331 words / 1.5 min read

Become an MMI Rater 

The Max Rady College of Medicine is recruiting raters for its 2026 Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process. This is an essential step in evaluating future medical students’ readiness for compassionate, competent care. 

What’s happening:

• The 2026 MMI will run February 8 – 9, 2026, with the rating period from February 17 to March 10, 2026. 
• All interviews and assessments are completed virtually, requiring access to a computer or mobile device with Wi-Fi or data. 
• Time commitment: about 16 – 20 hours, including: 
  • 1 hour implicit bias training 
  • 1 hour anti-racism policy review 
  • 1 – 2 hours UM Learn modules 
  • 1.5 hours question rubric training 
  • 12 – 15 hours rating interviews (minimum 30 interviews) 

👥 Who can apply: Physicians, clinicians, faculty, and staff are invited to participate. 

🕓 Deadline: Register by Friday, December 19, 2025. 

How to apply:
Complete the MMI Rater Registration – Physician, Clinician, Faculty and Staff form and the optional MMI Evaluator Survey.

📧 Questions? Contact UGME.​admissions@​umanitoba.​ca

Blood Banks Changing Plasma Inventory 

All Manitoba blood banks that store and distribute apheresis plasma have begun transitioning to pathogen-reduced (psoralen-treated) apheresis plasma, produced by Canadian Blood Services. 

How it works:

• The INTERCEPT Blood System (Cerus Corporation), approved by Health Canada in 2016, inactivates a broad spectrum of viruses, bacteria, spirochetes, and parasites, as well as residual donor white blood cells in while blood-derived or pheresis plasma. 
• The technology, already in use for platelet processing since 2022, now extends to plasma components. 
• The treatment enhances plasma safety without altering its clinical performance for most patients. 

🩸 What to expect:

• S/D (solvent detergent) plasma remains the main plasma distributed in Manitoba. 
• Pathogen-reduced plasma will begin appearing in some inventories. 
• There’s no immediate change to ordering or supply processes. 

⚕️ Clinical note:
While this technology improves safety, some additional contraindications may apply. Clinicians should review product details before transfusion. 

References/​Resources:

CBS Circular of Information – Pathogen Reduced Plasma Components

Transfusion Manitoba Website – Product Monographs

CBS Professional Education — Apheresis Frozen Plasma, Psoralen-Treated

Memo to Health Care Providers