Larence took a photo of the event and sent it to her mom with the message, “Hopefully this is me next year.”

Sydney Larence

This year, it was her. Larence was one of 30 MPAS learners in the Class of 2027 who took part in the Inaugural Exercises on August 29 on the Bannatyne campus. The event officially welcomes the learners to the program and includes the Stethoscope Ceremony and the recitation of the Physician’s Pledge.

“It was a full-circle moment. Being a physician assistant is something that I’ve wanted for almost eight years. It’s really incredible,” said Larence, who is Métis and Jewish, and is passionate about Indigenous care and integrating Indigenous knowledge into the health-care system.

The MPAS program is competitive. UM received 240 applications for just 30 spots, which increased last year from 15 to meet the growing need for physician assistants in Manitoba.

Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, spoke to the students about the importance of interprofessional collaboration during their training and after graduation.

“There’s growing evidence that health care professionals working together as part of an interdisciplinary team improves the quality of care and patient outcomes,” Nickerson said.

Yuxi Ramirez

Yuxi Ramirez could relate to the importance of working as a team. Before entering the MPAS program, she worked as a dental assistant and a medical clerk. She hopes to bring her experience working on collaborative teams to her new career.  

“I learned a lot about teamwork and working in a very fast-paced environment, so I really hope that prepares me for the future as a physician assistant,” said Ramirez, who was born in Colombia and immigrated to Brandon, Man., at the age of 11.

Provincial Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable addressed the students.

“Dr. Nickerson shared some really important stats with all of you, but the stat he didn’t talk about was how many of you we need to stay in Manitoba after you’re done – and that is 100 per cent of you,” Asagwara said.

Kale Mayor

Kale Mayor plans on doing just that. He wants to return to his hometown of Thompson, Man., after his two years of training.

“I discovered the physician assistant (PA) profession when I got into university. I got to shadow some PAs and see the impact they have on health care. Being a northern boy, I want to go back and have that same impact as a PA,” said Mayor, who completed his bachelor of health sciences at UM in 2024.

Before the students were presented with stethoscopes, Rebecca Mueller, program director of MPAS, shared the symbolism behind the ceremony.

“Receiving your first stethoscope serves as a milestone in the life of every PA student,” Mueller said.

“The stethoscope represents the relationship between the practitioner and the patient, highlighting the most important part of health care, as the stethoscope is only useful when there is communication between the practitioner and the patient because you must first and foremost listen.”

Ramirez said that during the stethoscope ceremony, she was excited and happy to be part of the program.

“It was probably the most exciting moment of my life,” she said.

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

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.”

“I just really want to make sure that other kids and other adults are able to participate in their lives to the fullest ability without having to worry about whether or not they can breathe,” said Normand, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy at the University of Manitoba Fall convocation on Oct. 26.

Now working at St. Boniface Hospital, Normand was the recipient of UM’s Gold Medal, which is awarded to the student the highest standing in an undergraduate faculty, college or school. Prior to the convocation, she also received three other awards at a luncheon hosted by the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

“This is really exciting. It feels like a cumulation of so much work and effort,” Normand said.

Normand was one of 128 graduates at UM’s final Fall 2023 convocation ceremony, held at Bannatyne campus. In total, there were 13 respiratory therapy graduates, as well as 51 from the Master of Occupational Therapy program, 49 from the Master of Physical Therapy program, and 15 from the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the Max Rady College of Medicine.

Dr. Reg Urbanowski, dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, congratulated the graduates on choosing a career path as healers.

“You are going to have people who are in pain, people who are fighting for their lives, people who are going to you to reorganize their lives and help them find some meaning in it again. That’s a very strong calling you answered, so I applaud you for that,” Urbanowski said.

Hayley Ward (L) accepts an award from Atoosa Reimer of Sport Physiotherapy Canada’s Manitoba section.

Physical therapy grad Hayley Ward also found it was personal experience that drew her to her “calling.” While she was captain of the Bison women’s soccer team in 2018, she suffered a knee injury that required surgery.

“I got connected to an expert who helped me not only get back to playing but helped me feel stronger and more confident in my ability than I had been previously. After that I knew PT was what I wanted to do for people,” she said.

Prior to the convocation, she received an award for her community involvement and leadership qualities. Currently, Ward is working at a private practice clinic in Winnipeg. She also has a rehab consultant role on a project with Cirque du Soleil.

“I am passionate about growing the profession and have a special interest in high performance, physical literacy-enriched rehab, and bridging the gender gap in sports and movement. In the future I hope to continue growing in the high-performance world and to give back to community through volunteer efforts and continued education,” she said.

Ulyana Omelchenko (R) accepts an award from Brenda Semenko from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Ulyana Omelchenko is a mother of two with a previous degree in philosophy from Simon Fraser University. She turned her focus to occupational therapy after an experience working in art therapy with a woman who had experienced a stroke.

“She could no longer put on her coat, hold the paintbrush or ask for help. I vividly remember her despair,” Omelchenko said. “I saw how important it was for people to have access to do what matters to them, and I wanted to be part of the process that leads people to be able to do that.”

Prior to the convocation ceremony, Omelchenko received three awards, including one from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. She just started a position at Victoria General Hospital.

“I love that this work is direct client care, that it involves so much collaboration with different members of the team, and that it will provide me with so many opportunities for further growth and learning,” she said.

‘Skills are in demand’ for MPAS grads

Dr. Peter Nickerson, dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, congratulated the MPAS grads, who he said will improve the lives of patients with compassion, honesty and integrity.

He also reflected on how Manitoba became the first province in Canada to recognize and regulate physician assistants when the program was established in 2008.

Miyosha Tso Deh

“Your University of Manitoba education and training has prepared you to be adaptable to any clinical environment, from primary health care to consulting to specialty practice or hospital-based roles. No matter what setting you find yourself in, you will excel. Your skills are in demand, you will make a difference in the lives of your patients and colleagues,” Nickerson said.

MPAS graduate Miyosha Tso Deh said that crossing the stage to receive her parchment was an incredible and unbelievable experience.

“The MPAS program was intense,” Tso Deh said. “There were lots of tears and lots of laughter, but more tears than laughter. It was a lot of hard work, and our class accomplished a lot in two years. The community was incredible and very supportive.”

Tso Deh wanted to become a physician assistant to help close gaps in the health-care system. She is already working as an emergency physician assistant at Grace Hospital.

Watch a social media video of highlights from the convocation ceremony.

“I think this stethoscope is such a big symbol of medicine and the connection you have with patients, hearing their heartbeat and just hearing what’s going on with them,” Sen said. “It was very special finally getting it.”

Angel Sen

Sen and the 14 other new MPAS students were presented with stethoscopes as part of the Inaugural Exercises on Sept. 1 in Brodie Centre atrium on the Bannatyne campus.

Heading into the MPAS program, members of the Class of 2025 already have plenty of health-care experience. There are nurses, researchers and a diagnostic medical sonographer. They also have a wealth of volunteer experience – which includes work in ERs, ICUs and at CancerCare Manitoba.

Nikaela Hewat

First-year MPAS student Nikaela Hewat has worked as a nurse for the past eight years and she said it has provided her with an excellent foundation in medicine. She said it felt a bit surreal when she recited the Physician’s Pledge because it’s a big moment entering the MPAS program.

“I’m just excited to start this journey,” Hewat said.

Sen said that one of the main reasons she wanted to become a physician assistant (PA) was to have a positive impact on her community.

“Going to hospitals myself – if I have a family member sick or I’m volunteering there – I saw the impact good health care can have on the life of a patient and their family,” Sen said. “As a physician assistant, I think I will be able to have that kind of impact. So, I really wanted to go into this profession.”

The students were welcomed into the program at the Inaugural Exercises by PA Rebecca Mueller, interim program director and academic coordinator for MPAS.

“I want to emphasize that the journey you are about to embark upon is not an easy one, but it is a noble one,” Mueller told the MPAS students at the event. “You have chosen a profession that will allow you to touch lives and heal wounds and make a meaningful impact.”

Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (heath sciences), and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and the Max Rady College of Medicine, addressed the audience and told the students that they are joining an exceptional program that trains outstanding physician assistants.

“I know this because many other provinces are trying to open programs like ours and they’re calling Rebecca [Mueller] constantly to find out how we’re doing it because they want to emulate that which we have, so you are in a fantastic program and I’m so happy we have you here,” Nickerson said. 

As well as the Stethoscope Ceremony and the Physician’s Pledge, Elder Margaret Lavallee gave a blessing, and speakers included Dr. Anna Ziomek, registrar for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Dr. Ian Whetter, medical director for Ongomiizwin – Health Services, and PA Kali Braun, Manitoba Director, Canadian Association of Physician Assistants.