Professionalism

Professionalism is at the heart of health sciences and defines how we relate to patients, colleagues and learners. In health sciences we have a responsibility to the patients and communities we serve, the colleagues we work with and the learners we teach.

“Learner” means an individual registered, enrolled, or classified as a student, resident, trainee or fellow within or with the University of Manitoba, participating in any of the College programs or Rady Faculty of Health Sciences programs, including the Interdisciplinary Health Program.

Source: Prevention of learner mistreatment guideline.

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and its Colleges are committed to ensuring safe, respectful, and supportive working and learning environments in which all of the RFHS community are enabled and encouraged to excel. This is an environment free of learner mistreatment and one in which feedback regarding performance can be shared openly without concern about ridicule or reprisal. 

All members of our diverse community share responsibility for maintaining a positive learning environment and for taking appropriate steps to seek advice and/or address learner mistreatment when it occurs. The RFHS recognizes that most matters of learner mistreatment may be addressed in a restorative, non-punitive manner.

Learner initiated concerns

Learners are encouraged to address issues in the learning environment directly with the individual, if they are comfortable to do so, or with any of their teachers, instructors, preceptors, course/rotation directors, graduate chairs, program directors, administrative staff members, department heads, associate deans within their program, Ongomiizwin — Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Office of Anti-Racism, Office of Professionalism, Student Advocacy and The Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management (OHRCM), according to their own personal comfort and preference.

Meetings with the Office of Professionalism and the college/program-specific contact are confidential and provide the learner the opportunity to discuss the issue and learn about steps to address their concerns. Requests for anonymity will be respected although it may limit the college/program's ability to respond to concerns. Situations that raise concern for the safety of learners may require action.

Please note: There are circumstances where RFHS or the University may need to take action urgently on a disclosure or report without obtaining consent at the time. This includes, but is not limited to: imminent risk to learners or others; risk of harm to someone under the age of 18; sexual violence by a regulated healthcare professional; or occupational health and safety concerns.

Leading with Integrity Professionalism in our colleges and programs

Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contact or a member of our team.

John Perry
Acting associate dean (academic)
Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry
john.perry@umanitoba.ca

Max Rady College of Medicine

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the Max Rady College of Medicine:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • PGME learning environment assessments
  • Mistreatment reporting from Entrada end of rotation evaluations
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contacts or a member of our team.

Nancy Porhownik
Associate dean, professionalism
Max Rady College of Medicine
professionalism@umanitoba.ca

Faisal Siddiqui
Assistant dean, professionalism
Max Rady College of Medicine 
professionalism@umanitoba.ca

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM):

Duty to report: CPSM

College of Community and Global Health

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the College of Community and Global Health:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contact or a member of our team.

Joseé Lavoie 
Dean
College of Community and Global Health 
josee.lavoie@umanitoba.ca

College of Nursing

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the College of Nursing:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contact or a member of our team.

Kimberley Mackay
Director, undergraduate nursing programs
College of Nursing
kimberley.mackay@umanitoba.ca

College of Pharmacy

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the College of Pharmacy:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contact or a member of our team.

Lavern Vercaigne
Associate dean (academic)
College of Pharmacy
lavern.vercaigne@umanitoba.ca

College of Rehabilitation Sciences

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the College of Rehabilitation Sciences:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following college-specific contact or a member of our team.

Sandra Webber
Associate dean (academic)
College of Rehabilitation Sciences
sandra.webber@umanitoba.ca

Interdisciplinary Health Program

Monitoring the learning environment

Our office offers the following support to the Interdisciplinary Health Program:

  • Reporting learner mistreatment – via Speak up or by direct referral to the Office of Professionalism
  • Keep it up for positive feedback

Who you can talk to

You can reach out to the following program-specific contact or a member of our team.

Mark Nachtigal
Director, Interdisciplinary Health Program
mark.nachtigal@umanitoba.ca

Specialized support

You can reach out to the individuals listed below, who offer specialized support, or a member of our team.

Anti-Racism support

Delia Douglas
Director, Office of Anti-Racism (RFHS)
radyantiracism@umanitoba.ca

Indigenous student support

Kimberly Hart
Senior lead, Indigenous health student affairs
kimberly.hart@umanitoba.ca

Sexual violence support

Bre Woligroski
Director, Sexual Violence Resource Centre
svrc@umanitoba.ca

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Contact us

Professionalism
S212 Medical Services Building
750 Bannatyne Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2

professionalism@umanitoba.ca
204-789-3207