The Manitoba government is adding 10 new doctor training seats in Brandon and renovating the Brodie Science Centre to put more students on a career path to medicine in the Westman region, Premier Wab Kinew, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara, and Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable announced on July 16.
"Our government is committed to rebuilding health care across Manitoba and we're following through on that commitment by training the next generation of family physicians right here in Westman," said Kinew.
The Manitoba government is working in partnership with the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba to create 10 additional doctor training seats, bringing the total number of spots up to 20 in Brandon. These students will complete their training in Westman at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, the premier noted.
"We know that when students train in rural communities, they're more likely to stay and build their careers there," said Asagwara. "This is an important step in strengthening rural health care and keeping more physicians in the region."
Major upgrades to the Brodie Science Centre at Brandon University will help put more students on a pathway to pursue medical studies, by ensuring students have access to leading-edge science facilities, the minister added.
"We want Westman students to be able to access top quality science education at Brandon University, which may inspire them to a number of health-care careers including medicine and help them to prepare for applying to medical school," said Cable. "We are pleased to support the long-overdue upgrades to the Brodie Science Centre."
"This is an exciting commitment to Brandon families and the Westman region," said Mayor Jeff Fawcett, City of Brandon. "The combination of these additional training seats and new science labs will attract our homegrown talent, get them working in Westman settings and lead to more physicians starting a practice right here at home."
To support this expansion, the Manitoba government is also investing in renovations to the Brandon Regional Health Centre library to ensure medical students have dedicated learning space and access to the necessary equipment.
