Annual General Meeting 2025 Recap
Our Doctors Manitoba membership is growing
WHAT HAPPENED: At the 117th Annual General Meeting held at the Fort Garry Hotel on April 23, members voted by an overwhelming majority to approve a bylaw expanding Doctors Manitoba membership criteria to include physicians in the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates, or MLPIMG.
WHO’S JOINING? MLPIMG is a one-year program for international medical graduates, featuring a series of rotations, similar in some ways to a residency program. Until now, MLPIMG physicians were not Doctors Manitoba members, nor were they part of any professional association.
WHAT’S NEXT? Like all other members, including medical students and residents, they will be able to vote and serve on committees and working groups.
WHY IT MATTERS: With this new recognition, MLPIMG physicians will be supported and welcomed as part of the medical and broader community to remain in Manitoba.
Other Bylaw Amendments
BY THE NUMBERS: Members approved a change to the quorum requirements for the AGM, or the number of members needed to complete certain tasks at the AGM, lowering quorum from the previous 80 to 50 members.
A further amendment was approved to change the rule for Special Meetings, requiring 50 members to call a meeting to discuss matters which may arise between AGMs
Dr. Alon Altman Confirmed as President-Elect
Dr. Alon Altman was confirmed to serve as Doctors Manitoba President-Elect for 2025 – 2026. Dr. Altman previously represented University Medical Group (UMG) and the Health Sciences Centre District on the Board and is currently the Honorary Treasurer after previously serving as Honorary Secretary. He is a Gynecologic Oncologist and professor at the U of M, and practices at Health Sciences Centre and CancerCare Manitoba.
Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Randy Guzman delivered his President’s Message, and CEO Theresa Oswald also provided an overview of her report at the meeting.
We are planning a follow up on the full HeartBeat 2025 event next week, after we have an opportunity to review reposnses from attendees, and share the testimonials and video we were able to capture at the event. Attendees will receive a separate message a little later today, and we would deeply appreciate your feedback and advice as we work on very important next steps.
New Directors Welcomed
Doctors Manitoba has four new directors joining the Board, in brand new medical districts in line with changes members made at a previous AGM.
Winnipeg Family Physician Medical District: Dr. Ashley Olson and Dr. Dan Hunt have been elected. Dr. Olson practices primary care in Winnipeg, with a focus on musculoskeletal medicine. Dr. Hunt practices urgent care medicine at Seven Oaks and Concordia Hospitals, and provides HMO coverage in the HSC Medical Intensive Care Unit.
They will join Dr. Erin Olivier, who was re-elected as the three Board Directors for the District.
St. Boniface Specialist Medical District: Dr. debbie Robinson is the new Director. Dr. Robinson has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology at St Boniface Hospital since 2002. She was the assistant residency program director before assuming the role of Site Lead in 2022.
Community Specialist District: Dr. Jayesh Daya was acclaimed is the new Director. He practices anesthesia primarily at Grace Hospital and also serves as part of the team at Dental Dreams.
Health Sciences Centre Medical District: Dr. William Li was re-elected and will remain on the Board as the Director, and will assume the role of Honorary Secretary beginning in June.
We also welcome our new Director from the MMSA, Jaime McNicholl.
Thank you to our Outgoing Directors
Six Directors are completing their time on the Doctors Manitoba Board.
Dr. Chukwuma Abara, who served as the Northern Medical District Director for the last three years has taken a leadership position within the Northern Regional Health Authority.
Dr. Alexis Botkin served as the Victoria Medical District Director for the last four years and has recently taken on a new role within Doctors Manitoba.
Dr. Kristen Creek served as the Misericordia Medical District Director for the last two years.
Dr. Heather Diamond served as the Grace Medical District Director for the last four years.
Dr. Edin Tunovic served as the Concordia Medical District Director for the maximum term of six years.
Tristan Rohatynsky, the Manitoba Medical Students’ Association Representative on the Board of Directors for 2024 – 25, will soon be completing her term as Vice Stick External for MMSA.