Eight of the nine award recipients are UM alumni and seven earned their medical degrees at UM, including Physicians of the Year Dr. Michel Bruneau and Dr. Selena Papetti. And all nine physicians hold positions within the Max Rady College of Medicine.  

“Congratulations to the 2025 Doctors Manitoba Award recipients,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences), dean, Max Rady College of Medicine, and dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “I’m thrilled to see that all the award winners have connections to the UM medical college. This exemplifies our mission to train outstanding physicians who then become impactful health-care leaders.” 

The winners are nominated by their physician peers and selected after an evaluation by an awards committee. A gala to celebrate the award recipients will take place in May. 

“We’re celebrating the remarkable talent and skills of nine excellent physicians this year, recognizing their shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of doctors and to community service,” said Dr. Randy Guzman, president of Doctors Manitoba. ​“These award-winning physicians are improving patient care, with the tenacity to make things happen where they work and beyond.” 

PHYSICIANS of the YEAR 

Michel Bruneau [B.Sc./90, MD/94], clinical teacher of family medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, and Selena Papetti [B.Sc./05, MD/10], lecturer and associate head, distributed medical education, department of family medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, not only share a clinic in Lac du Bonnet, Man., they share a commitment to rural medicine and a vision for its future. Together, they are inspiring the next generation of family physicians and sparking an interest in rural health care among medical learners.   

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 

Jill Keddy-Grant [B.Sc.(Med.)/85, MD/85], assistant professor and section head for dermatology, department of pediatrics and child health, Max Rady College of Medicine, has been a force in pediatric dermatology for more than 35 years. Following her training in dermatology, she recognized an unmet need and focused her practice on pediatrics. She has been Manitoba’s sole specialist in this area for many years. Her dedication has been instrumental in advancing patient care, leading therapeutic research and establishing herself as the go-to authority in the field.

JACK ARMSTRONG HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Dr. Leif Sigurdson [B.Sc./98], associate professor of surgery at the Max Rady College of Medicine, is a dedicated plastic surgeon whose humanitarian work spans decades and continents. Since 1996, he has participated in more than 30 volunteer surgical missions abroad with various medical charities, including most recently with Team Broken Earth to Guyana and Guatemala. 

RESIDENT of the YEAR 

Alexander Sharp [MD/21], is a fourth-year subspecialty resident in general internal medicine at the Max Rady College of Medicine. He’s recognized for his clinical ability, patient advocacy and innovative research contributions. His dedication to addressing barriers faced by individuals with addictions and complex social challenges is reflected in both his medical practice and scholarly work. 

MEDALS of EXCELLENCE 

Tamara Buchel [B.Sc.(Med.)/92, MD/92], assistant professor and program director, postgraduate medical education, department of family medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, is an outstanding family physician and medical educator. She has led the expansion of post-graduate training at UM through unprecedented growth, expanding training sites to rural and underserved communities. She was also instrumental in introducing physician-led, team-based care options in Manitoba for family physician practices. 

Versha Banerji [B.Sc./97, MD/02] and Shantanu Banerji [B.Sc./98, B.Sc.(Med.)/02, MD/02], both associate professors of internal medicine at the Max Rady College of Medicine, have demonstrated what it means to be stronger together, balancing their demanding work as clinician-scientists with their commitment to each other, their family and their philanthropic work. 

Dr. Wendy Smith, a clinical teacher of family medicine at the Max Rady College of Medicine and a physician with Ongomiizwin Health Services, has dedicated her entire medical career to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to remote and northern communities in Manitoba and Nunavut. Through her work at Ongomiizwin Health Services and in her advocacy for patients, she models clinical excellence, cultural safety and community connection. 

With files from Doctors Manitoba