Pictured is Chandel-Bailey Morrison as the two representatives awaited the start of the career showcase.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues active recruitment efforts by attending many events throughout the province. On May 8, PMH was on hand for the senior practicum showcase, sponsored by Red River College Polytech in Winnipeg. The event provided PMH with an opportunity to meet students from healthcare career programs which included nursing students, health care aides and health unit clerks and chat about potential employment opportunities within the region.
PMH was represented by Recruitment Coordinator Nicole Gulenchin and Dauphin Regional Health Centre Manager of Health Services Chandel-Bailey Morrison, who were happy to explain what the region has to offer and how they can make the easy transition into the healthcare workforce within the region.
Wes Anderson, and Brent Havelange, far right, joined Dr. Porimol Debnath and Tamara Kemp-Boulet, PMH Recruitment and Retention Coordinator to see the sights.
One of the cornerstones of Prairie Mountain Health’s rural physician recruitment program includes sponsorship of physicians through two innovative provincial programs offered through University of Manitoba’s Max Rady School of Medicine. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH), along with community partners, welcomes physicians who have successfully completed the Manitoba Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG) to the region.
On March 28, Dr. Porimol Debnath, who is originally from Bangladesh, toured Russell and the surrounding area. He said the experience left a strong impression.
“I really enjoyed my tour of the area,” said Dr. Debnath. “People were very warm and welcoming, and I really liked the hospital and clinic. I’m looking forward to starting work in Russell and building connections in the community.”
Upon successfully completion of the one-year training program, Dr. Debnath is anticipated to begin practicing in Russell later this fall.
Dr. James Honiball meets Dr. Debnath at the Russell Health Centre.
Practice‑Ready Program update
PMH has also welcomed two physicians through the Practice Ready Assessment’ program, which offers an accelerated pathway to licensure to qualified candidates following a three‑month practice evaluation process.
Dr. Tolulope Oni and Dr. Marvis Ofurum completed the program in February and are now practicing in Russell and Brandon, respectively.
Four additional physicians are currently completing this assessment process and are expected to start in Fall 2026, with planned placements in Russell, Swan River and Carberry.
Representatives of the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth were on hand to tour a new physician around the area, including a visit to the Asessippi Ski Resort near Russell.
Dr. Debnath chats with Russell physician Dr. Wickus Pieterse.
U.S. doctor, mentor makes rural Manitoba the next stop on career journey
U.S. doctor, mentor makes rural Manitoba the next stop on career journey
A Manitoba-born doctor who had been working in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the last 15 years has come ‘home’ to rural Manitoba to continue her medical career. Dr. Arleigh Trainor, who was trained in the U.S., had opportunities to take positions across Canada, but decided ‘home was where the heart was’ and recently began working in Brandon.
Dr. Arleigh Trainor
Dr. Trainor works in the Emergency Room at Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) and has a separate academic position with the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine at Brandon’s Satellite Campus as Assistant Dean. The Campus provides training for medical students in their third and fourth years. Her relocation efforts were a bit of a challenge, but she’s glad to be in the ‘Wheat City.’
“Not many people relocate from Sioux Falls, SD, to Brandon, MB. There was the option of only one moving company, and they had never done that (move to MB) in 25 years, so there were many issues with transport across the border. But Canada Border Patrol was lovely!”
Dr. Trainor’s journey and career path have wound their way through many provinces and American states.
“I went to college at Univeristé Laval as well as the University of Manitoba and the University of North Dakota. I graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2003”.
Dr. Trainor completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Centre in 2006. She accepted a position in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at Washington Regional Medical Center, working clinically and in administration as the Assistant Director and then the Chief of the Emergency Department. There, she developed a love of academics, which led to a position as the Chief of the Division of Emergency Medicine at the University of South Dakota- Sanford School of Medicine.
“I am very excited about my academic position at the Brandon Satellite Campus, which is why I chose Brandon over the other job offers. I have a passion for academics, particularly rural academics. I am so pleased to be part of such warm and welcoming people. And of course, very happy to be working clinically within the BRHC Emergency Department.”
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) Vice-President of Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung says the region continues to build on its strong partnerships with the Max Rady College of Medicine (University of Manitoba) residency programs within the health region.
“The Brandon Satellite Campus, along with the Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit, based in Dauphin and Neepawa Family Medicine Residency program have provided exceptional opportunities for physicians to train in rural settings. They’ve led to an increased number of physicians who continue to practice in PMH and in other rural and more remote communities,” Fung stated.
One thing that immediately impressed Dr. Trainor was how Brandon had flourished in the years since she left Keystone province.
“I grew up in Thompson and hadn’t been to Brandon since my mother had done summer school when I was a child, so it has grown tremendously, and there is construction everywhere! It’s been a very busy couple of months as I’m just getting oriented to my clinical and academic positions, which have taken up much of my time!
She was asked if there had been many adjustments from working in emergency medicine in the U.S. to seeing patients in the Emergency Department in Brandon.
“It has been a change to be sure, from the medications used to the units of measurement.”
For now, Dr. Trainor says each day is new, offering exciting challenges and opportunities ahead.
“I am really excited to be in Brandon, to provide service in rural Manitoba and to facilitate academic education to introduce others to the joy of rural health care!”
“There are some real positives in healthcare going forward here, including the new critical care centre, which is set to open soon at BRHC. I’m happy that there will be more beds as they are desperately needed in the area.”
PMH continues site visits with internationally trained physicians
PMH continues site visits with internationally trained physicians
Another successful community visit was held on Feb.27 with one of two internationally trained physicians who are set to begin seeing patients in Minnedosa in the fall. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) and the Minnedosa Economic Development Office led local tours to introduce Dr. Karen Aquino to the community she will eventually be practicing in.
Dr. Aquino is one of seven physicians who were recruited by PMH through the University of Manitoba Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG). Dr. Moazzam Raza, who had his own community tour in December, will also be based in Minnedosa.
Tamara Kemp Boulet, Physician Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the health region says the physicians were designated to be placed at various sites within PMH communities that require additional physician resources.
“The seven internationally trained doctors have signed return-of-service agreements requiring them to work in rural communities within the health region,” she said. “Communities allocated for this graduating class include Killarney, Minnedosa, Ste. Rose, Russell, Rossburn and Shoal Lake starting in the fall.”
All of these communities were identified as having a shortage of doctors, and recruitment efforts continue for other areas in PMH, she said. PMH organizes site visits for new physicians, so they can get accustomed to relocating to an area that suits their needs. These visits can include checking out daycares, schools, recreation activities, touring the health-care facility and meeting with council members and real estate agents, Kemp-Boulet said.
Besides touring the hospital and medical clinic, the visit included informational stops at the recreation centre, local seniors centre, library, vet clinic, food bank, Golf and Country Club, the Pavillion near Minnedosa Beach, and Catholic church.
In return for regional sponsorship, MLPIMG doctors agree to practice in their respective communities for four years. The Program is supported by the University of Manitoba —Max Rady College of Medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Shared Health-Health Care Recruitment and Retention Office, and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.
Kemp-Boulet says most of the MLPIMG tours are already completed, except for ones that still need to be held in Ste. Rose and Russell.
Dr. Mohammed Badawi joins team at Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic
Dr. Mohammed Badawi joins team at Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic
Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic and Prairie Mountain Health are happy to share that Dr. Mohammed Badawi has joined our team.
Dr. Mohammed Badawi
Dr. Badawi is a family physician who specializes in palliative care and complex symptoms management. His clinical philosophy emphasizes patient and family-centered care, shared decision-making, dignity in illness, and a holistic approach.
He provides expert care for patients with both malignant and non-malignant diseases, including cancer, end-stage organ failure, and neurodegenerative conditions. His scope of practice includes complex symptom management, goals of care discussions, advanced care planning, end-of-life care, hospice care, community outreach, and coordination of home-based care. He also has extensive experience in procedural care such as palliative sedation, syringe drivers, and the use of mechanical pumps to support patients with advanced needs.
Dr. Badawi delivers care across hospital, hospice, community, and rural settings, ensuring that patients and families have seamless access to services regardless of location. His practice incorporates interdisciplinary teamwork, community outreach, tele-palliative care, and integration of technology to enhance quality of life and continuity of care.
Dr. Badawi completed his Family Medicine residency at the University of Toronto and went on to complete a clinical fellowship in Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. He is fluent in Arabic and English.
Practice Information: Dr. Badawi’s practice will be based at the Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic. He will attend consults within a 1-hour radius around Neepawa. For referrals outside that geographic area, the consult can be virtual, by telephone, or patients can attend the Beautiful Plains Communicty Medical Clinic. Referrals will only be accepted from physicians and nurse practitioners.
PMH tours physician around Rossburn and Shoal Lake
PMH tours physician around Rossburn and Shoal Lake
A community supper was held following the Rossburn site visit on January 31. Pictured (l-r) are Tamara Kemp-Boulet, PMH Physician Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, Dr. Hernandez, and Emily Sawchuk, Chief Administrative Officer Rossburn Municipality.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is continuing site visits for the physicians it has sponsored in 2025-2026 through the provincial Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG). The MLPIMG Program assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical license to be able to practice as a family physician in Manitoba. PMH has sponsored seven physicians this year and has begun individually introducing each of the candidates to the communities they will be practicing in following their successful graduation from the program.
On Jan.31 and Feb. 1, the region helped introduce Dr. Ana Hernandez to the communities of Rossburn and Shoal Lake. Dr. Hernandez will be practicing in those two communities sometime in September 2026.
Tamara Kemp-Boulet, Physician Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the health region says the physicians were designated to be placed at various sites within PMH communities that require additional physician resources. She says the site visits are a great way of introducing physicians and their families to the area and communities they will be involved in.
“We are very happy to participate in these site and community visits, which can include checking out daycares, schools, recreation activities, touring health-care facilities and meeting with council members and real estate agents, and other key community individuals and representatives,” Kemp-Boulet said.
The seven internationally trained doctors have signed return-of-service agreements requiring them to work in rural communities within the health region Kemp-Boulet added. Communities allocated for this graduating class include Rossburn and Shoal Lake, Killarney, Minnedosa, Ste. Rose and Russell, all starting in the fall. Site visits have already been held with the physicians in Killarney and Minnedosa with more planned over the coming weeks and months.
A full slate of participants were on hand in Shoal Lake Feb. 1 for a luncheon, catered by the local Filipino community, as part of the site visit with Dr. Ana Hernandez (front middle). Dr. Hernandez’s daughter Angela is front left and Lisa Hogg, Shoal Lake Deputy Mayor, is at front right. Dr. Hernandez’s husband Robert (standing at the end of the back row on the far left) is beside Shoal Lake Mayor Merv Starzyk.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) was pleased to host 75 first and second-year medical students from the University of Manitoba in Brandon and Minnedosa on Jan. 23 and 24. The weekend workshop was part of the medical student Rural Interest Group (RIG), held in partnership with Health Careers Manitoba and Max Rady College of Medicine, Faculty of Sciences. The RIG weekend promotes the benefits of practicing medicine in rural communities and available lifestyle opportunities to medical students early in their training.
PMH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung says the workshop provides the health region with additional opportunities to engage medical students early in their training. Groups also got some work in through clinical workstations prepared at each site.
“We continue to have success with this proactive and student-led initiative,” Dr. Fung stated. Although the region participates in and explores many avenues of health-care provider recruitment, this event, and the Rural Week event in May are two that generate a lot of interest and excitement every year!”
Student RIG Co-Presidents Zeta Ward, Kaesy Enns and Kiana Tait say participants always look forward to the event.
“On behalf of the Rural Interest Group and the University of Manitoba Medical Classes of 2028 and 2029, we extend our heartfelt thanks to PMH for warmly welcoming our group again this year. These events are invaluable for our education, offering students a first-hand understanding of rural medicine, opportunities to network with doctors and residents, and insights into working within the health region.”
Health Careers Manitoba and PMH sincerely appreciated the support of regional physicians, staff and community volunteers who helped make the RIG weekend a success. PMH also greatly appreciated the sponsor support, which this year included the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation and Minnedosa CDC/Tourism Board.
Last year, PMH hosted 75 students between Brandon and Killarney. In addition, a second RIG workshop was held in early 2025 in Swan River with another 20 students participating.
PMH begins site visits with MLPIMG physicians destined to practice next fall
PMH begins site visits with MLPIMG physicians destined to practice next fall
When it comes to doctor recruitment within Prairie Mountain Health, the region’s Recruitment and Retention Team feels it’s ‘all hands-on deck’. Which is to say, it truly does take representatives from the province, region and individual communities to all work together to promote the benefits of living and working in rural Manitoba.
One of the initiatives the region utilizes as part of overall physician recruitment strategies includes the provincial Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG). The MLPIMG Program assists foreign-trained doctors in obtaining their medical license to be able to practice as a family physician in Manitoba. PMH has sponsored seven physicians during the year 2025-2026 and has begun individually introducing each of the candidates to the communities they will be practicing in following their successful graduation from the program in summer of 2026.
Tamara Kemp-Boulet, Physician Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the health region says the physicians were designated to be placed at various sites within PMH communities that require additional physician resources.
“The seven internationally trained doctors have signed return-of-service agreements requiring them to work in rural communities within the health region,” she said. “Communities allocated for this graduating class include Killarney, Minnedosa, Ste. Rose, Russell, Rossburn and Shoal Lake starting in the fall.”
Husband and wife Shamsudeen and Olamide Usman are among those who were recruited by PMH through the University of Manitoba Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates.
The Usmans will finish the one-year training program this June in Winnipeg before they begin practicing family medicine at the Tri-Lake Health Centre in Killarney in fall.
Doctors Karen Aquino and Moazzam Raza will be based in Minnedosa, Dr. Saleema Arif will practice in Ste. Rose, Dr. Porimol Debnath will be in Russell and Dr. Ana Hernandez will provide care in Rossburn and Shoal Lake, Kemp-Boulet said.
All of these communities were identified as having a shortage of doctors, and recruitment efforts continue for other areas in PMH, she said.
PMH organizes site visits for new physicians, so they can get accustomed to relocating to an area that suits their needs. These visits can include checking out daycares, schools, recreation activities, touring the health-care facility and meeting with council members and real estate agents, Kemp-Boulet said.
In 2025, the region sponsored eight physicians to participate in the MLPIMG program. They were placed in the communities of Swan River (3), Roblin (2), Neepawa, Virden and Souris.
In return for regional sponsorship, MLPIMG doctors agree to practice in their respective communities for four years. The Program is supported by the University of Manitoba —Max Rady College of Medicine, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Shared Health-Health Care Recruitment and Retention Office, and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.
Take Our Kids to Work Day offers students a glimpse at health care careers
Take Our Kids to Work Day offers students a glimpse at health care careers
Lorena with her Daughter Avani MDR – Neepawa
Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTW), a national program, occurred on November5, 2025, where Grade 9 (or equivalent) students were hosted by parents, friends, relatives and volunteers at workplaces across the country. The program supports career development by helping students connect school, the world of work, and their own futures. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has been supportive of this day and accommodates requests for students wishing to enter the healthcare industry. A total of 109 students were welcomed into programs/services within PMH spending the day in the workplace with a parent, relative, friend or volunteer experiencing and learning about the world of work as they begin to explore possible career paths.
This annual day has been a successful recruitment initiative that provides students with a look into the healthcare system. Interest in the initiative remains high every year, with 103 student requests last year and 67 students participating in 2023.
A big thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to engage with students. The willingness to share your knowledge and experience is meaningful and very inspiring for the students.
Internal Medicine Unit – Brandon Regional Health Centre – Set to open spring 2026.
Your NEW Work Environment
Where complexity meets compassionate care, in the Internal Medicine Unit, you will find collaboration among physicians, nurses, and specialists, caring for patients with a wide range of chronic and acute conditions.
Our multidisciplinary team includes a physician and a physician assistant, as well as 12-hour CRN coverage. Additional support is available for staff (i.e., educators, social workers) working together to deliver compassionate, high-quality care in a state-of-the-art environment.
Family-centred care is at the heart of everything we do, while innovation and advanced technology combine with empathy to deliver exceptional outcomes. The Unit also offers opportunities for ongoing professional education, supporting growth and excellence across all disciplines.
Patient-Centered Design
The new 30-bed, Internal Medicine Unit in the new Critical Care Centre was designed with patients, their families, and care teams in mind. Each spacious single room has a private bathroom and shower. The room features a ceiling track lift to support patient safety and comfort, large windows that provide natural light, and advanced technology for enhanced monitoring and communication. Ergonomically designed workspaces help our staff provide the best possible care in a safe and efficient environment.
