please reach out if you have any questions related to the Agreement.

Robin works closely with the Vice President of Community and Internal Relations and the Community and Wellness Committee, organizing well-being-related activities and initiatives and overseeing wellness grants and event funding. In addition, she provides support for the Negotiation Committee and the Finance and Operations Committee.

Robin moved to Alberta from Ontario in 2015; she enjoys art history, environmental health and riding her bike with her ‘wiggly’ two-year-old.

As the staff lead for the Nomination and Awards Committee at PARA, Ravneet oversees the distribution of awards to resident physicians, physician preceptors and allied staff. This role includes managing wellness research funding and administering conference sponsorship awards. Additionally, Ravneet is responsible for agreement compliance, dues management, the taxi reimbursement program, excess call and academic half-day presentations on the Agreement. She also organizes PARA Assembly meetings, Executive Board retreats and ensures representation at external committee meetings.

Ravneet has been with PARA since 2016, bringing years of dedicated service and expertise to the Association. In her free time, Ravneet enjoys outdoor strolls, loves traveling and cherishes daily long-distance phone calls with her mom. She also values spending quality time with her boys.

Abbie is a specialist in creative content with three years of experience in digital marketing. She is passionate about storytelling and excels in crafting engaging content that drives audience engagement and brand growth. Abbie is committed to delivering innovative marketing solutions and creates strategies that resonate with target audiences.

Dr. Siavash ’Sia’ Zare-Zadeh was introduced to PARA through the 2023 Negotiations Committee, an experience that gave him insight into the organization’s core priorities and ongoing advocacy efforts. As PARA President, his primary focus is on the Call Review — an opportunity to help drive long-term structural changes to call scheduling and compensation. He is also committed to exploring how PARA can provide even greater value to its Members and ensuring that the organization’s advocacy efforts are clearly communicated and widely understood.

Dr. Zare-Zadeh brings a strong foundation in leadership and public engagement to the role, having previously interned for federal government Ministers, conducted media interviews, and served on multiple leadership committees at the University of Calgary. He values a collaborative and professional approach and is committed to drawing on the experience of PARA’s Executive and staff to support informed, balanced decision-making.

Dr. Zare-Zadeh views this position as a significant responsibility and takes seriously the trust placed in him to represent more than 1,400 resident physicians across Alberta. He approaches the role with humility, accountability and a willingness to learn. 

Dr. Pauwlina Cyca serves as Past President of the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA), following a term marked by active engagement across numerous advocacy and governance roles. While she was a resident at the University of Calgary, Dr. Cyca brought a strong foundation of leadership and stakeholder collaboration to her presidency, built through years of involvement at the provincial and national levels.

During her time with PARA, Dr. Cyca served as a delegate for the Family Medicine program, a member of the Leadership and Education Committee and the Negotiation Committee. She also represented resident physicians on the Stabilizing Comprehensive Primary Care Task Force. Her efforts focused on championing sustainable models of care and ensuring the resident voice was present in conversations about the future of primary care in Alberta.

Before entering medicine, Dr. Cyca built a strong leadership profile through her roles in pharmacy governance and patient advocacy. She served as President-Elect of the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists, Maritime delegate to the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, Industry Lead with the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association Leadership Cohort, and Director of Governance for the founding board of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation. These positions honed her skills in policy development, strategic planning and consensus-building.

As PARA President, Dr. Cyca focused on assertive diplomacy, informed advocacy and fostering trusted relationships across the health system. She continues to offer guidance and continuity as Past President, supporting the current Board and advocating for the needs of Alberta’s resident physicians.

Dr. Emily Macphail is committed to improving the residency experience by addressing the structural and systemic barriers that impact resident well-being. As PARA’s Vice President of Community and Internal Relations, she collaborates with the Community and Wellness Committee, elected representatives and institutional partners to advocate for meaningful change and support initiatives that foster connection, inclusion and wellness across programs.

Dr. Macphail brings a strong track record of leadership and advocacy to the role, including her past work as the CFMS National Wellness Officer and as chair of the CFMS Wellness Committee. She has successfully led inclusive, nationwide wellness initiatives such as the CFMS National Wellness Challenge, and has co-organized multiple years of UCalgary’s “Forum on Failure”—a space for open dialogue about the struggles of medical training. She has also led efforts to create moments of community connection, from policy advocacy to post-exam treat stations for peers.

Dr. Macphail’s goals include strengthening support networks across program boundaries, continuing to offer resident-focused events and resources, and working with Alberta’s medical institutions to address policies and systems that may harm rather than help.

She is driven by the belief that while the challenges of residency are shared in many ways, residents’ lived experiences are shaped by diverse circumstances and intersecting identities. Her approach centres on equity, intentionality and inclusivity as key elements in improving the residency environment for all.

Dr. Michael Zeeman is an Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine resident. Over the past year, he has led key organizational initiatives, including chairing the committee responsible for a comprehensive review and overhaul of PARA’s bylaws. These updates aligned PARA’s governance with current best practices and introduced greater transparency into its operations.

On the financial side, Dr. Zeeman has worked closely with PARA’s staff and board to ensure responsible stewardship of member dues and long-term financial sustainability. He has focused on improving internal operations and developing systems that will benefit the organization well into the future.

Dr. Zeeman’s background in finance and operations began with bookkeeping for his family’s small business in Medicine Hat. He later built on those skills through advocacy and leadership roles during his time at the University of Calgary, including initiatives in mental health, fitness and diabetes awareness. In medical school, he developed and secured funding for a mental health crisis and suicide prevention elective, which was eventually adopted and funded through the University of Alberta’s medical education program.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Zeeman enjoys cooking, martial arts, fitness, reading and spending time outdoors. He lives in Edmonton with his wife and their two cats.

Looking ahead, he is focused on advancing PARA’s strategic goals by supporting resident professional development, advocating for equitable policy across programs and continuing to strengthen the organization’s financial foundation.

Dr. Chantal (CJ) Allan has deep roots in the Edmonton medical community. Having completed her Master’s degree, medical school and four years of residency at the U of A, she brings a well-rounded understanding of the challenges residents face and the structure of Alberta’s education and health systems. As Edmonton and Northern Alberta Ambassador, Dr. Allan advocates for resident voices at key stakeholder tables, including the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office, Medical Students’ Association (MSA), and Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association (EZMSA).

Dr. Allan is the Co-Founder of the University of Alberta chapter of the Association of Out Surgeons and Allies (AOSA)—Canada’s first. Through her work with the MSA and the Sexual and Gender Advocacy Committee, she has championed LGBTQ+ mentorship and events, advancing equity and representation in surgical training. Her advocacy is rooted in lived experience and a strong understanding of medical leadership structures.

She has also served as a PARA Assembly member, Lead Resident and former member of both the Residency Program Committee and Residency Well-being Committee. These roles have equipped her to represent a wide range of resident perspectives and successfully push for change. Among her accomplishments are advocating for post-call days and securing earlier distribution of call schedules—initiatives that have directly improved the day-to-day experience of residents.

Dr. Allan’s background in leadership includes her time on the MSA, where she co-led the organization of IceBowl, a large inter-school hockey event. This experience sharpened her skills in budget management, event planning and team coordination, and laid the foundation for future collaboration with student and resident bodies.

Her approach as Ambassador centres on resident well-being, inclusion and collaborative problem-solving. She is committed to ensuring Edmonton-area residents are heard and supported at every level of decision-making.

Dr. Tamara Yee brings over five years of experience on PARA’s Executive Board, having served as Vice President of Operations and Finance, President and Past President. Her leadership has been grounded in strategic oversight, collaborative engagement and a deep commitment to representing the breadth of resident physician values across Alberta—particularly in Calgary and Southern Alberta.

In her current role as Calgary and Southern Alberta Ambassador, Dr. Yee continues to advocate for inclusive, evidence-informed approaches to PARA’s most pressing priorities. These include the next round of negotiations, call review, organizational responses to the changing CPSA leadership and AHS restructuring, and PARA’s role in reconciliation efforts. She is a strong proponent of leveraging international best practices to improve training conditions, with a focus on resident wellness, fair compensation and quality learning environments.

Throughout her time with PARA, Dr. Yee has consistently sought input from members on matters such as negotiations and external partnerships with RDoC, CPSA and Alberta’s medical schools. Her leadership is marked by thoughtful reflection, continuity and a strong understanding of both operational detail and long-term strategy.

She remains active in initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and continues to work closely with both the University of Alberta and University of Calgary to enhance residents’ day-to-day experiences. Dr. Yee views professional development as an ongoing responsibility and is committed to listening to, learning from and acting on the needs of her fellow resident physicians.

Advocating for Alberta’s resident physicians has been a highlight of Dr. Yee’s training and she is proud to continue this work in support of her colleagues across Calgary and Southern Alberta.

Dr. Robert Cianfarani is a Family Medicine resident at the University of Calgary with a professional background in analytics and a strong interest in full-scope family practice, sports medicine and acute care. Originally from Ontario, he completed medical school at Western University before relocating to Alberta with his partner and their six-week-old son to begin residency. They’ve since settled into life in Calgary—alongside a very vocal cat—and now have a busy toddler on their hands.

Before entering medicine, Dr. Cianfarani built a career in analytics, working with organizations such as Tennis Canada and BMO Financial Group. His corporate experience gave him a solid foundation in communication, team collaboration and cross-functional advocacy—skills that continue to inform his work in medicine. While at BMO, he served on a departmental committee that developed internal curricula to improve knowledge sharing and operational flow across teams.

Dr. Cianfarani has held national leadership roles in medical education, including serving as National Officer of Education for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. In that role, he gained insight into Canada’s medical education system through his work with groups like the AFMC, CAME and CMA. He remains passionate about policy, education and resident wellness, and is an active member of the Resident Wellness Committee at the University of Calgary.

He brings a thoughtful, team-oriented approach to his leadership roles and is committed to representing the resident voice in conversations with key partners such as the Alberta Medical Association.

Dr. Poshika Dhingra is an Internal Medicine resident at the University of Alberta and brings a strong understanding of the role and a clear vision for enhancing existing initiatives while developing new programming to meet the evolving needs of residents.

Dr. Dhingra has led several educational initiatives throughout her medical training, including professional development workshops and transition-to-clerkship sessions for medical students. Her governance experience as a Council Member at the Alberta College of Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists has deepened her knowledge of leadership and policymaking—skills she applies as PARA’s observer on the CPSA Council to ensure that resident physicians have a voice in shaping their training and professional development.

She is particularly passionate about expanding transition-to-practice resources for residents. Her priorities include strengthening support in areas such as CV development, interview preparation, billing education and leadership micro-skills like managing difficult patient interactions, navigating social media and time management in high-stress environments.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Dhingra enjoys hiking, pickleball and weightlifting. She brings adaptability, collaboration and a solutions-focused mindset to her work at PARA, with a strong commitment to fostering a culture of education, growth and peer support.