Doctors Manitoba is encouraged to see both the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and the provincial government have taken significant steps this week to boost Manitoba’s recruitment of U.S. physicians. 

“These moves are a welcome addition to Doctors Manitoba’s public advocacy efforts since November 2024 to appeal to U.S. physicians in search of stability and respect,” Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets said. ​“We are excited to see that our work to appeal to U.S. physicians, dismayed with the political and financial uncertainties posed by the current administration, has inspired our partners who are making concrete changes to our health system.”

The CPSM has expedited the pathway for qualified U.S. physicians to be granted a full license to practice in Manitoba if they have met certain requirements in the United States. By eliminating the application for provisional registration, this action removes limitations on physicians’ ability to practice medicine, such as requiring supervisors, assessments, and practice location restrictions, which often proved time-consuming and costly. Doctors Manitoba commends the CPSM on its efforts to improve pathways to certification in a thoughtful manner that does not compromise the quality of care, and the Manitoba government for approving the recommendation. 

Doctors Manitoba is also pleased to see the Manitoba government has launched a new marketing campaign aimed at health care workers in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota that reflects Manitoba’s strengths and priorities including safe and inclusive communities that welcome diversity, equity and inclusion, good schools, strong social supports and comparable affordability with a high quality of life.

Doctors Manitoba has long advocated for these changes, which helps to put Manitoba on the map with American physicians considering a move north of the border. This started with an advertising campaign last fall in several U.S. states and continued public advocacy with recommendations to the province through the spring. While Manitoba has seen its number of physicians grow in recent years, national reporting still shows the province have the second fewest physicians per capita in the country. Doctors Manitoba continues to call for more training, recruitment, and retention efforts. 

In addition to continued engagement by Doctors Manitoba with the province’s recruitment and retention office, Doctors Manitoba will continue to promote the benefits of practicing here to colleagues in the U.S., including through American and Canadian news media interviews, advertisements, and a unique website, Man​i​to​baMD​.com, for American doctors from their Manitoba colleagues.