Manitoba Welcomes Seven New U.S. Doctors to Address Health Needs

The Manitoba government has successfully recruited seven new doctors from the United States, increasing the total number of U.S. physicians hired to 13. This initiative aims to bolster the province’s healthcare system and address the growing demand for medical professionals, according to an announcement made by the provincial government on March 15, 2024.

Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, highlighted that U.S. doctors are increasingly drawn to the province due to a desire for greater autonomy in medical practice. They seek to work in an environment free from insurance barriers and excessive administrative burdens. During a press conference at the provincial legislative building, Asagwara stated, “In Manitoba, we respect physician autonomy, we respect human rights, and we center care around patients, not profit.”

The newly recruited physicians are either already working in the province, have accepted positions, or are in the final stages of immigration and licensing. Of the 13 U.S. doctors, 11 are affiliated with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, practicing in various specialties including family medicine, diagnostic imaging, pathology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry. One doctor specializes in 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, indicated that the new U.S. physician is expected to begin practicing in Brandon in February 2024. Asagwara remarked that under the previous government, Manitoba was often perceived as a “fly-over province.” Now, more healthcare providers are recognizing it as a desirable location for their practice.

The province’s efforts to recruit U.S. physicians began last October when the initial six doctors were brought on board. This recruitment is part of a broader strategy that has attracted interest from 58 candidates from the U.S. as of March 2024. The recruitment process is facilitated by the province’s healthcare retention and recruitment office, which was established in May 2024.

In June, the government streamlined regulations to simplify the application process for U.S. doctors seeking full licensure in Manitoba. Dr. Jesse Krikorian, a family physician from Michigan, recently joined Klinic Community Health in Winnipeg. He expressed satisfaction with his decision to move, citing the increasing government interference in healthcare in the U.S. as a motivating factor. “I moved in large part because I saw the increasing government interference in care,” Krikorian explained. “For physicians in the U.S. who are looking for a change, especially those who want to focus on patient care, Manitoba is a place I genuinely encourage them to consider.”

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew expressed pride in the province’s inclusivity and diversity during the press conference, emphasizing that Manitoba’s healthcare sector is now the most robust it has ever been. “This is the most inclusive, most staffed up, strongest Manitoba’s healthcare has ever been,” he stated.

The recruitment of these 13 U.S.-trained physicians adds to the 285 net new doctors who have joined Manitoba’s healthcare system since the NDP government took office in 2023. This influx of medical professionals is seen as a critical step towards ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for the province’s residents.