April 30, 2026

TOP STORIES

01

Thank you, Doctors!

May 1 is National Physicians’ Day, a time to celebrate doctors and express gratitude for the care you provide to Manitobans every day. So, all of us at Doctors Manitoba want to be the first to say thank you!

• Watch our social media for messages of gratitude from patients and colleagues. 
• Celebrate this year’s Doctors Manitoba Award winners at our annual Gala on Friday evening. While the Gala is sold out, our members can still attend the gala afterparty – learn more and register here.

We are pushing for improvements in your practice, including less paperwork, more team-based care, and stronger consultation and engagement from the health care system.  

Learn more here. 

02

Enter Gala 50/50 Raffle 

New this year, we’re opening up the 50/50 at our gala in advance. The raffle helps raise funds for Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble, the cause of Humanitarian of the Year, Dr. Holly Hamilton. This charity is a remarkable organization based in Notre-Dame de Lourdes that empowers adults living with disabilities to thrive in a safe, joyful home environment.

🎟️ Buy your tickets before 9pm on Friday! You do not need to attend the Gala to win.

03

Do You Support a Youth Social Media Ban?

Manitoba is considering introducing a social media ban for children and youth, which could also extend to AI chat bots. 

⚖️ What’s new: Premier Wab Kinew announced the proposed legislation this past weekend, the first province in Canada to do so, saying platforms are intentionally designed to get people “addicted to the infinite scroll.”

Why it matters: There is growing research evidence demonstrating potential harms of social media for children and youth, with more calls to action. 

• Read more about the announcement and our full analysis here. 

💡 What do you think? Take our brief survey here to share your views to inform our response to this public health issue.  

04

Closing a Health Care Loophole

Following concerns from physicians, we have taken a strong stand to help define how Manitoba should strive to comply with a new federal health directive about user fees from pharmacists and nurse practitioners.

Bottom line: The publicly funded health system should:

• Build collaborative and connected teams with physician’s always available for complex or advanced care
• Not fund more siloes and fragmented care options that lead to bigger gaps and more duplication

➡️ As Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets laid out in a Free Press op-ed, the directive should be used as a catalyst to accelerate the shift toward team-based care.

Read our full analysis here. 

05

Admin Burden Check-Up

We know paperwork and excessive administrative burden is a challenge, and we need your feedback in a few areas in the coming months:

• DI requisitions working group
• Disability Tax Credit renewal form pilot 
• Employer medical forms

Learn more about how you can get involved and lend your expertise!

06

Winnipeg Family Medicine District Nominations Open

Following the April 15 AGM, Dr. Erin Olivier was confirmed as President-Elect, creating a vacancy for a Winnipeg Family Medicine District representative. Nominations are now open to all District members—an opportunity to build leadership skills and shape physician support.

Nominations close May 17 at 3:00 pm. If needed, a vote will follow.

We encourage diverse candidates to apply.

👉 Winnipeg Family Physicians: Learn more and nominate a colleague today.

HEALTH SYSTEM UPDATES

CPSM Consultation: Entering a New Practice Setting

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba is inviting physician feedback on a new draft Standard of Practice on Entering a New Practice Setting.

• The new standard aims to ensure that physicians and other registrants entering practice in Manitoba—whether newly licensed or transitioning from another jurisdiction—are effectively supported in their integration into the local clinical and community context.
• Review the draft Standard of Practice and the contextual documents. 

Share your feedback: Submissions are welcome by May 21. Please submit your comments by emailing CPSMconsultation@cpsm.mb.ca and copying us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. 

Virtual Integrated Clinical Service (VICS) Update

Assessment and Plan notes from Virtual Integrated Clinical Service (VICS) encounters are now available in eChart! 

How it works: Callers who meet criteria are directed to VICS family physicians and nurse practitioners for virtual assessment, which may include ordering investigations or prescriptions and may transition to video if needed.

• As VICS does not provide continuity or chronic disease management, access to this documentation supports follow up care by subsequent providers.
• In addition to eChart, VICS notes are faxed to the patient’s primary care provider when identified. 

VICS can be reached for general (not patient) questions at VICS@sharedhealthmb.ca.

Share your feedback with us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.

Tentative Deal for B.C. Doctors

Doctors of BC has reached a tentative deal with the provincial government on a new four-year physician master agreement (PMA). While official details are not expected until after member ratification, the medical association said the new PMA “addresses priority issues identified by doctors across BC.” 

We are monitoring this very closely as we prepare to negotiate the renewal of our Physician Services Agreement next year. If you hear of new or innovative changes in the B.C. agreement that should be considered in Manitoba, let us know by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. 

Exception Drug Status Updates 

This month’s Manitoba Drug Benefits and Manitoba Drug Interchangeability Formulary Amendments Bulletin is out and includes updates on: 

• Exception Drug Status Additions 
• New Interchangeable Categories & Products 
• Discontinued Products 

These amendments take effect Friday, May 1.

Manitoba now has 567 confirmed and probable measles cases, the highest in Canada. An update is anticipated tomorrow. Manitoba Public Health is also reporting the first measles case in a resident of northern Manitoba. Cases have now been identified in all regions of Manitoba. 

Visit the Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page for physician-curated resources:

• Newest memos to health care providers
• Full list of exposure sites
• Tips for talking to patients about making the decision to get vaccinated and how to access their records if they are not sure

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 4 new practice opportunities for physicians at Access Fort Garry, Santa Maria Clinic, Fort Richmond Medical Clinic and Corydon Village Medical Centre, 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:  

• How to Stop Charting at Night: Dozens of physicians joined our workshop to ease after-hours charting burden, disproportionately experienced by women physicians. View the tips from Charting Coach Dr. Sarah Smith!

• National Medical Conferences in Winnipeg! Three major conferences are coming to Winnipeg this summer, offering education, collaboration, and a chance to connect with colleagues. Check them out in last week’s issue of Vitals!

• New policies to help disrupt racism: Shared Health is taking important steps forward in its commitment to addressing racism with the release of two comprehensive anti-racism policies. 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. 

Virtual option added! New to Manitoba Medical Practice – A CMPA Presentation, May 7, 5:45 – 8 p.m., Hybrid from Winnipeg, in person at Doctors Manitoba and virtual. Gain practical insights and real-world context on common challenges faced in your first years of practice. The session is for residents nearing the end of training and physicians within their first five years of practice. Learn more and register today! 

Cancer Day for Primary Care 2026, May 8, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Winnipeg, focuses on enhancing primary care provider knowledge on early diagnosis and work up of suspected cancer, and enhancing communication and relationship building between primary care providers and oncology specialists. Learn more and register. 

Crucial Conversations, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., May 29 & 30, Alt Hotel, Winnipeg. Identify problems contributing to broken relationships, explore skills related to keeping composed when feeling angry, defensive or intimidated, and access tools to support dialogue to address challenging issues and cultivate mutual purpose. Accredited for up to 13.5 hours. Learn more and register!

Winnipeg Francophone Medical Symposium, May 29, 8:15 a.m.- 4:20 p.m., Virtual. The first of its kind event offers interdisciplinary training sessions and was developed with Francophone physicians from across Manitoba. Learn more and register today! 

Doctors Manitoba Book Club with Special Guest, Author Lisa See! June 2, 6 – 7 p.m., Virtual. We’ll explore Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by bestselling author, Lisa See. We are delighted that Lisa See will be joining us for a special virtual conversation, where participants will have the opportunity to discuss the book and hear insights directly from the author. All members are welcome to join. Learn more and register! 

Cancer Screening & Cervix Check Competency Training, June 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., In-person near the Misericordia Health Centre, Winnipeg. CancerCare Manitoba is hosting a training session for physicians who would like to learn about cancer screening, refresh competency in cervical cancer screening, or mentor colleagues in becoming competent in screening for cervical cancer. Register today! 

Cultivating Wellbeing for Health Professionals, June 14 – 19, Cortes Island, BC training, and values-based reflection. Led by psychiatrists Erin Burrell and Andrea Grabovac, this retreat offers practical tools to support wellbeing and sustainability in clinical practice, within a supportive peer community and natural setting. Learn more and register! 

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

Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.

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