Calgary West Central Primary Care Network

03/11/2026

Two in three of the family doctors in our PCN’s membership are women.
That’s not just a statistic to share, it is recognition of the invaluable contributions women make to primary care, patients, and communities.

We asked one of our members, “What advice would she give a young woman considering a career in medicine?”

"I would encourage any young woman considering medicine to pursue it. It’s a meaningful career and a privilege to practice. Just don’t let it become the only thing that defines you. Keep fostering your hobbies, relationships, and life outside of medicine along the way. Stay well-rounded. This will serve both you and your patients as it will make you a happier person, and therefore a better doctor." — Dr. Lama Mouneimne, family doctor in our membership

On Canadian Women Physicians Day, we ask you to join us in recognizing the women family doctors inside and outside of our membership.

We appreciate the care they provide, the relationships they build, and the way they show up for patients and teams.

03/06/2026

Women contribute across all our programs, teams, and innovations at our PCN, bringing expertise, compassion, and a deep commitment to patient care.

From nurses, psychologists, and coordinators to administrative, operational, and support teams, women share their knowledge, care, insight, and dedication. Their work shapes how patients experience our programs, how teams collaborate, and how care continues to evolve.

Women make up the majority of our team, and we are proud to have dedicated women shaping primary care, mentoring emerging professionals, and building collaborative teams that put people first.

03/05/2026

“Practicing compassion, tolerance, and empathy in the face of trauma can lead to personal growth, deeper relationships, and a greater appreciation for life, as well as a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. I am fortunate to work with an extraordinary team of compassionate, skilled, and resilient individuals who support one another — not only by collaborating to find resources and solutions for our patients, but also by holding space for each other on the hard days.” — Heather Hooge, CWC PCN Clinical Practice Lead – Social Worker

Heather has been a Registered Social Worker for 16 years and has been with our PCN for the past three years.

As the Clinical Practice Lead and Social Worker with our team, Heather provides mentorship and guidance to her team while supporting patients through a wide range of needs. Her work includes psychosocial assessments, crisis support, resource counselling, and patient advocacy.

During Social Work Month, we recognize and shine a light on the compassion and expertise our Social Workers, and the many others in different organizations, bring to this work every day.

02/26/2026

Gia Bader is a Primary Care Registered Psychologist with our PCN and has been supporting patients for nearly five years.

As part of our collaborative primary care team, Gia works closely with family physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to assess mental health concerns and provide evidence-based counselling tailored to each patient’s needs. Working together allows for collaboration, timely support, and access to the right level of care.

When asked what feels most meaningful about her work, Gia points to the patients.

“So many moments! It’s when a patient feels safe to share their story and show vulnerability. It’s when a therapeutic relationship is built and a greater sense of trust is established. It’s when patients feel a greater sense of hope. It’s when patients learn new skills and tools to deal with hardships. It’s when patients tell you how much of a difference you made. It’s being there when times are tough for people.”

These moments are why primary care psychology matters. They are a reminder that healing happens through connection, compassion, and care.

During Psychology Month, we recognize and thank Gia and all Registered Psychologists for the essential role they play in supporting mental health in our communities.

Learn more about our services: https://hubs.ly/Q041BS7S0

02/25/2026

The Pink Shirt Day theme this year is ‘Sprinkle Kindness’. It’s a reminder that being kind doesn’t need to be complicated. 🩷

Uplifting the people around you feels good for everyone and helps create safe environments based on respect, compassion, and understanding.

Want to make a positive difference on people around you? Try sprinkling simple gestures, compliments or words of encouragement through your everyday interactions. These small acts can ripple through our communities to make a big difference!

02/12/2026

When many of us think about heart health and heart disease, we think of big, critical moments like heart attacks, ambulance rides, and hospital stays.

In reality, heart disease usually starts quietly. Small changes build over time, and many don’t cause symptoms right away. That’s where primary care plays such an important role.

Early detection can catch things like:

❤️High blood pressure
❤️Rising cholesterol levels
❤️Blood sugar changes
❤️Lifestyle factors that increase risk over time

Physical exams with your primary care physician (which can include bloodwork) make it possible to spot patterns, not just one-time results. A lab result that is “a little higher than last year” can matter when it continues to trend upwards.

When heart risks are identified early, you have more time and options.

Early detection allows time for:

❤️Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, and stress management
❤️Preventative care and monitoring
❤️Starting treatment sooner, when it can be most effective
❤️Avoiding future complications

See the &Stroke website for some healthy living tips.

02/03/2026

In Canada, an estimated 2.9 million people are living with an eating disorder.

During Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we are helping raise awareness about the importance of early support and reducing stigma.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions. They can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and often go unnoticed without the right support.

Primary care plays an important role. Family doctors and PCN care teams can help identify concerns early and connect patients to mental health, nutrition, and community-based supports.

There are also trusted community resources available. Organizations like NEDIC - National Eating Disorder Information Centre, National Initiative for Eating Disorders - NIED, and Calgary Silver Linings Foundation provide education, helplines, and support for individuals and families navigating eating disorders.

If food, eating, or body image is affecting your well-being, help is available.

Start by talking to your family doctor about support options through your PCN.



Data source: National Initiative for Eating Disorders. (2025) Eating Disorders in Canada | NIED

01/28/2026

Start the new year with simple, nourishing meals.

One of our PCN’s dietitians, Mikaela Gulliver, has gathered a few recipe ideas to help you ease into the new year with warm, balanced, and satisfying dishes. See the recipes here: https://hubs.ly/Q040ylzT0

🍗Lean and easy dinners:

Choose simple, feel-good meals as you return to routine
Try baked lemon pepper salmon for a protein-rich, Omega-3 boost https://hubs.ly/Q040ynm70
Warm up with turkey chili, a hearty option for busy weeknights https://hubs.ly/Q040ypXb0

🥗Plant-powered comfort:

Start small when adding plant-based meals
Try a colourful vegan buddha bowl for an easy lunch or dinner. https://hubs.ly/Q040yjZp0
Enjoy a cozy garlicky black bean soup during colder days. https://hubs.ly/Q040ypWh0
Consider a meatless Monday to explore more plant proteins

🍵Warm winter drinks:

Sip on hot spiced apple cider for a naturally sweet, seasonal choice. https://hubs.ly/Q040yj3Z0
Make a high-protein hot chocolate for a nourishing, cozy treat. https://hubs.ly/Q040yj_-0

Why it helps:

Supports steady energy during the winter months
Helps rebuild routine after the holidays
Encourages small, sustainable habits instead of drastic changes

Which recipe or idea will you try first?

If you would like nutrition support this year, talk to your family doctor about a referral to our PCN dietitian or other resources.

01/22/2026

What a year. At our PCN, our teams worked hard to support healthier communities, expand access to care, and make primary care easier for patients and families.

Here are a few highlights from 2025:

✔️Expanded physiotherapy program: Member doctors can now refer patients with chronic low back pain to our program for assistance.
✔️Provided appointment options: The 2025 Patient Experience Survey showed that evening and weekend Mental Health Program appointments were well received, demonstrating the value of offering care at times that better fit patients’ schedules.
✔️Strengthened partnerships to connect patients with community supports.
✔️Earned national recognition for safety and organizational excellence.
✔️Shared health tips, resources, and stories through our Community Health Connect e-newsletter.

Thank you to our patients, doctors, partners, and team members for a meaningful year. We look forward to continuing this work in 2026.

01/21/2026

Congratulations to Alberta Find a Doctor on reaching 5 million visits. A great milestone for improving access to primary care across Alberta.

5 million visits and counting! Alberta Find a Doctor has been helping connect Albertans to primary care since 2019:

✅ 5.5 million visits
✅ 3.7 million users
✅ 4,000+ family doctors listed
✅ 151 nurse practitioners
✅ 773 providers currently accepting new patients

Whether you’re new to the province, moving communities or searching for a new provider, Alberta Find a Doctor makes it simple to search for clinics and providers near you.

👉 Start your search today: albertafindadoctor.ca

Thank you to Alberta’s Primary Care Networks, Primary Care Alberta, family doctors, nurse practitioners and clinic teams for helping improve access to care across the province.

01/20/2026

Kickstand is Alberta’s youth mental health hub, built to make getting support easier and less stressful, when you need it and in a way that works for you.

Kickstand Connect is the online clinic in the Kickstand Network. If you’re between 11 and 25, you can book free health and wellness support online, from anywhere in Alberta.

No travel. No referrals. No waiting rooms.

With Kickstand Connect, you can get help with:

- Mental health
- Substance use
- Physical and sexual health
- Peer support
- Social services

You choose how and when you want support. Appointments are easy to book, private and designed to feel youth-friendly and comfortable.

If you’d rather go in person, Kickstand also has centres across Alberta. You can use the virtual clinic, visit a centre, or do both. It’s your choice.

Learn more or book an appointment at https://hubs.ly/Q03-SPVR0

Follow Kickstand for info and updates

01/19/2026

Blue Monday is often referenced on the third Monday in January, when shorter days, cold weather, and post-holiday stress can make things feel heavier for some people. While it’s not a medical term, it can be a helpful reminder to check in on our mental well-being.

Comment below with the emoji listed for the one thing you can do today to support yourself:

Get outside for fresh air 🌤
Enjoy a warm drink ☕
Play a favourite song 🎧
Call someone you care about 📱
Take a short walk 🚶
Practice one minute of deep breathing 😌

Community resources are available for further support:
Community Connect YYC connecting individuals with affordable counselling and social support.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region offering free mental health programs, services, and education for individuals and families.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, stay with them and call the Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-HELP (4357) or 9-8-8 if you are thinking about su***de.

Let's use today as a reminder to spread kindness, compassion, and support.