March 6, 2025

This week’s Vitals 1,267 words / 4.5 min read

TOP STORIES

01

Health Strike Likely Starts Friday 

Patients and physicians are once again in uncertain territory as the clock counts down to a potential major strike that is set to start tonight after midnight. The job action would involve thousands of allied health professionals across the system represented by the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP). This could have impacts on elective testing, surgery, and other procedures and services. 

We continue to hope an agreement will be reached overnight between the government and the union to avert the strike, as has happened recently with other close calls. We will be monitoring this closely and providing updates on this web page and on our social media. 

MAHCP members have been without a contract since March 2024, and 96% voted in favour of a strike mandate earlier this year. 

This job action page includes additional background and will be updated with the latest information available to us at Doctors Manitoba for our members.

02

Trade War Uncertainty

As if the uncertainty of a strike isn’t enough, the on-again off-again U.S. import tariffs came into effect on Tuesday, though most may again be paused for a month based on late afternoon reports. We know nearly all (95%) of physicians are concerned about the trade uncertainty, including the impact on their patients and the broader health care system. Last week we released an action plan to support the government’s response with a health care focus to ensure the care patients rely on isn’t sacrificed in the necessary economic response. 

Please continue to reach out with your concerns by emailing us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.

03

We Met with the Finance Minister

Our President, Dr. Randy Guzman, met recently with Finance Minister Adrien Sala to discuss our recommendations for this year’s provincial budget. We recognize the volatile economic uncertainty the province is dealing with, so our advocacy focuses on urgent, cost-effective actions to help doctors improve care for patients.

Read more.

04

New Claims Submission System from Manitoba Health

Manitoba Health is replacing the EPiCS/WebLink billing submission process with a new web-based e-claims portal beginning April 1.

See what’s different and find out more about transition planning.

05

Dr. Tamara Buchel Celebrated with Medal of Excellence

MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE: Dr. Tamara Buchel is an outstanding family physician and medical educator. She has led the expansion of postgraduate training at the University of Manitoba through unprecedented growth, expanding training sites to rural and underserved communities. The postgraduate training expansion welcomed the largest cohort of family medicine residents last year, with a further increase to 82 new residents starting this summer. 

1

She was also instrumental in introducing physician-led team-based care options in Manitoba for family physician practices. Clinically, Dr. Buchel practices comprehensive primary care, inpatient care, and co-leads a MyHealthTeam that is enhancing team-based care.

Her dedication to mentorship, patient-centered care, and academic excellence has made her a champion in family medicine in Manitoba.

🏆Read about all of our 2025 Doctors Manitoba Award recipients.

Awards Gala Tickets on Sale Now!

Join us at the signature annual event for the medical community. We will celebrate the extraordinary 2025 award-winning physicians, and hear from Doctors Manitoba’s incoming President Dr. Nichelle Desilets! 

We have sold out this event in the last few years, so we encourage you to get your tables early!

🎫 Get your early bird tickets now.

PHENOMENAL PHYSICIANS

The Doctors Manitoba Board MMSA Representative, Tristan Rohatynsky (Class of 2026) was one of the honourees at the Teacher Recognition and Manitoba Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) Awards presented on February 26 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The Citizenship Award is presented to a student who has shown a remarkable contribution to the social and academic well-being of medical students.

Congratulations to all the award winners. The teaching and student award winners are listed on the Max Rady College of Medicine website.

Watch an Instagram Reel recapping the awards evening.



Dr. Kathryn Tinckam, who earned her medical degree at UM in 1997, is a kidney transplant specialist and physician-in-chief at Toronto’s University Health Network. She was the guest speaker at the awards evening.

“You are getting a phenomenal medical education,” she told the students in the audience. “There is something very, very special about this medical school. It is big enough to have world-class science, world-class educators, and some of the leaders in the field, but it’s small enough to connect students directly with those people.”

Read the full story in UM News.

🏆 Do you know a physician who recently won an award or special recognition? Let us know at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca so we can join in the celebration!

APPLY FOR PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COURSE

In your professional life, you may want to make meaningful change at work, develop skills for working with different personality types, and find ways to engage yourself and your colleagues. In Leadership Begins with Self-Awareness, a six-week online accredited course from Doctors Manitoba and CMA Physician Leadership Institute (PLI), you’ll develop personal insights to help shape your leadership development plan. 

Application due April 4, 2025.

Space is limited. We welcome applications from all practicing physicians. Applicants in their first 5 years of practice will be prioritized. The course requires a time commitment of three to four hours of self-led activities and a one‑hour facilitated online weekly session.

Learn more and apply here.

SEND A NOTE TO A FELLOW FEMALE PHYSICIAN

March 11 is Canadian Women Physicians Day!

Join Doctors Manitoba in recognizing the contributions of women physicians by sending an anonymous note of kindness via e-postcard to a random fellow Canadian female physician, courtesy of Canadian Women in Medicine. When you send one, you will also receive one! E-postcards will be sent out on March 10

Send a card.

REMINDER: MEDICAL STUDENT SUMMER INTERNS NEEDED

We’ve created two internships for pre-clerkship medical students this summer. This offers an exciting and fun opportunity for medical learners interested in public health, health promotion, and public communications by supporting our Getting Healthy initiative. Know someone who might be a great fit?

📣 Share the full details and invite them to apply before March 17! 

TAKE PART IN DISCOVERY DAYS IN HEALTH SCIENCES

Discovery Days in Health Sciences is an outreach program to inspire high school students to pursue a career in health care. Participants hear a dynamic keynote lecture, take part in two interactive workshops and join in discussion with a panel of experts. The May 28 online version brings a similar experience via virtual programming to those for whom travel to a host site is not possible.

Discovery Days needs your help - find out what you can do here.

Read news on the leadership change at the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Here are the most read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:

• Work with Doctors Manitoba this Summer! We’ve created two internships for medical students this summer. Get the full details and apply before March 17!
• St. Boniface had a broken fax machine for months, which means you may need to resend patient referrals. Read more here.
• We're making progress on eliminating sick notes. Read more including our efforts to tackle other third-party requests that slow you down. 
• Doctor recruitment is picking up, and this could be a record-breaking year for physician growth. Read our analysis and what’s next for recruitment and retention.
• New WCB Agreement. Doctors Manitoba has entered into a new agreement with the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). Read more about the 5-year agreement.

EVENTS & CPD

We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.

EVENT: DRMB Book Club

DATE: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 7 to 8 p.m. 

OVERVIEW: We will be reading"Sunshine Nails" by Mai Nguyen. The author will be joining us for our meeting.

DETAILS: Register here. 

HOSTED BY: Doctors Manitoba

EVENT: Webinar: Changes in HPV Testing at Colposcopy

DATE: March 26, 2025, 8 to 9 a.m.

OVERVIEW: Join Dr. Sarah Kean, Medical Lead, CervixCheck CancerCare Manitoba, in this interactive presentation on the assessment and treatment of abnormal cytology.

DETAILS:  Registration is required.

To view/download the event poster, click here (pdf).

HOSTED BY: CancerCare Manitoba

EVENT: CMA Health Summit, Ottawa and Virtual

DATE: March 27-28, 2025

OVERVIEW: Sessions will cover where political parties stand on the future of healthcare,

Indigenous self-determination, and Navigating the AI revolution in healthcare

DETAILS: Access more program details and register now.

EVENT: Introduction to Mindful Practice presented by Dr. Jillian Horton

DATE: June 7-8, 2025 at The Studio in Pineridge Hollow

OVERVIEW: Rooted in the evidence-based, JAMA-published Mindful Practice Program from the University of Rochester, this CPD accredited workshop teaches and deepens skills in meditation, self-awareness, and self-regulation

DETAILS: Sign up today! No previous experience with mindfulness is required.

HOSTED BY: Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

We are here to support the whole physician.

Every step of the way.

Your health & well-being are important to us.

Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762

For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,

career resources or practice advice please

email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888

Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.

Get the latest on our social media feeds, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Do you have a suggestion for our Member Message?

Is there something Doctors Manitoba can help you with?

Email us anytime at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca