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This week’s Vitals is 907 words or a 3.5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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AI Scribe Reminder: Physicians are responsible for the accuracy of all chart notes, including those first drafted by an AI scribe. New evidence of hallucinations in medical documentation is a reminder to always review.
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PanelBridge: Family physicians, are you looking to increase, decrease, or fully transition your patient panel? Let us know!
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Hepatitis A on the Rise in Winnipeg: Manitoba’s outbreak continues to expand, including in Winnipeg. Public health officials are urging clinicians to identify eligible patients and promote vaccination.
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National Nursing Week: Doctors Manitoba recognizes and thanks nurses across Manitoba for their role in delivering safe, effective patient care.
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Order of Manitoba: Congratulations to Dr. Joss Reimer and Dr. Peter MacDonald on being named recipients of the Order of Manitoba.
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CPSM Consultations: Physicians are invited to provide feedback on a proposed new Standard of Practice for entering a new practice setting (deadline May 21), as well as a proposed new registration class aimed at addressing workforce needs (deadline June 5).
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AI Scribe Reminder
More and more physicians are using AI scribes to help with patient documentation. A new report, however, offers a cautionary reminder that physicians are ultimately responsible for ensuring all of their chart notes are accurate, regardless of how they are drafted.
What’s new: AI-powered medical scribes are spreading quickly, promising to reduce documentation burden and burnout. But a new investigation found some tools are generating false or misleading information, or “hallucinations” inside patient notes.
Read our full coverage here.
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Family Physician PanelBridge
Are you a new family physician looking to build a panel, or do you have capacity to expand your panel?
Are you an existing family physician looking to decrease your panel, or wanting to develop a transition plan for your panel as you approach retirement?
We’re piloting something new: PanelBridge.
If you’re looking to grow, shrink, or transfer your patient panel, let us know.
We will do our best to match you with a physician in your area and make an introduction.
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Celebrating National Nursing Week
The relationship between physicians and nurses is one of the most important partnerships in health care. Trust, collaboration, and mutual respect between colleagues are essential to delivering safe, effective patient care.
🩺 Noted: This year’s nursing week theme — The Power of Nurses to Transform Health — recognizes the vital role nurses play in shaping health care, driving innovation, and championing patient-centred care.
❤️ Thank you: Doctors Manitoba proudly joins in recognizing nurses across Manitoba whose expertise, leadership, and advocacy strengthen our health system every day.
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Hepatitis on the Rise in Winnipeg
Manitoba’s hepatitis A outbreak is expanding into Winnipeg, with 131 cases reported and two identified exposure locations: Burger King, 333 Home St. (April 8–23) and Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave. (April 19). Public health officials are urging clinicians to promote vaccination early.
- 601 outbreak-associated cases provincewide; 133 hospitalizations; 3 deaths.
- A free single dose of hepatitis A vaccine is now available for people 6 months+ connected to several affected First Nations communities, plus people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, and those with certain high-risk medical conditions.
Read the full update.
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Copper IUD Ordering
Select copper IUDs may be ordered at no cost by health care providers through Manitoba’s Materials Distribution Agency (MDA). Read the May 12 letter to health care providers from Manitoba Health.
- Copper IUDs dispensed through community pharmacies are not covered under the Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program (MEPP)
- Patients will not be reimbursed for copper IUD prescriptions filled at a pharmacy
- Manitoba Health says copper IUDs are considered “devices” meaning they cannot be covered under MEPP as other birth control products
- Hormonal IUDs and oral birth control products remain eligible under existing pharmacare coverage rules
Program details and frequently asked questions are available here:
Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUD) Program – Information for Health Care Providers | Health | Province of Manitoba
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There are now 622 confirmed and probable cases of measles in Manitoba. The latest exposure location is RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus at 2055 Notre Dame Avenue in Winnipeg.
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
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Physicians Chosen for Order of Manitoba
Congratulations to two Manitoba physicians who are being inducted into the Order of Manitoba for their exceptional leadership, service, and contributions to health care and public life.
💉 Dr. Joss Reimer: A respected physician leader and educator, Dr. Joss Reimer played a central role in Manitoba’s public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic, for which she was honoured with a Doctors Manitoba Humanitarian Award. More recently, she was appointed Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer.
đź©ş Dr. Peter MacDonald: An internationally respected orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Peter MacDonald is widely recognized as a leader in sports medicine and orthopedic care.
đź’« The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled for July 16 at the Manitoba Legislative Building. More information about the Order of Manitoba is available at The Order of Manitoba.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 3 new practice opportunities for physicians at Prasana Medical Center and Astro Medical Centers, 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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New President: Dr. Alon Altman takes the helm as Doctors Manitoba President for 2026-2027, with a clear focus on keeping the physicians Manitoba trains here for the long term. Meet your new President.
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Manitoba Declares HIV Public Health Emergency: New HIV diagnoses have surged to more than three-and-a-half times the national average, prompting a provincial emergency declaration — and a reminder about the critical role physicians play in prevention and testing. Read the full story.
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Awards Gala Recap: The 2026 Doctors Manitoba Awards Gala celebrated Manitoba’s outstanding physicians and raised funds for Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble. Read the recap and watch the winner videos.
| | We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers. | | |
Crucial Conversations for Healthcare Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) in-person course is coming soon on May 29 and 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
➡️ Register here.
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Turning Data into Action: Using the National Physician Health Survey to Drive Change Webinar, May 20 to learn how to use data from the CMA's 2025 National Physician Health Survey (NPHS) to inform system-level strategies or organizational initiatives that improve physician health. Learn more and register here.
Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine Conference, May 28 – 30, Winnipeg. This national conference offers expert-led education, practical clinical insights, and the chance to reconnect with a national community that shares the same commitment to high‑quality care. Learn more and register today!
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!
Connection Evening for Female Physicians Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis, June 16, 7-8:30 p.m. Doctors Manitoba is hosting an evening of connection and peer support for practicing female physicians navigating a cancer diagnosis. You are welcome to join us for a confidential physician-facilitated evening to connect with colleagues who understand. 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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