Manitoba may get new medical school

The Manitoba government has committed $350 000 to study whether improving medical eduction in Brandon will lead to an increase in the number of doctors in the province, it announced in a statement released Thursday.

The study will explore the option of developing a medical school in Brandon and potentially expanding a satellite program between the University of Manitoba and Brandon University. It will also look into enhancing existing medical education programs in Manitoba.

Brandon University president Deborah Poff will chair the study’s steering committee, with U of M dean of medicine Brian Postl serving as vice-chair. “This will be a comprehensive review that will include input from local communities, health professionals and other stakeholders and we anticipate completing the study as expeditiously as possible,” Poff said in a press release issued by the province.