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This week’s Vitals is 1,559 words or a 6 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Improving Employer Medical Forms: With a new CMA policy that clarifies physicians’ role in helping patients return to work, we are developing a universal employer medical form to simplify and standardize the request process for you.
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Renew Membership & Create Your DocDir Profile: Our new Doctor Directory (DocDir) will launch later this fall, making it easier for physicians to find the right colleagues for referrals and consultations! Create your profile when you renew your membership.
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Respiratory Illness Season Webinar: Join us September 10 at 12pm for a special webinar on the upcoming respiratory illness season. Manitoba Public Health will provide updates on this year’s forecasts and answer your questions about important new changes. Register here.
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Enhancements to eConsult: The current Store and Forward and BASE eConsult services will be consolidated into a single platform, eConsultCX, accessible through an upgraded, cloud-based iScheduler system.
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More med students, mentors needed: The class of 2030 began their journey this week with the official white coat ceremony. The larger class size is part of the plan to tackle the physician shortage, but it also means we need more mentors to support them
🏈 Plus, renew early and win! If you renew your membership by September 9, you will be entered to win two tickets to see the Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on September 12!
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Improving Employer Medical Forms
With a new CMA policy that clarifies physicians’ role in helping patients return to work, Doctors Manitoba is developing a universal employer medical form to simplify and standardize the request process for you.
- We have designed a prototype universal form based on input from physicians, employers and HR professionals.
- A major Winnipeg-based employer is now piloting the form, so some physicians may see it cross their desk.
Learn more about the CMA's new policy and join a webinar September 10.
Funding for this initiative was made possible by the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program.
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Renew Membership & Create Your DocDir Profile
It’s time for fully licensed physicians to renew their memberships for the 2026/27 year.
New This Year: As part of your renewal, you will be asked to set up your Doctor Directory (DocDir) profile. DocDir will be launched later this fall, making it easier for physicians to find the right colleagues, particularly for referrals and consultations. It is designed by physicians, for physicians. Learn more about Doctor Directory here!
It Pays to Renew: As part of your renewal, you can also claim and review your benefits and rebates, including your $1,000 CPD Credit Rebate for 2026, your Rural Retention payment, and more.
➡️ Click here to renew (Portal log-in required)
🏈 Renew Early and Win! If you renew by September 9, you will be entered to win two tickets to see the Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on September 12!
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Possible Dynacare Strike Ahead
Manitoba's nearly 350 Dynacare employees may go on strike September 8th if the union (Manitoba Association of Healthcare Professionals) and company don’t come to an agreement.
- Dynacare's 22 locations in Winnipeg, Brandon, and other communities would cease operations during the strike, according to MAHCP.
- This could cause a major disruption to patient care and impact physician practices.
We're Here to Help: Doctors Manitoba is closely monitoring the situation. We will keep you posted with updates and contingency plans to ensure patients get the essential testing they need as part of their care.
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RSV Vaccine for Adults 80+
Starting this fall, Manitobans aged 80 and older will be eligible to receive one lifetime dose of RSV vaccine as part of Manitoba's Immunization Program. Details on when supply will be available to order will be communicated at a later date.
Individuals aged 60 to 79 remain eligible for one lifetime dose if they meet certain requirements.
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Public Health Webinar
Reminder: Join us September 10 at 12p for a special webinar on the upcoming respiratory illness season, in partnership with Manitoba Public Health. This includes this year’s forecast and changes to the immunization program.
➡️ Register here
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Class of 2030 Welcomed at White Coat Ceremony
A new generation of physicians is beginning its journey. Our President Dr. Alon Altman joined other dignitaries from Shared Health, the CPSM, and the U of M participate in the White Coat Ceremony, welcoming new students to the Max Rady College of Medicine.
This year’s incoming class reflects the larger class sizes that started just a couple of years ago, following advocacy by Doctors Manitoba and many physicians for an increase in medical school seats to help address our physician shortage.
Read our full coverage.
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Mentors Needed
With another large medical class, we need more mentors for our mentorship program! We are recruiting residents and practicing physicians to serve as mentors, and you are invited to take part! Mentors receive ongoing support from Doctors Manitoba, including access to mentorship events, leadership development sessions and networking opportunities. No previous mentoring experience is required. Plus, being a mentor is a rewarding experience, and it helps with retaining learners in Manitoba.
Learn more about how to get involved and the impact you can have within Manitoba’s medical community.
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Hats Off to MLPIMG Class of 2026
Doctors Manitoba sends our best wishes to the recent graduates of the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG) Class of 2026! The physicians will be relocating this year to all rural Regional Health Authorities to begin their practice in Manitoba.
| Photo: University of Manitoba | | |
New Health and Phys. Ed Curriculum
The Manitoba government is introducing a two-year pilot program that makes in-person physical education mandatory for all students from kindergarten to Grade 12 and adds basic cooking skills to junior high and high school curricula to ensure every student knows how to prepare healthy, affordable meals.
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Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, helped develop the new health curriculum.
- Doctors Manitoba’s public resources at GettingHealthy.ca reinforce the same concepts.
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Dr. Alon Altman, our President, offered support: “Manitoba’s doctors support more physical activity and health education for students at all levels, especially as we see more and more young people spending more time on their screens and less time being active.”
Read more about the changes.
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Social Media and Youth
More countries are taking action to protect youth from the addictive and risky aspects of social media, and Doctors Manitoba hopes to see Canada formalize its plan quickly. New Zealand is introducing a ban on social media for children under age 16. This follows a similar law in Australia, with several other countries considering restrictions too.
In the U.S., nearly all states sued Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook. A multi-billion-dollar settlement was announced this week aimed at protecting children from the mental health harms associated with social media.
Learn more.
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Enhancements Coming to eConsult
Manitoba’s eConsult services are being modernized, with a planned launch next month. The current Store and Forward and BASE eConsult services will be consolidated into a single platform, eConsultCX, accessible through an upgraded, cloud-based iScheduler system. This means all eConsulting physicians will be located on a single platform. More details on training and the transition will follow in the coming months. Learn more on the MBTelehealth eConsult page.
What you think about these changes? Let us know by emailing us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Drug Shortage Reversal
WRHA advises that ketorolac 0.5% Eye Drops and ketorolac 0.45% eye drop Minim/0.4 mL are now freely available. If you have any questions, please contact your site pharmacy manager or the drug shortages information phone line at: (204) 787-1097.
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Mobile MRI Arrives in The Pas
Manitoba's Mobile MRI is now stationed at St. Anthony's General Hospital. Since launching initial operations last June in Thompson, the mobile unit has completed more than 3,000 diagnostic scans. Moving forward, the mobile MRI will travel between the two communities, further strengthening northern health-care delivery.
Read the announcement.
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Are You Leaving Thousands in Tax Credits Unclaimed?
Are you a physician participating in research projects? Doctors Manitoba is pleased to announce a new partnership with Bond Consulting Group to help you get thousands back in potential tax refunds if you’re eligible.
Unfortunately, many incorporated physicians are unaware that the medical work you perform may qualify for SR&ED tax incentives. As an incorporated physician, you may qualify for refunds ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 per year for eligible formal or informal medical studies, whether published or unpublished.
Join our upcoming SR&ED webinar on October 8 to learn more about the program, physician eligibility, and how incorporated medical practices may benefit.
Webinar Details:
📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕒 7:00PM CDT
➡️ Register here
Learn more and claim your exclusive Bond Consulting Group Discount.
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Congratulations to this week's Phenomenal Physicians and Learners!
🥼Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Alon Altman, Dr. Jean-Eric Ghia, Dr. Jennifer Hunt, Dr. Terry Li, Dr. Chau Pham, and Dr. Ashley Vergis won 2026 Max Rady College of Medicine Education Awards, presented at this year’s White Coat Ceremony.
🏆 University of Manitoba’s Jane Mao is one of 15 exceptional medical students from across the country honoured by the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame with a 2026 CMHF Award. Read more about her here.
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650+ Turn Out for Family Night at the Zoo
Thanks for stopping by! For many physicians, the event provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues outside the pressures of clinical life.
Guests had a front-row view of swimming polar bears at those relaxing outside the floor to ceiling windows of the Tundra Grill, wandered through Monsters of the Abyss and Dinosaurs Uncovered, and fueled up on hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, mini doughnuts and lemonade.
Read our full coverage.
| Doctors Manitoba is proud to recognize long-time partners MD Financial Management (MD) and Scotiabank for their generous support at ‘Adventure Awaits at the Zoo’. Connect with an Advisor to learn more. | | |
Your Feedback is Requested
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 5 new practice opportunities for physicians at many locations, including Nearby Medical Clinic, North End Medical Clinic, Ray of Hope Medical Centre, Rehoboth Clinic, and Millennium Healthcare Clinic, 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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Pharmacists and Birth Control: An expanded scope of practice means retail pharmacists can now assess and prescribe birth control. Physicians have not yet been consulted, which means there are lingering questions about how physicians will be notified about prescriptions and who is responsible for monitoring for complications and follow-up care. Learn more.
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At the Legislature Working for You: Our leadership team was at the Legislature this month to meet with Premier Wab Kinew and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, advocating on behalf of physicians and medical learners. Government and Doctors Manitoba officials are expected to begin formal negotiations early this fall. You can reach out with your ideas and concerns about the PSA by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. Learn more about the meeting.
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Physician Health Intake Outage: If you or a loved one submitted an intake request online to our Physician Health Program between July 15 and 22, it may not have been received. If you submitted an intake form during this period, we kindly ask that you resubmit your form or call our intake line at 204-237-8320 or 844−433−3762 (toll free).
| | We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers. | | Advancing Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions Care September 24, Virtual This Shared Health webinar will highlight how Indigenous-led, relationship-based approaches are supporting culturally safe care, system navigation, advocacy, care coordination, discharge planning, and stronger connections between Mental Health and Addictions services, First Nations communities, and Indigenous service providers across Manitoba. Learn more and register today! | | |
Lipedema Canada Conference (LipCanCon) 2026, September 10 – 12, Winnipeg. This inaugural event will feature leading research, hands-on clinical learning, and collaborative discussions aimed at advancing lipedema care and shaping the future of healthcare in Canada. Learn more and register today!
Dignity in Care Online Training 2026, September 11, 18, and 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Virtual. Designed to enhance the human side of healthcare, this 3 day workshop focuses on the role and application of dignity in all aspects of clinical practice. Learn more and register.
3rd Annual Paul Wawryko Memorial Run, September 19, 6 p.m., Winnipeg. Since 2024, this event has raised over $38,000 for Biome Conservation and approximately $50,000 for the Paul Wawryko Memorial Scholarship. Learn more and register.
AHE-MB (Advances in Hematology) 2026, September 26, 8:15 – 12 p.m., Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre in Winnipeg. This inaugural meeting will provide practical, evidence-based updates on rapidly evolving areas of malignant hematology, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, aggressive lymphomas, and bispecific antibodies. Learn more and register.
63rd Annual Manitoba Orthopaedic Symposium, October 2, St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. The topics are designed to appeal to a broad audience and to include all aspects of non-operative and operative musculoskeletal care and rehabilitation. Learn more and register.
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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
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For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,
career resources or practice advice please
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