Dr. Emily Macphail

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. 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.

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.