Kiersten Doblanko

Abbie is a specialist in creative content with four 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. 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. 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.