Contact Us Member Area

Search


In today’s message you will find:

Response to Hamas-Israel Conflict

We’ve heard from several members distressed and concerned about the situation that has evolved over the last week in Israel and Gaza. This includes outrage about the Hamas terrorist attacks and concern about the safety and well-being of innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza. Over 2,000 have been killed, with thousands more injured, kidnapped, and displaced. 

Doctors Manitoba is shocked by Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks, and we are concerned about the impact of the ensuing conflict on innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians’ health and safety. The medical and humanitarian response must be protected to safely treat the injured and ease the suffering. 

The conflict is affecting the delivery of medical care. Doctors in Israel have been overwhelmed by the magnitude and brutality of injuries following the terrorist attacks. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has confirmed the death of five medical responders working with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and with Magen David Adom. The World Health Organization has reported over a dozen health facilities in Gaza have been hit in attacks and many have dwindling medical supplies. 

Here at home, we know some of our members have family, friends, or colleagues who work or live in areas in or near conflict zones. Indeed, many of your patients will also have direct connections to what is happening right now in Gaza and Israel, and could be feeling anxious or distressed. Even members or patients without a direct connection could be experiencing collective grief and trauma about the escalating conflict. 

We encourage members to be respectful and cautious in approaching this topic, as some people may be ready to engage in discussions and others may not. There is a long history of harm and trauma for Jewish people and Palestinians, and the current conflict could cause this to resurface.

We’ve also heard from members concerned about safety here in Manitoba today, because of the threats against the world’s Jewish community connected with the call for a day of rage by a former Hamas leader. Shared Health and health authorities have liaised with law enforcement and security on behalf of the health care system, and received reassurance that the police are closely monitoring the situation, including online messages and any local activity. Physicians and staff in health facilities should report any threatening or suspicious activity to your site/​program leadership and security department, and/​or to local law enforcement. 

Finally, if you, a colleague, or family member needs support or wants to talk about the current events, our Doc360 resources are available to you. This includes physicians, students and residents, as well as your family members. You can contact PAR​’s confidential self-referral line at 204−237−8320 or you can contact our 24/7 Physician and Family Support Program at 1 – 844-433-DRMB (1−844−433−3762).

Top 40 Under 40 Unveiled

We are excited to unveil the Doctors Manitoba Top 40 Under 40 in medicine! The diverse list of recipients includes 9 students, 10 residents, and 21 practicing physicians from all regions of Manitoba. We’re throwing a celebration party on November 3, and you are invited!

“The top 40 are a truly amazing group from our medical community who give me hope about the future of our profession and the care Manitobans will be able to count on,” said Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Michael Boroditsky. ​“They share an inspirational commitment to pushing the boundaries of medicine in ways that improve patient care, develop and introduce new ways to diagnose and treat patients, and advocate for physicians’ and patients’ well-being.”

Manitoba’s Top 40 Under 40 in Medicine include the following recipients.

Students (see full bios here)

  • Nolan De Leon
  • Charbel El-Kefraoui
  • Cate Giffin
  • Aisha Haji Hussein
  • Vatineh Magaji
  • Suman Memon
  • Jules Perez
  • Emelissa Valcourt
  • Mirha Zohair

Residents (See full bios here)

  • Dr. Rachel Bethune 
  • Dr. Maggie Braido 
  • Dr. Tessa Bortoluzzi 
  • Dr. Sina Hafizi Barjin
  • Dr. Jack Heard
  • Dr. Daisy Jihyung Ko
  • Dr. Sabrina Lee
  • Dr. Kyle Oosterman
  • Dr. Tegan Turner
  • Dr. Hang Yu

Practicing Physicians (See full bios here)

  • Dr. Ian Alexander
  • Dr. Rafiq Andani
  • Dr. Josh Aquin
  • Dr. Lori Anne Archer
  • Dr. Valerie Brule
  • Dr. Nathan Coleman
  • Dr. Nichelle Desilets
  • Dr. Aly Dhala
  • Dr. Devon Evans
  • Dr. Scott Hodgson
  • Dr. Boshra (Sara) Hosseini
  • Dr. Brett Houston
  • Dr. Erin Knight
  • Dr. Murdoch Leeies
  • Dr. Sylvain Lother
  • Dr. Evan Orlikow
  • Dr. Christian Petropolis
  • Dr. Shayne Dennis Reitmeier
  • Dr. Harsahil Singh
  • Dr. Kristjan Thompson
  • Dr. Lindsey Woodrow

The Top 40 Under 40 Awards recognize and celebrate exceptional physicians and medical learners in Manitoba under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions in their field and demonstrate potential to achieve excellence in the years ahead. The award recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence and a strong commitment in the areas of research, clinical practice, education, leadership, and advocacy for improvements to patient care, and/​or physician and student well-being.

Join the Top 40 Celebration Party

Come celebrate the Top 40 Under 40 in Medicine! We have a fun event planned on Friday, November 3 at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park. This event is a great opportunity to recognize the winners, reconnect with colleagues, and have a little fun. With appetizers, a premier DJ, photo booth, and blackjack game, the event really will have something for everyone.

Key Details:

Friday, November 3, 7PM to midnight

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres: 7PM
Award Program: 7:45 – 8:15 PM
Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, mix and mingle: 8:15 PM to midnight.
Tickets: $50 (Buy Tickets Here, first come first served)
Cash bar
Cocktail or dressy casual attire is encouraged.

The event features DJ Jamil presented by Doctors Manitoba, a photobooth presented by Bokhaut CPA, and a fun blackjack event sponsored by MD Financial and Scotiabank. 

We appreciate the support of our Presenting Sponsors, MD Financial and Scotiabank, as well as our Platinum Sponsor, Bokhaut CPA.

Communication Tariffs — A New Frontier

We’ve received several questions from members about new and enhanced communication tariffs, designed to support collaboration between physicians and with other providers about patient care. While physicians have used tariffs like 8000 and 8001 for many years, this new Physician Services Agreement marks a foundation shift for supporting communication with new and increased remuneration opportunities. This means physicians initiating phone or video communication or eConsultations will now be remunerated, and those responding or consulting will receive increased remuneration too. 

We have refreshed our Communication Tariffs Hub for physicians, with a new at-a-glance table providing a quick overview of different communication tariffs, with an overview of common requirements, tips, and advice about when to claim which tariff. We have responses to questions like how to claim for ​“mixed mode” communications, like starting on text and responding by email or phone, as well as suggestions on effective documentation. Take a look at this new page here.

Please continue to send in your questions to us at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

We will continue to feature more information about new tariffs in our newsletter this month. 

COVID Update

Manitoba Health has advised that new tariffs and rates have been assigned for new COVID-19 vaccines. The new rates are now aligned with other vaccines, reflecting the removal of extra steps that had been in place for COVID vaccines. 

Physicians will now receive $11.57 per dose administered, and you will no longer be required to complete a written consent form and no longer be required to report inventory and wastage. Please note that other requirements remain, including reporting influenza and COVID-19 doses administered within two (2) business days. All health care providers who immunize in Manitoba are also expected to follow the Public Funded Immunization Program Standards and Informed Consent Guidelines and any other requirements set out in the Immunization Program Manual for Immunization Providers in Manitoba.

Tariff numbers are:

  • Moderna XBB.1.5 Vaccine (12+ years): Tariff 8161
  • Moderna XBB.1.5 — 0.1mg/ml (6 months — 11 years): Tariff 8162
  • Pfizer XBB.1.5 Vaccine (12+ years of age): Tariff 8160
  • Pfizer Pediatric XBB.1.5 Vaccine (5 – 11 years of age): Tariff 8165
  • Pfizer Infant XBB.1.5 Vaccine (6 months – 4 years of age): Tariff 8166
  • Novavax XBB.1.5: Tariff 8163

Don’t forget, under the new Physician Services Agreement, you can now fully delegate any immunization to a qualified staff person and still claim it at the full rate. Learn more about immunization delegation here.

COVID and flu surveillance will be published weekly by Public Health.

Share Your Views: Vaccine Rollout Focus Group

If you have time tomorrow (Saturday October 14), you can join a focus group for health providers about the distribution of COVID vaccines to equity-deserving groups, specifically the experiences of Black and Filipino Manitobans. The study It is being conducted by Dr. Monica Aggarwal from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto with a national team of researchers in 7 provinces, including co-investigators here in Manitoba. It aims to identify effective vaccine distribution approaches and advance knowledge on how to design and implement these approaches. 

Details about the focus group:

  • It will be happening in Winnipeg at the Community Hub at the Knox United Church on Saturday, October 14th from 1:00 — 5:00 pm.
  • Healthcare professionals will receive a $260 honorarium for their participation. Policymakers will also receive a $260 honorarium if the focus group occurs outside their regular work hours.

To participate, please contact: info@​habituscollective.​ca

Physician of the Week

While Acting Chief Provincial Public Health Officer from 2018 – 2019 Dr. Michael Isaac brought attention to the growing syphilis crisis. His early efforts then helped lay the groundwork for the more intensive syphilis work now being done in the province. He and his team were able to secure and allocate significant funding to address substance use and STBBI rates. Always working to remove barriers to access of care, he is advocating for point-of-care testing for HIV and syphilis to reach patients who might otherwise go untested. Dr. Isaac feels privileged to work with First Nations communities and leaders to try and improve population health outcomes and reduce inequities and says​“the best part of medicine is the people, both colleagues and patients.” He values the time he spent training in rural family medicine and is thankful for the friendship and guidance of his many colleagues since he began practicing medicine. 

→ Suggest a colleague as Physician of the Week here.

→ Read Physician of the Week feature stories.


PaRx Celebrates Two Years in Manitoba

To help connect Canadians to the health benefits of nature, the BC Parks Foundation launched PaRx in 2020, starting in British Columbia, then expanding to every province across the country including Manitoba in October 2021. From physiotherapists and physicians to nurses and counsellors, we’re grateful to have over 11,000 prescribers registered across the country. To ensure that everyone in Canada has ready access to the health benefits of nature, PaRx has collaborated with outdoor organizations like Parks Canada to provide free or discounted access to green and blue spaces for patients in most need. Read the full story here.

Student Insurance Update

Doctors Manitoba offers Student Disability Insurance which provides you a monthly income if you are unable to attend school due to an injury or sickness. We are offering a non-medical open enrollment to all medical students till November 30, 2023. To learn more, Book time with our Insurance Coordinator Mark Venton or apply online by completing our Student Disability Application. 

Fantastic Physicians

Congratulations to Dr. Denise Koh who will receive the prestigious ​“Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World” award from the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network at a Gala Dinner Ceremony at the Lobkowicz Palace, a 16th-century palace, one of the most significant cultural sites in the Czech Republic in the Prague Castle complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dr. Koh is the founder of MedResRx; and creator of the MedResRx Hypnotherapy App. Read the full press release.

Health System Updates

Blood Shortages Serious

A national shortage of blood supplies has resulted in careful efforts to ensure appropriate use of blood products. A recent memo from transfusion medicine offers best practices to support the responsible use of our tenuous blood supply. The blood bank is actively reviewing requests for inpatient transfusions. Physicians involved in outpatient transfusions are encouraged to review the appropriate hemoglobin thresholds for individual patients and adjust for a lower transfusion trigger if safe and clinically appropriate. 

Physicians are invited to contact Dr. Charles Musuka, Medical Director Transfusion Medicine, Shared Health Diagnostic Services, at cmusuka@​sharedhealthmb.​ca or Dr. Arjuna Ponnampalam

Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba & Transfusion Medicine, Shared Health Diagnostic Services, at aponnampalam@​cancercare.​mb.​ca.

Physicians interested in donating blood can do so online with Canada Blood Services or by calling 1 – 888-2-DONATE (1−888−236−6283).

Bursary for Indigenous Medical Students Considering Pediatrics 

The Dr. Kent Saylor Bursary for Indigenous Medical Students is awarded each year to encourage First Nations, Inuit and Métis medical students to consider a career in paediatrics.

Established in 2023, the $2,500 bursary is named in honour of Dr. Kent Saylor, the first Indigenous paediatrician in Canada and a former chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Committee. Dr. Saylor has been instrumental in promoting culturally safe health care for Indigenous children and youth.

More information about the bursary and the application form can be found here.

Deadline to apply is October 31.

Please contact healthygenerations@​cps.​ca with any questions.

Heart and Stroke updates

  • Recruitment — HSC Stroke Unit: Shared Health is actively recruiting health professionals for the newly renovated, state-of-the-art stroke unit at Health Sciences Centre (HSC). For more details, please contact Treena Bilous at tbilous@​hsc.​mb.​ca or (204) 787‑1602.
  • New research funding: Heart & Stroke — along with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH), are excited to announce the launch of a NEW funding opportunity — Research Networks of Excellence in Women’s Heart and/​or Brain Health. Two new research networks in Canada will be established, receiving $5M each in funding over five years, to better understand women’s risk factors for heart and brain conditions and to improve diagnosis and treatment of conditions more common among women or less well studied. The registration deadline is November 30, 2023. Eligible registrants will have until April 18, 2024 to submit their full application. The research guidelines can be found here. Please consider this funding opportunity and share it broadly in your network!
  • Stroke focus groups: Shared Health is looking for stroke survivors and their caregivers in Manitoba to help inform a provincial stroke initiative by hosting virtual patient and family engagement focus groups. If you have experienced stroke, or are a caregiver for someone living with stroke in the last five years and are willing to share your experience in support of improved stroke care for Manitobans, Shared Health wants to hear from you. Focus groups will be held by health region, and will review experience after discharge from the hospital. Please click the link here to find out when the focus group will be for your health region. For more information, or to register, please email engage@​sharedhealthmb.​ca or call (204) 471‑2126.

ICYMI

Here are a few of our most-read recent updates, in case you missed them:

Upcoming Events

Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, increase your awareness, or build leadership skills, we have many sessions planned!

Bug Day — Mark your calendars for the 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.

Women in Medicine Retreat (Nov 3 – 5, Gimli) — This retreat, focusing on wellness and professional development, is open to practicing women physicians and residents. An initiative led by Dr. Astrid Guenther, the agenda includes Cultivating Self-Compassion to Heal from Shame (3.5 CME), yoga, mindfulness, networking, and is fully catered. For more information, contact astridsantin@​gmail.​com by October 13 (limited spots available).

Other Events

Need help?