Manitoba Welcomes 7 More U.S. Doctors, Totaling 13 Since 2024

Manitoba has successfully attracted an additional seven U.S.-trained doctors, bringing the total to 13 since the province launched its dedicated physician recruitment office in May 2024. This is part of a broader effort that has resulted in a net gain of 285 doctors since the New Democratic Party (NDP) assumed government in late 2023. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara highlighted the significance of these figures during a news conference, stating, “This is a historic increase in Manitoba.”

The establishment of the health care retention and recruitment office aimed to address the growing need for medical professionals within the province. Asagwara noted that recruitment efforts intensified following the election of President Donald Trump in November 2024, as many U.S. doctors became disillusioned with the political climate surrounding healthcare in the United States.

Dr. Jesse Krikorian, one of the newly recruited physicians, relocated from Michigan to join the staff at Klinic Community Health in Winnipeg. He began seeing patients in October 2025 and cited increasing government interference in healthcare as a major factor in his decision to leave the U.S. Krikorian, who focuses on underserved populations and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, expressed optimism about practicing medicine in Manitoba. “Here, care is based on need, not what someone can afford,” he stated, praising the publicly funded healthcare system.

Recruitment Efforts Yield Positive Results

Asagwara expressed confidence that the recruitment strategy is yielding results, with the number of U.S. doctors in Manitoba more than doubling in a short period. “Just two months ago, we were discussing only six U.S.-trained doctors. We’ve more than doubled that very quickly,” he noted. The province is actively engaging with additional doctors from both the United States and the United Kingdom to further bolster its healthcare workforce.

The shift in perception of Manitoba as a destination for medical professionals is notable. Asagwara described the province’s past reputation as a “fly-over province” for physicians, but emphasized that it is now becoming a “first choice and a first stop for doctors and healthcare providers.”

As the recruitment office continues its efforts, it has been instrumental in providing support throughout the licensing and immigration processes for incoming physicians. Krikorian shared that he received excellent assistance from both the retention office and the organization Doctors Manitoba, making his transition smoother.

Improving Access to Healthcare

The influx of new doctors is expected to have a positive impact on patient care access, particularly for those seeking family physicians. Asagwara indicated that while it may take time for higher doctor numbers to affect wait times in urgent care centers and emergency departments, the recruitment has improved the ability for residents to connect with primary care providers. The province’s family doctor finder system is reportedly connecting individuals to a primary care provider in under 30 days.

Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information further supports these claims, revealing that Manitoba boasts the highest rate in Canada for same-day or next-day access to a healthcare provider. In 2025 alone, the medical navigator facilitated nearly 50,000 visits, demonstrating the effectiveness of the recruitment efforts.

Asagwara summarized the ongoing changes, stating, “Manitobans are finally getting access to the kind of care that means they no longer have to go to ERs and urgent cares for primary care.” The minister affirmed the critical role that each doctor recruited from the United States plays in enhancing healthcare access for the province’s residents.

The proactive recruitment strategy and the welcoming environment for medical professionals indicate a promising future for healthcare in Manitoba, as the province positions itself as a desirable location for doctors seeking fulfilling careers.