Dr. Joss Reimer, Chief Medical Officer of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association, will be recognized with the 2024 Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) PAX Award.
CMU President Cheryl Pauls will present the award to Reimer at CMU's convocation ceremony on April 27 at Bethel Mennonite Church, where Reimer will also give the graduation address.
"CMU is inspired by Dr. Reimer's willingness to face complex challenges for the health and the good of all," Pauls says. "Her life demonstrates that she's not afraid to take on huge projects, for which there's no template on how they go, or to lead by example by being courageous by being vulnerable."
The CMU PAX Award, initiated in 2015 and awarded annually, was created to acknowledge and honour people who lead exemplary lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in society.
Reimer is likely most well-known as the former medical lead and official spokesperson for Manitoba's COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Taskforce, through which she gave regular COVID-19 briefings and news conferences. During the 16-month role, she led the largest and most successful vaccine campaign in provincial history.
She worked previously as medical director of population and public health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, lead medical officer of health on sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections and drug related harms for the Government of Manitoba, and director of population health for the undergraduate medical education program at the University of Manitoba. She continues to be an active physician, operating a clinical practice in maternity care, labour, and delivery at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
"I've always felt particularly blessed to have a job where I am literally paid to try and make the world a better place. Working in public health and now with the Canadian Medical Association is my way of building towards a healthier future for all of us and I feel motivated every day to do my part to remove the barriers people face in our communities to achieve their full health potential," Reimer says.
Raised in Winkler, MB in the home of a rural family doctor, Reimer went on to spend time studying language, political science, and international relations in several countries around the world. She ultimately decided on a career in medicine and studied at McMaster University and University of Manitoba, earning a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health. She started in obstetrics and gynecology before moving into public health and preventive medicine, becoming an expert in physician wellness, public health, infectious diseases, harm reduction, science communication, and much more.
Reimer is described by medical professionals as "an incredibly dedicated advocate for those who need a voice" and "a strong leader with vision, compassion, and integrity" who is "committed to the highest ideals of the medical profession." She was voted Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba and is a recipient of the University of Manitoba's 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards, along with countless other distinctions.
Reimer has shared openly about living with mental illness and she is passionate about collaborating with physicians in Canada to ensure they have the right tools not only to prevent burnout but to thrive. Despite the overwhelming challenges in the medical system, she remains an optimist, eager to take every opportunity to improve healthcare for all.
