Staff

Courtney is honoured to serve and advocate for resident physicians in Alberta. She brings extensive experience in government and stakeholder relations, public affairs, advocacy and strategic planning across health care, academic research and government. 

As Director of External and Government Relations, Tara oversees PARA’s advocacy and stakeholder/government relations portfolios. With PARA since 2015, Tara collectively has more than 25 years of communications and advocacy experience in the regulatory and professional association environments, much of it within health care.

Tara is passionate about the power of community and is a committed community volunteer. She is also a self-proclaimed word nerd, avid hockey fan, shoe connoisseur and travel addict. Her perfect day would include copious amounts of coffee, a beautiful landscape, a good book and non-stop tunes. She is also avidly anti-Oxford comma (and relishes the chaos this stance brings).

As Manager of Communications, Kiersten leads the strategic direction and execution of communication initiatives for PARA. With over 14 years of experience, she excels in crafting compelling messages and fostering positive relationships with members and partners. Driven by a commitment to excellence and a goal to draft impactful professional content, Kiersten continuously seeks to innovate and enhance PARA’s communication efforts.

Beyond her professional realm, Kiersten is passionate about baking, traveling, reading and enjoying quality time with her two young children and husband.

Robin has been with PARA since 2015. She works in Agreement Compliance, assisting resident physicians and programs with Agreement-related questions and approving Letters of Understanding annually. She is available for academic half-day presentations on the Agreement; please reach out if you have any questions related to the Agreement.

Robin works closely with the Vice President of Community and Internal Relations and the Community and Wellness Committee, organizing well-being-related activities and initiatives and overseeing wellness grants and event funding. In addition, she provides support for the Negotiation Committee and the Finance and Operations Committee.

Robin moved to Alberta from Ontario in 2015; she enjoys art history, environmental health and riding her bike with her ‘wiggly’ two-year-old.

As the staff lead for the Nomination and Awards Committee at PARA, Ravneet oversees the distribution of awards to resident physicians, physician preceptors and allied staff. This role includes managing wellness research funding and administering conference sponsorship awards. Additionally, Ravneet is responsible for agreement compliance, dues management, the taxi reimbursement program, excess call and academic half-day presentations on the Agreement. She also organizes PARA Assembly meetings, Executive Board retreats and ensures representation at external committee meetings.

Ravneet has been with PARA since 2016, bringing years of dedicated service and expertise to the Association. In her free time, Ravneet enjoys outdoor strolls, loves traveling and cherishes daily long-distance phone calls with her mom. She also values spending quality time with her boys.

Abbie is a specialist in creative content with three years of experience in digital marketing. She is passionate about storytelling and excels in crafting engaging content that drives audience engagement and brand growth. Abbie is committed to delivering innovative marketing solutions and creates strategies that resonate with target audiences.

Ngozi is an office administrator with years of experience in event coordination, staff support and project and expense management. As the Administrative Assistant, Ngozi’s responsibilities include assisting with PARA’s events, providing support to the internal committees, internal relations team and responding to questions on general contract compliance and residency training.

Dr. Pauwlina Cyca is currently a second-year family medicine resident physician at the University of Calgary (U of C). Before entering medicine, she worked as a pharmacist and a researcher. Advocacy has been integral to each stage of her career, learning and evolution as a clinician. Seeking ways to influence and effect positive systemic change, she felt the need to be part of the system that advocates in the space.

Pauwlina first joined the PARA Assembly as one of the U of C Family Medicine Program delegates and participated in the Leadership & Education Committee and the Negotiation Committee. Now, as the PARA President, she aims to bring a collaborative and pragmatic approach to having PARA recognized and invited to tables where change decisions are made.

Outside of medicine, Pauwlina enjoys camping with her three children and prior to residency training, participated in training and racing triathlons.

Dr. Tamara Yee currently does not have a biography.

Dr Emily Macphail is an Internal Medicine resident physician at the University of Alberta. She has been a member of the PARA Community and Wellness Committee, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, as well as the Negotiation Committee. Now as the Vice President Community & Internal Relations, Emily is committed to advocating for reduction of structural and systemic barriers that impact resident well-being and to continue providing wellness-enhancing initiatives and opportunities. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her resident colleagues to improve residency wellness supports and the residency environment for current and future trainees.

Dr. Michael Zeeman is an Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine resident physician at the University of Alberta. He has work experience, extracurricular involvement and personal interest in financial management and is excited to bring this experience to the role of Vice President of Operations and Finance.

As part of the PARA Executive Board, Michael will advocate for financial responsibility and focused spending towards the best interest of resident physicians. He hopes to bring innovative approaches towards effective financial management of the association while expanding the ways resident physician opportunities and wellness can be improved.

Outside of medicine, Michael is passionate about fitness and martial arts. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, canoeing and kayaking, as well as exploring new restaurants or cooking new recipes. He also enjoys reading his way through the American Classics.

Dr. Shuen Sung, who goes by Tony, is a Core Internal Medicine resident physician at the University of Alberta. During his first year of residency, Dr. Sung was active on the wellness committee for his program. He continues to be passionate about resident wellness and firmly believes in the importance of work-life balance in preventing burnout during residency. He brings this passion to his position as the elected Edmonton and Northern Alberta Ambassador (ENAA). His objective as ENAA is to represent Northern Alberta resident physicians’ interests and values across different specialties.

 Outside of medicine, Dr. Sung enjoys traveling and spending time with family. He loves doing nature walks with his wife and children and trying different foods with them.

Dr. Lenka Stafl is an Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism resident physician at the University of Calgary. She has always been passionate about serving her fellow resident physicians. Inspired by her amazing colleagues, she wishes to give back through leadership and advocacy. This is her second time serving on the PARA Executive Board as the Calgary and Southern Alberta Ambassador.

Lenka aims to bring positive energy and clear communication skills to the position to advocate for and elevate the resident physician voice at local and provincial tables. Her goal is to optimize the working and learning environment so that resident physicians in Alberta can thrive. She looks forward to hearing from her colleagues to best champion the resident physician perspective.

In her time off, Lenka can be found hiking with her mini donkeys, eating ice cream or trail riding mules in the backcountry with her husband and two children—all backcountry adventures are better with donkeys. Her favorite mule is named Strawberry Blossom, an absolutely awesome saddle mule. She also enjoys archery and gardening.

Dr. Simran Sharma is a Public Health and Preventive Medicine resident physician at the University of Calgary. She joined the PARA Executive to advocate for her friends and colleagues in residency. As the Alberta Medical Association Ambassador, she aims to foster collaboration between PARA and AMA, thereby advancing the interests of residents and supporting the future physicians of Alberta. Dr. Sharma enjoys astronomy, sudoku and exploring the mountains. She recently took up film photography to document her adventures.

Dr. Stephanie Gibbon is an Orthopaedic Surgery resident at the University of Calgary and is excited to serve as the Vice President of the Leadership and Education Committee.

She says that, “as physicians we hold a large space within the medical community. Optimizing non-clinical skills is essential to the success of individuals and the medical community. The Leadership and Education role exemplifies and aligns with my value of being a well-rounded clinician and in this role, I hope to help facilitate the same for other resident physicians.”

Her aim as VPLE is to align Royal College goals and activities of transition to practice and collaborate with other provincial resident physician governing bodies to enhance a cohesive, engaging and meaningful program for individuals transitioning out of the safety of residency and into practice.

Outside of residency, Stephanie enjoys wine pairing, weightlifting, gravel biking, fly fishing and spending time outdoors with her friends and family.