University of Manitoba - Department of Family Medicine

Save the Date!

The Department of Family Medicine Resident Retreat is coming up September 18–20, 2026!

Residents, mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.

The University of Manitoba’s Department of Family Medicine has launched a new fundraising website!

Visit the site to learn how donations can support medical education, innovative training opportunities, rural and northern health-care initiatives, and the people and communities helping to strengthen family medicine across our province.

Every contribution helps us invest in learners, educators and a healthier future for Manitobans.

Explore the website and discover how you can make a difference:
https://www.umanitoba-dfm-donors.com/

A warm welcome to our new residents!

Residents, faculty, and staff came together during the Resident Welcome BBQ on June 29 to celebrate the start of a new academic year. Thank you to everyone who joined and helped make the event a success. We are excited to welcome new residents as they begin the next stage of their training and continue their journey in family medicine.

The Department of Family Medicine is proud to congratulate Dr. Peter Nickerson on being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

A world-renowned physician-scientist, health sciences education leader, transplant nephrologist, and UM distinguished professor, Dr. Nickerson has made significant contributions to kidney donation and transplantation in Canada and around the world. His work has improved access to life-prolonging kidney transplants and helped reduce the risk of organ rejection for patients.

This well-deserved recognition reflects an extraordinary career of leadership, research, collaboration, and service to health care.

Read more:

Dr. Peter Nickerson appointed Officer of the Order of Canada The UM health sciences and medicine dean receives one of the country’s highest honours.

Join the Department of Family Medicine for Grand Rounds on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, for a discussion on:

"Gestational Diabetes: How Physician Assistants Are Improving Treatment" with speaker Nikki Semaniuk, Physician Assistant.

The Department of Family Medicine’s Grand Rounds bring together medical learners, health professionals, faculty, and partners to explore important and emerging topics in primary care.

This online session will highlight how physician assistants are supporting improved care and treatment for patients with gestational diabetes, while contributing to collaborative, team-based approaches in primary care.

All interested medical learners and medical professionals are welcome to attend.

Please complete the registration form to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=C92AT4wzTE6KFJBEaWL3uLviM_rIJAVPuQjed7f9s_5UNVhVNFQyTzNWSjdYMkRUWjBIVk42MzIwSS4u

The Department of Family Medicine is proud to celebrate Lac du Bonnet Medical Group as the recipient of the 2026 Inspire DFM Teaching Site of the Year Award. Led by Dr. Michel Bruneau, Dr. Cody Clovechok, Dr. Selena Papetti, Nurse Practitioner Lisa Kroeker, Ms. Christine Bruneau, Ms. Tricia Solnes and Ms. Crystal Bellin, the remarkable rural team of Dr. Michel Bruneau, Dr. Cody Clovechok, Dr. Selena Papetti, Nurse Practitioner Lisa Kroeker, Ms. Christine Bruneau, Ms. Tricia Solnes and Ms. Crystal Bellin has created one of Manitoba’s most inspiring environments for medical learners. They provide exceptional full-scope care to their community.

The Lac du Bonnet Medical Group has instructed more than 70 UGME learners since 2016. They have taught the next generation of family physicians with strong mentorship, innovative learner support, and compassionate patient care.

“This clinic exemplifies excellence in medical education, mentorship, clinical service, and community engagement, fostering a supportive and enriching environment for learners,” said nominator Dr. Jennifer Setlack.

“What sets this site apart is its unwavering dedication to both patients and learners,” said co-nominator Dr. Lexie Peper.

Lac du Bonnet Medical Group’s work reflects the Department of Family's efforts to support early exposure, mentorship, and training opportunities in rural communities, which includes the Rural Health Careers & Early Exposure Bursary Fund.

Donations to the Department of Family Medicine initiatives help expand rural training opportunities, early-exposure programs, and learner support. This support strengthens the pipeline of future healthcare providers for Manitoba’s rural and northern communities. It also helps facilitate their successful entry into practice while improving long-term physician retention within the communities that need them most. By investing in training and recruitment, we can help more physicians choose rural practice and improve access to quality primary care where it is needed most.

Congratulations to the entire Lac du Bonnet Medical Group team and thank you for your extraordinary leadership in rural medicine, mentorship and patient care.

Join us for the 2026 Inspire DFM Awards on Friday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre.

Celebrate this year’s honorees, including Lac du Bonnet Medical Group, our 2026 DFM Teaching Site of the Year, and the outstanding faculty, residents and staff helping shape the future of primary care in Manitoba.

The reception will feature food and refreshments from local caterers, followed by the awards presentation.

Please RSVP your attendance before the end of the day on May 13, 2026, at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/2X2aZBxrAa

The Department of Family Medicine is proud to celebrate Lac du Bonnet Medical Group as the recipient of the 2026 Inspire DFM Teaching Site of the Year Award.

Lac du Bonnet Medical Group is recognized as a teaching site where learners feel welcomed, supported and inspired to grow. They have a strong culture of mentorship, a commitment to accessible, high-quality patient care, and a collaborative, team-based approach to practice and teaching. The team has created an outstanding learning environment for medical students and residents.

They are dedicated to teaching excellence that not only supports the development of future family physicians but also strengthens community care.

Congratulations to the entire Lac du Bonnet Medical Group team and thank you for your leadership in education and patient care.

Join us on May 22 at 3:00 p.m. in Lac du Bonnet as we celebrate the 2026 Inspire DFM Award winners and recognize excellence in primary care across Manitoba. Please RSVP your attendance before the end of the day on May 13, 2026, at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/2X2aZBxrAa

On April 24, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated 15 years of growing physician assistant education in Manitoba with a gala at The Gates on Roblin.

MPAS alumni, partners, faculty members, learners, supporters and friends all came together in celebration. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, live music from the 'Grace Hrabi Trio,' appetizers, conversation and a photobooth.

At dinner, guests heard reflections from program leaders and special guests on where MPAS began, where it is today and where it is headed. Speakers highlighted the program’s growth and the dedication of its learners and graduates. The program highlights the important role physician assistants have in supporting team-based care, improving access to services, and strengthening Manitoba’s health-care system.

The celebration also recognized students, alumni, preceptors, faculty members, administrative staff, clinical partners, institutional leaders, and government supporters who have all helped build and sustain the program.

Fifteen years after graduating its first students, MPAS remains an important part of Manitoba’s health-care future. Thank you to the students, graduates, preceptors, faculty, staff, partners, clinicians, leaders and supporters who have helped shape this program and profession.

Congratulations to MPAS on this wonderful milestone.

On National Physicians’ Day, the Department of Family Medicine celebrates those who serve in medicine.

Through patient care, teaching, mentorship, leadership and advocacy, family physicians play a vital role in the health and well-being of communities across Manitoba. We extend our sincere appreciation to the physicians within our department and across the province for their dedication, compassion and commitment to care.

Thank you for everything that you do.