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This week’s Vitals is 1,450 words or a 5 minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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A System Under Stress: ERs are back in the news this week, and we’re doing our best to remind everyone that while additional resources will help in ERs, we also need resources in the other parts of the health system that are currently backing up in ERs.
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Bills, Bills, Legislative Bills: The provincial legislature is back in session and we’re sifting through health care related bills to see how they could affect your practice, including proposed patient rights and involuntary psychiatric assessments.
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AGM and Member Meet-Up: Log in online April 15 for our Annual General Meeting, or join us in person in Portage la Prairie for the AGM plus a fun opportunity to connect with colleagues!
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Manitoba Measles Outbreak Growing: Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets is in this week’s news talking about how physicians are communicating with patients amid a massive outbreak that still far outpaces any other province in Canada.
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Cybersecurity Vigilance: Shared Health is issuing a message for health care providers across Manitoba to increase vigilance against cyber attacks.
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Distinguished Service Award: We're profiling 2026 Doctors Manitoba Award Winner Dr. Cliff Yaffe, recognized for his dedication to strengthening training programs, championing innovation, and providing unwavering guidance to colleagues through challenging times.
Get Your May 1 Gala Tickets! They’re going fast! We are more than 41% of the way to selling out.
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ERs (and System) Under Stress
Local and national headlines are again focusing on ER wait times, with a more recent focus on the fact that overwhelmed emergency rooms are not only harmful for patients and providers in them, but are also a major signal other parts of our health system are under deep stress.
What we’re doing: We continue to share feedback of rural, northern, and Winnipeg physicians with RHAs, Shared Health, and provincial health leaders, pressing for more support and resources.
Let us know what you think: While we continue to share your feedback with system leaders, we are emphasizing that the best strategies to address these issues are by investing resources in ERs, and into overcapacity services that are all-too-often backing up into ERs.
Read our full coverage and let us know what you think.
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Bills, Bills, Legislative Bills
The provincial legislature is back in session and we’re watching closely for anything that might affect physicians’ practices. So far, in addition to eliminating Sick Notes (check!), there are several bills proposed related to health care.
What’s on the docket?
- Codifying patient rights
- Involuntary psychiatric assessment applications
- Breast cancer screening access
- Nurse-to-patient ratios and ending mandatory overtime
- Eliminating workplace sick notes
Read our analysis of the bills and how they may affect you. Then let us know what you think.
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AGM and Member Meet-Up
The Doctors Manitoba Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a Doctor Connect Event are set for April 15 at Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie. Join us in person, or virtually!
This is a great opportunity to share some social time with your colleagues as well as representatives from Doctors Manitoba in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. Our AGM this year will be short, with a virtual option, including reports from the outgoing President, our CEO, and unveiling of the next President-Elect.
Join us on Wednesday, April 15 for this evening event – virtually or in-person!
Click here to register.
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Measles Outbreak Growing
Last month, Manitoba Public Health recorded 203 confirmed and probable measles cases, more than double the previous month. Nationally, Health Canada monitoring shows Manitoba accounts for more than half of all cases so far this year.
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In the news: Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets spoke with CTV Winnipeg and the Globe & Mail this week and had one clear message for patients: If you have questions or concerns about vaccination, doctors are here to help.
- In trying to reach those who are hesitant about immunization, Dr. Desilets emphasized a message of respect and dialogue to build trust: “Physicians are not there to push you into getting vaccinated. We are here to ensure that you have the facts that you need so that you can make your own fully informed decision for yourself and your family.”
We’re keeping track of important updates for physicians and tips for talking to patients on the Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page.
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This week, we’re profiling the Doctors Manitoba Distinguished Service Award winner, Dr. Cliff Yaffe. This award recognizes devotion to the highest ideals of the medical profession and in the promotion of the art and science of medicine through teaching, writing and administration.
Dr. Yaffe is a national leader in postgraduate medical education, who has strengthened training programs, championed innovation, and provided unwavering guidance through challenging times, embodying professionalism, compassion, and academic excellence.
You can read Dr. Yaffe’s full profile here, and learn more about all our 2026 award winners.
Our member pre-sale continues with early bird reduced pricing until March 31.
Awards Gala May 1
We'll celebrate Dr. Yaffe and the other six extraordinary 2026 award-winning physicians, and hear from Doctors Manitoba’s incoming President Dr. Alon Altman!
The Gala is already 41% sold out, so we encourage you to get your tickets early!
We have fully sold out our gala event for the last several years, so please get your tickets as soon as possible.
Get your tickets here.
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Daylight Saving
There’s no mistaking our members’ opinion that it is time for a change. The results from our poll last week show 80% of members agree or strongly agree it’s time for Manitoba to put an end to seasonal time changes, and only 13% disagree.
| | How are you feeling after springing forward this week? Our poll is still open for your vote. | | | We invite you to share your thoughts and help inform our official position by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. | | |
Urgent Vigilance Required: Health System at Increased Risk of Cyber Attacks
Shared Health is issuing an urgent message for health care providers across Manitoba to increase vigilance against cyber attacks.
What’s happening: At this time, there is no indication that our health system has been directly impacted by cybersecurity incidents currently affecting several large global corporations, including Telus. However, staff are asked to remain on high alert and exercise increased vigilance for potential threats, including email impersonation, invoice fraud, and supply chain phishing campaigns that may arise as a result of these incidents.
Increase your vigilance of phishing attacks, including:
- Email impersonation messages claiming to be from a company that you may or may not typically engage with.
- Fraudulent requests for payment changes or banking updates.
- Malicious attachments or links disguised as security notices, invoices, or shipment updates.
- Supply‑chain compromise attempts where attackers impersonate vendor support or account contacts.
- Requests to log in to vendor websites that prompt users to enter their credentials (username and password).
What to do: Never click on links or open attachments contained in unsolicited emails, even if they appear legitimate. Contact your organization’s IT support immediately if you suspect you have received something suspicious.
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Manitoba Expands Advanced Spine Surgery at Concordia
The Manitoba government is investing $2.7 million in advanced spinal surgery technology at Concordia Hospital that uses 3D imaging and precision guidance to allow for minimally invasive procedures.
Read the announcement.
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Not So Mobile MRI
As reported in this week’s news, the mobile MRI unit meant to travel from Thompson to The Pas to lower wait times and keep families close to home has not yet moved from its homebase. Shared Health says while the Thompson-based MRI has completed 1,900 scans since it launched June 6 and has served patients from communities across the Northern Health Region, staffing and technological infrastructure to support the expanded service are forcing delays.
Please write to us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca to let us know what you think.
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Reminder: New Supports for Medical Staff Attestation
Shared Health is offering supports for those completing medical staff attestations prior to the electronic portal closing on March 20, and there’s still time to ask your questions!
➡️ March 16, 2026, 9:30 am and 5:30 pm – onsite support will be available in SR178 (former flower shop) at Health Sciences Centre.
➡️ To book a virtual Teams call for assistance, please contact SH-support@kyndryl.com to be registered for a time.
Physicians with a start date prior to September 2024, who have hospital privileges, are required to complete the process.
Thank you for your continued feedback to us. It matters! After raising your concerns, Shared Health extended the attestation deadline, offered these supports, and agreed to allow those who have completed this round to skip the upcoming attestation process that would normally have started this fall.
Learn more about how to connect.
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Review Manitoba’s DTC Form Pilot
Manitoba is the first province in Canada testing a dramatically shorter renewal process for the Disability Tax Credit form, thanks to our partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and their openness and hard work to improve their processes. It’s long been cited by physicians as a top administrative burden and we are working to ensure it works best for you. If you have completed a DTC renewal form, we invite you to share your experience by completing this short survey to help inform future improvements and guide decisions on a potential expansion.
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Manitoba Mandates Menstruation Products in Workplaces
Manitoba is making menstrual products mandatory in all workplaces, the first province in the nation to do so. Effective August 2026, all employers will be required to provide menstrual products at no cost to employees. The government’s Workplace Safety and Health Branch will enforce compliance through existing workplace inspections. This new mandate affects all workplaces, including clinics and doctors’ offices. Our Practice Advice team is available to advise you on how to efficiently and effectively ensure compliance with this initiative and other workplace requirements.
Contact us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
Read the announcement.
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15th Annual Teacher Recognition and MMSA Awards
Congratulations to faculty and resident physician winners of the 15th Annual Teacher Recognition and MMSA Awards celebrating the outstanding teachers in the Max Rady College of Medicine.
View the winners!
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 4 new practice opportunities for physicians at Ara Medical Clinic, Women’s Health Clinic and St. George Medical Centre, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
| | | | Sponsored Content:
Investment fraud can affect even financially savvy physicians. Understand how scammers target medical professionals, the warning signs to watch for and how to protect your financial future. Stay informed. | |
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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CT Req Reform: After launching a new CT requisition form earlier this winter, Shared Health published clarified guidance this week. Learn about what’s new.
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Rural Elections: Voting is open in the Southern and Brandon Medical Districts for representation on our Board of Directors. Read bios for Southern and Brandon Medical District candidates.
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Physician Health Roundtables: Residents, early career physicians and women in medicine are invited to take part in roundtables to discuss improving physician health.
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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.
Wellness Rounds CBT for Stress Management – The Basics with Dr. Tanya Sala March 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more.
Connection Evening for Female Physicians Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis, Hybrid from Winnipeg, 7 – 8:30pm, 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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