Tara Madden

As Director of Communications and External Relations, Kiersten leads PARA’s communications strategy and oversees the association’s media, public and government relations portfolios. Since joining PARA in 2016, she has focused on clear, purposeful messaging and building strong relationships with members, partners and external stakeholders.

Kiersten is dedicated to creating content that informs, connects and advocates for Alberta’s resident physicians. She brings a strategic lens to every project, with a focus on meaningful engagement and continuous improvement.

Outside of work, Kiersten enjoys baking, traveling, reading and spending time with her husband and two young children.

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.

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. 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.