🩺 Resident of the Year // Black Health Symposium // Measles Rapidly Spreading

February 13, 2026

This week’s Vitals is 1,292 words or a 5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:

New Measles Uptick Prompts Warning from Province: With a severe uptick in measles cases spreading within Manitoba, Public Health has expanded eligibility in Prairie Mountain Health Region and is very strongly recommending vaccination for those not already immunized.
MBiz Breakfast - Progress, Pressure, and the Path Ahead: Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets and CEO Theresa Oswald joined health system leaders at a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce event to provide a check-up on where we stand.
Black Health Symposium: Hosted by the Black Medical Students Association, the symposium offered hands-on workshops and candid conversations, along with inspiring remarks from Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
Half of Canadians Turning to AI for Health Info: That’s according to the new CMA Health and Media Tracking Survey out this week that also shows physicians remain the most trusted source in Canada for health information.
Follow Us on Social Media: Doctors Manitoba’s social channels offer a reliable antidote to misinformation. Follow our accounts for both the public and our members.
Resident of the Year Award! We're concluding Resident Doctor Appreciation Week by congratulating Dr. Tegan Turner, Doctors Manitoba 2026 Resident of the Year!

Plus, take 15 minutes to fill out the Annual Doctors Manitoba Survey for a chance to win one of two $500 Visa gift cards, or get your membership fee covered for one year! Learn more below.

TOP STORIES

New Measles Uptick Prompts Warning from Province

More than half of Canada’s total reported measles cases are Manitoba-based and show no signs of slowing down.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin is very strongly recommending unvaccinated Manitobans discuss immunization with their physicians, as it is the best way to protect against measles. This week Public Health expanded vaccine eligibility in Prairie Mountain Health Region where measles is spreading rapidly.

A Brandon farm show in January is now linked to more than 35 cases and counting
Attendees at the Winnipeg Jets game February 4th are being asked to monitor for symptoms after an exposure at Canada Life Centre
Manitoba has more than 70 cases on record for January, by far the highest in Canada
Patients with suspected measles should be reminded to call ahead to ensure proper protective measures can be observed

Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets, a family physician in Neepawa, spoke with the national CBC Radio’s national program, As It Happens, about the influx. Listen to the full episode.

Read our full coverage of this week’s measles news and, as always, visit our Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page for more resources.

MBiz Breakfast: Progress, Pressure, and the Path Ahead

At this week's Manitoba Chambers of Commerce MBiz Breakfast, Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Desilets and CEO Theresa Oswald joined health system leaders to offer a check-up on Manitoba the progress, pressure and the path ahead for health care in the province.

➡️ Major topics: Team-based care as a tool for retaining our doctors, investing in innovation, and the price patients pay when our technological systems don’t communicate.

🩺 “We can’t accept that anymore,” said CancerCare Manitoba CEO Dr. Kent Stobart. “Yes, it’s painful when you’re changing the data system. But it needs to be done for the patients. We need to suck it up and get it done.”

📰 The Winnipeg Free Press endorsed our assessments and recommendations. "The prescription is clear,” writes columnist Tom Brodbeck. “Modernize the technology, follow through on team-based care, hire more staff, double down on retention as aggressively as recruitment, and close the rural gap once and for all."

Read our in-depth coverage.

Full story: 979 words / 3.5 minute read

Resident of the Year Award

It’s Resident Doctors Appreciation Week and what better time to announce our Doctors Manitoba 2026 Resident of the Year!

Meet Dr. Tegan Turner, an emergency medicine resident recognized for her clinical excellence under pressure, effective communication, and compassionate patient care.

⭐ Read more about our Resident of the Year who brings a unique focus on motorsports medicine, inspired by Formula 1 racing, to her care.

🗓️ Save the date for the Doctors Manitoba Awards Gala on Friday, May 1, 2026!

💌 Take a moment to thank a resident by sending them an e-card of appreciation.

Black Health Symposium: Belonging Begins Here

On February 7, Black medical learners and middle and high school students from across Manitoba gathered for the Black Health Symposium, hosted by the Black Medical Students Association, to connect, learn and build community.

Hands-on workshops supported students navigating medical training.
Candid conversations focused on belonging, bias and perseverance.

💬 What stood out: Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara and neurosurgery resident Dr. Andrew Ajisebutu highlighted their own lived experiences, resilience and finding joy in the journey.

Read our in-depth coverage from the event.

Full story: 1,101 words / 4 minute read

Half of Canadians Turning to AI for Health Info

While only a quarter of Canadians say they trust AI programs to provide accurate health information, twice as many say they turn to it for information, according to the CMA's 2026 Health and Media Tracking Survey released this week.

The report also found:

Those who do turn to AI for health information are five times more likely to report experiencing harms to their health compared to those who don’t
Physicians remain the most trusted source of health information across Canada at 83%, up from 80% last year
At 81%, Manitobans are the most concerned in Canada about an increase in the amount of health misinformation coming from the United States

Read the full report here.

Research shows nearly all Canadians (89%) go online for health information, making it all the more important accurate sources are available.

Doctors Manitoba’s social channels offer a reliable antidote to misinformation.

For the public: Our updates at @doctorsmanitoba.ca help the public cut through noise with clear, evidence‑based information.
For physicians: Our @DRMBInfo socials are also an easy way to stay connected to member news, advocacy updates, wellness resources, and stories that celebrate the work of your colleagues across the province.

Share Your Expertise in the Annual Physician Survey

Participate in the Doctors Manitoba Annual Physician Survey today to ensure your expertise is included as we review and prioritize concerns heading into the 2027 Physician Services Agreement Negotiations. Your survey responses are not linked to your name or reported in any way that can identify you.

If you haven't already, please complete the survey by February 28!

🥇🥈

All respondents will be entered to win:

1^st Prize: Complimentary Doctors Manitoba annual membership for one year
2^nd Prize: $500 Visa gift card

If you need assistance accessing the survey, please refer to your survey invitation email for instructions or contact our office at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca.

HEALTH SYSTEM UPDATES

Review Manitoba’s DTC Form Pilot

Manitoba is the first province in Canada testing 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.

📝 Here’s how to try it.

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.

This Week’s Clinical Practice Changes

Shared Health advises the following clinical practices changes are now in effect for the following:

Please note, links to the above pages lead directly to your Downloads folder. All Clinical Communications can be found under Clinical Practice Changes for Health Providers.

New Grace Hospital Surgery Clinic

Shared Health has announced the amalgamation of the Seven Oaks Surgery Clinic and the Grace Ambulatory Medical Clinic (AMC) into a single, unified clinic: The Grace Hospital Surgery Clinic. All surgical clinic services previously offered at Seven Oaks and Grace AMC will now be delivered under the Grace Hospital Surgery Clinic, aiming to bring together the expertise, resources, and services of both clinics to enhance coordination of care, improve efficiency, and provide a consistent surgical experience for patients and providers.

We invite you to share your feedback by writing to us, in confidence, at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.

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WORTH NOTING

Louis Riel Day

This long weekend, take time to learn more about Manitoba's first premier, Louis Riel, who led the Red River Métis and paved the way for Manitoba as we know it today. The Manitoba Métis Federation is sharing a robust list of events to connect with community and learn.

Physician Family Day at the Forks Sunday

Join us this Sunday, February 15, at The Forks in Winnipeg, and bring along your family for a winter wellness afternoon of skating, snacks, and connection! As a proud partner of The Forks’ Winter Wellness programming this year, we’re excited to offer you and your loved ones a day of fun and informal connection with colleagues though a great variety of activities including an outdoor fitness class, skating, a warming hut tour, some tasty treats from Tall Grass Prairie and much more!

Learn more and register today. We can’t wait to see you!

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 3 new practice opportunities for physicians at Sunshine Medical Clinics, East St. Paul Medical Center, and Crocus Medical Center, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!

Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.

ICYMI

Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:

Hepatitis A Outbreak: Manitoba Health has expanded access to free Hepatitis A vaccines in Peguis First Nation amid a provincial outbreak. Providers are reminded Manitobans experiencing homelessness are also already eligible to receive the vaccine. Read the memo to health care providers here.
Poll Offers Check-Up on Health Care: Top of mind in a new Angus Reid report is access to emergency care. Manitoba residents are the least confident of any province in their ability to access emergency services in a timely manner, but we also report easy access to non-urgent care. Read the full report.
New Physician Retention Payment Features: We are in the process of sending eligible members Physician Retention Benefit payments to recognize continued service to Manitobans, and new features on our member portal make estimating future payments easier than ever. Learn more.

EVENTS AND CPD

We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.

Anti-Indigenous Racism in Health Care Conference: Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements, February 18-19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, Winnipeg This conference centres Indigenous-led perspectives and critically examines how Anti-Indigenous Racism operates within healthcare delivery, health education, research, and policy—and how it can be disrupted in meaningful ways. Learn more and register here.

Fridays at the University: Travel Health Day, February 20, 8:20 a.m.- 3 p.m., Virtual Expand your skills in travel and post-travel medicine with a practical, case-based session designed for primary care providers. You’ll explore evidence-based strategies for managing common travel-related conditions, with special attention to tropical dermatologic issues and the unique needs of pediatric travelers. Learn more and register.

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Foundations of Well-Being, February 20, 12-1p.m., Virtual Understand the optimal approaches for incorporating mindful practice and self-compassion in medical practice for physicians and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Students. Learn more and register.

Leading Change, March 5-6, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual This Physician Leadership Institute course is relevant for physicians in formal or informal leadership roles who want to learn how to build support for, overcome barriers to, and successfully implement, influence, and sustain change. Accredited for 13.5 hours. Learn more and register.

The Canadian Women in Medicine Conference, Winnipeg, June 11-13, 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!