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This week’s Vitals is 1,727 words or a 6.5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Prepare for Respiratory Illness Season: We announce a special webinar with Dr. Roussin and public health on September 11, and offer a reminder to clinics to register by today to order vaccine supply.
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HSC Safety: We have an update about serious safety issues around HSC and the Bannatyne campus and how the health system is responding. We’re collecting feedback from physicians and learners and will share your concerns and ideas anonymously with Shared Health and University leadership.
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Admin Burden: We are looking for physicians to participate in a one-time working session about employer and insurance forms, and remind you to complete the national administrative burden survey by August 21.
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Practice Changes: eChart will be upgraded on August 23 with several changes and enhancements. A new provincial requisition form is available to order rural non-MRI imaging.
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Billing Seminar: We have a billing seminar designed for early-career physicians and final-year residents to get essential billing advice, learn about benefits and insurance options, and explore wellness supports through our New to Practice program. It is on September 24.
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Have Your Say on Prescribing Rules: CPSM is reviewing opioid, benzodiazepine, and Z-drug prescribing standards, plus rural/underserved drug access rules. Physicians can provide feedback or apply to join the working group shaping these policies.
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FIT vs Colonoscopy: Your patients could participate in a major research trial looking at the effectiveness of FIT tests compared to colonoscopy for detecting colorectal cancer in older adults with a history of polyps.
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CancerCare CEO: Dr. Kent Stobart has been selected as the next CEO for CancerCare Manitoba, starting November 1.
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Tee Off on Sept 2: Join our golf tournament on Tuesday, September 2 at Southwood Golf Course in Winnipeg. It’s a great event for beginner and experienced golfers with lots of fun and prizes, a chance to connect with colleagues, and support a good cause. You can sign up as a single, pair, or full team of four. Learn more and register here!
Note: we have a limited number of subsidized spaces available for medical students, residents, and early career physicians. Please contact us at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Get Ready for Respiratory Illness Season
Join a special webinar we are hosting with Dr. Brent Roussin and the provincial Public Health Team on September 11 at noon. We will learn about the upcoming respiratory illness season, including information about the influenza and COVID-19 immunization program.
Also, a reminder that clinics are strongly encouraged to register by today, August 15, to receive flu and COVID vaccines.
Learn more and register here.
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HSC Security Concerns
An escalation in the number of sexual assaults, violence, and other safety threats in recent weeks at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre has prompted renewed attention from health system leaders to ensure all health care providers, staff, and visitors feel physically and psychologically safe in the facility. We’ve reached out directly to physicians, students and residents working on the campus to offer our support and invite them to share concerns and ideas about safety. We welcome feedback from all members about safety on the campus and all other health facilities.
Read more and share your views here.
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New to Practice Seminar
Are you in your first five years of practice in Manitoba, or your last year of residency? Join our Early Career Webinar!
🗓️ Save the date! September 24, 2025. The webinar begins at 5:30 p.m.
❓ The session will feature tailored billing information for family physicians and specialists.
We’ll also cover what Doctors Manitoba offers you
- Benefits, rebates and insurance options for physicians
- Billing tips and common questions
- Physician health and wellness supports
- Introduction to the New to Practice Program
➡️ Register here! The session will also be available on demand after September 24.
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Renewing Your Membership
Doctors Manitoba membership renewal notices for the upcoming year will be sent out in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information, as this is also a convenient opportunity to claim your $1,000 CPD Credit Rebate for completing your minimum continuing professional development requirements as a fully licensed physician.
In the meantime, if you have questions about your membership, contact us at membership@doctorsmanitoba.ca or 204−985−5866.
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eChart Changes Coming
Digital Shared Services will be upgrading eChart on August 23, with changes and improvements that will affect all users. We have a summary of the changes and how they will affect you, as well as access links to an overview and training materials. Read more here.
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New Rural Imaging Requisition
Shared Health Diagnostic Services has developed a standardized Requisition Form for non-MRI modalities in rural/northern facilities, which should be used effective August 13, 2025. We have a summary of the changes and links to the clinical practice change notification, quick reference guide, and the new requisition form. Find out more here.
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Participate in CPSM Prescribing Standards Review
Over the coming year, CPSM will be reviewing several important documents which regulate the practice of many physicians. These include Standard of Practices for Prescribing Opioids, Prescribing Benzodiaepines & Z-Drugs; and a Practice Direction for Rural, Remote, and Underserved Populations: Access to Prescribed Drugs.
- We have links to the standards and instructions from CPSM about how you can provide your input and/or be part of a working group to ensure patient safety without placing greater burdens on our members. Read more and contribute here.
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FIT vs Colonoscopy Study
Manitoba physicians are encouraged to refer potentially eligible patients to a research trial comparing the effectiveness of at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to colonoscopy for finding colorectal cancer in older adults who have a history of colorectal polyps. We have a summary of the study, eligibility criteria, and instructions. Continue reading here.
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New CancerCare CEO
The CancerCare Manitoba Board has announced the appointment of a new CEO, Dr. Kent Stobart, effective November 1. You see the Board’s memo here. Doctors Manitoba will reach out to Dr. Stobart when he starts to ensure the recent physician concerns about the work environment and recommendation for improvement are part of his plans as he assumes the new role.
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West Nile Spraying
An increase in the number of adult mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus (WNV) in Winkler and the surrounding area prompted the province to begin spraying this week. This extended zone includes the communities of Reinfeld, Chortitz and Schanzenfeld. More information about West Nile virus, including prevention, symptoms, weekly average trap counts of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, fact sheets, posters and information for municipalities and health-care providers, is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/.
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Measles & Wildfires
We continue to monitor the impact of Manitoba’s measles outbreak and record wildfire season on our health care system.
Invitation to Share Your Experience Treating Pregnant Individuals During a Wildfire: As part of a research effort to understand and improve perinatal care during wildfires, a University of Ottawa Masters student is seeking the help of Manitoba physicians to participate in this nationwide online survey. Share your experience here.
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Board Opportunities for Physicians with Disabilities
While many Canadian companies champion diversity, people with disabilities — who make up 27% of our nation’s population — hold less than 1% of public company board seats. The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons is working to change that through their initiative, A Seat at the Table.
The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons is looking to identify highly qualified medical professionals with disabilities who they can assist in finding a board seat within Canada. Are you or someone you know interested? For more information please contact aseatatthetable@cfpdp.com.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Specialty Wait Times Report: Statistics Canada’s report on how long patients are waiting to see a medical specialist, and Doctors Manitoba’s advocacy to improve the process for both referring and consulting physicians. Learn more.
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AI Scribe Hub: We’ve developed a new and growing list of resources for members to learn more and get started with AI Scribes. See more to help you navigate this promising new technology.
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Anti-Indigenous Racism Training: See a summary of the recent CPSM update on this training, including answers to common questions about how physicians can comply by the October 2027 deadline. Find out 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:
2025 Paul Wawryko Memorial Run
👟 5k & 2k
🗓️ September 27, 2025
🕕 6 p.m.
📍 UPDATED: Asper Jewish Community Campus of Winnipeg, 123 Doncaster St. Wellington Crescent Race Route
This event is being held in loving memory of Dr. Paul Wawryko, who passed away in December of 2023. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund an annual scholarship for the department of Pathology. Register here.
Follow @paul_wawryko_memorial_run on Instagram for the latest!
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More events:
Information on Peer Support for Physicians: Evidence and Ways to Access Support, Tuesday, September 16, Virtual, Join Dr. Alexis Botkin for an overview of peer support. Learn more and register here.
Cultivating Wellbeing for Health Professionals, September 21 – 26, Cortes Island, Strathcona, BC, Canada. 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.
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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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