Kiersten Doblanko

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. 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.

Ravneet has been with PARA for nine years, supporting the association’s internal relations and member engagement. In her role, she focuses on agreement compliance and serves as a key point of contact for resident physicians and programs. Ravneet is also the staff lead for the Award Committee. Her work contributes to PARA’s efforts to ensure seamless internal coordination, responsive member support and meaningful representation on external committees.

Tara provides strategic guidance and expertise to PARA’s executive – including the CEO and Board of Directors – on strategy, policy development, governance, stakeholder relations and advancing PARA’s strategic objectives. With more than 10 years with PARA, Tara is a passionate advocate for excellence in residency training in Alberta. 

A self-ascribed word nerd and newly minted policy wonk, Tara is also firmly anti-Oxford comma and relishes the chaos her impassioned – and controversial – stance brings. When not nerding and wonking, Tara is a keen reader, music aficionado, travel lover and hockey fan, and is the proud owner of a husband, two (mostly grown) children and an exceptionally fluffy Alaskan Malamute.