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This week’s Vitals is 1,632 words or a 6 minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Celebrating Women in Medicine! March 11 is Canadian Women Physicians Day, a time to recognize the leadership, impact, and achievements of women in medicine here in Manitoba.
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Are the Times A-Changin'? Manitobans will turn their clocks ahead this weekend, but in BC it's the last seasonal time change ever. Do you think Manitoba should make the same move?
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Sick Notes Legislation Formally Introduced: While it's not law yet, the bill was introduced which brings us one step closer to eliminating sick notes.
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Rural Medical District Elections: Voting is open in the Southern and Brandon Medical Districts for representation on our Board of Directors.
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Billing Service Concerns: We have heard several major concerns about a local billing service. We are here to help if you’ve experienced any problems.
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CT Req Clarification: After launching a new CT requisition form earlier this winter, Shared Health published clarified guidance this week.
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New Supports for Medical Staff Attestation: Shared Health is offering drop-in support sessions for help completing your attestation form, which is required by March 20 to maintain hospital privileges.
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Physician Health Roundtables: Residents, early career physicians and women in medicine are invited to take part in roundtables to discuss improving physician health.
Gala Tickets going fast: Our annual gala will be held on May 1 at the RBC Convention Centre. We just opened up tickets last week, and we’re already 15% sold out. Last year was a sell out, so get your tickets early! Click here for details and to purchase a ticket or table.
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Celebrating Women in Medicine!
On March 11, physicians across the country mark Canadian Women Physicians Day, a time to recognize the leadership, impact, and achievements of women in medicine.
In Manitoba, women represent a growing share of the physician workforce, contributing across clinical care, teaching, research, advocacy, and community leadership.
How to take part: There are several ways to celebrate and show your support ahead.
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Celebrate excellence: Four outstanding physicians are among the 2026 Doctors Manitoba Award recipients. Dr. Holly Hamilton, Dr. Mandy Buss, Dr. Natalie Casaclang, and Dr. Tegan Turner are recognized for their excellence, leadership, and service to patients and communities.
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Send a note of kindness: Share encouragement by sending an anonymous e-postcard to a random woman physician in Canada through Canadian Women in Medicine (CWIM).
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Save the date: Winnipeg will host the CWIM Conference from June 11 to 13, bringing physicians from across Canada together to learn, reflect, and build community.
Gaps in medicine: While women make up an increasing proportion of the profession, gaps and inequities remain.
Read our full analysis, including how Doctors Manitoba is working to close those gaps.
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Sick Notes Legislation Formally Introduced
The legislature is back in session this week, and yesterday the government introduced a bill that will eliminate most sick notes in Manitoba!
What’s happening: The legislation would prohibit employers from requesting sick notes from workers unless they are absent for more than a week (seven consecutive days) or more than 10 days over the course of a year.
✅ We will closely monitor this Bill as it moves through the legislative process.
This is one type of administrative burden we hear about from doctors, and we are focused on others too, like diagnostic imaging ordering, referrals, insurance forms, and more.
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Concern About Middle East Conflict
We are offering support to our members and Manitobans who are concerned about family, friends and colleagues affected by the war in Iran and the resulting conflict and instability that is gripping many countries in the Middle East.
Manitoba’s growing community:
- Approximately 7% of our province’s physicians identify themselves as Middle Eastern.
- More than 12,000 Manitobans have ethnic or cultural origins in West and Central Asian and Middle Eastern origins, according to Statistics Canada.
Doctors Manitoba is here for you: In times of widespread distress, caring for mental health, your patients’ and your own, is not optional. It’s essential. Our Doc360 health and wellness resources can be accessed by physicians, medical learners, and your families. You can call our confidential intake line at 204−237−8320, toll free at 1 – 844-433-DRMB (1−844−433−3762) or complete the online intake form.
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Time for a Change?
British Columbia is doing away with all seasonal time changes after they spring forward one last time this weekend. While similar changes have been proposed in Manitoba in recent years, they haven’t been adopted. In Manitoba, the Premier said “not right now” when asked if his government was considering an end to the seasonal time change.
⏰ What do you think? We want to hear from you. Some studies and medical associations have called for an end to seasonal time changes, including the Canadian Sleep Society, the American Medical Association, and others. A summary of the health impacts is included in our time-change article on GettingHealthy.ca.
| | From a medical perspective, how strongly do you agree MB should end seasonal time changes? | | | We invite you to share your thoughts and help inform our official position by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca. | | | | |
Match Day Recap
We were on site this week to celebrate and support medical students on CaRMS Match Day, which marked an important milestone for medical learners in Manitoba and across Canada.
- This year, 80% of Manitoba graduates matched to programs right here in Manitoba, strengthening the future local physician workforce.
- 40% matched to family medicine, a key specialty for improving access to primary care.
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Rural Medical District Elections
Doctors Manitoba is governed by dedicated physicians chosen by their colleagues to represent them on our Board of Directors from districts around the province.
Two Medical Districts are having an election. Candidates have been nominated to serve by their fellow physicians.
🕓 The deadline to vote is Monday, March 23, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Members in the Southern and Brandon Districts should have received an electronic voting option via email.
Our three other Rural Medical District seats saw the incumbent representatives acclaimed to continue to represent the physicians in their Districts:
- Interlake/Eastern - Dr. Shauna Brinkman
- Assiniboine-Parkland - Dr. Bittoo Malik
- Northern - Dr. Mohammed Alnahhal
If you have any questions, please contact us at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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This week, we are celebrating Dr. Natalie Casaclang, chosen this year to receive a Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence.
Dr. Casaclang is a public health specialist who has played a lead role in launching a major immunization initiative to protect more newborns against RSV. As a family physician, she focuses on supporting parent-infant dyads with breastfeeding difficulties.
You can read Dr. Casaclang’s full profile here, and learn more about all our 2026 award winners.
Celebrate at our Awards Gala!
Our member pre-sale continues with early bird reduced pricing until March 31.
Join us at the signature annual event for the medical community. We will celebrate Dr. Casaclang and the other six extraordinary 2026 award-winning physicians, and hear from Doctors Manitoba’s incoming President Dr. Alon Altman!
We’ve already sold 15% of our tickets in the first week, so we encourage you to get your tickets early! Last year was a sell-out!
Get your tickets here.
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Dr. Joss Reimer Named Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
We are congratulating Dr. Joss Reimer on her appointment as Canada’s next Chief Public Health Officer after significant contributions in leadership at the Canadian Medical Association, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and Manitoba overall.
“Dr. Reimer’s passion, expertise, and steady leadership are exactly what Canada needs as we confront the return of vaccine‑preventable infections and the growing impact of medical misinformation,” said Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets. “She is an outstanding choice, and we are proud to see a Manitoba physician take on this national role.”
Doctors Manitoba looks forward to continuing to work with Dr. Reimer as she begins this important new chapter.
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Join Our Physician Health and Wellness Roundtables
Our research shows burnout is particularly high for early career physicians, women physicians, and residents. Doctors Manitoba Physician Health and Wellness Committee is hosting a series of small, in-person roundtable discussions to better understand how burnout, moral distress, and other wellness challenges are affecting Manitoba's medical community.
These groups are invited to join us on the following days:
Each event will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Doctors Manitoba office in Winnipeg, 20 Desjardins drive.
Learn more and register.
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DRMB Proudly Supports Stone Soup Week
Doctors Manitoba is a proud sponsor of the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba’s Stone Soup Week, running from March 23-29 this year. The initiative raises funds and support for school meal programs across the province.
Learn more about how you can support this great cause!
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T4A Notice
If you received Retention Benefits, a Credit-Based Learning Rebate, or AI Scribe Rebate from Doctors Manitoba in 2025, your T4A is available for download on our secure member portal.
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New Supports for Medical Staff Attestation
Shared Health is offering new supports for those completing medical staff attestations prior to the electronic portal closing on March 20. Physicians with a start date prior to September 2024, who have hospital privileges, are required to complete the process.
Support staff will be on-site at St. Boniface and Health Sciences Centre next week. You may also book a virtual Teams call by contacting SH-support@kyndryl.com to be registered for a time.
Learn more about how to connect.
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Melissa Peacock Consulting Billing Service
We have heard from several members with concerns about Melissa Peacock Consulting. We are here to help. If you are a client, we invite you to contact us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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CT Req Clarification
After launching a new CT requisition form earlier this winter, Shared Health has published clarified guidance this week, including:
- The process within Winnipeg for urgent (within 1 week) requests to by-pass central intake, along with guidance when selecting specific sites for outpatient requests.
- Confirmation that requests for rural sites continue to be received and managed by the site, and not central intake.
- A reminder that all requests, including outpatient, inpatient, and from ER, should be using the new CT requisition form.
➡️ Learn more and access the Shared Health guidance and current CT req form.
We have heard frustration from many members about the new standardized CT requisition form, along with other diagnostic imaging processes. We have raised your concerns with health system leaders, and we hope to see some flexibility in the coming weeks.
As we continue to press for changes that reduce your administrative burdens, please let us know what you think by emailing us, in confidence, at adminburden@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Syphilis Med Shortage Extended
The national shortage of long-acting benzathine penicillin G (Bicillin® L-A), used to treat syphilis, has been extended with an estimated end date of April 3, 2026. It is possible that this date will be extended further.
Read the memo to health care providers.
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Clinical Practice Change: Vasculitis
The Shared Health Immunology Laboratory at St Boniface Hospital will be changing its testing platform for MPO and PR3 antibody testing.
Read the memo to health care providers.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has many new practice opportunities for physicians along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Measles Updates: Manitoba has 248 measles cases for 2026, far outpacing any province in Canada. View our Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page for more information.
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DTC Renewal Form Pilot: Manitoba is the first province in Canada testing a dramatically shorter renewal process for the Disability Tax Credit form. 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.
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Jets Discount! You’re invited to purchase discounted tickets to the Jets’ April 6th home game against the Seattle Kraken for Emergency Services Appreciation Night! Get your tickets today!
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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
Connection Evening for Female Physicians Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis
Doctors Manitoba is hosting an evening of connection and peer support for practicing female physicians navigating a cancer diagnosis. You are invited to join us for a confidential physician-facilitated evening to connect with colleagues who understand.
📅 April 7, 2026
⏰ 7 – 8:30pm
📍 In person (Winnipeg – location shared after registration) or Virtual
Learn more and register today.
Other Events
Fridays at the University: Dermatology Day is March 13 from 8:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Strengthen your dermatological assessment and management skills in this session for primary care providers. Offered online only. Learn more and register.
Join the Community Oncology Program at CancerCare Manitoba for a webinar on March 11 at 8 a.m. to hear from Malia Cruz and Hien Nguyen on the topic of the CCMB Central Referral Office. One-hour session with Q+ A. Register here.
Wellness Rounds CBT for Stress Management – The Basics with Dr. Tanya Sala March 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more.
Tools for Thriving: A Series for Women in Medicine, a leadership offering designed to support and empower women in medicine (students, residents and physicians). Stop Charting at Night April 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. is one of three in the webinar series, with other sessions including Presence and Influence (April 22 at noon) and Advocating from a Position of Strength (April 24 at noon). Learn more and register.
HIV Prevention Can’t Wait: HIV Prevention and Treatment for Women and Priority Populations April 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Convention Centre or online (hybrid event). Learn about current HIV trends and hear from experts in the field. Learn more and register.
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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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