Abbie Niebergall

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.

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.

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.

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).