The B.Sc. (Med.) program allows students in the Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences to spend two summers – following their first and second years of the four-year MD program – working on their own project as full-time researchers. A summer research program is also open to students after second and third years. 

Sareen’s study is focused on better understanding what causes fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The second-year medical student is hypothesizing that it could be caused by the disruption of the circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates changes in the body.  

“We’re trying to connect the dots so we can have a better understanding of how we can help IBD patients with fatigue and ultimately improve their quality of life,” Sareen said.  

UM Today sat down with Sareen to learn about his experience as a B.Sc. (Med.) student at UM.  

Why did you enroll in the B.Sc. (Med.) program?  

I enrolled in the program for a few different reasons.  

The first reason is the people I get to work with. I’m connected with top experts in the field of gastroenterology, an area I’m interested in. My supervisor, Dr. Charles Bernstein, is an amazing mentor and teacher. Our website offers more information about the work we are doing.  

The second reason is to build my research skills. I want to become a clinician-scientist. I like the idea of developing a clinical question after seeing a patient, which then can become a research question. So not only can I help the patient in front of me, but help patients beyond Winnipeg and Canada.  

The last reason is that I personally get to explore areas that I’m curious about. What’s key for anybody who’s thinking about doing the B.Sc. (Med.) program is reflecting on what areas they might be interested in, because that naturally gets you invested into uncovering the story behind your topic. It can make the process more engaging and rewarding.  

Why do you think it’s important for medical students to gain hands-on research experience?  

Research is a skill. It’s amazing to learn from those who have been incredibly successful in research such as Dr. Bernstein. I also enjoy learning from his amazing team who have had lots of success and have supported me in building my research skills. 

I’ve done some research in past summers, but I really like how the B.Sc. (Med.) program is set up so you have a specific project with a specific role. You feel like you have more responsibility and that helps you gain the skills needed to be a clinician-researcher. 

Has the B.Sc. (Med.) experience enticed you to conduct research after medical school?  

Definitely, the program has helped me feel more empowered to pursue research because I feel so supported, and that has helped me pursue my own research interests outside of the B.Sc. (Med.) program. I’m working on a few other projects with UM professors in these areas as well. I’ve gained confidence in my research skills and took the initiative to contact different supervisors in areas of interest.  

What is something about research that you didn’t know about until you took part in this program?  

I learned that in research that there is a lot of freedom to ask your own questions. The supervisor is there to support you.  

It’s important to have a curious mind and take the initiative in the areas you want to work in. I’ve been able to experience that kind of freedom this summer working with Dr. Bernstein and other leading experts in different fields.   

Dr. Marissa Becker, professor of community health sciences and medical microbiology and infectious diseases at the College of Community and Global Health and Max Rady College of Medicine, seized one such opportunity as a UM medical student in the late 1990s. It was the chance to travel overseas to learn about the renowned Kenya-University of Manitoba research collaboration on sexually transmitted infections.

Dr. Marissa Becker gives the Alan Klass Memorial Address.

“This experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of global health,” Becker said in her Alan Klass Memorial Address at the Max Rady College of Medicine’s Inaugural Day Exercises and White Coat Ceremony held, for the first time, at the Centennial Concert Hall on Aug. 20.

Today, Becker’s research program focuses on understanding HIV, STI and other infectious disease risk and outcomes among marginalized populations, with a specific focus on adolescent girls, young women and female sex workers. Her research is conducted in Kenya, India, Pakistan and Ukraine.

Becker, also the director of technical collaborations at the Institute for Global Public Health in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, told the students she was in their place exactly 30 years ago. 

The Max Rady College of Medicine’s Inaugural Day Exercises and White Coat Ceremony was held for the first time at the Centennial Concert Hall.

“Over the next four years, you will witness and experience remarkable, sometimes challenging moments – your first delivery, your first surgery, the first time you share life-changing news with a patient, both joyous and difficult. These moments will stay with you forever,” she said. 

“Patients will entrust you with some of the most personal parts of their lives. That trust must be earned, and it must be carried with integrity.”

Welcome Class of 2029

The Max Rady College of Medicine Class of 2029 comprises 140 students, and members range in age from 20 to 43. The class includes 11 Indigenous students and 53 students with rural attributes, meaning that they have rural roots or rural work, volunteer or leadership experience. One French-speaking student is enrolled in the bilingual stream. 

The class’s ethnic and socio-economic diversity reflects the Max Rady College of Medicine’s inclusive admissions policy. 

The Inaugural Day Exercises included the ceremonial cloaking of the students in their first white coats and the recitation of the Physician’s Pledge.

Abigail Woytowich

Abigail Woytowich, 23, speaks French and will be studying medicine in the bilingual stream. She had an interest in medicine from a young age as she watched her father navigate chronic illness. She earned her bachelor of music from UM in 2024.

Taking part in the white coat ceremony didn’t feel real, she said.

“I’m so excited for everything I’m going to learn and everybody I’m going to meet and all the incredible and wonderful experiences the team here at the UM medical school is going to give us,” Woytowich said.

Jesse McGregor

Jesse McGregor, 25, is originally from Misipawistik Cree Nation and grew up mainly in Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation (Norway House Cree Nation). His role model is his mother, a nurse who has served First Nations communities. After earning his bachelor of health sciences from UM in 2022, he worked as an Indigenous student recruitment officer at the university.

McGregor said he wants to become a physician because he would like to give back to the communities that built him into who he is today.

“I’m from the North and I’m proud of my identity as an Indigenous person,” he said.

“I want to be able to be an Indigenous family physician and give back to the North and commit to that ongoing journey of reconciliation of the health-care system and making sure our people feel cared for in a way they feel understood and feel heard.”

Tara Clarke

Tara Clarke, 43, worked for a decade as a rural paramedic and nine years as an emergency department physician assistant. Clarke, a mother of five, has also worked with Rady Faculty’s Ongomiizwin – Health Services to pioneer a first-in-Canada program to integrate physician assistants into health-care teams in remote First Nations communities.

She said she almost teared up while reciting the Physician’s Pledge because the reality of the power and privilege she and her classmates have hit her.

“I come with a significant clinical background, and I’m excited to bring those perspectives and be able to do more for people,” Clarke said.

“I’ve had a unique trajectory to this point, and I’m definitely not traditional. I think that is a testament to the way our systems are changing and we’re ensuring that our Manitoba health care population looks like our province’s population.”

View an Instagram Reel recapping the Inaugural Day Exercises or watch the full event on YouTube.

As the Bingham Chair at UM for the past 15 years, Dr. Charles Bernstein has become a pioneering figure in the field of GI health, particularly in the study of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — a condition affecting more than 322,600 Canadians and one of the most common chronic immune-mediated illnesses in Canada.  

Bernstein’s research, which focuses on unravelling the complex causes and impacts of IBD, has improved the lives of thousands of patients and earned international recognition, including ranking in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide.

The distinguished professor of internal medicine at the Max Rady College of Medicine has spearheaded numerous outpatient programs designed to provide accessible and holistic care for IBD patients. As a proud born-and-raised Winnipegger, he continues to put Manitoba on the map as a global leader in GI research and patient care.

A visionary in gastroenterology research

Bernstein’s tenure as the Bingham Chair has been marked by an ambitious research agenda that tackles the genetic, environmental and microbial factors contributing to the development and progression of IBD. A strong advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration, he has led initiatives that combine clinical research with innovative public health strategies.

His emphasis on community-based support reflects his deep commitment to improving quality of life for individuals facing chronic GI conditions, a cause affecting nearly one in five Canadians.

Among his many achievements, Bernstein co-founded the UM IBD Clinical and Research Centre, a world-class program that has made pivotal strides in the study and treatment of GI diseases. His research into environmental triggers of IBD, such as diet and antibiotic use, has had a profound impact on understanding how these diseases develop, allowing for more personalized and precise treatment plans.

Bernstein has made several notable contributions to the field of gastroenterology, including:

• Environmental Risk Factors and IBD: Bernstein has led several large-scale studies exploring environmental risk factors for IBD, providing insight into how modern lifestyle factors, such as diet and antibiotic use, influence the incidence and course of GI diseases. His work has highlighted the role of environmental influences on genetic predispositions, offering more comprehensive approaches to prevention and treatment.

• Mental Health and IBD: Bernstein’s research also explores the intersection of mental health and IBD. He has contributed significantly to advancing the understanding of the psychosocial aspects of living with IBD. His work highlights the importance of mental health and quality of life in managing chronic diseases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care that goes beyond addressing physical symptoms. (To learn more, you can watch UM Knowledge Exchange, where Bernstein and other UM researchers share insights into the fascinating connection between the brain and the gut in the context of health and IBD.)

• Long-Term Impact of IBD: Through his research into the long-term effects of IBD, including cancer risk, fatigue and the impact on work-life balance, Bernstein has provided crucial data that guides clinical practice, improving the lives of patients with chronic conditions. He was also instrumental in leading population-based studies that track the prevalence and incidence of IBD over time, providing valuable data to global health organizations.

• Outpatient Programs: Understanding the need for specialized care outside of hospital settings, Bernstein initiated several outpatient programs aimed at providing continuous, personalized care for IBD patients.

Shaping the future of GI research at UM 

While Bernstein’s work has already had a transformative impact, there is still much to learn about IBD and gastrointestinal diseases. His research continues to focus on discovering new therapies, refining treatment protocols and finding ways to improve early diagnosis.

Supporting the Bingham Chair in Gastroenterology contributes to a brighter future for health care, advancing essential research that impacts the lives of countless people worldwide who live with IBD and other gastrointestinal disorders.

At the University of Manitoba, Bisons are at the centre of health care, finance, Reconciliation and so much more. Wherever there’s a challenge, you’ll find UM alumni leading the charge. Explore the Bisons at the Centre campaign and meet the alumni shaping Manitoba and beyond.

Learn more about how donor support is making an impact at UM.

Six physician mentors will provide identity-based mentorship to the diverse medical student body. The new roles are: Black physician mentor, disabled physician mentor, Filipino physician mentor, Jewish physician mentor, Muslim physician mentor and 2SLGBTQIA+ physician mentor. 

“We are in a complex global environment with intensifying polarization,” said Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.  

“The increase in antisemitism, rise in Islamophobia, attacks on trans human rights and gender affirming care, and racist backlash all impact our medical community. They influence the experiences of our learners, and we want to provide them with a safe space to seek guidance and mentorship. We also want them to know that their unique identities and experiences bring value to the medical school environment and ultimately to the patients they will see.”   

Anderson said that while not every medical student will see themselves represented in the current diverse physician mentor roles, this is a starting point and not an end point.  

Students can reach out to the mentors if they are interested in becoming a mentee.  

Meet the mentors 

Dr. Bunmi Fatoye – Black physician mentor 

Dr. Bunmi Fatoye, an assistant professor of community health sciences, is a public health leader. She was born in Canada to Nigerian parents and has practiced medicine in Winnipeg for more than 20 years.  

“I became a physician mentor because I feel like I can give back to the Black community,” Fatoye said. “I have the skill set to be able to transfer it to upcoming learners and share my experiences with them. I will be on the journey alongside the students as they find their career paths. I’m thrilled to help.”  

As a mentor, Fatoye said she will begin by asking students what they want so she can tailor the support, guidance and feedback to their needs. Understanding learners is crucial, she said, and a personalized approach is needed because mentees are not all the same and the Black population is diverse.  

Students can contact Fatoye by email.   

Dr. Michael Johnson – Disability physician mentor  

Dr. Michael Johnson, an assistant professor of surgery, completed his medical school training and residency at UM. While he was born with sensorineural hearing impairment that worsened over time requiring cochlear implantation to hear, he said it is one of the best things that could have happened because it taught him how to really listen to a person – from one’s energy to facial expressions to demeanor.    

“I understand what it takes when you have a barrier to achieve a goal and try to work around that,” Johnson said. “As a mentor, my plan is to try and take what is perhaps perceived as a disadvantage and see if we can turn it into an advantage.”  

Johnson said that mentorship can range from an in-person chat, call or text to discuss concerns, or it can mean formal initiatives. His mentorship approach is to personalize his help based on the learner and their situation.  

Students can contact Johnson by text at 204-290-3437.  

Dr. Katrina Leong – Filipino physician mentor 

Dr. Katrina Leong, a lecturer in family medicine, is a second-generation Filipina-Canadian. She began practicing family medicine this year, which she says gives her a fresh perspective on navigating the early stages of a medical career.  

“For me, becoming a mentor – especially for future Filipino medical students – is a way to give back, stay connected with my community and feel a deep sense of fulfillment,” Leong said. “It’s important to me that Filipinos continue to grow in the physician community because we are underrepresented. By mentoring, I hope to create a space where those coming after me feel seen, supported and empowered to thrive in their careers.” 

Leong said that mentorship is not a one-time event but rather a two-way, longitudinal relationship built on trust and guidance. It offers opportunities for growth for both the mentor and the mentee, she said. 

Students can contact Leong by email.   

Dr. Shayne Taback – Jewish physician mentor  

Dr. Shayne Taback, an associate professor of pediatrics and child health, is responsible for the training of future physician-scientists as the founding director of the Clinician Investigator Program.   

“With the challenges that Jewish students are facing today, I am grateful for the chance to use my mentoring and coaching skills to help learners enjoy medical school the way that I did and focus on learning how to be the best doctors they can be,” Taback said. “I hope learners will benefit from having a safe, respectful, non-judgmental presence who they can speak to, whether regularly or at specific times of challenge.” 

Taback said that mentorship needs to be authentic and supportive. He uses a non-directive coaching style, in which he does not tell mentees what they should do but rather helps them develop and take action with their own best ideas about their situation. 

Students can contact Taback by email.  

Dr. Rizqa Sulaiman-Baradien – Muslim physician mentor 

Dr. Rizqa Sulaiman-Baradien, assistant professor of pediatrics and child health, is a medical geneticist. Born and raised in Cape Town, she struggled to find mentors in post-apartheid South Africa, and this is one reason she wanted to take part in the diverse physician mentor program.  

“I couldn’t keep looking for a mentor, I had to become one,” Sulaiman-Baradien said. “I have a passion to help others, especially those who feel sidelined in the community or different. I feel like I can connect or relate to most people. No matter who you are or where you come from, the human condition is the same.”  

Sulaiman-Baradien said there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when mentoring a student. She said the mentor has to take the time to get to know the mentee because what might have worked for one person, might not for another. 

Students can contact Sulaiman-Baradien by email.  

Dr. Roopesh Kansara – 2SLGBTQIA+ physician mentor  

Dr. Roopesh Kansara, an associate professor of internal medicine, immigrated from Tanzania to Canada when he was 23. He completed his medical school and residency training at UM, where he is now the program director of the adult hematology subspecialty program.    

“When you enter the medical field, it can be quite daunting,” Kansara said. “You don’t know what your future is going to look like so it’s always nice to have mentors who can point you down the right path based on how they perceive you personally, your strengths and weaknesses and guide you along the way.” 

Kansara said that he hopes to offer outstanding mentorship in the same way that his mentors provided him. He wants to be there for the students and let them know that they are not alone, and he is someone they can relate to.   

Students can contact Kansara by email. 

Kimberly Dela Rosa

“I feel like it’s a dream come true,” said Dela Rosa, who immigrated to Winnipeg from the Philippines at age 12 and worked as a dental assistant for more than a decade. “I know I have to work hard over the next two years, but I’m almost there.”

Dela Rosa is one of 30 MPAS students starting the program this fall. In previous years, 15 students were admitted annually.

With five physician assistant programs in Canada, UM’s was one of the first two programs in the country to launch in 2008, and the first at the master’s level.

Rebecca Mueller, program director of MPAS, addressed the audience gathered in the Brodie Centre atrium and congratulated the Class of 2026.

“It is with great excitement and a true deep sense of pride that I stand today with you to officially welcome an expanded class,” Mueller said. “It’s truly a historic moment, not only for our institution, but also for each one of you who have chosen this path.”

Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, thanked the Government of Manitoba for its support in expanding the program to meet the demand for physician assistants across the province.

MPAS Class of 2026 students recite the Physician’s Pledge.

“This emphasizes the crucial role that physician assistants play in our health-care system and their invaluable contributions to patient care,” Nickerson said.

Tuxedo MLA Carla Compton spoke on behalf of provincial Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

“I want to thank each one of you for choosing to step into this program to become physician assistants. This is a challenging time in health care, but this is also a time of opportunity and innovation,” Compton said.

Elder Charlotte Nolin, Elder-in-residence at Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, gave the opening prayer. Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, registrar at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba; Kali Braun, Manitoba Director of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants; and Dr. Sheldon Permack, associate head of the department of family medicine, also spoke at the Inaugural Exercises.

Jess Neufeld

Along with being presented with their first stethoscopes, the MPAS students recited the Physician’s Pledge.

First-year learner Jess Neufeld said it was an honour to recite the pledge along with his new classmates.

“My whole family assumes many different roles in health care and my dad is a physician. I was actually at his white coat ceremony in this atrium many years ago when I was little,” said Neufeld, who was a member of the Canadian national long-track speedskating team for four years. “So, it was really neat for me to experience the same thing and be a part of this growing profession.”

Melissa Pearson

First-year MPAS student Melissa Pearson said it all felt real when she was reciting the pledge.

“I felt the seriousness of the profession that we’re going into,” said Pearson, who worked as a registered dietitian for the past two years. “Everybody was not just saying the pledge because it’s on a pamphlet we were handed. We’re all 100 per cent committed. I think that was really evident and really sunk in when we said the pledge today.”

“As a northern remote physician, you wear many different hats – from pediatrician to emergency doctor to psychiatrist because you might be the only doctor in a community. I thought that was exciting,” said Anderson, a graduate of the Max Rady College of Medicine Class of 2024.  

Dr. Emma Anderson

Before the placement in Norway House four years ago, Anderson had no idea that physicians could specialize in working in remote northern communities. Today, she’s in her first month as a resident in the Max Rady College of Medicine department of family medicine’s Northern Remote Stream residency program.  

Over the next two years, Anderson will spend four- to six-week rotations in small First Nations and Inuit communities only accessible by air, and also train at hospitals in Winnipeg. 

Residents in the program are trained in several fields, including family medicine, pediatrics and emergency medicine. Anderson is beginning her residency in obstetrics at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre.  

Residents also have the opportunity to take electives in areas like anesthesiology and addictions.  

“We’re training residents to become future physicians in any sort of set up – whether it’s private practice or a northern fly-in community,” said Dr. Soujanya Chavali, first-year education director of the Northern Remote Stream. “The aim of the program is to get physicians to love, appreciate and practice in northern communities.” 

As well as becoming a versatile physician, Anderson was motivated to enter the program because she wants to learn more about Indigenous health and traditional medicine.  

“I’m Indigenous myself, so there’s always been a draw to work specifically with Indigenous communities more closely and intimately,” said Anderson, who is Métis and grew up in Winnipeg. 

Of the six new Northern Remote Stream residents that started earlier this month, five are Indigenous.  

“It’s so important to have Indigenous physicians living and working in northern communities,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean, Max Rady College of Medicine. “One of our goals as a college is to represent the populations we serve so it’s quite positive that five Indigenous students from the MD Class of 2024 will be training in northern communities over the next two years. I am eager to see the positive impact their passion for health care makes.”  

Dr. Tobi Morakinyo

Like Anderson, Dr. Tobi Morakinyo’s interest in working in northern Manitoba began when she was on a rotation in Norway House during medical school.  

“As a remote resident, in addition to primary care and hospitalist work, you get to practice a lot of emergency medicine,” said Morakinyo, who immigrated to Canada from Nigeria when she was 19 years old. “It’s essentially the perfect fit for me and my goals in terms of what I wanted to do as a physician.”  

Morakinyo, a member of the UM medicine Class of 2024, said she is fortunate that she will have the opportunity to be immersed in Indigenous communities and have the chance to understand the social determinants of health for each community in which she works.  

“A big part of the population in Manitoba is Indigenous and being able to provide competent and culturally safe care is very important to me as a physician, because you want to establish that trust to enable community members to keep coming back to receive care and take control of their health,” said Morakinyo, who is starting her residency at the Northern Connections Medical Centre at Seven Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg. 

“I’m very excited to be starting this program.”

Established in 2022, the Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award is available to post-doctoral researchers, clinicians and research associates from specific underrepresented groups to help them launch their research faculty careers in Canada.

The award has two phases across a maximum of six years to support the transition of its winners to independent research careers. The first phase covers three years with mentored career development and the second phase supports up to three years in their positions as principal investigators.

Mariana Herrera Diaz

Mariana Herrera Diaz, a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Rady College of Medicine, received $270,000 for the first phase of her research into the impact of drug use on the microbiome and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI).

Herrera Diaz is originally from Colombia and moved to Winnipeg in 2021 with a PhD in epidemiology to work with Dr. Zulma Rueda, associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases.

She said the effects of drug use on microbiomes, the microbes that live in our bodies, have been under-researched. She aims to identify whether drug use is associated with changes in bacteria that live in the genitals, the risk of STBBI and the HIV treatment outcomes in those living with HIV.

“The first phase is to understand how methamphetamine use affects the microbiome and the risk of STBBI acquisition. I’ll be looking at two populations – people who live with HIV and people that attend shelters in Winnipeg,” Herrera Diaz said.

“In the second phase, I want to expand the understanding of how different drugs in different geographic regions affect the respiratory, gut and genital microbiomes.”

Miriam Gonzalez

Miriam Gonzalez, a lead research associate at the College of Nursing, received $270,000 for the first phase of her research into health service accessibility for underserved families raising a child with a neurodevelopmental disability (NDD).

She said racialized or disadvantaged families who are raising a child with NDD have greater difficulty accessing services and are underrepresented in health research.

“We need to generate the interest to help these families,” she said. “Understanding caregivers’ experiences is critical for promoting accessible and inclusive service access, as well as parental wellbeing.”

The first phase of the project aims to understand the perspectives of racialized caregivers and their experiences of accessing services for their child. The second phase will focus on the barriers and facilitators the parents may face to accessing mental health services, for their child or themselves as they deal with anxiety, depression and stress.

“What is unique is that we are using a multi-method approach, including arts-based methods, which is ideal for working with underserved populations. We are also using a patient-oriented research approach – collaborating with parents with lived experience and community organizations serving these families. This ensures the research is relevant to these families and will facilitate knowledge uptake.”

Gonzalez is a UM alumna with a master’s degree in community health science and a PhD in applied health sciences. She returned to the university last November after doing a postdoctorate at McGill University, and works alongside her primary mentor, Dr. Roberta Woodgate, distinguished professor of nursing and Canada Research Chair in child and family engagement in health research and health care.

“I’ve always been interested in underserved populations,” Gonzalez said. “My parents immigrated from Nicaragua 44 years ago, so growing up I was able to see the challenges and issues of ethnic minority caregivers.”

As Manitoba’s only medical-doctoral university, UM welcomes the province’s commitments to health care education and at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. The provincial government has committed $26.6 million for more medical doctor training seats. Investments are critical to ensuring the province can implement a robust and home-grown response to Manitoba’s health workforce needs.

“The University of Manitoba – its students, researchers, and alumni – has a significant impact on the economic and social prosperity of the province,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our university has a plan to address our province’s health care challenges and we look forward to working with the government to achieve this, together.”

The University of Manitoba generates $7.3 billion in total static and dynamic economic activity. Every dollar spent by the provincial government at UM generates a return of $4.10. “The University of Manitoba is the university for Manitoba. The ideas, solutions and talents developed on campus will generate positive returns for our province for years to come, adds Benarroch.

“We know if there are increased investments in research, UM can continue to attract the best and brightest to develop innovations that will make an impact on the global stage.”

UM recognizes that the provincial government is facing a number of fiscal challenges. The post-secondary sector in Canada is also facing an uncertain environment, but for UM to remain the university for Manitoba, it must continue to provide high-quality learning, research opportunities and be accessible to all Manitobans. UM will continue to work with the province and other levels of government for sustainable and predictable investments for operations and infrastructure.

UM is now reviewing budget information received from the Province of Manitoba. Following that, it will move forward with finalizing UM’s 2024-25 budget which goes to the Board of Governors for approval in May and will subsequently be shared with the broader community.

UM Knowledge Exchange is an important opportunity for UM researchers to share emerging knowledge with members of the public and the wider UM community. UM Knowledge Exchange is hosted by the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International), with support from the UM Learning for Life Network.

Join us for this opportunity to feed your curiosity and nourish your understanding of the brain-gut connection and explore the intriguing interplay of mind and metabolism. Our expert panel will uncover valuable strategies for maintaining health and managing IBD with this engaging and informative presentation.

Moderator

Jean-Eric Ghia, Professor, Depts. Immunology & Internal Medicine section of Gastroenterology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Panelists

Heather Armstrong, Assistant Professor and Tier 2 CRC, Department of Internal Medicine, Manitoba Center for Proteomics and System Biology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Charles Bernstein, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Bingham Chair in Gastroenterology, Department on Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Lesley Graff, Professor, Head Dept of Clinical Health Psychology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Provincial Medical Specialty Lead- Clinical Health Psychology Shared Health.

Jennifer Kornelsen, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Brain and Gut: working together in health and disease, March 27, 7pm-8:30pm (CDT) at Degrees Diner. UM Knowledge Exchange is a hybrid event with in-person and online options to attend.

Please register by March 22 to join the discussion.

Add Brain and Gut: working together in health and disease to your calendar. Coffee and other refreshments will be provided, and the kitchen at Degrees Diner will be open for specialty coffee and full food service. Parking is available with registration.

Or join us for online viewing 7 pm CDT to watch the live stream. Participate during the live session by asking your questions via email to: Research [dot] Communications [at] UManitoba [dot] ca

The seven-part UM Knowledge Exchange panel-discussion series is ongoing until May 2024. More details can be found on the UM Knowledge Exchange webpage.

The professorship will help support cutting-edge research like the work of Dr. Norah Vincent. The professor of clinical health psychology at the Max Rady College of Medicine is an expert in the delivery of evidence-based and cost-effective treatments for sleep disorders.

Vincent, a four-time UM alum, developed an innovative web-based program that has treated thousands of Manitobans with insomnia over the years since it was first launched in 2006. The program, which is offered through Shared Health’s Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at Health Sciences Centre, incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and lets patients access the treatment when it’s convenient to them.

“This treatment was one of the first of its kind in North America and Manitoba is the only place where this online aspect of service is offered in the public health system. We’re well known for it,” she said.

Vincent is currently researching an understudied class of sleep disorders called parasomnias, which include sleep terrors, nightmare disorder and sleepwalking. She describes it as the brain being half awake and half asleep at the same time.

Vincent recently completed a randomized control trial where people with parasomnias took part in a virtual treatment with a clinical health psychologist. The treatment included new cognitive techniques that train the brain in how to respond properly when asleep but can be conducted while the patient is awake. Prior to bedtime, this involves preparing the sleep environment and the mind to respond appropriately during sleep, Vincent said.

The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and Vincent said the next step is to move it to an online course so it can be used widely.

“Ultimately, my goal is to have people sleeping better at night and feeling better during the daytime,” she said.

Department of clinical health psychology professors, like Vincent, typically have less than 20 per cent of their time for research. Vincent said it’s often challenging to carve out time to do research between seeing patients, teaching and meetings.

The new professorship will protect up to 50 per cent of a clinical faculty member’s time for research. This would double or triple the base time that faculty in the department might otherwise be able to direct to their research.

“The endowed professorship in clinical health psychology will be a catalyst to advance innovation in clinical care and expand the work in the department for the benefit of Manitobans,” said Dr. Lesley Graff, professor and head of clinical health psychology. “With your support, we can build on that capacity for innovation.”

To make a contribution, visit: http://give.umanitoba.ca/.

For more information about the endowed professorship in clinical health psychology and to discuss funding opportunities, please contact Rady Faculty donor relations officer Adrienne Domingo at Adrienne.Domingo@umanitoba.ca or 204-789-3537.