Unmasking Mental Health | Mental Health Week May 5-11

Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking those struggles can make it even harder. Struggling with poor mental health or an addiction often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgement and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel. We often feel like we have to hide our struggles—at work, online, even with loved ones. We’re afraid to open up and be honest with our struggles, because we don’t want to appear weak, or we fear the judgment and misunderstandings that might result. But constant masking can be draining and isolating, which in turn can often make things worse. It can also be a barrier to reaching out for support. Almost 1 in 5 Canadians who need mental health support don’t reach out because they were uncomfortable talking about their struggles.

This May 5-11, Canadians are called to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. We all experience ups and downs in our mental health, and each person’s mental health is affected by unique situations and experiences. There is no “normal”. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.

This year, a number of special events have been planned in the region to highlight mental health and the ways we can work to unmask it and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health challenges. Check out the list below to see what’s happening this Mental Health Week (May 5-11) in your area:

Dauphin:
- A free workshop on Reducing Stigma around Mental Illness will be presented at the Parkview Lodge lounge (29 2^nd Ave. NE), in the back room, on Thursday, May 8 at 3:00 pm. Free coffee and donuts available.

Roblin:
- The Roblin HERO Club will be leading a community awareness walk on Wednesday, May 7, with refreshments. The walk will start from the HERO Club (146 Main St.) at 1:00 pm.
- The Roblin HERO Club will be holding a Hamburger sale at noon at the Co-op Store on Friday, May 9.

Swan River:
- The Canadian Mental Health Association will have a display set up Wednesday, May 7 at the community booth in the Swan Valley Co-op food store. Drop by to pick up information on mental health and chat with a CMHA representative.
- A free workshop on Reducing Stigma around Mental Illness will be presented at the Swan River Library on Thursday, May 8 at 3:00 pm. Free coffee and donuts available.

Speech-Language Pathology Month – May

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) work with preschool children and adults.

In Preschool Services, services are provided in a client’s home, in a clinic or in a child care centre or preschool setting. In Adult Services, SLPs work with clients in hospitals or in long term care homes. In 2024, a role for SLP was developed in Cancer Care assisting clients in their recovery of swallowing or communication difficulties follow head, neck and throat cancers.

Janelle Lamontagne, fellow SLP, inserting a nasoendoscope into Jordan Hagemeister’s nose during a training session.

Jordan Hagemeister has been a SLP for 11 years and works in Cancer Care and Adult Services out of the Brandon Regional Health Centre. To become a SLP, he completed his undergraduate degree in the University of Alberta and then completed his Masters of Science Degree at Minot State University in the United States. He agreed to share about his experience of working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Prairie Mountain Health.

What drew you to working in Cancer Care?

“There is an expanding population of Manitobans that deal with complex issues associated with cancer and the side effects of treatment. There are often significant impacts on a client’s speech, voice, and swallow function. I chose this area because it is challenging work that requires adaptability, creative thinking, and compassion to help improve the quality of life for our clients.”

What is the most enjoyable part of your work?

“Building connection with the clients and helping them solve their problems, educating them, and empowering them to take control of their care and promote self-advocacy.”

Why did you choose Speech-Language Pathology as a career?

“For me working with the adult population is a blend of my passions including neurology, physiology, and psychology. It is a career that challenges the mind while providing valuable services to clients with complex and challenging needs. It is very rewarding to practice a profession where you help make a difference in people’s lives.”

SLPs working in adult services often work with clients living with swallowing difficulties (called dysphagia). SLPs in PMH have worked hard over the last 1.5 years to obtain this advanced competency in order to visualize a client’s anatomy at the back of their throat in order to accurately diagnose, treat and intervene when a client has swallowing difficulties.

If you are or know of a young person who might be considering Speech-Language Pathology as a career, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

New Board Appointments for Prairie Mountain Health

The Prairie Mountain Health Board of Directors has a few new faces following recent appointments by Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Uzoma Asagwara. Joining the Board for their first terms are Debbie Huntinghawk (Brandon), Kim Magalhaes (Brandon), Sue Stirling (Grandview) and Ron Janzen (Winnipeg).

Board members whose terms continue include Lon Cullen, Chairperson (Brandon); Donna Davidson, Vice-Chairperson (Ochre River); Jody Parsonage (Baldur); Lori Rodych (Minnedosa) and Judy Swanson (Boissevain).

PMH CEO Treena Slate welcomed the new board members and thanked members who have been reappointed on various term lengths.

“We welcome the new members and acknowledge their commitment to serve on the Board. We thank the members whose terms continue. We would sincerely like to thank the members whose terms have expired for all of their past dedication and commitment to health and wellness in the region,” Slate stated.

The new Board met for the first time on April 16, 2025.

Learn more about our Board of Directors.

Prairie Mountain Health Accreditation Survey | May 25-30, 2025

Accreditation is an ongoing process that includes an on-site survey, which assists us in objectively evaluating patient safety and quality improvement within health care. Accreditation Canada sends a team of health care providers from across Canada to complete a review of each Regional Health Authorities programs and services. Accreditation Canada works with healthcare providers, stakeholders, clients & families and the public to improve the quality and safety of health for all. Accreditation Canada’s philosophy of quality improvement is based on the involvement of the entire organization. For this reason, the team from Accreditation Canada will assess all aspects of an organization and provide an accreditation decision that recognizes the whole organization, not just a specific program and/or service.

As of 2025, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) will move to a provincial accreditation survey model that will align all health authorities and service delivery organizations to be surveyed together. This sequential model divides programs and services provided in PMH into four sequences, creating a 4-year schedule until all services have been evaluated. In the past, all of PMH’s services and programs were assessed by Accreditation Canada once every 4 years. This new model creates a continuous process in that Accreditation Canada will evaluate predetermined programs and services in PMH and the other MB Health Authorities/Service Delivery Organizations each year together. This year’s provincial survey is scheduled for May 25-30, 2025. The results of this survey will give us confidence that we are providing good care and help us identify areas that could be further improved. The survey is only part of PMH’s commitment to patient safety through continuous quality improvement.

The survey process includes evaluating standards and Required Organizational Practices (ROPs) based on national health standards (see Chart 1 Below) that reflect the programs and services offered within PMH. (i.e. Emergency Department, Public Health). ROPs are required patient safety processes that must be in practice (e.g. Falls Prevention, Client Identification).

Examples of National Health Standards to be Evaluated in PMH.

PMH has teams of direct care providers, support staff, administration, management and patients. Each member is selected because of their experience, area of expertise, type of program/service they work in or area of PMH they represent (e.g. Swan River, Boissevain). These teams work year-round to influence quality improvement, which is reflected in established processes, ongoing education and policy development. Partnerships with many groups (i.e. educational institutions, First Nation communities), including physicians, occur continuously to ensure that the best decisions are being made for staff, patients/clients and their families.

As a patient or member of the public, if you wish to know more about national health standards, check out the Accreditation Canada website or Health Standards Organization (HSO) website. If you want to learn more about becoming a patient partner involved in Accreditation, please contact us at [email protected].

When you see the Accreditation Canada seal, you can be certain that the health care organization is working hard to meet Accreditation Canada standards to deliver safe, high-quality care. They do so because better quality means better health.

May is Physiotherapy Month

In Prairie Mountain Health Physiotherapists work with adults and children. They work in a variety of care settings including seeing clients in the community, in a clinic setting, in a hospital, in a personal care home or in schools or day cares.

Carla Furkalo has been a Physiotherapist for 28 years. She is based out of Grandview, Manitoba and has worked in adult services for most of her career.

Terri-Lynn Delaurier has been a physiotherapist for 13 years. She is based out of Swan River, Manitoba and currently works in pediatrics.

What are important qualities of a Physiotherapist?

We are Life Long Learners – “Education is very important. We must strive to keep learning so we can do the best we can for our patients” says Carla.
We Offer Client and Family Centered Practice – “I enjoy meeting children and their families and hearing their stories. I try to make it fun for the children I see. Our work looks like play” says Terri-Lynn. In pediatric services, the family unit is supported by the Physiotherapist to try to best meet the client’s needs. In adult services, services are tailored specifically to the client.
We are Motivators – “Change can be hard. Physiotherapists need to get clients to buy into being a part of the process. One of the greatest skills a clinician can have is being a salesman. Reading your customer to know what support they need – education, motivation, information and empathy are essential” says Carla.
We are Team Mates – “I spend a lot of time in gym classes” says Terri-Lynn. “Working with teachers to try to set up 1:1 supports for the kids I see. I recognize that things can change at any time compared to what I tried to plan for the day. We are collaborative.”

What would you tell someone considering becoming a Physiotherapist?

Carla says “I take great pride in my job and enjoy the variety and challenge of doing something new every day. To work in a rural environment, at times being the sole therapist makes you sharpen your skills and learn quickly. What you don’t know, you find out. They Physiotherapy community is a close knit one; there are always mentors to draw from. From my learning, I have greater job satisfaction. To be happy at work is key and is contagious. I hope to continue learning and giving back to all that I encounter along the way”.

Terri-Lynn says “I think its important people receive services closer to home so they don’t have to travel. Offering a community based service, makes people appreciative about the work that I do. My favourite part is connecting with the families I work with. I truly get to play and make my work interactive for clients. I definitely get a lot of steps in my day”.

If you are or know of a young person who might be considering Physiotherapy as a career, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Revealing the Truth: How Tobacco and Nicotine Industries Target Youth

On May 31, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health advocates worldwide will mark World No Tobacco Day. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal,” shines a spotlight on the deceptive strategies used by the tobacco and nicotine industries to attract young people and hook a new generation of users — specifically targeting teens and young adults. Their efforts focus on making harmful products look trendy, harmless, or fun.

Girl with lollipop with skull in the background.

Despite progress in reducing tobacco use globally, these industries continue to evolve their tactics. Common strategies include:

Flavoured products and chemical additives mask the harshness of tobacco, making it easier to start and difficult to quit.
Stylish branding and social media marketing that frame nicotine use as fashionable or rebellious.
Deceptive product designs that mimic sweets, toys, or everyday gadgets, directly appealing to youth while minimizing the perceived risk.

These tactics don’t just encourage experimentation; they increase the likelihood of long-term addiction and serious health consequences. Being aware of the advertising tactics used by the tobacco and nicotine industry is crucial in protecting public health, especially among young people. These industries invest heavily in sophisticated marketing strategies designed to glamorize their products, downplay the risks, and appeal to the curiosity and lifestyles of teens and young adults. From sleek, tech-inspired packaging to influencers on social media and flavours that mimic candy or fruit, these approaches are carefully crafted to make harmful products seem harmless or appealing.

By understanding and recognizing these strategies, individuals and communities can become more resilient to manipulation. Knowledge truly is power; when people are informed about how they’re being targeted, they’re better equipped to make conscious, healthy decisions and to advocate for stronger regulations that hold these industries accountable. Recognizing the tactics is the first step in resisting them and in protecting future generations from addiction and lifelong health consequences. To learn more about this global advocacy work, visit World No Tobacco Day 2025: unmasking the appeal.

What You Can Do: Resources to Quit

If you or someone in your family is thinking about quitting smoking or vaping, support is available and taking that step can make a huge difference to your health and well-being. In Manitoba, there are a variety of free resources to help you on your quit journey, including personalized counselling, quit aids, and online, phone, or text-based support. Visit our website for a complete list of available services, or call the PMH Chronic Disease Education Program’s Toll-Free line at 1-877-509-7852 to speak with a nurse educator and learn more about the Tobacco Quit Card and Counselling Program. In addition to seeking help, it’s also essential to have open, honest conversations with your children and family members about the risks of smoking and vaping. Many youth are influenced by products designed to look fun, harmless, or trendy. Talking with your loved ones about these tactics can help them recognize when they’re being targeted and empower them to make informed, healthy choices. More information can be found at Health Canada or the Consider the Consequences campaign website.

Wellness for Seniors and Saving Money on Food

PMH’s Health Promotion team works on promoting health for all ages! One way that the Health Promotion team promotes health for Seniors in the Swan Valley is through Coffee and a Chat. Coffee and a Chat is a morning of interactive presentations for Seniors organized by Services to Seniors in Swan River. During the last week of every month, two or three presenters from different community organizations such as PMH present to Seniors that gather in Birch River on Tuesday, Benito on Wednesday, and Swan River on Thursday. It is a time to learn, ask questions, chat, and share a snack or meal. Recent topics presented at Coffee and a Chat included budget friendly meals, basic first aid, starting garden seeds, grief, the Canadian Dental Plan, mental wellness, and more! Coffee and a Chat has been a monthly fixture in the Swan Valley for Seniors since 2022 thanks to Services to Seniors and the many grants that have made it possible!

Here are some of the budget-friendly tips that were shared for saving money on food. There are many different ways to save money on food, such as during grocery shopping, storing of foods, cooking, and using leftovers.

Saving money can start with planning meals. Planning meals looks different for everyone, but having a plan of what food you will eat for the next few days or week can help you focus on what you actually need at the grocery store, rather than buying items you may not use up. Use this menu planner template to help plan your meals. Shopping once a week with a plan can help save money if you find you often have to run to the store many times per week.
Shop your pantry, fridge, and freezer first! Check out what you already have that could make some meals.
Make a list and stick to it when grocery shopping. Shop the flyers and sales, and learn if any grocery stores near you price match other stores. Paper flyers can be used to price match or digital flyers such as on apps like flipp or reebee.
Take advantage of “points” programs or free memberships at grocery stores such as Co-op, PC Points at Superstore, No Frills, etc., programs at Sobeys, Save-on-Foods, and more. However, be careful to only buy products you need, rather than buying products only for points.
Some people find it helpful to set a food budget for themselves and add up the groceries as they are added to the cart.
Buy larger packages if it will keep and will get used. Depending on the size of your household, larger packages may seem like a waste. However, items like meat can be purchased in big packages and then split into individual packages at home and frozen. Buying larger packages of flour, sugar, oats, dried barley, beans, lentils and other non-perishable items are generally cheaper and have a long shelf life.
Shop the “reduced” section of the store if you are able to use the items right away, or freeze for later. Bread products freeze well, and some fruits and vegetables may be frozen but may need some extra steps like cutting up or blanching.
Frozen and canned fruit and vegetables are often less expensive than fresh and are easy to keep on hand. Frozen and canned fruit and vegetables have just as many nutrients as fresh, and are so versatile! Pop them into soups, chili, casserole, roast them, steam them, add them to a stir-fry. Keeping your freezer or pantry stocked with veggies might mean less waste of fresh veggies.
When buying fresh, buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, this will most likely mean better price, and taste!
Buy store brands of items if they are less expensive and you still like the taste of the item.
Compare the per unit price on items when you’re not sure which option is less expensive.
Replacing some meat with meat alternatives can be cost effective. Meat alternatives like beans, chickpeas, lentils, and tofu provide protein for much less cost.
Shop around between grocery stores if you have the time and transportation to do so.
Eat before you go shopping, shopping hungry can mean buying food that wasn’t on the list.
Ensure to store foods properly so they stay fresh and tasty for as long as possible.
If you have the space, time, and resources, growing a garden can help with food costs. Learning how to preserve garden fruits and vegetables is helpful as well.
If you live on your own, cook with a friend and split the cost of the supplies. This means you can buy larger packages of food, and ensure items are getting used up.
Cooking at home and packing a lunch instead of eating out can save quite a bit of money.

Income can be a barrier for a lot of people being able to afford food. Check to make sure you are receiving all the benefits from the government that you are eligible for. Better income can lead to better health. Within PMH there are many opportunities to access food at low or no cost. Visit Manitoba 211 or ask at your local health center to see what opportunities are available in your community.

Shopping Canadian

Shopping Canadian is on many people’s minds these days. However, food labels can be confusing and hard to understand which products are domestic (Canadian) or imported from other countries. There are rules that food producers need to follow when labeling their products.

For a product to be labeled “Product of Canada”, over 98% of the major ingredients need to be from Canada, with the labour and processing also taking place in Canada. Some “Product of Canada” vegetables and fruits that you may be able to find in your local grocery store include: tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, spaghetti squash, onions, apples, cabbages, and potatoes. Be sure to double check that they say “Product of Canada”.

For a product to be labeled as “Canadian” the same rules apply as the “Product of Canada” label. Some food products that may use this “Canadian” label include: Peak of the Market produce, chicken, beef, honey, flour, milk, eggs, and grains like barley.

Some products are labeled as “Made in Canada”, and this label can be used if the last major processing step took place in Canada. It must also state where the ingredients came from. For example, “Made in Canada with domestic and imported ingredients” means that the food product had its last major processing step (for example: baking) in Canada with some Canadian ingredients and some ingredients from other countries. Some examples you may find in your local grocery store include certain brands of: canned beans or legumes, salad dressing, frozen foods, tomato paste, cheeses, cookies, etc.

Labels like “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” are optional, so some food products may be all Canadian but may not include these labels. If a food product does not include one of those labels, they may just have a Canadian address on the label. The tricky thing is that some products have Canadian addresses on the label but may also say in another spot “product of …” another country. They may also say “Imported for/Imported by” next to the Canadian address. This means the Canadian company brought this food product to Canada to sell in Canada. There are many Canadian foods with no extra label besides the Canadian address, some examples include: Dempster’s bread products, Danone yogurt, Armstrong and Cracker Barrel cheeses, Becel and Imperial margarine, and many more.

There are front-of-package labels that many products use that indicate the ingredients were grown or raised in Canada and/or processed in Canada. Here are some examples of these labels:

Foods that were made outside of Canada are considered imported and have to be labeled according to the country where it came from. Some ways to tell if a food product is imported is if it says “Imported for/Imported by” next to a Canadian address, the address provided is an address outside of Canada, or it is labeled as “Product of…” another country.

Many of Canada’s vegetables and fruits are imported from other countries. Some examples include: avocadoes, lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, grapes, bell peppers, garlic, pineapple, kiwis, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, bananas, pears, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, and snap peas. During the summer months more local vegetables and fruits may be available than in the winter.

Another label that can be confusing is the “…in Canada” label. This means that a step of the process was done in Canada. This may mean that the product itself, its ingredients, or other processing steps may or may not be from or done in Canada. Some examples of this label include: Wow Butter “processed in Canada”, Kraft salad dressing “prepared in Canada”, Premium Plus crackers “baked in Canada”, Green Giant frozen peas “grown and packaged in Canada”.

Some grocery stores have tried to help people find Canadian foods on the shelf by including extra labels. For example, Co-op and No Frills have taken to including a maple leaf on the price tag of Canadian food products. Giant Tiger has introduced some “Product of Canada” signs as well as “Made in Canada with domestic and imported ingredients” signs.

Grocery store tags with maple leaf symbol

Check out these recipes that include Canadian foods:

Chicken and bean quesadillas – Canada’s Food Guide

Turkey and lentil shepherd’s pie – Canada’s Food Guide

Moose stew – Canada’s Food Guide

Three Sisters soup (corn, bean and squash) – Canada’s Food Guide

Egg and veggie scramble – Canada’s Food Guide

PMH making physician recruitment gains: 32 doctors recruited in last year

Through proactiveness, persistence and partnerships, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has made gains in filling physician vacancies over the last year. Dr. Adrian Fung, PMH Chief Medical Officer, says the vacancy picture is improving, with 32 doctors recruited to work within PMH communities since last April. He says this is a credit to the region’s recruitment team and continued collaboration with health-care partners and stakeholders.

**PMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung**

“About a year ago, we were short about 87 doctors, which, at the time, made some headlines. Since then, we’ve worked hard to recruit and retain physicians here. In the last year, we’ve recruited 32 new physicians, which is about a 30 percent improvement in our physician shortage rate. We are making headway, but we’ll continue to push ahead as there is much more work to do,” Fung stated.

Since last April, PMH has successfully recruited 17 doctors within Brandon who are either specialists, hospitalists or both. The region has also recruited 15 family physicians to Brandon, Dauphin, Deloraine, Grandview, Hamiota, Killarney, Neepawa, Ste. Rose and Virden.

PMH hired an additional physician recruitment coordinator about a year ago and now has two full-time staff dedicated to recruitment and retention. They are supported by other medical services team administration staff. The team works closely with the provincial health care recruitment and retention office.

Dr. Fung acknowledges that the challenges in recruiting exist across the country and even globally. Like other health regions, PMH went through staff retention challenges during the peak and immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors, like all health-care professionals, went through extreme stressors including burnout. At the moment, physician retention is impacted by those reaching retirement age.

“It’s not a secret, we have to work extremely hard to sell ourselves. What makes this a better place to live and work is what we have to offer collectively within communities, our lower costs of living, and our natural attractions. We will always be willing to explore new ideas, because we will always be in a position where we need health-care professionals.”

There’s been a lot of work on recruitment provincially, regionally, and locally. Community engagement continues to push success.

“We recently did a presentation to Brandon City Council through their Economic Development Board to partner on new physician recruitment support initiatives. We continue to have communities involved with our medical student workshops (Rural Week in May and Student Rural Interest Group in January). If communities have ideas, we want to listen,” he stated.

Dr. Fung says health care recruitment, including physician recruitment, is everybody’s business. The region often recruits a person for a health care position and, in some cases, needs to connect a person’s spouse to another job in a community. Additional family questions about schools, extra-curricular activities, and other support also exist.

“We’re very proud of our community partnerships. One of our strengths is showing off our lifestyle opportunities and what we offer within our diverse region. No matter where a physician is from, connecting them with communities is key. We will continue to build on these connections in the future. We’ll continue to emphasize that people should come and enjoy our good nature!”

What else is the region doing in physician recruitment?

**The Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit in Dauphin holds an annual ‘Farm Day’.**

PMH has strong partnerships with the University of Manitoba and well-established Residency Programs (Brandon Satellite Campus and Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit, based in Dauphin), which have provided exceptional opportunities for physicians to train in rural settings and have further increased the number of physicians who remain to practice in rural and more remote communities. The Brandon program has been training physicians for rural opportunities for 12 years, and Dauphin’s site recently celebrated its 30th year of training in 2023.

In Neepawa, a two-year medical residency training program commenced in July 2024. The U of M Residency Program, based within the Beautiful Plains Medical Clinic, started with two Year 1 Residents, who will graduate in 2026.

**A new two-year residency program commenced in Neepawa in 2024.**

PMH participates in two annual medical student recruitment initiatives for first- and second-year U of M medical students. The Student Rural Interest Group workshop is held at the end of January and Rural Week takes place at the end of May. These student-led initiatives promote the career and lifestyle opportunities that rural healthcare centres and communities offer. We held two separate rural interest group weekends for the first time this year. In late January, RIG workshops were held in Brandon and Killarney. It featured 75 students, the most ever. In early February, we held a separate workshop in Swan River, in partnership with the local recruitment and retention committee in Swan River, which drew the interest of 19 students.

PMH continues to sponsor physicians through the provincial Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG). The ‘IMG Program’ assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical licenses to be able to practice as primary care (family) physicians in Manitoba. IMG physicians agree to practice in their respective communities for four years in return for regional sponsorship. The Program is supported by the University of Manitoba —Max Rady College of Medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and Manitoba Health. In 2023/2024, these communities included Swan River, Russell, Virden, Hamiota, and Glenboro. All of the physicians commenced work in September/October 2023. In 2024-2025, eight physicians are going through the Program and will be placed in PMH communities later this fall. These include Swan River (3), Roblin (2), Virden, Neepawa and Souris.

**Swan River hosted 19 medical students in February 2025**

Continuing to recruit and retain Physician and Clinical Assistants (PAs) (CAs) in the region. Currently, we utilize these positions in the BRHC Hospitalist Program, PMH Surgical Program, BRHC Anesthesia Program, BRHC Renal Program, and Acute Care Medicine (rural) Program.

PMH continues to attend special recruitment events throughout the year, including the annual Provincial Family Medicine Residents’ Retreat. In the fall of 2025, the region will play host to the event in Brandon. The interactive job fair affords many recruiters, including Regional Health Authorities and physician clinics throughout the province, to showcase their respective areas to prospective doctors. PMH makes great connections and stays in touch with those interested in rural medicine.

**PMH attends special recruitment events throughout the year. The region will host the provincial Family Medicine Residents’ Retreat this fall.**

National Immunization Awareness Week | April 21-30, 2025

Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized.

Measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases characterized by a red, blotchy rash. The measles virus spreads through close personal contact with an infected person and through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be spread by droplets that can stay in the air for several hours. Infection can result in serious illness or death. Read more.

Not that many decades ago, there was no way to protect yourself from devastating diseases such as polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and meningitis – or wildly contagious infections such as measles. Outcomes were inescapably tragic. Lifelong paralysis. Stillbirth. Neurogenerative disease. Encephalitis. Even death.

Vaccines changed this landscape. As time progressed, more and more diseases became preventable by vaccination, and health outcomes greatly improved.

We don’t want to turn the clock back to former times.

Immunize Canada champions everyone staying up to date on all recommended vaccinations, so that they can live healthier lives protected against preventable diseases.

Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized.

Vaccine recommendations are updated over time as new evidence and findings come forward, and as new vaccines become available. This can sometimes make it difficult for people to know which vaccines they need and which vaccines they are eligible for. Some people might not realize that they need to get caught up on their vaccines. For example, adults and pregnant people may not know that they need to get immunized against certain diseases. Some people may think that vaccines are just for kids – but, in fact, immunizations are needed throughout the lifespan.

Please see the Manitoba Health website for information on Routine Immunization Schedules including:

Some vaccines are offered free-of-charge to individuals who are registered with Manitoba Health and for those who are part-way through an immunization series started in another province or territory as part of a publicly-funded program. See the vaccine eligibility criteria for publicly funded vaccines offered in Manitoba.

In Prairie Mountain Health, you can receive immunizations by contacting:

Your local Public Health Office
Your local Nurse Practitioner
Your local medical clinic
Your local pharmacist

See Immunize Canada for further information on immunizations

Information for National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW) found on: National Immunization Awareness Week website https://immunize.ca/niaw and Manitoba Health website Immunization (Vaccination) | Health | Province of Manitoba

Author: Heather Janssens