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October 18, 2024
This week's Vitals: 1,288 words / 4.5 min read
Top stories this week include a call for nominations for our annual awards, an invitation to join our mentorship program, a Jets ticket discount opportunity, and a reminder to call us if your billings are audited.
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Mourning Dr. Pawel Garda
For all members
Late last week, we learned of the tragic death of resident Dr. Pawel Garda. We join many of you in sharing our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
"The distress and pain experienced when we lose a member of our community can be felt in many different ways and, for some, at many different times,” explained Dr. Shelley Anderson, Medical Lead for Physician Health with Doctors Manitoba. “Know that you are not alone.”
We encourage all members of our community to reach out for support if you need it, now or in the days and weeks to come, and to check in on others who may be experiencing difficulty.
A joint message was sent out on Friday from the Max Rady College of Medicine, Doctors Manitoba, PARIM and Shared Health to medical learners and faculty listing the many supports available:
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All medical learners, physicians and their family members have access to support and assistance through Doc360, physician health resources from Doctors Manitoba. This includes counselling and peer support. You may contact Doc360 directly and confidentially using this online form or by calling 1-844-433-3762. Service descriptions are tailored to students, residents and physicians.
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UM faculty and staff can also receive support from UM EFAP.
- Other assistance and support is available through the Klinic Crisis Line (24/7) at 204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019.
Our Doc360 PAR team has been reaching out and offering support with an on-site presence on Friday and Tuesday, and providing individual and group support to our members as needed. You can request their support for you or a group anytime by using this online form or by calling 1-844-433-3762
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Award Nominations Open
268 words / 1 min read / For all members
Nominations are now open for the Doctors Manitoba Annual Awards, the highest honour for the Manitoba Medical Community, bestowed upon physicians by physicians. You can help to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of a colleague, including resident doctors, practicing and retired physicians. Read more about the different awards, criteria and nomination process. The deadline is December 15.
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Help Advance Rural Recruitment & Retention
105 words / 1 min read / For all members
It’s time to take stock of the progress we’ve made, and the actions still needed, when it comes to rural and northern physician recruitment and retention. Two years ago, we hosted a rural summit to tackle the physician shortage in partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.
We will be issuing a progress report in the coming weeks, but before then we need your help to measure the progress and help define what actions need to happen next, to recruit and support more physicians across our rural and northern regions.
Click here to view the progress we’ve tracked and add your feedback by October 28 (allow 5-10 minutes).
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Billing audit? Call us!
266 words / 1 min read / For practicing physicians
We’re seeing an uptick in members receiving billing audit notifications from the government. This is a reminder that Doctors Manitoba is here to help if you get an audit letter, and this help is included as part of your DRMB membership. Learn more here and contact us for assistance.
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Mentorship - Consider Joining
Rewarding Experience for All Members
We’re kicking off our 2024/25 mentorship program and we could really use a few more mentors because of the record interest from medical students. This is a fun, rewarding experience and a chance to support younger colleagues in the medical community. Connection with colleagues is important for a profession where burnout, distress and frustration can be an occupational hazard. Connection is protection.
The time commitment is not as significant as you might think, with 4 events per year along with the occasional informal check-in with your group.
We have a fun kick-off event planned for Friday, October 25 at the WAG for mentors and mentees.
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Discount Jets Tickets
Connection Opportunity for All Members
Connection Opportunity for All Members
The Winnipeg Jets is offering special discount rates to physicians and medical learners for upcoming games, plus you get a Winnipeg Jets travel mug as a special gift.
Upcoming games include:
- Tuesday, November 5 vs. Utah
- Tuesday, December 3 vs. St. Louis
Tickets start at $40 plus fees, with more expensive but still discounted options available in the lower bowl. The event is billed as an appreciation for emergency services workers, but it is open to physicians and medical learners regardless of your specialty or place of work.
Click here to buy up to 8 tickets. If you want to plan for a larger group, contact Braden Fleury with the Winnipeg Jets sales team at bfleury@tnse.com or at 204-926-5613.
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Seasonal Vaccines Available… Kind Of
This week, the Minister of Health kicked off the annual immunization campaign for flu and COVID-19.
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UPSIDE: We’re seeing a lot of early interest from the public for seasonal vaccines, with lots of reported calls to clinics.
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DOWNSIDE: Most clinics and pharmacies have received vaccines for influenza, but not COVID. Our understanding is that COVID vaccine delivery started this week and will continue next week.
RSV Vaccine Update: The government also confirmed that the RSV vaccine will be covered for individuals aged 60 and older living in PCH. This also includes individuals who reside in a transitional or respite care unit within a PCH facility, who have been paneled for PCH and are awaiting PCH placement.
Building up ICU and acute care beds
In an announcement this week addressing preparations for respiratory virus season, the Manitoba government has newly funded 18 ICU beds, for a total of 110 adult ICU beds, and eight pediatric ICU (PICU) beds, plus four step-down beds, for a total of 21 PICU beds. Additionally, the province announced the opening of 112 acute care beds with a plan to open 70 more, 43 transitional care unit beds, and 27 more opening in the coming months.
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Here are the most read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Last week Doctors Manitoba released a new report on Closing the Gap on Manitoba’s Physician Shortage, with an analysis of positive trends like a net gain of 133 more doctors, and concerning risks such as Manitoba remaining last in the rankings for family physicians per capita in Canada.

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Members were introduced to a new partnership with Rogers for discounts on mobile plans and cell phones. This preferred discount is open to all Doctors Manitoba members, including physicians, residents, and students.
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Join the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Knowledge Exchange Days in November and December to learn more about Addiction Medicine resources for your patients
This weekly virtual series will explore local resources as well as the challenges, successes and future of addiction medicine in Manitoba. View the RAAM Knowledge Exchange Days program for details and daily schedules. All sessions will be virtual. To register for a particular day/session, click on the title of the session.
The 61st Annual Manitoba Orthopaedic Symposium is set for November 1, 2024. This in-person event covers various topics, including pediatric orthopaedics, hip and knee arthroplasty, trauma, and rehabilitation. 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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