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We Join in Mourning Dr. Anna Kolakowski

Last weekend, a member of Manitoba’s medical community was killed in a tragic incident. Dr. Anna Kolakowski, 65, is being remembered this week by colleagues, patients, and community leaders for her dedication and care. She worked in Morris, a town of about 2,000.

Dr. Denis Fortier, Southern Health Chief Medical Officer, recognized her long service and commitment. ​“As a respected rural family physician, Dr. Kolakowski provided extensive physician support to the community of Morris and surrounding area for over 24 years, and was a deeply valued member of the Southern Health-Santé Sud medical team and the community of Morris. She was well known as a compassionate and attentive physician whom was regarded with the utmost respect among staff, colleagues and patients.”

We understand Dr. Kolakowski also provided care in Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation for many years. 

Patients have described Dr. Kolakowski in the news as beloved, compassionate, and an amazing doctor. Alexa Sereda explained on CBC that ​“it’s a huge loss to the community. She was just a really lovely person. She carried herself with so much grace.” Adrianna Dingle-Langley was quoted in the Free Press describing Dr. Kolakowski’s compassion. ​“She really, truly cared for her patients.… She helped me get the help I needed and never gave up hope with me.” Carla Krawetz told the Free Press ​“Doctor Kolakowski, to her patients, wasn’t just a doctor, she was also your friend, and she was an advocate.”

A funeral service is planned on Friday at St. Andrew Bobola Church, located at 541 Marion St., with prayers set to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Doctors Manitoba reached out on Monday to physicians in the Morris area to offer our support and to share our Doc360 Physician Health supports during this difficult time. If you, a colleague, or a family member, is affected by this tragedy or needs assistance for other reasons, please review our Doc360 resources or contact Physicians At Risk directly by calling 204−237−8320.

Agreement Ratified – Next Steps

On Monday, our President Dr. Michael Boroditsky confirmed that members approved the proposed Physician Services Agreement, replacing the last Master Agreement which expired in March 2023. You can view his message here. Thank you to the record number of members who took the time to vote.

We are now shifting into preparing to support you as this new Agreement is implemented, with the following three key milestones of note:

  1. Special Retention Payment: As part of the new Physician Services Agreement, all eligible physicians will receive a $21,000 Special Retention Payment. To be eligible, physicians must hold a certificate of practice from CPSM and be a member of Doctors Manitoba as of August 14, 2023, the date of ratification. We will send further instructions before labour day on how to receive your payment, and we plan to make this as easy as possible. Doctors Manitoba will administer these special payments, but the timing of the actual payment depends on when we receive the funding from government. We anticipate sending payments out in September or October.
  2. October 1: Market adjustments to fees and alternate funded agreements, and most new and enhanced fees, take effect October 1, 2023. There are several new fee tariffs and we will be providing guidance and resources to support you through these changes and to help you make the most of this new funding to support your practice. 
  3. April 1, 2024: The first 2% annual increase will come on April 1, along with new models for longitudinal practice for family physicians and continuing patient care management for specialists. We will be preparing guidance and training to help you adopt these new tools and enhance your practice to serve your patients. 

Beyond these three key milestones, there are 2% annual increases planned for April 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026. 

Please continue to contact us with questions or ideas as we approach these key dates at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Prescription for Health Care Released

Doctors Manitoba released a Prescription for Health Care today with a series of recommendations to improve health care for Manitobans over the next five years. The plan was developed following months of consultations with physicians and research to develop practical recommendations focused on the next four years. It addresses challenges in the health system following the pandemic and builds on recent advancements including the new Physician Services Agreement. Our hope is all political parties will adopt our recommendations as part of their platforms in the upcoming provincial election this fall. 

“Manitoba’s health care system is struggling and Manitoba’s doctors are offering a plan to improve it,” said Dr. Michael Boroditsky, President of Doctors Manitoba. ​“Between unreasonably long wait times and struggling to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, we need a clear path forward to stabilize and improve health care for all Manitobans.” 

The seven-point plan to improve health care includes:

  1. Aggressively expanding physician-led team-based care, including adding 250 health professionals into physician practices looking for the help, such as primary care, community-based specialist practices, and hospitals. 
  2. Recruiting and retaining more doctors and other providers, including adding 400 more doctors over the next five years to reach the Canadian average of physicians per 100,000 residents.
  3. Building up hospital capacity to be ready for seasonal surges and once-in-a-generation pandemics, as well as developing alternatives to hospital care particularly for elderly patients. 
  4. Expanding mental health and addictions care, including recruiting more psychiatrists and psychologists and expanding evidence-based substance use services.
  5. Reducing wait times, particularly for equity-deserving groups that often encounter barriers when accessing health care. 
  6. Focusing on prevention, including increasing uptake of screening and immunizations, supporting Manitobans in taking steps towards getting healthy, and addressing the determinants of health starting with children.
  7. Promoting innovation, including carefully exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in medicine, introducing a true single patient electronic record, and extending high speed internet to more rural and remote communities. 

“Our plan responds to the concerns physicians hear everyday from our patients,” added Dr. Boroditsky. ​“Our recommendations propose innovative and aggressive steps that can make Manitoba a leader in Canada, such as expanding team-based care in physician practices to improve access and quality in health care, reducing wait times, and expanding mental health and addictions services” noted Dr. Boroditsky. 

Click here to access our report, Prescription for Health Care.

Prizes and Fun Planned at Golf Tournament

We have prizes and fun activities planned for our Getting Healthy Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 5. It’s shaping up to be a première event for experienced golfers and novices alike. 

We hope to unveil some of the prizes and activities over the next week, but we encourage you to register now to save your spot. You can register as a single or up to four players. If you don’t have the names of all players now, you can send them to us later. 

This event is an idea that came to us from members looking for more opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of work. 

Key Details:

  • When: Tuesday September 5
  • Where: Southwood Golf and Country Club in St. Norbert.
  • Cost: $190 each, includes a full 18 holes, power cart, lunch and dinner, and more 

The tournament package includes:

  • Lunch and Dinner
  • 18 holes of golf on the Championship Golf Course with a 1pm shotgun start
  • Power Cart
  • Access to Driving Range and Practice Area 
  • Locker room access
  • Member pricing on Golf Shop Merchandise 
  • Bag drop service

Register now!

Proceeds from the golf tournament will support our Getting Healthy public awareness campaigns and resources about healthy living and disease prevention, a physician-led initiative.

If your practice is interested in sponsoring or hosting a hole, please email jsie@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca to discuss options and pricing for participation in the event.

Join us for our Doctors Manitoba Getting Healthy Golf Tournament, presented by MD Financial and Scotiabank with support from Bokhaut CPA!

Mentorship Program is Recruiting Mentors 

Doctors Manitoba, MMSA, PARIM, PGME and UGME Student Affairs are excited to be moving into year of the Medical Learner Mentorship Program. Recruitment for participants is ongoing and no previous mentoring experience is required. Residents and Practicing Physicians are invited to participate as mentors. The program offers a variety of support for participants including mentorship events and complimentary training through CMA-Joule! Learn more about the program and register to participate.

Dr. Joss Reimer Confirmed as CMA President-Elect

This week, Manitoba’s Dr. Joss Reimer was confirmed as CMA President-Elect in Ottawa at the CMA Health Summit. She will serve in that position until May 2024, when she will become president. Dr. Reimer is currently the chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Dr. Kathleen Ross, a family physician in Coquitlam and New Westminster, BC, is the new president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Her direct experience in front-line medicine will prove significant as the CMA continues to advance solutions to help solve access to care issues confronting Canadians. Recognizing that primary care is foundational to a well-functioning health care system, Dr. Ross is firmly committed to working with policy makers and the medical community to bring team-based care to the forefront of solutions needed now and in the future. You can read the CMA’s news release here.

Help Teach Rural Medicine

Your knowledge is needed! Teach clinical skill sessions to Med 1 & 2 students as a Rural Physician Educator at the University of Manitoba. Benefits include $100 per hour teaching and travel time, mileage compensation, $12 per day parking and $25 per day meal stipends. To teach medical students, you must have full registration with The College of Physiciansand Surgeons of Manitoba. Certification from The College of Family Physicians of Canada is not required but preferred. To learn more, email ashaw4@​sharedhealthmb.​ca.

Show Support for Universal Coverage of Contraception

Alberta physician, Dr. Rupinder Toor, has launched a national petition for universal contraception coverage. The petition will stay open until August 25, 2023. ​“so far, this has been the only opportunity for the people of Canada to weigh in on the issue, and we hope they will send the government a show of strong support that NOW is the time to take action to ensure that access to birth control will always be equitable and secure in Canada” says Dr Toor. Project EmpowHER, the organization leading the campaign, hopes to have an affirmative member’s statement in the House of Commons on September 26, 2023 World Contraception Day. Read the press release here. Sign the petition here.

Physician of the Week

Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Amanda Morris is proudest of the little moments in her job: a salvaged ovary, inspiring curiosity in a resident, a kid’s confident smile as they leave the office, a postop patient finally feeling safe and healthy in their body, a new mom realizing how amazing and powerful they are. She says​“these moments are incredible reminders of the privilege of my job.” Dr. Morris is a supportive team leader, and colleague Cheryl Nicholls calls her​“an amazing human being” who makes learning fun when teaching medical learners. Cheryl is proud to be part of Dr. Morris’ team and commends her tireless efforts to advocate for her patients, adding,​“she goes above and beyond to ensure her patients receive the care they need.” 

Read more about Dr. Morris and other Physician of the Week feature stories.

Suggest a colleague to be featured as Physician of the Week.

ICYMI

Here are some of the most popular updates in recent newsletters, in case you missed them

Upcoming Events

Events can always be found on our website in the events calendar. If you have an event you’d like to share with members and have included in our calendar, forward all the information to general@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

“Leadership Lessons I Learned the Hard Way” — CWIM — PRN Social Event — September 6, 7 – 10pm — Winnipeg Art Gallery

Learn and connect with like-minded female physicians and discuss mentorship!

  • Conversation with The Honorable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, MD, FRCSC, ICD.D
  • Leadership Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
  • Drinks & Appetizers to be provided. 
  • $20 for CWIM members, $40 for non-members. 

Register now.

Crucial Conversations for Master Dialogue: Health Care — Fridays 2 – 4:30pm — Nov. 17 & 24 and Dec. 1, 8, & 15.

Crucial Conversations® help you acquire skills to engage in high stakes situations, and transform disagreement to dialogue. A culture of dialogue in health care can improve patient safety and professional fulfillment.With Crucial Conversations®, you can further develop your leadership skills to:

  • establish and maintain better relationships;
  • gather and negotiate divergent perspectives; and
  • achieve better results with honesty and integrity.

This online course is open to all health-care professionals in Manitoba. After completing Crucial Conversations®, participants will have the skills to:

  • identify when conversations become crucial; • engage others in addressing challenging issues;
  • navigate emotional, high-stakes conversations toward resolution and action;
  • acquire practical skills to address challenges in health-care systems. 

Register now.

Federation of Medical Women of Canada Conference — September 23 – 24 in Calgary

As current President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), I invite you all to join us at our upcoming AGM & Educational Conference taking place September 23 – 24 in Calgary at the amazing Hotel Arts. Sessions are CFPC and RCPSC accredited and we will be focusing on topics which we think will be very valuable to you such as leadership skills development, advocacy, equity gaps in access, wellness and lots more. There’s also social events and an awards dinner which are great opportunities for networking. While we are always looking to welcome new members to FMWC, you do not need to be a member to attend the educational portion. Student travel awards are being offered and poster session abstracts are now being accepted. Visit www​.FMW​C2023​.com for Registration and all meeting details. To become an FMWC member go to www​.FMWC​.ca. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

Dr. Shelley Zieroth
Cardiologist
President, Federation of Medical Women of Canada

Bug Day — Mark your calendars for 2023 27th Annual Bug Day! — October 17 7:55am-4pm — Held Virtually.

Interested in the prevention and control of communicable diseases, and health issues in the community or healthcare setting? Bug Day is for you! Nationally and internationally recognized experts will present timely topics in infectious diseases and public health at Manitoba’s largest healthcare education event. Held every year during National Infection Prevention & Control Week, Bug Day is streamed online – it’s FREE, accredited, and you’re invited!

The program is accredited for physicians and can be used for continuing education purposes by other health care workers. There is no charge, but you must register to attend the live sessions. You can make a donation directly to the HSC Foundation Bug Day fund. Click here to visit the donation page. This donation page will automatically generate a confirmation email and a tax receipt. Register here.

Doctors Manitoba Golf Tournament — September 5, 2023

Join us and connect with colleagues at our 2023 Getting Healthy Gold tournament at one of Manitoba’s premier championship courses, offering a fun non-competitive event open to all skill levels. This exciting event is an opportunity to connect with your colleagues. Facilities open at 11am | Lunch service between 11:15am – 12:45pm | Shotgun Start at 1PM | Dinner served following play Register now!

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