Nurse Practitioners recruited to PMH Region
Primary health-care providers work independently and provide many services
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is pleased to announce that four new Nurse Practitioners (NPs) have begun seeing clients within the communities of Rossburn/Shoal Lake, Melita and Canupawakpa First Nation, as well as the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic and Dauphin Primary Care Outreach Clinic. PMH CEO Treena Slate says recruitment and retention of health-care professionals remains a top priority for the health region and the province, and growing the Grad NP program within the region continues to see great results.
“Along with our health partners and stakeholders, which include our communities, we continue to look for ways to support, recruit and retain healthcare staff within PMH. By having NPs provide services from base locations across our region, we can maintain the provision of primary care closer to home,” Slate said.
“This is great news for the Westman community,” stated Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care. “Nurse practitioners are an excellent addition to primary health services and their unique focus on patient and client-centered care makes them essential partners in creating healthier communities. We welcome these new recruits and wish them a fulfilling career in health care here in Manitoba.”
Slate adds that PMH is collaborating with six more NP students who are currently completing the second year of their NP programs and who are expected to begin working within the health region in the fall of 2026. Upon receiving their full designation, Nurse Practitioners work independently, are accountable to their practice and can provide many services, including:
- Completing assessments and physical exams, including pap tests and pre-natal exams.
- Diagnosing and managing common medical issues and chronic conditions.
- Prescribing medications and therapies.
- Ordering diagnostic tests like blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs.
- Performing minor procedures like suturing, biopsies, wart and mole removal; and
- Referring to other health providers, including specialists.
For those looking for a Nurse Practitioner or Family Doctor, the Province of Manitoba has a program to help clients find new Primary Care Providers. Visit www.manitoba.ca/familydoctorfinder or call toll-free 1-866-690-8260, to find out more. PMH NPs work with this program when taking on new patients.
As of November 2025, the region has 31 NPs providing service within 30 PMH communities, 11 of which are First Nation communities. Nurse Practitioner services are also provided at medical clinics, 7th Street Health Access Centre in Brandon, the Brandon Emergency Department, Souris acute care, First Nation Health offices, multiple long-term care sites, and the PMH Mobile Clinic (primary care bus).
Kiersten McNabb, Nurse Practitioner Rossburn/ Shoal Lake
“I completed my undergraduate nursing from the U of M in 2013 and now have just completed my Masters Nursing, Nurse Practitioner in October 2025. I was a nurse for over 10 years. I have worked in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, acute medicine and palliative care. Most recently, I was an oncology nurse at Western Manitoba Cancer Centre in Brandon. I am excited to be able to provide primary care to rural Manitoba. The communities I am in have been so welcoming!”
From (L-R) are Stacie Gardiner-Graham, Erin Ryback, Jolynn Harder and Kiersten McNabb.
Stacie Gardiner-Graham, Nurse Practitioner Melita/Canupawakpa
“While attending Brandon University in 2001, I began providing respite care to adults and children with additional needs. I also worked as a health care aide. From those experiences, I moved forward with changing my career plans and degree to the Bachelor of Nursing program at Brandon University. I graduated in 2007. When the opportunity arose for the NP expression of interest, I felt the timing was suited to further my education and advance my nursing practice. I look forward to providing care to residents of Melita, Canupawakpa and surrounding communities.”
Erin Ryback, Nurse Practitioner, Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic
“As a Registered Nurse I have worked in rural and urban, acute and community settings. Most of my time has been spent in the Brandon ER and most recently as a public health nurse and Communicable Disease Coordinator in public health.”
Jolynn Harder, Nurse Practitioner, Dauphin Primary Care Outreach Clinic
“I’ve been a nurse for 11 years; the majority of my career was in the outpatient department/ER at the Ste. Rose General Hospital. I started the Masters of Nursing-NP program-in 2022 through the University of Manitoba.“
More information on Nurse Practitioner services within PMH can be found on our website.