CMSA Meeting Minutes April 8th, 2026

Written By CMSA IT

April 8th, 2026

Present: Duaa Fatima, Noam Sander, Ryan Forster, Antonio Chemello, Catherine Betancourt Lee, Eliana, Sara Al Sharani, Ore Maxwell, Rica Samuels
Absent:
Council: Ryan, Noam, Nicole, Antonio, Ore, Eliana, Ijun, Jaspreet, Duaa, Catherine, Sara,

Minutes

Updates

VP Communication - Eliana

VP Academics - Jaspreet, Nicole

  • A Dean’s Update for Class of 2028 took place on April 7th, where Drs. Wu, Bromley, and Weeks addressed concerns directly from students. Expect a follow-up email to summarize key points, action items, and tie-up any loose ends from the discussion.

  • Most students are understanding of the new attendance policy that is requiring sign-in through TopHat. The main drawback of TopHat is that it uses location tracking, but the UME clarified that they will not be tracking students manually. This feature is only used to ensure that students are present at the lecture theatre when signing in. Students have expressed that mandatory large group sessions are not contributing to their learning, so advocacy will be focused on improving large group sessions.

  • Dr. Ornstein will send out an email to students to confirm that physical exams that are learned on task trainers (DRE, Pelvic, Breast) will not be directly examined in Part A of an OSCE. Students are still expected to know the content, as questions may appear in Part B or unit exams.

  • Jaspreet is going to the SGM where she will attend the academic roundtable.

  • The next RPCC is taking place in two weeks. Jaspreet and Nicole will bring up feedback about the structure of Unit 6, which students expressed felt more disorganized than previous units. Students specifically highlighted the number of podcasts, disconnect between content and clinical skills, and lack of foundational content for MSK.

Anatomy ideas:

  • Didactic sessions

  • Resources provided (eg complete anatomy)

  • Improved video content

VP Finance - Antonio

  • Updating budget to reflect SAMP potential funding

    • Add a $2000 budget line item for SAMP funding or moving this decision

  • Continuing to finish sponsorship packages for orientation events

VP Events - Catherine, Ijun

Stethoscope Ceremony

  • Waiting on contract from Mac Hall for Stethoscope

  • Once we have this will survey class for who they want to give speeches

  • Dr. Anderson confirmed availability and confirming elders

  • Communicated with Lethbridge (Kelly) about them having their own, they’re aware of our date and will confirm with us hopefully this week

  • Confirmed SAMP will have their own stethoscope ceremony

  • SAMP funding for their stethoscope ceremony is uncertain, will be confirmed

  • Can discuss whether this will be done in future years.

  • Think about sponsorships

  • Ijun made a lovely doc explaining orientation events/timeline: Orientation events - SAMP involvement

Med Gala

  • We liked last years, probably cheapest so highest on our list

Social Directors

  • Coming up with a fundraising plan/initiatives to present to the class and get them involved

Orientation

  • Getting back to us about shirt quotes and final timeline

  • Orientation sponsorship package is complete! Ijun Catherine Antonio Duaa met with O-team to go over all orientation events

  • Dad’s Printing - need a 3 week turnaround

Jersey

  • Received new shirt design more similar to jersey, current price is about 40 per, wanting to lower it down so in discussion with SkateDoc, backup option is Dad’s Printing

  • Working on design to try to lower price

Malpractice Mixer

  • Need to meet with venue from last year, they’re really enthusiastic and already set the date aside for us (October 23rd)

Questions:

  • How can we support sponsorship for orientation week?

VP Global Health - Sara

High school mentorship program:

  • HS Mentee/mentor networking event set for May 11! The event will have MD speakers, and a couple hands on stations

  • Interactive youth event in canmore (partnering with apple a day)

  • School presentations + continuing to match mentees/mentors

  • Will be hosting a global health simulation event in May in collaboration with ATSSL

  • Letter writing for IFH cuts in collaboration with the Welcome Project

VP External (Provincial) - Noam

  • PDoA in Edmonton happened March 15-16 and went well.

  • We are working on a release and will aim to send out to students, the Medical Students Advocacy Committee, and the AMA’s doctors digest.

  • We have applied for funding for next year’s PDoA, and will get a decision on that in the next month or so.

  • Sending out the Conference Funding Form next week (April 15).

  • Hosting a “Meet the AMA President” lunch talk where Dr. Brian Wirzba, President of the AMA, will give a lunchtime presentation to students on May 8.

  • The AMA will be paying for food and drinks. Any recommendations for food for students?

    • Shawarma palace

    • Shawarma and Falafel city

VP External (National) - Ore

  • Prepping for ICAM - Presidential table

  • Toronto notes reached out - we will be getting this as a group

VP SAW - Ryan

Wellness Week (May 4-8)

TRY NOT to book anything this week (N95 plus lots of events!)

  • Pre-week: send reminder on April 27

  • Monday: intro to meditation talk (Jess) at lunch + button making after class

  • Tuesday: coffee/tea grab-and-go event (busy day so before class)

  • Wednesday: pet therapy at lunch (SAWH) + terrarium activity (afternoon/evening, sign-up required)

  • Thursday: evening presentation + dinner (Julian’s dad- student who passed away)

  • Friday: group walk to Village + prize giveaway (prizes TBD)

Dr.Kilam Q&A

  • Scheduled April 24th before lecture! (12:30-1:30pm outside Libin)

Review session on student supports on April 27th (3:30-4:50 Libin)

  • PFSP will be present

  • SAWH will be there

  • MHT representatives

VP EDI - Rica

  • Working on events

  • Medical jargon session: partnered with physicians and AIMGA

  • Multiculturalism in Medicine: tentative date Sep 17th, 2026. Started planning.

  • Working in collaboration with VP Events for Stethoscope Ceremony

  • Reached out to Dr. Anderson to invite him as a keynote speaker

  • Dr. Anderson to reach out to Grandmother Doreen to invite her

  • Reaching out to clubs under EDIIA portfolio and discussing CMSA club policies

  • Have reached out to other EDIA representatives at various schools to discuss how they receive funding

President - Duaa

Unselected Jersey Logos Initiative

  • Everyone who submitted logos has agreed to have their logo be used during Jersey Day to celebrate their efforts as well. VP SAWH has taken this on as button-making.

  • Connected with Kai regarding creating a sponsorship page on the website (https://calgarymsa.com/sponsors).

ACTION ITEM: Reach out to potential sponsors and finalize orientation packages by the end of next week.

  • Need to respond to MedHousing, financial institutions (MNP, RBC, Scotiabank/MD Financial, and other groups (UniBanq, QBank, UWorld, etc.) regarding sponsorship.

  • Follow up with UniBanq who is keen to sponsor.

  • SAMP subcommittee has been created and meetings have commenced.

  • Headed off to ICAM April 16-20, will coordinate with other delegates to ensure everyone has an idea of what the experience will be like and a general overview of responsibilities.

Agenda

Previous Meeting Minutes Approval

2 minutes–Eliana

  • Mover: Ijun

  • Seconder: Eliana

VP & President Updates

2 minutes–Everyone to contribute

Clubs Approval

5 minutes–Ryan to lead; Everyone to contribute

SAMP Update

10 minutes–Everyone to contribute

CMSA IT https://calgarymsa.com
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