|
This week’s Vitals is 1,160 words or a 4 minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
-
Physicians in Ottawa: For the first time, provincial medical associations joined the CMA for Hill Day in Ottawa this week. We were there to raise Manitoba physician concerns with federal lawmakers, including disconnected digital systems and the impact of misinformation on patients.
-
Shared Health's New Disrupting Racism Policies: Shared Health is taking important steps forward in its commitment to addressing racism with the release of two comprehensive anti-racism policies.
-
How to Stop Charting at Night: Dozens of physicians joined our workshop last week to ease after-hours charting burden, disproportionately experienced by women physicians. We’re sharing the tips from Charting Coach Dr. Sarah Smith!
-
National Medical Conferences in Winnipeg! We’re highlighting three major conferences coming to Winnipeg, offering education, collaboration, and a chance to connect with colleagues.
-
Manitoba Moose Discount! In a show of appreciation for your commitment to Manitobans, our partners at True North have discounted tickets for you for this weekend’s AHL playoff games!
Plus, we’re celebrating 2026 Doctors Manitoba Humanitarian, Dr. Holly Hamilton!
Our 50/50 raffle is now open in support of her charity of choice, Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble, an organization that provides both a day program and a home for adults living with disabilities, where she has been a dedicated volunteer for many years.
| |
| | | |
Physicians on Parliament Hill Advocating for You
We joined the CMA and provincial medical associations in Ottawa this week, speaking with federal lawmakers about issues that matter to doctors in Manitoba.
Top concern? Health information: Both how it flows (or doesn’t) between physicians, as well as how misinformation is harming patients.
New research was also released that details doctors’ concerns about the tangible patient harms associated with both.
| |
Dr. Nichelle Desilets on Parliament Hill with CMA and provincial medical association colleagues.
We also met with representatives of all medical associations to learn from each other as we strive to serve and represent you, every step of the way.
Learn more about our advocacy in our full coverage.
| | | | |
Take Survey on Digital Technologies
We recommend taking a survey by Statistics Canada on the Use of Digital Technologies by Health Care Providers to help identify gaps in the flow of health system data.
Why it matters: Last year’s survey showed just how behind Manitoba is when it comes to our siloed or non-existent digital systems. We use this to advocate for physician-friendly electronic record systems that are easy to use and interoperable.
Remember, e-faxing is not digital sharing! While your EMR might give you the illusion that you are sending patient information digitally, e-faxing means the referral or req is faxed, with no way to track receipt and progress on the other end.
- True electronic sharing means you have a shared a patient record or you can send patient information to another clinic or facility digitally, without a fax machine, track it, and communicate about it, connected through interoperable digital tools.
➡️ Click here to take the survey.
| | | | |
New Disrupting Racism Policies
Shared Health is taking important steps forward in its commitment to addressing racism with the release of two comprehensive anti-racism policies.
What’s happening: These policies apply to all Shared Health employees, staff, board members, volunteers, students and learners, and independent contractors – including physicians.
Why it matters: Together, these policies establish clear expectations to ensure an inclusive and respectful workplace free of discrimination for all, and support efforts to recognize and address the ongoing effects of colonialism and systemic racism in health care.
Learn more by visiting Shared Health’s Disrupting Racism Policies & Resources collection.
| | | | |
Top Tips from “Stop Charting at Night” Workshop
Dozens of physicians joined our workshop last week to help ease after-hours charting burden, disproportionately experienced by women physicians. We’re happy to share the key takeaways with all members.
🏥 Stop Charting at Night is the workshop we hosted, alongside charting coach Dr. Sarah Smith.
đź“ť Physicians learned practical strategies to help limit charting and documentation to working hours, including how to:
- Lead the patient conversation in a way that makes your note-taking easier
- Respectfully set boundaries and expectations
- Plan around time away
➡️ View the full list of tips here.
đź’ˇ Learn more! Our next leadership training includes Crucial Conversations in Health Care, taking place May 29 & 30 in Winnipeg. See all Leadership Development opportunities here!
| | | | |
Manitoba Moose Discount
The Manitoba Moose invite all physicians, residents and medical students to attend two upcoming playoff games against the Milwaukee Admirals for Emergency Services Appreciation Night!
- Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m.
Purchase your $18 Manitoba Moose tickets here.
| | |
Doctors Manitoba celebrates Dr. Holly Hamilton, our 2026 Humanitarian of the Year.
Dr. Holly Hamilton is a rural family physician whose humanitarian work is grounded in simple, meaningful acts of service that have a profound impact on those around her. Dr. Hamilton practices full‑scope rural family medicine and is known for the same humility, warmth, and dedication in her clinical work as in her community.
In Notre Dame de Lourdes, she has been a long‑time supporter of Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble, an organization that provides both a day program and a home for adults living with disabilities.
You can read Dr. Hamilton’s full profile here, and learn more about all of our 2026 Award Winners.
| Our 50/50 is now open! Starting today through to the evening of our awards gala, a 50/50 raffle will raise funds in honour of Dr. Hamilton’s charity of choice, Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble Inc. Based out of Notre-Dame de Lourdes, this incredible charity provides opportunities for adults living with disabilities to live in a safe and happy home while they work toward reaching their full vocational and social potential. Click here to purchase your ticket, or buy one at our gala on May 1! | | |
Hepatitis A Vaccine Eligibility Expands
Manitoba continues to see new cases of Hepatitis A associated with the ongoing provincial outbreak and has expanded access to free vaccines for people six months and older in War Lake First Nation. The communities of Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Red Sucker Lake First Nations, along with Peguis First Nation, are also eligible for the vaccines in response to the current outbreak.
Please note for the outbreak response, one dose is currently recommended.
Read the memo to health care providers here.
| | |
EPR Comes to Ashern’s Lakeshore General Hospital
The Manitoba government is implementing an electronic patient record (EPR) system at Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern. We know the provincial plan to rollout EPRs in all hospitals is concerning many physicians, and we are planning a townhall so you can learn more. Stay tuned!
Read the province's announcement.
| | |
Manitoba now has 497 confirmed and 70 probable measles cases, still by far the highest in Canada. The latest reported exposures in Manitoba include:
- Portage District General Hospital ER
- Children’s Hospital ER in Winnipeg
- Multiple Winnipeg transit routes
Talking to patients about vaccines: Please visit our Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page for physician-curated resources, including a full list of exposure sites, tips for talking to patients about making the decision to get vaccinated and how to access their records if they are not sure.
| | |
Cancer Screening & Cervix Check Competency Training
On Wednesday, June 3, CancerCare Manitoba is hosting a training session for physicians who would like to learn about cancer screening, refresh competency in cervical cancer screening, or mentor colleagues in becoming competent in screening for cervical cancer.
Register today!
| | |
National Medical Conferences in Winnipeg This Summer!
This summer, Winnipeg will be a busy hub for national medical conferences, and there’s still time to register!
| | |
Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 6 new practice opportunities for physicians at Prasana Medical Center, North End Medical Clinic, Innovative MD Medical, True North Health and Sage Creek Medical Clinic, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
| | |
Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
-
There are new federal rules aimed at prohibiting user pay for services provided by NPs and pharmacists. We are looking at what this means, what it doesn’t, and how the directive can improve health care for physicians and their patients. Read our analysis. 

-
Help Reduce Resident Burnout: Resident physicians are invited to a special roundtable discussion on April 28 held to better understand how burnout, moral distress and other wellness challenges are affecting them. Learn more and register today! 

-
AGM Recap: Thanks for joining us at the 2026 Doctors Manitoba AGM! We announced our new president-elect, highlighted key regulatory changes that might impact your practice, and physicians voted on by-laws changes. Read our coverage.
| | |
We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.
HIV Prevention Can’t Wait: HIV Prevention and Treatment for Women and Priority Populations April 27, 7:30 a.m. - 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.
Resident Physicians | Physician Health and Wellness Roundtable Discussion, April 28, 6 – 8 p.m., Winnipeg, in person at Doctors Manitoba. Our annual survey data tells us that burnout in Manitoba remains high, particularly among residents. Join us for a roundtable discussion to understand how burnout, moral distress, and other wellness challenges are affecting residents. Dinner will be provided. Learn more and register here.
The Women's Health Research Foundation of Canada 2026 Dance for Your Health Gala, April 29, Centro Caboto Centre, Winnipeg. This fundraising dinner will support scholarships focused on health research for women and gender-diverse people. These awards help to fill funding gaps in women’s health research and encourage students to develop a career in this much needed field. Learn more and buy tickets!
New to Manitoba Medical Practice – A CMPA Presentation, May 7, 5:45 – 8 p.m., Winnipeg, in person at Doctors Manitoba. Gain practical insights and real-world context on common challenges faced in your first years of practice. The session is for residents nearing the end of training and physicians within their first five years of practice. Learn more and register today!
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.
Winnipeg Francophone Medical Symposium, May 29, 8:15 a.m.- 4:20 p.m., Virtual. The first of its kind event offers interdisciplinary training sessions and was developed with Francophone physicians from across Manitoba. Learn more and register today!
Doctors Manitoba Book Club with Special Guest, Author Lisa See! June 2, 6 – 7 p.m., Virtual. We’ll 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. Learn more and register!
Cultivating Wellbeing for Health Professionals, June 14 – 19, Cortes Island, BC training, and values-based reflection. Led by psychiatrists Erin Burrell and Andrea Grabovac, this retreat offers practical tools to support wellbeing and sustainability in clinical practice, within a supportive peer community and natural setting. Learn more and register!
| | |
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
| | | | | |
Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.
| | | | |
