Manitoba Welcomes Seven More U.S. Doctors, Total Hits 13

The Manitoba government announced the recruitment of seven additional U.S. doctors, increasing the total number of American medical professionals hired to 13. This initiative aims to address staffing shortages in the province’s healthcare system and enhance patient care.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara stated that the influx of U.S. doctors is attributed to their desire to practice medicine without the constraints of insurance-related barriers. These professionals are seeking environments with less administrative overhead, allowing them to base their clinical decisions on evidence rather than external pressures. Asagwara emphasized, “In Manitoba, we respect physician autonomy, we respect human rights and we centre care around patients, not profit.”

Details on New Recruits and Their Specialties

The newly recruited doctors include those who are already practicing in Manitoba, have accepted positions, or are nearing the completion of their immigration or licensing processes. Among the 13 U.S. doctors, 11 are affiliated with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and specialize in various fields, including family medicine, diagnostic imaging, pathology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry. One doctor focuses on emergency medicine within Prairie Mountain Health, while another practices internal medicine in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region.

Treena Slate, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health, noted that the new recruit is expected to start practicing in Brandon in February. Asagwara remarked that Manitoba was previously viewed as a “fly-over province” but is now gaining recognition as a top choice for healthcare professionals. “We want to ensure we keep doing everything we can to maintain that momentum,” they stated.

The initial group of six U.S. doctors was recruited by October 2023. At that time, 33 American-trained physicians had expressed interest in positions in Manitoba, and currently, there are 58 candidates from the U.S. looking to work in the province.

Streamlined Processes and Positive Feedback

The recruitment of physicians occurs through the province’s health-care retention and recruitment office, which opened in May 2024. The number of doctors in the recruitment pipeline fluctuates, as not every candidate accepts a position. In June, regulations were modified to simplify the process for U.S. doctors applying for full licensure in Manitoba.

Dr. Jesse Krikorian, a family physician from Michigan who recently joined Klinic Community Health in Winnipeg, expressed that the transition felt like a perfect fit for him. He began his search for a position outside the U.S. in January 2025 and relocated to Manitoba that summer. “I moved in large part because I saw the increasing government interference in care,” Krikorian explained. He focuses on underserved populations, including LGBTQ+ communities, and found it increasingly challenging to provide quality care within the U.S. healthcare system.

Krikorian highlighted the moral burden of having patients in the U.S. needing prompt follow-up care, yet unable to afford it. In Manitoba, he feels empowered to prioritize patient care without the burden of insurance constraints. He encouraged other U.S. medical professionals considering a change to look into opportunities in Manitoba, stating, “For physicians in the U.S. who are looking for a change, especially those who want to focus on patient care and practice in a system that reflects their values, Manitoba is a place I genuinely encourage them to consider.”

Wab Kinew, the Manitoba Premier, reinforced the province’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity during the press conference, stating, “Everyone sees what’s going on in the United States, and I’m proud the province accepts people for who they are.” Kinew asserted that Manitoba’s healthcare system is stronger than ever, with the recruitment of 13 U.S.-trained physicians contributing to the addition of 285 net new doctors since the NDP formed the government in 2023.