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This week’s Vitals is 1,000 words or a 3.5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:

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Respiratory Illness Season Webinar: Join us tomorrow, September 11, at 12 p.m.! Presented in partnership with Manitoba Health, topics include the upcoming respiratory season outlook, vaccine supply, and billing information.
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HSC Safety Update: The Manitoba government is adding a 24/7 visible police presence at HSC with two uniformed officers on-site and installing five new weapon-detection scanners at main public entrances. This responds, in part, to a key recommendation we shared to strengthen visible security in and around the hospital. We continue to meet with health system and provincial leaders to make the hospital campus safer and more accessible for all patients, providers, staff, and community members.
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Membership Renewal Reminder: Due September 18, our renewal process is easy to complete! Membership fees were not increased this year, and eligible members can claim rebates and benefits. Get yours today!
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2025 Canadian Conference on Physician Health: We hope to see you in Vancouver October 17-18. Manitoba’s Dr. Joss Reimer and Dr. Marcia Anderson, along with Doctors Manitoba staff, will be among the presenters. Register today to secure your spot!
Plus, we celebrated Manitoba’s newest medical students at Backpack Day!
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Respiratory Illness Season Webinar
Have you signed up for our Respiratory Illness Season Webinar? There’s still time to take part in this session set for tomorrow, Sept. 11, starting at 12 p.m. You’ll hear from Dr. Brent Roussin, Dr. Davinder Singh, Dr. Natalie Casaclang and others from Public Health. Topics include the upcoming respiratory season outlook, vaccine supply, billing information, and more, including time for a Q&A.
➡ Register here.
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HSC Safety Update
As part of an initiative to improve security at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre, the Manitoba government has announced new measures to help keep patients, providers, staff, visitors and community members safe. The province will add a 24/7 visible police presence at HSC with two uniformed Winnipeg Police Service officers on-site, and install five new weapon-detection scanners at main public entrances. This responds, in part, to a key recommendation we shared to strengthen visible security in and around the hospital. However, we know additional community safety visibility around the campus is important, including between hospital, university, and parking, and transit facilities. We continue to meet regularly with health system leaders and provincial justice officials to relay your experiences and push for further improvements. Please continue to share your feedback with us by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
Read our full coverage here.
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Membership Renewal Reminder
Your annual membership renewal is due on September 18. Our renewal process is easy to complete, and this year your membership fees were not increased following a decision by your Board of Directors. During the renewal, full members can claim rebates and benefits, including the $1,000 CPD Credit Rebate for completing annual minimum continuing professional development credits.
➡ Click here to renew your membership and claim your rebates (log-in required)
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2025 Canadian Conference on Physician Health
The Canadian Conference on Physician Health (CCPH) showcases both research and innovative initiatives related to improving physicians’ health and wellness within medical training and practice environments. We hope to see you at the conference in Vancouver October 17-18! Manitoba’s Dr. Joss Reimer and Dr. Marcia Anderson will be presenting, along with Doctors Manitoba staff.
Registration will close on October 1 for in-person attendance, while virtual registration will close on October 14.
Learn more here and register today!
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Backpack Day
We were excited to be at this year’s Backpack Day celebrating new medical students at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus Friday, September 5. We joined the Canadian Medical Association to help first-year students gear up with their new accessories! A medical tradition for more than 25 years, the backpacks are a visible symbol and way for medical students to connect with others on campus and around the world. This year’s colour, selected by students in previous years of medical school, is champagne. You can view backpack colours through the years here on the CMA website. You can also watch our Backpack Day reel here.
Follow @DRMBinfo on Instagram for physician-focused social updates!
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$1 Million for Ovarian Cancer Research
The Manitoba government is investing $1 million over three years in ovarian cancer research through Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) and the Manitoba Ovarian Cancer Research group. The province notes the funding will support innovative research projects and bring Manitoba closer to establishing an ovarian cancer centre of excellence in Winnipeg, positioning the province as a national leader in ovarian cancer research and women’s health.
Manitoba is the third province to make such an investment, following Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. Doctors Manitoba President-Elect Dr. Alon Altman, who specializes in gynecologic oncology, applauds the announcement. "This is great news for ovarian cancer research," he said. "It will have a big impact on local research in Manitoba."
Learn more here.
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Measles
Manitoba’s public health officials are notifying the public of two new measles exposure sites: Walk-In Connected Care at 363 McGregor St. in Winnipeg on September 3 and Victoria Hospital Urgent Care at 2340 Pembina Hwy. in Winnipeg on September 5.
We’re keeping track of the province’s updates and resources for you and your patients on the Doctors Manitoba Measles page.
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CBTm for Physicians and Medical Learners
CBTm is a set of courses designed to offer education and skills training in evidence-based self-management strategies to support the mental well-being of physicians and medical learners, delivered in a supportive peer environment. All courses are CPD accredited. Two different course options are included to provide as much flexibility as possible in scheduling and accommodate individual needs. You are encouraged to choose the course option that best fits your scheduling and learning needs:
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A series of five 120-min facilitator-led virtual (Zoom) classes. The next series of classes will be Tuesdays from 6:00 –8:00 PM starting October 7, 2025 to November 4, 2025.
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An online self-directed course with five modules (mirroring the facilitator-led classes but offering more scheduling flexibility).
Register for one of the courses here. Download of poster here.
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Standing Up for #ScienceMatters
Doctors Manitoba is standing with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and our colleagues at other provincial and territorial medical associations on a new effort to ensure our communities are not harmed by health misinformation. Wrong information about medicine, health care, and science is increasingly shaping public discourse, public beliefs, and policy actions. Together, we can make the Canadian information environment more resilient and protect the health of Canadians. Together, let’s speak up and say unwaveringly that #sciencematters.
Learn more here.
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We’re in the news ensuring physicians’ perspectives are part of the story. See the latest:
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HSC Safety & Security: We spoke to the Free Press about the new visible police presence and additional weapon-detection scanners in place at HSC. We believe this move helps to respond to one of the recommendations we have offered, and feel health system leaders are taking physicians' concerns seriously. Please continue to share your feedback with us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Sick of Sick Notes: As HR consultant Tory McNally argued in her Free Press column last weekend, “every minute spent writing a workplace verification note for a routine cold or a short bout of stomach flu is a minute not spent diagnosing, treating or following up with patients who truly need care. That trade-off is no longer defensible and leading employers in health care are already showing a better way.” We are working every day to eliminate your unnecessary administrative burdens so that you can spend more time providing care for your patients, not on paperwork. Learn more at SickofSickNotes.ca and help spread the word!
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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CMPA Fee Increase: Doctors Manitoba offers rebates for CMPA fees over $1,000 that will help cover CMPA's increases for 2026. Check your eligibility!
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PCQI Update for Family Physicians: New Patient Quality Care Indicators are included in a new guide that takes effect October 1. Learn more here.
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CPSM Restorative Practice Update: On Tuesday, September 16 at 6 p.m., the CPSM will host a webinar on accountability, healing & cultural safety in medical practice as part of its Restorative Practices Program. Register here.
RESP withdrawal rules and strategies
SPONSORED CONTENT from MD FINANCIAL
RESPs are a smart way to fund education, but withdrawals require careful planning. This article explains the key rules and strategies to help you optimize grants, reduce taxes and support learning goals — whether for children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries. A practical guide for physicians navigating education-related financial decisions. 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.
Featured event:
The Power of Participation: A Restorative Approach to Anti-Indigenous Racism in Medical Care
- In this webinar, the Restorative Practices Program team from CPSM will share data and insights from the program. You'll learn:
- How to identify intrinsic bias and behaviours that may be unintentionally causing harm
- How restorative practices can create opportunities to build trusting relationships with patients, families, and colleagues
- Registrant expectations and practical steps you can commit to today
When: September 16, beginning at 6 p.m.
Register here.
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More events:
Digital Health Canada WIN25, September 16, 8 – 11:30 a.m. Learn about local innovation programs and opportunities, and gain insights into digital health partnerships and collaborations from other provinces to spark new ideas and drive progress in Manitoba and beyond. Register here.
Early Career Webinar, September 24, 5:30 p.m. The session will feature tailored billing information for family physicians and specialists in your first five years of practice in Manitoba, or your last year of residency. Register here.
2025 Paul Wawryko Memorial Run, September 27, 6 p.m., Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg, 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg, MB Learn more and register here.
Bug Day, October 23, 7:55 a.m. – 4 p.m., (Virtual) Nationally and internationally recognized experts will present timely topics in infectious diseases and public health at Manitoba’s largest healthcare education event. Learn more and register here.
Family Medicine Forum (FMF), November 5 – 8, Winnipeg. FMF is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive annual conference for family physicians hosted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Learn more and register here.
*New Date! Peer Support for Physicians: Evidence and Ways to Access Support, November 19, 5 – 5:45 p.m. Virtual. Join Dr. Alexis Botkin and Doctors Manitoba for an overview of peer support, and the evidence for how peer support benefits physicians. View event details and register.
Opioid Agonist Therapy 101: Introduction to Clinical Practice, November 13 – 14, Thompson, and November 20-21, Winnipeg. These workshops will equip you with new knowledge and skills around opioid addiction and the resources available to support patients. Learn more and 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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