Manitoba Welcomes Seven New U.S. Doctors Amid Recruitment Drive

The Manitoba government has successfully recruited seven new doctors from the United States, bringing the total number of U.S. physicians hired to thirteen. This announcement, made on October 27, 2023, highlights the province’s ongoing efforts to enhance its healthcare workforce.

Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Health Minister, explained that U.S. doctors are drawn to the province due to its commitment to physician autonomy and patient-centered care. “In Manitoba, we respect physician autonomy, we respect human rights and we centre care around patients, not profit,” Asagwara stated during a press conference held at the provincial legislative building.

The new recruits comprise physicians who are either already practising in Manitoba, have accepted positions, or are in the final stages of the immigration and licensing process. Of the thirteen U.S. doctors, eleven are working within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, specializing in areas such as family medicine, diagnostic imaging, pathology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry. Additionally, one doctor specializes in emergency medicine in Prairie Mountain Health, while another focuses on internal medicine in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region.

Treena Slate, the CEO of Prairie Mountain Health, shared that the newly recruited U.S. physician is expected to begin practising in Brandon by February 2024. Asagwara noted that under the previous administration, Manitoba was often viewed as a “fly-over province.” However, the current government is seeing an increase in interest from healthcare providers seeking to work in the region. “We want to make sure we keep doing everything we can to maintain that momentum,” they emphasized.

The recruitment of these physicians follows the initial hiring of six U.S. doctors last October, part of a broader strategy to attract American-trained medical professionals. As of now, there are 58 candidates from the U.S. interested in positions in Manitoba, a number that fluctuates as not every candidate ultimately accepts an offer.

To facilitate this recruitment process, the province has made it easier for U.S. physicians to obtain full licensure by changing regulations in June 2023. This streamlined approach is designed to attract more healthcare professionals to Manitoba.

Dr. Jesse Krikorian, a family physician from Michigan, recently joined Klinic Community Health in Winnipeg. He shared that the decision to move was influenced by increasing government interference in patient care in the U.S. “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,” Krikorian remarked during the press conference.

Wab Kinew, the Premier of Manitoba, expressed pride in the province’s inclusive approach to healthcare. “This is the most inclusive, most staffed up, strongest Manitoba’s health care has ever been,” he stated, highlighting the importance of acceptance and diversity within the healthcare system.

The recruitment of these thirteen U.S.-trained physicians contributes to the overall growth of Manitoba’s healthcare system, which has seen a net increase of 285 new doctors since the New Democratic Party (NDP) assumed office in 2023. As the province continues to attract talent from across the border, the focus remains on improving access to quality healthcare for all Manitobans.