Dr. Caley Shukalek is committed to advocating for equity and inclusion, particularly for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
As a medical learner, Dr. Shukalek played an active role in drafting and revising a more inclusive medical school curriculum at the University of Calgary. Through his research, he developed recommendations to better support 2SLGBTQIA+ physicians and medical learners. Today, Shukalek is co-leading an initiative using digital solutions to improve Canada’s delivery of care for sexually transmitted and blood borne illnesses.
Dr. Shukalek served as a board member of the SHARP Foundation, a charitable organization supporting people living with, or at risk of, HIV and is now on the board of Dining Our For Life International, an international network that supports operations and fundraising efforts of HIV/AIDS service organizations. He also worked with the Alberta government and local organizations to develop tools and resources, such as guidelines for the care of older adults in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community living with HIV, to enhance the quality of care and reduce stigma.
During the pandemic, Dr. Shukalek also developed an overnight on-call service to support admitting services at the Foothills Medical Centre, which addressed important gaps in overnight clinical care coverage. This successful pilot is now being replicated within other departments of medicine across the country.
“Although still early in his career, Dr. Shukalek has demonstrated himself to be an effective health leader and positive role model. He is making a difference in the areas of professional practice, patient care and health policy.” — Dr. Jayna M. Holroyd-Leduc, head of the department of medicine at the University of Calgary
Dr. Caley Shukalek is receiving the CMA Award for Young Leaders (Early Career) for his tireless work to support members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.