🩺 Help Manitobans Get Healthy // Sobering Doctor Shortage Report // Free Park Entry

January 31, 2025

This week’s Vitals: 594 words / 3 min read

See our top stories on the launch of our Getting Healthy Winter Challenge, a sobering report on the doctor shortages, and the latest health care updates and upcoming events of interest to our membership.

TOP STORIES

Getting Healthy Challenge Launched

Our President, Dr. Randy Guzman, launched our Getting Healthy Winter Challenge yesterday at FortWhyte Alive. The challenge is a fun way to help improve Manitobans’ health with evidence-backed tips from Manitoba’s expert doctors, while also combating medical misinformation at the same time.

You should enter the challenge too!

While the Getting Healthy resource is from physicians for the public, the Winter Challenge is for everyone. We strongly encourage physicians and medical learners to make a pledge to do one thing this winter to improve your health and well-being, and enter the pledge at GettingHealthy.ca. You are eligible to win, including this year’s grand prize — a Churchill Adventure Trip for Two! The prize includes airfare, meals, accommodations, and local adventures such as a beluga viewing trip and fat biking tour.

→ Make your Getting Healthy pledge and enter here!

Sobering Report on Doctor Shortage

567 words / 3 min read

Health Canada released a report this week looking at the shortage of health care professionals and examining current levels of training. The findings of the report are a wake-up call to provincial and federal governments.

WHY IT MATTERS: The report confirms a significant shortage, or gap, in physicians and other health professionals. After examining current training levels, the authors conclude that “if no action is taken, [it] will worsen over ten years.”

The report also backs up our advocacy to address the shortage and support physicians in expanding their capacity to care for Manitobans.

Free Provincial Park Entry All February

117 words / .5 min read

The Manitoba government is offering free park entry for the entire month of February.

WHAT’S NEXT: In addition to free park entry, Manitoba Winter Trails Day will be celebrated for the first time on Saturday, February 8. The day will occur annually on the second Saturday in February to showcase the province’s amazing winter trails and activities, celebrate the dedicated partners who create and maintain trails, and inspire Manitobans to embrace the season by enjoying outdoor adventures with family and friends.

WHERE: Manitobans can join park interpreters on February 8 for guided trail adventures at Birds Hill and Spruce Woods parks.

TAKE PART: Details and registration information for upcoming programs can be found at ManitobaParks.com.

292 words / 1.5 min read

Read updates on a request for input on a new Manitoba Health Compounding Policy and how you can become a volunteer patient for medical learners.

Go to Health System Updates.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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

Doctors Manitoba has entered into a new agreement with the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Read more about the 5-year agreement.
Need a copy of your receipt for your Doctors Manitoba membership dues?Receipts are now posted to the membership portal.
All physicians in Winnipeg will see their Doctors Manitoba Medical District change this year, following by-law changes approved by Members in 2023. Members have until February 10, 2025, to change to a different district. If you did not receive the email, or if you’d like to make a change, contact us at membership@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
Encouraging a caring approach through the CaRMS match cycle.
We’re looking for a detail-oriented and tech-savvy Digital and Communications Producer to join our team. Please consider sharing with someone you might think is a fit! The deadline to apply is February 10, 2025.

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: Black Health Symposium

DATE: Saturday, February 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OVERVIEW: The symposium will be taking place at the Brodie Center, Bannatyne Campus and the theme is Finding Your Voice.

DETAILS: Register here. Follow @uofm.bmsa on Instagram for updates.

HOSTED BY: U of M Black Medical Students Association (BMSA)

EVENT: Why Anti-Racism Matters to Data and Why Data Matters to Anti-Racism

DATE: February 13, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

OVERVIEW: Join this panel discussion to explore data collection, governance, and analysis in the context of social practices, knowledge frameworks, and power relations

DETAILS: Register here.

HOSTED BY: University of Manitoba

EVENT: Anti-Racism and the 'Fierce Urgency of Now'

DATE: February 14, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

OVERVIEW: Unpack notions of "polite racism" and denials of slavery legacies with keynote speaker Dr. Malinda S. Smith.

DETAILS: Register here.

HOSTED BY: University of Manitoba

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