Welcome to the Alberta Page of the District VIII
The Alberta representative to the District VIII council and Scientific Chair of District 8, is Abhay Lodha (aklodha@ucalgary.ca), Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Staff Neonatologist, Foothills Medical Centre, C211-1403, 29th Street NW, Calgary, AB, Canada
Alberta is a land bristling with geographical and cultural diversity. To the west, lie the Rocky Mountains. To the north, the boreal forest covers vast expanses of land. The south features the Great Plains as well as the badlands. Pristine rivers and lakes can be found flowing throughout Alberta.
The Rocky Mountains are a recreation hotspot in Alberta. During the warmer months, you can hike, bike, climb, or horseback ride to the tops of various mountains to experience breathtaking panoramas. Venture into some more rough-and-tumble rivers with a white-water-rafting trip. Take a trip to Jasper National Park and you can see the Athabasca Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in North America. Return in the winter to find familiar spots transformed. As snow blankets the entirety of the mountain, ski resorts begin to open their lifts. Trade in your hiking shoes and bicycles for snowshoes, skis and snowboards to explore and re-explore the mountains. Climb ice instead of rock as you ascend frozen waterfalls. If the heights don’t appeal to you, stay grounded and skate on the many frozen lakes and rivers. After all that, visiting the hot springs will warm you up after a cold day of fun. After exploring the mountains, head east towards the plains and the badlands of Alberta to experience a taste of Alberta’s history. The oldest, and perhaps most famous, piece of Albertan history is Dinosaur Provincial Park, one of the richest dinosaur fossil locales in the world. Take a tour through the Royal Tyrrell Museum to see assembled replicas of dinosaur skeletons; try your hand at one of their simulated digs, where you can use real palaeontology techniques to uncover fossil replicas. Northern Alberta hosts a vast boreal forest and barren tundra. A vast array of wildlife resides in Northern Alberta. Stare in amazement as the Northern Lights illuminate the night skies. If you’ve had your fill of natural wonders venture into the cities to visit festivals like the famous Calgary Stampede or urban recreations spots like West Edmonton Mall.
Alberta is a province of wonders. Outdoor recreation, complex history, beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife, and a bustling city life await all who visit Alberta.
The provincial representative for AAP District VIII is Dr. Abhay Lodha. I am based in Calgary near Banff the most beautiful town in Rockies. The province has two well-known universities: University of Alberta and University of Calgary. Both universities have a neonatal-perinatal fellowship program.
Neonatology in Alberta
There are 4 Level III NICU and 10 level II NICUs in Alberta.
Provincial health services are under the control of Alberta Health Services.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary Website:
Fellowship at University of Calgary
http://www.ucalgary.ca/paed/neonatal_perinatal_medicine
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta Website:
http://www.med.ualberta.ca/departments/pediatrics
Fellowship at University of Alberta
http://www.med.ualberta.ca/departments/pediatrics/pediatric-education-programs/postgraduate-medical-education/neonatal-perinatal-nicu-residency-program
Calgary: Section Chief: Dr. Amina Benlamri
Fellowship Director: Dr. Martin Perlsteyn; Email: Martin.Perlsteyn@albertahealthservices.ca
| Hospital Name | Medical Director |
| Foothills Medical Centre (Level 3 NICU) | Dr. Hussein Zein |
| Alberta Children’s Hospital (Level 4 NICU) | Dr. Khorshid Mohammad |
Continuing Medical Education (CME):
The University of Calgary Neonatology Program is committed to excellence in continuing medical education and lifelong learning. Through a vibrant and collaborative educational platform, the program brings together neonatologists, trainees, nurses, and allied health professionals from across North America to advance neonatal care through shared learning and academic exchange.
A cornerstone of the program is the Neonatal Grand Rounds, held every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:00 PM (Mountain Time), featuring leading experts who present the latest advances in neonatal medicine, quality improvement, research, and clinical practice. These rounds attract participants from numerous academic and clinical centres across Western Canada and the United States, fostering a rich environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Under the leadership of Dr. Abhay Lodha, the CME program offers a comprehensive educational experience that includes:
• Weekly Neonatal Grand Rounds
• Monthly Journal Club
• Clinical Education Rounds
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and scholarly discussion
• Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits, with certificates provided annually to participants
The program serves as a regional hub for neonatal education, with regular participation from major academic centres, including:
• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Manitoba
• University of Saskatchewan
• Several collaborating centres across the United States
Through its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and collaboration, the University of Calgary Neonatology CME Program continues to strengthen neonatal practice, support professional development, and improve outcomes for newborns and their families across North America.
Edmonton:
Clinical Section Chief: Dr. Jennifer Toye
Divisional Academic Director: Dr. Matthew Hicks
Fellowship Program Director: Dr. Linda Mahgoub, Email: linda.mahgoub@ahs.ca
| Hospital Name | Medical Director |
| Stollery Children’s Hospital (Level 4 NICU) | Dr. Dalal Abdelgadir |
| Royal Alexandra Hospital (Level 3 NICU) | Dr. Dianna Wang |
Level II NICUs in Alberta
| Site | Medical Director |
| Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH), Lethbridge | Dr. Liesl Venesia Heyns |
| Grey Nuns Hospital (GNH), Edmonton | Dr. Kumar Kumaran |
| Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH), Medicine Hat | Dr. Rehab Hassan Mohammed Abdelhamid |
| Misericordia Community Hospital (MIS), Edmonton | Dr. Manoj Kumar |
| Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC), Calgary | Dr. Ankur Srivastava |
| Queen Elizabeth II Hospital (QEII), Grande Prairie | Dr. Cameron Herman |
| Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC), Red Deer | Dr. Clara Morin |
| Rockview General Hospital (RGH), Calgary | Dr. Jaideep Kanungo |
| South Health Campus (SHC), Calgary | Dr. Belal Alshaikh |
| Sturgeon Community Hospital | Dr. Ernest Phillipos |
