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In today’s message you will find:

Help with our Getting Healthy Guide?

We are getting close to launching our new Getting Healthy Guide, bringing together advice to prevent diseases and live a healthier life into one spot for Manitobans. You are invited to offer feedback on the tool. We are also looking for physicians with expertise on different topics to help author short articles. 

Using the Getting Healthy Guide, Manitobans will enter their age and gender to get personalized advice on everything from immunizations and medical screenings, to regular check-ups, to health concerns they may be at risk for or to consider raising with their doctor. 

Use this link to learn more about the topics included in the Guide, and to offer your feedback about if the topics, age ranges and genders align with your understanding of current guidelines and evidence. The current list of topics has been informed by preliminary consultations with over a dozen physicians, and drawing on local and national resources. 

You will also be able to express your interest in being a contributor for a topic area. 

→ Learn more and provide your feedback here. Allow 10 – 15 minutes.

Physicians who complete the survey will be entered to win a Getting Healthy gift basket with Doctors Manitoba Getting Healthy gear! 

Why are we doing this? Based on physician feedback, we have been developing public awareness resources about preventing diseases and healthier lifestyles. Our new Getting Healthy Guide will support Manitobans with getting healthy, with reliable information from trusted sources — specialists and family physicians from Manitoba.

Gala Celebrates 2024 Award Winners

On Saturday, May 11, we celebrated seven physicians at the 2024 Doctors Manitoba Awards Gala, generously sponsored by MD Financial and Scotiabank. With about 600 guests, the signature event was a chance to honour our winners, welcome our new President Dr. Randy Guzman, and connect with colleagues.

The atmosphere was electric as winners approached the stage to their chosen walk-up songs (you can listen to them on our Spotify playlist here). The first acceptance speech offered moving words from Douglas Arrell, the spouse of the late Dr. Dick Smith, who was recognized for a lifetime of care and advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ+ community with the Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award. He spoke ardently of his husband’s life work, with a reminder that the progress made must be continually upheld and never taken for granted.

Two of the organizations that were part of Dr. Smith’s legacy were selected as beneficiaries of the evening’s fundraising. They include the life-changing programs and services provided by Rainbow Resource Centre and Our Own Health Centre. Generous guests raised $27,950 through the Rainbow Raffle, with a grand prize of $10,000 cash and a second prize of two roundtrip tickets anywhere WestJet flies.

Collaboration and community were also the focus of Medal of Excellence winners Dr. Sara Goulet and Dr. Kristel van Ineveld. Dr. Goulet thanked those who provided her with cultural teachings she could draw from to connect with the people in the communities she serves, while Dr. van Ineveld said she was grateful for being able to work alongside advocates for geriatric health, including her husband, a fellow doctor. Family was another theme of the evening, with Resident of the Year Dr. Lerly Luo recognizing her parents’ bravery and sacrifice in building a new life in a country where their daughter could thrive. 

The evening’s program included the ceremonial passing of the chains of office between outgoing President Dr. Michael Boroditsky and incoming President Dr. Randy Guzman. Part of the Doctors Manitoba tradition includes having someone important in their life assist with this ceremony, and Dr. Guzman chose his daughter, Catherine, now a third-generation physician. He spoke of his parents’ journey from the Philippines, eventually bringing them to Winnipeg to pursue pathology and pediatrics. 

In his speech, he shared the perspective and intention for his new role, and one you will hear about in the year to come: connection is protection.

Following the introduction of the President, the celebrations continued with the awarding of the Medal of Excellence to Dr. Helen Pymar. Her walk-up song, Under Pressure, encapsulated part of her career as a proponent of free access to contraception and the resulting movement that delivered results for Manitobans. 

Next, Dr. Stephen Kowalski received the award for Distinguished Service, bringing the guests to their feet with a standing ovation reflecting the esteem in which he is held by his many colleagues and the bonds he formed over his four-decade long career as an anesthesiologist, critical care expert and educator. 

In the final award of the evening, Dr. José François was recognized as Physician of the Year, for his efforts as a champion of rural, northern and francophone physician training and the role they have played in helping to turn around the family doctor shortage in our province. 

We present again our 2024 Doctors Manitoba Award winners with a link to video profiles that were first shared at the gala: 

Dr. José François Physician of the Year

Dr. Stephen Kowalski Distinguished Service

Dr. Dick Smith Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award (posthumous)

Dr. Lerly Luo Resident of the Year 

Dr. Sara Goulet Medal of Excellence 

Dr. Kristel van Ineveld Medal of Excellence 

Dr. Helen Pymar Medal of Excellence

For longer-format biographies of our 2024 award winners, visit the Doctors Manitoba 2024 Awards Recipients page.

Nominations for the 2025 Doctors Manitoba Awards will open this fall.

Leadership applications open

The Provincial Health Leadership Program (formerly the Academic Health Sciences Leadership Program) empowers early and mid-career leaders to navigate health sciences and systems with opportunities to:

  • Design a capstone project relevant to their chosen area of leadership or influence.

  • Learn from and engage with senior leaders in Manitoba.

  • Develop an understanding of the healthcare system and academic environment.

In order to better meet leaders’ diverse learning needs, the PHLP will alternate annually between in-person and virtual learning. The 2024 – 25 year will be a virtual learning experience Wednesday evenings from September 2024 to January 2025. Apply now. Application deadline is June 14, 2024. Learn more.

May 18 is Family Physician Day

From Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Randy Guzman

To my Family Physician colleagues:

Happy World Family Doctor Day!

On World Family Doctor Day, May 19, I would like to recognize the hard work and ongoing commitment of family physicians to the well-being of their patients and all Manitobans.

The day is also a reminder of the vital role family doctors play in healthcare. As a vascular surgeon, I see firsthand the impact of family physicians’ work with every patient I see. Family doctors are at the core of each patient’s medical journey. They facilitate communication and collaboration for comprehensive care of patients, and are important advocates every step of the way.

I know it isn’t easy. Family physicians have had to face a number of challenges in recent years. From escalating costs to crushing levels of administrative burdens, to increasing patient complexity, it has been difficult. However, progress is being made towards solutions. One of these is the recent introduction of Family Medicine Plus, a new remuneration model for longitudinal family practice, one that recognizes the skill, expertise, and continuity of care provided by family medicine physicians providing ongoing care to their patients. I was happy to support our new Physician Services Agreement last year, not only because of the benefits it includes for specialists, but also because of the game changing new model for family physicians.

I have been touched to hear from family physicians about what this model means to them, both in person and when I viewed the video shared on Doctors Manitoba social media on the day of the Family Medicine Plus launch. For so many, it has marked the return of hope to their practice, and the ability to provide the care their patients deserve. Indeed, this model has become one that other provinces have looked to as an example of how the system can be changed for the better.

I also value the many other roles family physicians play outside of primary care. From providing hospital care, to focused practices in areas such as care of the elderly or musculoskeletal medicine, Manitoba is lucky to have the talent that we do in the family medicine community.

Family Doctors’ Day is a celebration of the relationships between colleagues, our patients and communities. Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to your patients inspire me. When care can sometimes feel impersonal or disjointed, the relationships between family doctors and their patients stand as examples of trust, continuity and compassion.

Thank you for all you do.

Warm regards,

Dr. Randy Guzman

PS: A special Happy Family Doctor Day to my daughter, Dr. Catherine Guzman!

The Manitoba College of Family Physicians is celebrating the day on their social media, inviting others to share images in support, using the hashtag #FamilyDoctorDayMB!

You can check out their social media pages to see more on Family Doctor Day on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter): @mbfamilydocs and on Facebook: MB College of Family Physicians

Remembering Dr. Stacey

We were saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Dr. Campbell Stacey, a valued member of the Workers Compensation Board medical team and someone who gave of his time in service to others as a longtime volunteer at Siloam Mission’s health care centre.

Doctors Manitoba joins colleagues in mourning the death of Dr. Stacey. In this difficult time, we want to share a reminder of our Doc360 Physician Health supports. If you, a colleague, or a family member is in need of support, please review our Doc360 resources or contact Physicians At Risk directly at 204−237−8320.

Rainbow Connection

Be a part of the action with Doctors Manitoba at the Winnipeg Pride Parade and Rally on Sunday, June 2. Join us as we ​“Transcend Together” in the theme of this year’s festival, embracing inclusivity, highlighting the diverse spectrum of identities within the queer community and fostering solidarity among all members. Showing physicians’ support for this community is especially important this year, as 2SLGBTQ+ rights and access to medical care is being threatened in other jurisdictions. 

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and the route will go down Portage Avenue, and end at The Forks. We invite you, your friends and family to walk the parade route to celebrate and support the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Sign up here! 

Pride Lunch & Learn Events

The Rainbow Resource Centre is offering Lunch & Learn virtual events throughout June. Subjects include Allyship 101, Queer History in Manitoba, The Stonewall Uprising & Modern-Day Pride Movements, and Dispelling & Challenging Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Stereotypes.Learn more here.

Be There Fore It! 

Let’s get out on the greens together! Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Doctors Manitoba Getting Healthy Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 3 at Southwood Golf & Country Club. The format is friendly for less-experienced golfers, with a shotgun start and best-ball scramble, while more experienced golfers will enjoy the challenge of a premier championship course. Presented by MD Financial and Scotiabank with support from Bokhaut CPA.

Find out more and register at doc​tors​man​i​to​ba​.ca/​g​olf24

PAR Peer Support & Counselling Survey

In the last 12 months, have you accessed counselling or individual or group peer support from Physicians at Risk (PAR)? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts about your experience to help ensure our services meet the needs of Doctors Manitoba members and their families. 

The survey takes less than three minutes to complete and your responses are anonymous. 

The survey ends on May 19, 2024.

Complete the survey here.

Fantastic Physicians

Congratulations to Dr. Marcia Anderson and Dr. Brent Roussin who will soon receive the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour. The Order was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents. 

Dr. Roussin and Dr. Anderson have both been was awarded Physician of the Year by Doctors Manitoba, in 2021 and 2022 respectively, for their role in the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Health System Updates

Updates to the Pneumococcal Immunization Program

As of May 13, 2024, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care is upating the vaccines offered in the routine pediatric pneumococcal immunization program and the high-risk pneumococcal immunization program for children and adults. 

Click through to the update for full elibibility criteria and please ensure the correct Tariff codes are selected based on the product being administered. Any questions regarding these changes can be emailed to vaccines@​gov.​mb.​ca.

Participants sought for COVID-19 medication trial

The Canadian Adaptive Platform Trial of Treatments for COVID in Community Settings (CanTreatCOVID) is actively seeking participants. Led by Dr. Amanda Condon, this research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of medications for COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients. Visit https://​cantreat​covid​.org/ or call 1−888−888−3308 to learn more.

ICYMI

Rising Capital Gains Taxes: To crystallize or not to crystallize – that is the question

Sponsored Content from MD Financial

The 2024 Federal Budget announced measures that may have a noticeable impact on wealth accumulation outside of registered accounts. The change that could affect you the most is the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate from 50% to 66.7%. Here’s what it means for investments held in personal accounts. Read more.

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At Doctors Manitoba, We know the proposed changes to capital gains have raised many questions and concerns. Doctors Manitoba wants to hear from you about how this impacts your practice to inform our advocacy on this issue. You can see our analysis here, and send your views to practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Upcoming Events

You can always review upcoming events on our events calendar page.

Doctors Manitoba Book Club

Join us for our Doctors Manitoba Book Club on June 4 at 7 p.m. We’re reading Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Register Here.

CMA AGM May 29

This year’s Annual General Meeting for the CMA is special for Manitobans, as CMA President-Elect Dr. Joss Reimer will officially become president. Register to hear from her and other CMA leaders. The CMA AGM will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meeting information, including the agenda, is available at cma​.ca/​a​g​m2024.

2024 Canadian Conference on Physician Leadership — May 24 – 25 in Montréal

Lead the change our healthcare system desperately needs! Attend the CCPL2024 in Montréal, where you’ll gain invaluable insights and skills to drive transformation.

View the conference program here. Register now.

Cancer Day for Primary Care

The 16th biennial Cancer Day for Primary Care, a collaboration between the Community Oncology Program at CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba, is back May 31 as a hybrid event, offering both virtual and in-person attendance options at Theater B, 727 McDermot Ave, University of Manitoba. What sets this event apart is the opportunity for attendees to submit their own cases for discussion by our expert panel. Join us for a dynamic and informative program. Learn more and register.

HPV and Cancer — Interdisciplinary Rounds 

Speakers for the June 5 event focused on prevention, treatment and future direction include Dr. Vanessa Poliquin, Dr. Ciaran Lane and Dr. Sarah Kean. Register now.

IPAC Mentorship Gathering 

Registration is open for the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada’s Annual Mentorship Gathering and AGM July 12 – 14 in Halifax. The gathering is an opportunity for Indigenous medical students, residents, and physicians, both members and potential members, to come together to share stories of their academic journeys, grow their networks, and enjoy cultural activities.

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