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This week’s Vitals is 1,443 words or a 5 minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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What’s in the 2026 Provincial Health Care Budget? This year’s budget carries direct implications for physician recruitment, specialty care, and system pressures you’re navigating every day. Our team was on-site at the Legislature, with Dr. Nichelle Desilets meeting the Premier and speaking to media.
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Concerns About New Legislation: We are closely monitoring your feedback on the legislation the government has tabled this month. Our formal response will be guided by your concerns.
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AGM April 15: Join us for this virtual meeting or in person in Portage la Prairie!
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Rural Medical District Election: Results are in for the five rural and northern districts up for election to the Board of Directors this year. New terms begin after the AGM.
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COVID-19 Spring Immunization Program: Certain individuals are eligible for an additional dose before this fall’s respiratory illness season.
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eChart Enhancements: Microbiology results from Dynacare are now available on Manitoba eChart after requests from specialists and our advocacy. Let us know what else you’d like to see!
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Doctors Manitoba Book Club Meeting June 2! Join us, and the author of Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, for a special book club discussion.
Plus, this week we're highlighting the work of 2026 Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence winner, Dr. Mandy Buss!
🏆 Join us at our Awards Gala May 1 to celebrate Dr. Buss and six other award winners. Tickets are more than 80% sold out! Get yours today, before they go up in price March 31!
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What’s in the 2026 Provincial Health Care Budget?
The provincial government released its 2026 budget this week. Our team was at the Legislature analyzing what it means for physicians, and advocating for your top priorities through engagement with the Premier, other ministers, and the media.
Budget 2026: This year’s budget carries direct implications for physician recruitment, specialty care, and system pressures you’re navigating every day. We saw three major themes:
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Steady Investment in Health with a 10% increase over last year’s budget
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Focus on Specialty Care including surgery, radiology, cardiology, addictions medicine, and emergency
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Commitment to Balancing the Budget, suggesting fiscal restraint will be a prevailing theme for the foreseeable future and something we are keenly monitoring ahead of 2027 PSA negotiations
Key Gaps Remain: The budget does not allocate any funding for 250 team-based care providers, a key 2023 election promise. It also mentions nothing about adding net new inpatient beds or targeted ER physician recruitment. We are continuing to press the government to approve funds for these initiatives as soon as possible.
We've Got the Details:
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What Do You Think? Send us your views about the provincial budget to help us advocate for the resources and supports you need in your practice. Contact us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
Full story: 752 words / 3 minute read
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Concerns About New Legislation
We are closely monitoring your feedback on the legislation the government has tabled this month, particularly on Sick Notes, Patient Rights and Therapeutic Substitutes by Pharmacists.
Our formal response will be guided by your concerns. Let us know what you think!
Read what we’ve heard so far and view the full list of bills we are monitoring.
Full story: 341 words / 1.5 minute read
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Join Us: AGM April 15 in Portage la Prairie
The Doctors Manitoba Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a great opportunity to take stock of the progress we have made over the past year and learn about challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We would love to have your participation in this virtual meeting, or in person in Portage la Prairie!
This year, CEO Theresa Oswald will deliver a keynote address on health‑care legislation, offering insight into the changes we’re seeing and what they could mean for physicians across the province.
As always, we will be closely monitoring developments that affect your practice and your patients. Your input helps shape our advocacy, and we want to hear what’s on your mind.
Click here to register for either in-person or virtual attendance.
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Rural Medical District Election Results
Our five rural and northern districts were up for election this winter and we can now report the full outcome.
The following three physicians were acclaimed to continue their roles:
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Dr. Mohammed Alnahhal, Northern Medical District
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Dr. Shauna Brinkman, Interlake-Eastern Medical District
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Dr. Bittoo Malik, Parkland-Assiniboine District
Two rural District Representatives were selected through an election.
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Dr. Eric Lane, Southern District
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Dr. Cael Enns, Brandon Medical District Society
The new terms begin after our AGM on April 15.
We thank Dr. Carina Kaiser for her four years of dedicated service, advice, and advocacy on behalf of Brandon physicians.
Our Board includes 11 District Representatives serving two-year terms. Rural districts were up for election this year, with Winnipeg districts scheduled for next year.
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COVID Spring Immunization Program
The Manitoba Health Spring COVID-19 Immunization Program will run from May 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026. This is for individuals who have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since fall 2025 and who meet eligibility criteria:
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Indigenous people 45 years of age and older
- Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors
- Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment)
Read the full memo from Manitoba Health.
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This week, we’re celebrating Dr. Mandy Buss, who will be receiving a 2026 Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence at our upcoming Awards Gala on May 1.
In a recent post, the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada shared that Dr. Buss’s leadership, courage, and care for community inspires the next generation of Indigenous physicians and reminds us what medicine rooted in relationship and responsibility can look like.
You can read Dr. Buss’s full profile here, and learn more about all of our 2026 award winners.
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Gala Update
The Gala is now more than 80% sold out, so we encourage you to secure your tickets as soon as possible. Early bird pricing ends Tuesday, March 31.
Don’t miss out on this event honouring our colleagues on the biggest night of the Doctors Manitoba year, made even more special as it coincides with National Physicians' Day, a day to recognize the hard work and dedication of doctors.
Get your tickets here.
We're grateful to our 2026 Gala Platinum Sponsor Bokhaut CPA LLP.
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eChart Now Includes Dynacare Microbiology Results
Microbiology results from Dynacare are now available on Manitoba eChart!
Why it matters: This change follows requests from specialists and our advocacy to make it happen.
How it works: The results will be displayed under Clinical Documents. If an order includes multiple tests, each test ordered will display as a separate PDF report in Clinical Documents.
Other improvements over the last year include:
- A summary view for Encounters, Medications, Laboratory, Pathology Imaging
- Significant changes to look, feel and navigation for users accessing through EPR
➡️ Note, not all testing results from Dynacare are available at this time – only microbiology.
We invite you to send us an email about further enhancements you’d like to see. Is there information missing? Could current information be improved? Let us know by emailing us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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This Week’s Clinical Practice Changes
Shared Health advises the following clinical practices changes are coming into effect for the following:
All Clinical Communications can be found under Clinical Practice Changes for Health Providers.
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Exception Drug Status Updates
This month’s Manitoba Drug Benefits and Manitoba Drug Interchangeability Formulary Amendments Bulletin is out and includes updates on:
- Exception Drug Status Additions
- New Interchangeable Categories & Products
- Discontinued Products
These amendments take effect Wednesday, April 1.
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Health Product InfoWatch: March 2026
Read a recap of health product advisories published monthly by Health Canada, as well as a growing selection of new health product safety information. This month’s updates include new information about:
- Bicillin L-A
- Bortezomib
- Cefazolin for injection USP
- MAR-Amlodipine
- Seasonique and Seasonale
View the full list here.
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Winnipeg Doctor Awarded National Medal of Bravery
Doctors Manitoba congratulates Dr. Kenneth Hahlweg, who was honored with a Medal of Bravery in Ottawa Thursday by Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon. He joins two dozen others from across the country being recognized for risking their lives to save and protect another, defying their own survival instinct in hazardous circumstances.
In 2021, Dr. Hahlweg heroically disrupted a knife attack on a nursing colleague at Seven Oaks General Hospital. Doctors Manitoba awarded him a Special Award for Bravery.
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Upcoming Leadership Development Courses
Doctors Manitoba believes it is important to advocate for clear pathways into leadership positions at various levels and that there is adequate physician leadership capacity within the system to ensure physicians are clinically and administratively supported.
Check out our upcoming courses:
- Tools for Thriving: A Series for Women in Medicine | April 16 - 24
- Managing Disruptive Behaviours | May 8
- Turning Points: Writing Through Transitions in Medicine | May 14
- Crucial Conversations | May 29 + 30
Register here and learn more about how Doctors Manitoba is working to support leadership development.
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Doctors Manitoba Book Club to Host Author Lisa See June 2
Join us for the Spring Edition of Doctors Manitoba Book Club on June 2, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. as we explore Lady Tan's Circle of Women by bestselling author, Lisa See. We are delighted that Lisa See will be joining us for a special virtual conversation, where participants will have the opportunity to discuss the book and hear insights directly from the author. All members are welcome to join.
Please register here.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 1 new practice opportunity for physicians at Sage Creek Medical Centre, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Help Improve DI Requisitions: In response to your concerns about the new CT requisition form and process, Shared Health has asked to partner with us to gather constructive physician feedback on all requisitions through a new joint committee. Submit your expression of interest if you’d like to be considered!
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Call for Physician Examiners: The University of Manitoba’s Clinicians Assessment Program is looking to recruit eligible Physician Examiners for National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination for May 2, September 19 and September 20. Check your eligibility and learn more about how to participate.
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Physician Wellness Roundtables: The Doctors Manitoba Physician Health and Wellness Committee is hosting a series of small, in-person roundtable discussions to better understand how burnout, moral distress, and other wellness challenges are affecting physicians and residents. Next up: April 13 for Women Physicians and April 28 for Resident Physicians. Sign up today!
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We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.
Connection Evening for Female Physicians Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis, April 7, 7 – 8:30pm, Hybrid from Winnipeg, Doctors Manitoba is hosting an evening of connection and peer support for practicing female physicians navigating a cancer diagnosis. You are invited to join us for a confidential physician-facilitated evening to connect with colleagues who understand. Learn more and register today.
Tools for Thriving: A Series for Women in Medicine, a leadership offering designed to support and empower women in medicine (students, residents and physicians). Stop Charting at Night April 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. is one of three in the webinar series, with other sessions including Presence and Influence (April 22 at noon) and Advocating from a Position of Strength (April 24 at noon). Learn more and register.
HIV Prevention Can’t Wait: HIV Prevention and Treatment for Women and Priority Populations April 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Convention Centre or online (hybrid event). Learn about current HIV trends and hear from experts in the field. Learn more and register.
Cancer Day for Primary Care 2026, May 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hybrid from Winnipeg, focuses on enhancing primary care provider knowledge on early diagnosis and work up of suspected cancer, and enhancing communication and relationship building between primary care providers and oncology specialists. Learn more and register.
The Canadian Women in Medicine Conference, June 11-13, Winnipeg, RBC Convention Centre Hear from an impressive lineup of speakers, including best-selling authors, physicians, founders and other inspirational women leaders. Make connections that will last a lifetime! Learn more and register today!
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We are here to support the whole physician.
Every step of the way.
Your health & well-being are important to us.
Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762
For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,
career resources or practice advice please
email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888
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Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.
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