Courtney Murphy

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.

Robin has 10 years of expertise working with PARA in internal relations, contract management, and partner engagement. As the Manager of Internal Relations, Robin is responsible for ensuring agreement compliance, assisting resident physicians and residency training programs, managing Letters of Understanding and supporting negotiation efforts.  Through her work she is fostering strong relationships with key partners to help support resident physicians through their journey.

Outside of work she enjoys camping, gardening and bike rides with her family.

Abbie is a specialist in creative content with three years of experience in digital marketing and strategic communications. She is passionate about storytelling and excels at crafting compelling content that drives audience engagement and supports brand growth. With a strong foundation in both written and visual communication, Abbie effectively bridges the gap between creative vision and clear messaging. She is committed to delivering innovative marketing solutions and developing strategies that resonate with her target audiences while fostering meaningful connections across various channels.

Beyond the screen, Abbie enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Gary. On weekends, she co-founds and leads her run club, Sundae Run Crew.

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.