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This week’s Vitals is 1,384 words or a 5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Wildfire Update: Manitoba is now under a state of emergency as wildfires burn through the province. More than 17,000 were evacuated yesterday from northern communities. You’ll see more details, including how you can help.
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AI Scribes - Webinar and Tips: We are hosting a webinar all about AI scribes, including how to get started with info about a national one-year license offer. This is being done in partnership with Canada Health Infoway and Shared Health, as part of our efforts to reduce the administrative burdens you face.
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Who’s Who at the Zoo: Are you in your first five years of practice? Save the date! On July 10 our New to Practice Team will host a family fun event with exclusive access to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg! Whether you're in your first five years of practice or established for many years, we'd love to have you join us.
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CMA Advocacy: Details on the CMA’s legal challenge this week to protect the patient-physician relationship, and a big congratulations to Dr. Joss Reimer as she wraps up her term as President this weekend.
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Take Part in Pride! We have new resources to support your participation in Pride events around the province.
Plus, a special opportunity for Doctors Manitoba members to access Grey Cup tickets before the general public.
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Wildfire Update
A provincial state of emergency has been declared and over 17,000 evacuated from Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Pukatawagan Cree Nation, and other northern communities, primarily to Winnipeg. Several health centres have been evacuated as well.
Check out our list of resources to monitor as you care for your patients, as well as yourself and your loved ones at the link below. We also have details about how you can pitch in to support the response across the province.
Remember that Doc360 is a resource that can be accessed by members and their families impacted by fire and evacuations themselves or by patient trauma.
Read the full story here.
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AI Scribes - Webinar and Tips
We have planned a special webinar about AI Scribes on June 4 at 7:00 p.m. with our partners from Canada Health Infoway and Shared Health.
We are working to make it easier for physicians to get started using AI scribes, recognizing the potential for these tools to save hours per week on your documentation time, helping to reduce overall administrative burdens. The webinar will cover key questions about the benefits of AI scribes, the rules and limitations to be aware of, how to get started, as well as key information about a national initiative to offer a free one-year license for family physicians and pediatricians in primary care.
Learn more about the webinar and see our tips on getting started and vetted vendor list.
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Join our Family Event at the Zoo
Join us Thursday, July 10, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. for an exclusive family fun adventure at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg! As part of our New to Practice program, we’re offering a special connection event for physicians in their first five years of practice in Manitoba, and others interested in connecting with early career doctors. Bring the whole family for this exclusive tour of the zoo with great food, special activities and an opportunity to win some prizes for family fun activities in the future.
Learn more about the event and register here!
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Free Advice for New to Practice Physicians
We now have a New to Practice program! Designed to help improve retention of early career physicians, the program is available to physicians in their first five years of practice in Manitoba, whether they are a recent local graduate or an established doctor who has moved from another jurisdiction. Our New to Practice Advisor is available to help in many ways.
Learn more about the program here, and get in touch by emailing newtopractice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Welcoming New IMGs
This week, Doctors Manitoba and our New to Practice Program welcomed the latest class of the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG), a training program for family medicine physicians offered by the University of Manitoba.
Now about to enter practice, the doctors were introduced to the services and benefits Doctors Manitoba members receive and spent time connecting with one another and the Doctors Manitoba staff.
Earlier this spring at our Annual General Meeting, members voted by an overwhelming majority to approve a bylaw expanding Doctors Manitoba membership criteria to include physicians in the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates. This means that the next class will have access to our suite of benefits as they begin the program.
Meet some of our province’s exceptional MLPIMGs here!
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CMA Sues to Protect Doctor-Patient Relationship
On Wednesday, the Canadian Medical Association issued a judicial challenge about Alberta legislation that they say will interfere in the physician-patient relationship. It’s a rare move by the CMA, but necessary, they say, to address government overreach that limits physicians’ abilities to do their jobs and fulfill their oaths. While Manitoba still enjoys little political meddling in the physician-patient relationship, it’s important to monitor as we see interference on the rise south of the border and in other provinces.
Also, don’t miss the CMA Annual General Meeting this Saturday! During the proceedings, Manitoba's own Dr. Joss Reimer will hand over the title of CMA President to Dr. Margot Burnell of New Brunswick. We send our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Reimer for representing physicians here and across Manitoba so successfully at the national level and very much look forward to working with Dr. Burnell.
Check out the full story here.
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Take Part in Pride!
It’s Pride season! Check out this compilation of community events for ways to learn, celebrate, and show your pride. We’re empowering our membership in their participation in Pride events with grants of up to $500 for each festival or location.
Planning to take part in an event and seeking support? Reach out to Cynthia Okojie, Mentorship and Member Engagement Coordinator at cokojie@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.
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Help Promote the OurCare Survey
We are encouraging physicians to suggest this survey to patients, friends and colleagues to help strengthen our ability to understand and advocate for better access to primary care.
OurCare, in partnership with the CMA, is conducting a new survey to gather feedback on patient experiences with primary care. Last time, they did not get a sufficient response rate in Manitoba to break out our results, so we are hoping to see a stronger response rate with your help. More public involvement means more accurate information for researchers to understand what’s needed for a stronger, more equitable health care system in Canada.
âž¡ Patients can visit ourcare.ca/survey to take the survey. It only takes 10-15 minutes and is confidential. For more information, visit ourcare.ca.
Measles
There are now 72 confirmed cases of measles in Manitoba, up 12 from last week. Public Health notes that fluctuations in case numbers are expected as cases are investigated, and information is updated.
âž¡ Check out our update from last week with a list of resources to keep in mind as the outbreak continues, as well as the process for the steps to take to properly report possible cases of measles if you suspect a patient has come down with it.
Government Supports for Manitobans with Dementia
The Manitoba government is providing additional funding to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba (ASM) for two initiatives that support Manitobans with dementia. Learn more here about how the funding will enhance dementia supports through ASM in the government’s announcement.
Dynacare Contract
The Manitoba government has signed a five-year deal with Dynacare to continue laboratory services and open seven more sites in northeast Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. The health care company is also planning to deliver a mobile app that Manitobans can use to review test results.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara told 680 CJOB’s The News that there’s no timeline yet for the app, but the value of the overall contract with Dynacare is $42.4 million in 2025-26 — the same as the previous year. The company already has 21 locations across the province, 14 of which are in Winnipeg
âž¡ We want to hear from you. What do you think of Dynacare service expansions, and the new app? We invite you to send your questions and comments, in confidence, to practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
Call for Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureate Nominations
Six Canadian medical heroes are inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame each year. Nominations are now open for this year’s inductees. Would you like to submit a nomination?
âž¡ More information and how to nominate here.
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Grey Cup Pre-Sale Tickets
Calling all football fans! As a member of Doctors Manitoba, you have exclusive, early access to purchase tickets for the Grey Cup before the general public.
Presale opens Monday, June 2 at 10 a.m. CT. Use this link and code BBPT25 to take advantage of these offers!
- Access to the best available seats
- The ability to purchase up to 8 Grey Cup tickets
Also, don’t forget you can get a discount on select regular season games including the upcoming home opener! Doctors Manitoba and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have partnered for the 2025 season, and this includes an an exclusive discount for Doctors Manitoba Members of about 20-25% for three select games:
- Thursday, June 12 vs. BC Lions Home Opener
- Friday, July 18 vs. Calgary Stampeders
- Friday, August 14 vs Ottawa Redblacks
To redeem the offer, go to bluebombers.com/DOCTORS and use the offer code DOCTORS.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Your Thoughts on Pharmacist Expansion: Earlier this month, the Manitoba Government announced pharmacists’ scope of practice will soon expand to allow them to prescribe birth control and HIV medications, but details remain unclear. We are sharing what we know so far, and inviting your feedback to understand physicians’ perspectives and concerns as we prepare a submission to the government. Learn more here and let us know what you think!
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Provincial Recruitment Office Up and Running: The provincial government created a new Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office, or HCRRO, to help bring together and lead local and out-of-province efforts for physicians, nurses and other health providers. Learn more about the office and how to engage with their services.
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CCMB Survey: CancerCare Manitoba’s CervixCheck 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. Take the survey.
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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.
Narrative-Based Medicine: Tools for Reflection and Well-being, May 30, 9 a.m. to noon, Virtual. Participate in reflective writing exercises that promote reflection on healthcare themes and clinician well-being. Register here.
Dr. David Crawford Memorial Run June 1, 9 a.m. at Marpeck Commons Bldg, in person at 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 in person at the Doctors Manitoba Desjardins Drive office. Register here.
Fostering a Thriving Workplace: Turning toxicity into opportunity, June 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., in person with Dr. Mamta Gautam at Qualico Family Centre, Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg Register here.
Badass Physicians Breaking the Glass Ceiling, June 18, 6:30 p.m., in person at Gusto North, 242 Hargrave St. Calling all medical women+! The Federation of Medical Women of Canada now has a Manitoba chapter. This inaugural event will bring together both medical professionals and entrepreneurs. Register by contacting Dr. Amber Janower at ajanower@manitoba-physicians.ca
Physician Opportunities in Manitoba, June 22, 12 - 1 p.m., Virtual. Do you have physician colleagues in the USA, UK, Ireland or Australia who are interested in learning more about moving to Manitoba to practice here? This webinar is for them! Register here.
Provincial Health Leadership Program, Register by June 30. Participants can design a capstone project relevant to their chosen area of leadership or influence; learn and engage with senior leaders in Manitoba; develop an understanding of the health-care system and academic environment; and hone their critical, creative and lateral thinking skills. 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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