Contact Us Member Area

Search

In today’s message you will find:

President’s Update on Master Agreement

Colleagues,

On March 31, our existing four-year Master Agreement with the province of Manitoba expired. I’m writing to provide an update on the work at Doctors Manitoba to negotiate the next Master Agreement, as well as offer details about what happens now. 

I want to reassure you that not having a new agreement in place by the time the old one expires is no cause for alarm. In fact, it’s quite common here and across Canada. In Manitoba, we normally see new agreements reached in the June-to-December window after an agreement expires. 

At the same time, we know this isn’t just a business-as-usual time for physicians. We understand that you need support and relief now. I’ve heard from so many of you about how challenging your jobs have become. Burnout and distress are high. Costs are escalating and patients’ health concerns are getting more complex, but funding is not keeping up. The physician shortage is getting worse, not better. Patient care is suffering. Our team has been pressing for a more rapid negotiation to reach an agreement earlier and bring more funding and support to physicians sooner. We must, however, attend to that sense of urgency without compromising our negotiating position. 

In earlier updates to you, I outlined how the team at Doctors Manitoba had prepared in a comprehensive way to negotiate this next agreement, and initiated negotiations months before the existing agreement expired. This preparation included broad consultations with members, a careful review of economic pressures, and a thorough analysis of developments in physician funding and resourcing in other provinces. This led to the development of hundreds of proposals, which were submitted last year to government. For several months now, our team has been meeting multiple times per week with government negotiators. A Master Agreement is a comprehensive document, not only specifying general rate increases for members, but also specific changes to hundreds of individual tariffs and funding agreements affecting each and every bloc. This is the one-in-four-year-opportunity to address issues facing physicians, and the pandemic certainly helped to uncover and surface a great number of new and old issues that must be resolved through this process. 

I also described earlier that we are pressing for more help in the short term while the larger Master Agreement is negotiated. Through the province’s Health Human Resource Action Plan, we’ve been able to move forward on a Task Force to focus on reducing administrative burdens, more funding to address physician burnout, and improvements that respond to issues raised by physicians, like creating VECTRs and a new extended hours premium for primary care. This work also continues.

What happens now?

Normally, April 1 is the day when tariffs and physician remuneration are increased. As we don’t yet have a new Master Agreement, all tariffs and remuneration remain at current levels for now, along with any other provisions in the existing Master Agreement. When a new agreement is reached, we will certainly be pressing for the 2023/24 increase to be retroactive to April 1. 

What happens next?

Based on the extensive research and feedback from members, our team is continuing to negotiate for the resources and support physicians need. A key focus is on retention and recruitment, noting that competitive remuneration along with other improvements are needed to make Manitoba a preferred destination to practice medicine. 

As always, please contact us with concerns or questions at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Sincerely,

Dr. Candace Bradshaw

Awards Gala – 65% Sold Out!

Tickets are going fast, and we don’t want you to miss out! Our Annual Awards Gala is the signature event for the medical community, and it’s nearly 2/3 sold out! Last year, 500 guests attended.

→ Order your tickets today!

Here are five great reasons to consider joining us:

  1. Connection: The Gala is an excellent opportunity to connect and catch up with colleagues you don’t see in your daily professional work. 
  2. Door Prize: Everyone attending will be entered to win a Garmin GPS watch (retail value $450). This prize was generously donated by MD Financial / Scotiabank, the presenting sponsors for the Gala. 
  3. Great Cause: We will be supporting the Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program, a medical relief charity. This is the cause-of-choice for our Humanitarian Award recipient, Dr. Tamara McColl. 
  4. Weekend: Based on feedback from members, we are holding the Gala this year on a Saturday rather than a weeknight. Come early and stay late! 
  5. Celebrating the Profession: We are honouring nine extraordinary physicians!

We hope you will join us. You can find full details here along with a link to order tickets. Be sure to click on the members button to order tickets to get special reduced pricing for members and their guests.

Thank you to MD Financial and Scotiabank, our presenting sponsor, and Bokhaut CPA, our platinum sponsor. 

Senator Dr. Gigi Osler Keynote Added to AGM

We are excited to announce that we have a special guest joining us for a fireside chat at our Annual General Meeting on May 11: Senator Dr. Gigi Osler! 

Join us for an exclusive and candid conversation with Senator Dr. Gigi Osler. Senator Osler will discuss the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in medicine and physician leadership with her unique perspective as a woman of colour in surgery, a former President of the CMA, and now a Senator in Ottawa. We will also have the opportunity to hear her insights and experience in her new role in the Senate.

→ Register today and join us at 6:30PM on Thursday May 11!

It’s easy to join the AGM this year, with in-person and virtual options. Plus there’s also a fabulous door prize — a $500 Visa cash card!

The AGM will include an update from outgoing President Dr. Candace Bradshaw and from CEO Theresa Oswald. The agenda also includes a vote on foundation changes to our by-laws that aim to strengthen our decision-making, ensuring members are at the heart of everything we do. The changes also seek to modernize our governance, including supporting a Board that is more inclusive and representative of our broader membership, including members’ professional and personal attributes. Learn more and register today!

Town Hall on Future of Family Medicine

We hosted two of three Town Halls this week on how to renew family medicine. Don’t worry if you missed them, there is one more coming up next week, on Thursday April 13 at 7PM. 

→ Register Here

With a mix of education, discussion and feedback, Town Hall participants will learn more about how new funding and support models could help family physicians and renew primary care and have a chance to offer valuable feedback and help prioritize the wide range of policy options to modernize and renew family medicine and primary care.

The Town Halls will all be conducted virtually, on Zoom, and due to the interactive nature of the program a recording will not be available for on-demand viewing.

Physician of the Week

Dr. Elizabeth Rhynold is a rural-based geriatrician who is committed to her patients and to promoting positive aging. In fact, she has recently combined her professional passion with her personal love of music to curate a​‘Positive Aging Playlist’ in collaboration with her colleagues in geriatric health across the country. Dr. Rhynold derives great personal satisfaction from the act of service she is able to provide in her role. She says her​“best days are when I can really dig in and get to know people living with frailty. She describes the needs of these patients as​“complex and each individual has a unique collection of strengths and challenges.” She insists we must find more ways to work​“comprehensively, as teams, across care sectors, to minimize preventable functional decline and optimize quality of life.” Read more about Dr. Rhynold.

For 2023, Doctors Manitoba has established a new way to recognize dedicated and hardworking physicians. Our Physician of the Week initiative has been recognizing physicians weekly. They exemplify the best of the medical profession, including a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, to supporting the health and wellness of their colleagues, and/​or to leadership in the medical profession. 

→ Suggest a colleague as Physician of the Week here.

→ Read about other Physicians of the Week so far this year here.

Fantastic Physicians

Congratulations to Dr. Lorne Bellan who is being recognized this year with not one, but two lifetime achievement awards! One from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the other from the Canadian Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Bellan was the driving force behind establishing the ophthalmology residency program here in Manitoba, among many other distinguished accomplishments during his career. He also served on the Doctors Manitoba Awards Committee, offering sage advice and thoughtful contributions at every turn. 

Congratulations to several of our members who received recognition as 2023 CAME Rising Stars:

  • Dr. Mandy Buss received the CAME Certificate of Merit Award. Dr. Ross is the Indigenous Health Lead for Family Medicine, developing and delivering Indigenous health curriculum to Residents and Faculty. 
  • Dr. Georgia Chappell received the 2023 CAME Rising Star – Certificate of Excellence Award. Dr. Chappell amplifies voices related to transgender health and racism and plans to address gaps in care for Manitoba’s queer community by offering hysterectomies and gender-affirming hormone therapy. 
  • Ms. Mirha Zohair received the 2023 CAME Rising Star – Certificate of Excellence Award. Ms. Zohair is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion as the MMSA rep for EDI, student rep on the Medical Students Admission Committee and lead for the Muslim Students Association. 
  • Dr. Sally Longstaffe received the CAME Certificate of Merit Award. As a senior advisor, Dr. Longstaffe advises and mentors students experiencing academic difficulty, social stressors or other issues which impact their medical training.

Financial Wellness Seminar

In our continued effort to offer our members relevant and helpful resources throughout their career, we have partnered with Enriched Academy to offer a financial literacy session called 8 Factors for Better Financial Wellness. Enriched Academy has done work with other health profession organizations and other elite groups like professional athletes. 

Financial stress was already a big issue for many Canadians and with continuing inflation and high interest rates, 2023 is shaping up to be another difficult year on household budgets. We are all looking for answers on how to get ahead financially, but it’s hard to make informed decisions about your money when you just don’t have the knowledge or time. To help you get started, we are partnering with Enriched Academy to offer an informative, 60-minute livestream full of practical advice you can start using right away. 

Enriched Academy is a proven leader in the field and has helped over 350,000 Canadians master their finances with practical, easy-to-use advice and powerful analytical tools for everything from managing daily expenses, to investing in the markets, to mapping out your retirement plan. 

Mastering your financial life is a long-term process that will pay huge dividends throughout your lifetime. Whether are looking to fine tune your current financial situation or need a springboard to get you started, this session is the perfect opportunity. Please make sure to register at the above link and mark your calendar.

8 Factors for Better Financial Wellness: 

  • Analyzing popular money myths and how they can inhibit financial growth.
  • How to focus on the right financial goals.
  • Understanding credit scores, credit, and debt repayment strategies.
  • The role and cost of financial advisors.
  • Tactics for lowering your monthly bills.
  • Fighting back with financial literacy.
  • Q&A to close out the session.

Health System Updates

Moderna Update

There are updates to the Moderna Spikevax vaccine. You can find them here.

Physio Contract Update

The Manitoba government has made it easier for eligible Manitobans recovering from total hip and knee replacement surgery to access physiotherapy and rehabilitation services from any Manitoba physiotherapy clinic. With an investment of over $2.5 million, an estimated 6,100 eligible patients recovering from total hip and knee replacement surgery will have access to and coverage for physiotherapy and rehabilitation at their Manitoba provider of choice. As of April 1, the Manitoba Physiotherapy Association (MPA) will manage all physiotherapy billing services for eligible adult outpatients recovering from total hip and knee replacement surgery. Under the contract, all registered physiotherapists in Manitoba are eligible for reimbursement.

Accessibility Review

The Manitoba government is seeking meaningful input through public engagement as part of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility for all Manitobans. Manitobans are invited to provide feedback here before May 26. In-person public forums held this spring will provide accessibility measures such as braille documents, ASL, closed captioning and personal care attendants to assist those with lived experience to participate and share perspectives. An accessible virtual forum will be held later in May. Learn more and find a public forum near you.

Sponsored Content

CADTH Board Opportunities

Sponsored Content

CADTH – Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency – is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors, and expert and advisory committees. They are currently accepting applications from individuals with significant expertise in the Canadian health care system who are interested in helping support health care decision-makers in making informed choices about health technologies. Some of these roles may be of particular interest to physician leaders.

In total, they are seeking 17 new members from across the country who have a range of education, experience, and skill sets. They are inviting nominations for the following:

LEARN MORE: Full details about each role, who is eligible to submit a nomination, and the nomination process are available on their website. We ask that all interested individuals submit nominations online by April 24, 2023.

Health in the News

Another busy week of health care in the news. We’ve curated the top stories to help you stay up-to-date.

ICYMI

Here are some of our top recent posts, in case you missed them:

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events are always listed on our events calendar.

Featured Events

Leadership for Equity: Expanding Inclusive Medical Culture virtual speaker series

On April 20, we will be hosting Dr. Julia Chronopoulos for her session on 2SLGBTQ+ Health. Dr. Chronopoulos’ talk focuses on how to make health spaces more queer-friendly. This involves an overview of terminology in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, as well as approaches to challenging norms that are the foundation of medical teaching. Click here for more information, and to register for the session.

Physician Leadership Institute: Strength-based leadership course | May 5 & 6 from 9:00am‑4:00pm

The culture of health care tends to view leadership as ​“solving problems,” but the conventional wisdom of fixing weaknesses has been shown to be limiting and ineffective in the long term. Sponsored by George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation and open to practicing physicians and residents, this interactive course will help identify strengths and offer ways leaders can leverage the strengths of their people to increase work engagement, well-being and drive innovation. 

Other Events:

The Silicon Valley Bank Situation 

Sponsored Content from MD Financial

As depositors worried about regional banks across the United States, the market reaction to SVB’s closure (and Signature Bank’s) was severe. How does one of America’s largest regional banks go under and is there an underlying issue rearing its ugly head here in Canada? Here’s what you need to know. 


Need help?