Doctors Manitoba is proud to celebrate the outstanding contributions of physicians from around the province. Our annual awards are a highlight of the year for Doctors Manitoba and our members, celebrating the human, courageous and committed physicians dedicated to advancing the medical profession and improving care for their patients. The awards are the highest honour bestowed upon physicians by physicians.

The deadline to receive nominations is December 15, 2024.

→ Click here to learn how to nominate a colleague for a Doctors Manitoba Award

Doctors Manitoba Awards

Distinguished Service Award

Awarded to recognize a long career of services to patients and the community that embodies the highest standards and ideals of the medical profession, and in the promotion of the art and science of medicine through teaching, writing and administration.

Typically, nominees should have practiced for at least 20 years. This award is often used to recognize a physician approaching retirement or who has recently retired, to celebrate a particularly distinguished career filled with noteworthy contributions to the medical profession.

Eligibility: Practicing or recently retired physicians who are current or recent members of Doctors Manitoba.

Physician of the Year Award

Awarded to recognize an exceptional achievement or contribution to the practice of medicine and/​or to the community by a member of Doctors Manitoba.

Typically, nominees have made a recent significant achievement or advancement in the practice or study of medicine or they are widely recognized as an exceptional physician within the community they serve.

Eligibility: Practicing or recently retired physician who is currently a member of Doctors Manitoba.

Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence

A new honour to recognize those who demonstrate excellence in the medical profession and whose actions are a source of inspiration for other physicians. Up to three worthy individuals can be inducted each year.

Eligibility: Nominees can include practicing physicians, medical learners (students or residents) and retired physicians. Non-physicians may be considered, at time, as friends of the profession who have made a significant contribution towards the advancement or improvement of the medical profession.

Resident of the Year

Awarded for excellence in academic and clinical training and noteworthy contributions to the resident’s home program/​specialty or residency program.

Nominees can be recognized by fellow residents, physician mentors or others who have direct insight into their clinical and academic training and practice as a resident physician.

Eligibility: Resident physicians completing their residency in Manitoba who are members of Doctors Manitoba.

Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award

Awarded to celebrate a current or former member of Doctors Manitoba for their outstanding contributions to improving human well-being or their commitment to community service.

Doctors Manitoba will now offer to support the humanitarian or community service work of the winner, including a significant financial contribution and/​or promoting a charity or non-profit organization related to the award winner’s work.

This honour is awarded only in those years when a suitable candidate is identified.

Eligibility: Current or recent members of Doctors Manitoba demonstrating a contribution to community service or humanitarianism with a commitment to inclusiveness.

The namesake of this honour, Dr. Jack Armstrong (1939−2006), CM, was well known for his commitment to improving health care for First Nations people, his dedication to his patients, and his commitment to volunteerism. A past President of both Doctors Manitoba (1987−88) and the Canadian Medical Association (1996−97), Dr. Armstrong was a beloved pediatrician in Winnipeg, helping children and youth in Winnipeg and First Nations communities throughout his career. He also sat on the board of the United Way, New Directions, Urban Circle Training Centre, Native Women’s Transition Centre and the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg among many others.

Awards Committee

The Doctors Manitoba Awards Committee is responsible for setting the eligibility criteria for our awards and overseeing the annual nomination and awards selection process. This includes Doctors Manitoba awards as well as recommending CMA Honorary Memberships. In addition, the Awards Committee may recommend nominees for CMA Special Awards and/​or other awards sponsored by external organizations.

CMA Honorary Membership

Physicians or non-physicians who have attained eminence in medicine, science or the humanities, or who have rendered significant services to the Canadian Medical Association, may be nominated as a CMA Honorary Member. Physician candidates must be CMA members in good standing who have attained the age of 65 years and have been CMA members for 10 years. Honorary members shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of the CMA for their lifetime but shall not be required to pay any CMA membership fee.

The selection of potential Manitoba candidates falls to the Doctors Manitoba Awards Committee. Its recommendations are put forward to the Doctors Manitoba Board of Directors for approval, and thereafter require CMA Board approval.

Award Eligibility and Selection Process

Current and past members of Doctors Manitoba can make a nomination, though nominations will also be considered from others. Nominees must be a resident of Manitoba. In any category, no award need be made if there is not a suitable candidate.