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This week’s Vitals: 1,187 words / 4.5 min read
Today’s Vitals is a 4.5-minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:

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Manitoba hit a doctor milestone this week, surpassing 3,500 licensed physicians working in the province. While we still have a significant shortage, recruitment and retention are improving after years of advocacy.
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Measles update: the situation continues to change quickly, including 44 confirmed, recorded cases and an expansion on vaccine eligibility.
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Wildfires, floods and high winds are causing damage to life and property across the province and have potential to disrupt health service access. Keep an eye on updates in your area.
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Celebrate Pride! Doctors Manitoba is introducing a new way to help our members celebrate Pride season, including a toolkit and $500 grants for resources to support participation in community events.
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Doctors Manitoba has a new president, Dr. Nichelle Desilets. In this morning's Brandon Sun, outgoing President Dr. Randy Guzman offered his enthusiastic support, noting “Dr. Desilets has it down pat. She doesn’t need my advice.”
Plus check out this unique event coming up that can make an impact in your practice. It’s all about narrative-based medicine (NBM), a growing field seeking to humanize health care. We have an out-of-province expert leading the workshop, and it’s open to physicians and medical learners as a virtual session on May 30. Learn more and register here.
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Manitoba surpasses 3,500 doctors for the first time!
Manitoba hit a major milestone this week, with 3,500 licensed physicians working in the province for the first time. This marks significant progress in responding to physicians’ top concern – the doctor shortage – following years of advocacy and action.
We tracked the shortage closely and offered recommendations to address it, guided by your advice and feedback. Find out how we got here, where we are at, and the work still required to close the gap in Manitoba. You’ll also see important contributions our partners are making to improve recruitment, including at CPSM, the University, and the provincial health system.
Of note: there is a live consultation underway by CPSM on streamlining the path to licensure, and the University has expanded and filled nearly all residency spaces this year, which is great news as 101 students graduated from medical school this week!

Read the full story here.
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Get Involved This Pride Season
Pride season is getting closer! On average, there are more than 45 community-organized events held for Pride, when the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies come together to celebrate. With this in mind, Doctors Manitoba is taking a new approach to empowering and supporting our members who want to take part in Pride events across Manitoba.

Find out how you can take part with our Pride Planning Guide.
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Measles, Fires and Floods
At the same time Manitoba is ushering in the warmer temperatures of springtime, even hitting record highs in Winnipeg, we are also seeing the largest measles outbreak in nearly 30 years along with wildfires and floods that are sweeping through the province at a rapid pace. All of these events can impact physicians’ practice and the communities they serve.
Check here for our latest summary of measles and weather events.
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Be There Fore It!
Mark your calendar for the annual Doctors Manitoba Getting Healthy Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 2, at Southwood Golf & Country Club. The format is friendly for less-experienced golfers, with a shotgun start and best-ball scramble, while more experienced golfers will enjoy the challenge of a premier championship course.
Find out more and register yourself or a team today!
The Annual Golf Tournment is made possible through the support of presenting sponsors MD Financial and Scotiabank, along with Platinum Sponsor Bokhaut CPA LLP.
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Gala Recap
Wasn’t that a party! More than 700 guests were at the sold-out gala–the largest yet–celebrating Manitoba doctors’ commitment to caring and excellence. Check out this summary, including new videos about our nine award winning physicians!
Read our full coverage.
Saturday's Doctors Manitoba Awards Gala was made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsors MD Financial and Scotiabank, along with Platinum Sponsor Bokhaut CPA LLP.
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Meet Our New President
Hot off the press just this morning! The Brandon Sun just published a profile on new Doctors Manitoba President, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, with a few wise and wonderful words from her predecessor Dr. Randy Guzman. Both leaders reflected on how they are guided by the principle that every physician should have the support they need to deliver exceptional care to all Manitobans, and the guidance they take from physicians in learners in shaping their advocacy efforts.
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Dr. Desilets’ hopes for the year ahead: She explained a top focus this year will be on “finding ways to let doctors be doctors.” She added that “we want to reduce unnecessary paperwork so that doctors can spend more time with their patients. We want to take a good, hard look at things like artificial intelligence, to use it appropriately and safely, where it might be able to assist doctors.”
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Dr. Guzman’s reflection of the past year and the value of visiting his esteemed colleagues across the province during outreach efforts: “You have to realize the environment they’re working in and what challenges they have, which helped to see how to best advocate for patients.”
Read more here! Congratulations to both Dr. Desilets and Dr. Guzman.
If you can't access this story online, try this PDF version.
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Health and Federal Government Updates
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his new cabinet members on Tuesday, including Health Minister Marjorie Michel, who in 2021 was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and went on to win his seat in the Montreal constituency of Papineau to replace him. This week the Canadian Medical Association hosted a town hall on how they plan to advocate for health care with the new government.
Read the full highlights and what we'll be monitoring here in Manitoba.
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Celebrate Family Physician Day on Monday
Monday, May 19, is Family Doctor Day, and our friends at the MCFP have organized a fun family-friendly trivia event to celebrate!
Event Details:
đź“Ť Location: Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion Street, Winnipeg
🕡 Doors Open: 6:30 PM | 🧠Trivia Begins: 8:00 PM sharp
đźš— Free onsite parking!
Learn more and register here!
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We’re in the news ensuring physicians’ perspectives are part of the story. See the latest:
Knee and Hip Replacement Promises: The Winnipeg Free Press has found that only 79 hip and knee surgeries have been completed at Selkirk Regional Health Centre so far this year after the Manitoba government promised 800 would be performed in 2025. As part of our continued advocacy work to help lower surgical and diagnostic wait times in Manitoba’s health care system, we commented that while 800 more surgeries in Selkirk is a significant and positive 12 per cent boost to the total number of these types of surgeries done in Manitoba, it is not keeping up with the wait list, which has grown by 1,471 patients, or 28 per cent, over the last year.
- This means the current wait time of 32 weeks, which is already beyond the medically recommended benchmark and the Canadian average, is at risk of getting even longer in the months ahead.
- We are tracking this story closely.

Read more here
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This week’s health systems updates include:
Clinical Educators Needed
Make a difference in the education of Manitoba’s future physicians. Become a Clinical Educator at the Max Rady College of Medicine. The College is hiring Clinical Educators for 2025–2026 with compensation. Consistent schedules and the ability to earn Mainpro+ or MoCOMP credits. Apply today.
For more information, contact Dr. Donna Sutherland at donna.sutherland@umanitoba.ca
or Casie Fracz at casie.fracz@umanitoba.ca at 204-789-3766
CCMB Survey
CancerCare Manitoba’sCervixCheck program is working to transition from primary Pap testing to primary HPV testing for cervical cancer screening. As part of the transition, CCMB is considering providing direct referral to colposcopy for patients. CancerCare would like your feedback on whether and how direct referral to colposcopy could be implemented in Manitoba.
Take the survey.
Victoria Extended Hours Clinic Opens
A new Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic opened Thursday May 15 at Victoria General. It will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends including statutory holidays.
Read the full release here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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CPSM Changes: CPSM is consulting on changes to make it easier for U.S. physicians to transfer their licenses, as well as changes about IMG licensure eligibility and proposing extending the title of Doctor to clinical assistants. If you would like us to consider your perspective in our submission to CPSM, please let us know at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. You can also send your feedback directly to CPSM by May 25, and we invite you to copy us on your submission to them.
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Possible Mail Strike: Canada Post employees may go on strike in a few weeks. An extension on existing deals between Canada Post and postal workers focused on wages, health and safety benefits, job security and pensions, but it expires on May 22. This falls during a time when many Manulife insurance products are up for renewal. While the majority of members have moved to emailed invoices and can view invoices posted to your member portal, this is a reminder to check there or register for member portal access. Once you are in, you can sign up for annual or monthly deduction options or make a payment through your bank or credit union. Read more.
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The new Canada Disability Benefit, which provides financial support to low- and modest-income working-age (18-64) individuals with disabilities, opened on May 15, 2025. Payments are expected to begin in July 2025. See our story from a few weeks ago with an explainer about the Disability Benefit v.s the Tax Credit and what the expected impact on physicians.
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Manitoba Health has published a new billing bulletin which provides billing instructions for lysis of adhesions. The 2023 PSA included new fee tariffs for this service and members should review to ensure they are billing appropriately. More information can be found here.
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AI Scribes: More than half of doctors are interested in using an Artificial Intelligence Scribe to help them with patient charting. See our recent update, noting our work underway on creating an AI Scribe Playbook, and an opportunity to get a free license for one year from our friends at Canada Health Infoway. Check it out.
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How to talk to your children about their inheritance

Talking to your children about their inheritance can be difficult, but it's essential for setting expectations and ensuring your wishes are understood. This MD Financial Management article provides tips on how to start the conversation, manage emotions and prepare your family for the future. Read more
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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.
Join Doctors Manitoba for a spring planter-making workshop!
WHEN: đź“… Wednesday, May 28
Register for one of two sessions:
Session 1: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Session 2: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: 🌼 Ron Paul Garden Centre, 2641 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg
DETAILS: The activity is an opportunity to connect with other physicians who are new to Manitoba. All materials are provided; no fee to register! Those in their first five years in practice will be prioritized for this event.
Register here.
Other Events:
Mental Health Rounds
May 23, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., 16th Floor, 363 Broadway, Winnipeg. RSVP by May 20 with an email to Amanda Lockstett at alockste@wcb.mb.ca
Caring for Our Relatives: Practicing Emergency Medicine on Turtle Island
May 30, 8 a.m. to noon, Buhler Atrium, Max Rady College of Medicine. Learn more and register here.
Dr. David Crawford Memorial Run June 1, 9 a.m. at Marpeck Commons Bldg, CMU, 2299 Grant Avenue. Register for the run.
Reflection and Renewal: How Narrative-Based Medicine Makes Us Better (and Happier) June 7, 9 a.m to noon at Doctors Manitoba. Register here
Fostering a Thriving Workplace: Turning toxicity into opportunity, with Dr. Mamta Gautam June 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Qualico Family Centre, Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg Register here.
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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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