Manitoba Native Returns to Lead Emergency Department in Brandon

A Manitoba-born physician is set to return to her roots after being appointed as the newest emergency department doctor at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Dr. Arleigh Trainor, who was trained in the United States, has accepted a position with Prairie Mountain Health and plans to begin her role in early 2026.

Trainor expressed her enthusiasm for the move, stating, “I’m very, very happy and excited.” Currently practicing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she has a background that spans various medical institutions, including the University of Manitoba and the University of North Dakota. Her decision to “come home” was influenced by her experiences interviewing across Canada, where she found the combination of academic opportunities and clinical practice in Brandon particularly appealing.

In addition to her role at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Trainor has received an offer from the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine. She may serve as the assistant dean at the satellite campus in Brandon, which would oversee training for third and fourth-year medical students. Although not yet finalized, this potential role played a significant part in her decision-making process.

According to Manitoba Health, Trainor is among 33 American-trained doctors in various stages of recruitment, with five already practicing in Winnipeg. The province has streamlined regulations for U.S. physicians, allowing them to apply for full licensure under specific criteria. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara noted that these changes enable new arrivals to “hit the ground running” in their medical careers.

Trainor’s journey toward this role began earlier this year when she attended an international conference on emergency medicine in Montreal. There, she encountered a recruitment table hosted by Dr. Savitri Ramaya, Prairie Mountain’s associate chief medical officer. “They made it much easier to come across the border and practice medicine compared to 20 years ago,” she said, underscoring the improved incentives for returning to Canada.

Born in Winnipeg and raised in Thompson, Trainor pursued her education at several institutions. Her medical career has included significant roles, such as her position as chief of the division of emergency medicine at the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine. She will continue her work in Sioux Falls until December, with plans to transition to her new role in Brandon in February or March.

Dr. Adrian Fung, chief medical officer at Prairie Mountain Health, expressed excitement about Trainor’s arrival, crediting the collaborative efforts of local health teams for attracting talent to the region. He emphasized the importance of showcasing Westman as an attractive location for physicians, noting that one doctor can catalyze further recruitment.

As Trainor prepares for her return, she has completed all necessary paperwork and is awaiting approval of her medical license application, which will enable her to practice in Manitoba. She remarked, “It’s a new chapter for me, and I’m excited about that.” While leaving friends in South Dakota will be challenging, she recognizes the value of seizing this opportunity for her career and community.