Dr. Pamela Arnold of Regina was elected president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) on Friday, May 2, during the 2025 Spring Representative Assembly (RA), held at Saskatoon’s Sheraton Cavalier.

Dr. Arnold becomes the 59th president of the SMA, succeeding Prince Albert physician Dr. Andre Grobler. Dr. Arnold will serve a one-year term.

“I am humbled that the physicians of Saskatchewan have entrusted me with this honour,” Dr. Arnold said. “My main goal as SMA president is for members to feel that they have been heard, that their issues are valid, and that they feel valued. I promise to be as accessible as possible to listen to physicians and to advocate with stakeholders and government on their behalf.”

Dr. Arnold said one priority is to maintain the momentum toward revitalizing family medicine that has been established under the 2022-26 Agreement negotiated with the government. About 80 per cent of physicians eligible for the Transitional Payment Model contained in the Agreement have signed on to it, and 34 projects have received funding under the $10 million Innovation Fund. The intent of the Fund is to encourage the development of family physician-led, team-based clinics that support the unique needs of a community.

“I will be eagerly watching the progress of these initiatives and the impact they could have on the future of family medicine in Saskatchewan,” Dr. Arnold said. “The doctors of Saskatchewan were invited to come forward with their ideas for innovation, and I am proud to say they have answered the call.”

Dr. Arnold added that enhancing physician health will be a priority during her term. Saskatchewan is fortunate to have some of the most innovative physician health and wellness programs in Canada.

“Physician health doesn’t just mean meditation or resilience training,” Dr. Arnold said. “It also means working in a health system that operates seamlessly for physicians and their patients, utilizing the latest technologies and innovations, so that the work-life balance that everyone talks about is a real possibility.”

Dr. Arnold was born, raised, and educated in Saskatchewan. She has lived in Glenavon, Earl Grey, Mayfair, Strasbourg, Regina, and Saskatoon. She graduated from high school in Strasbourg, and attended the University of Regina, where she received a Bachelor of Science in 2003, and earned her medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007.

Dr. Arnold works as a Critical Care Associate in Regina. She was elected as an SMA RA delegate for Regina in 2015 and joined the SMA Board of Directors in 2019.

“I love my job. I am so privileged to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families, often during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. It can be stressful, but it is extremely rewarding,” she said.

The 2025 Spring RA also featured addresses from Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill and Lori Carr, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, followed by a question-and-answer session with physician delegates.

The Canadian Medical Association presented a CMA honorary membership to Dr. Guruswamy Sridhar of Regina, who served as SMA president in 2010-11. Dr. Sridhar’s involvement with the CMA and SMA spans several years and roles. He was the SMA’s representative on the CMA Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020. He was a member of several SMA committees, including chair of the Medical Compensation Review Committee that concluded two Agreements with the government, the last being the 2017-22 Agreement.