Manitoba is Calling – Celebrating National Physicians’ Day with Dr. Manish Garg
Dr. Manish Garg, Family Physician, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority – Pinawa
I was educated in India but moved to the United Kingdom in 2000 to complete my training as a family physician. I lived and worked in the UK for 15 years before my wife and I considered making a move.
As a family physician, having a practice that offers continuity of care and allows relationships to be built over time, is something I cherish. I wanted to be in a place where I could provide care for the whole family, where I could support a small emergency department, look after patients during their time in hospital and then follow up with them in my own clinic after they were sent home.
We were happy in the U.K., I had learned a lot in the National Health Service but we wanted to explore and find new adventures. We were also growing a bit tired of weather that was often rainy and gloomy. But above all, I wanted to develop a clinical practice that was more wholesome, that could serve an entire community and I thought I would find that in a smaller, rural location.
That type of practice was calling to me and it was what Manitoba was offering.
For my wife and I, both active outdoorspeople, thoughts of Canada involved mountains and big spaces. We we were excited at the opportunity for a new adventure in a place that offered so much to do outdoors. The last thing we expected was a flat prairie landscape, but the open spaces, sunshine, four distinct seasons – and the welcoming community – soon captured our hearts!
We arrived in Pinawa in 2015. The whole community and the health region it belonged to were involved in our recruitment. I had been given offers and opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Canada (where there actually are mountains!) but there was something about Manitoba that called to us.
“Come and have a look,” they said. And when we arrived they welcomed us with open arms, picking us up to take us hiking on new trails, inviting us to join the community’s amateur theatre company, and even moving out of a house temporarily so that we would not have to stay in a hotel for five weeks until we got possession of our home.
Together these small gestures made such a big impact and we really integrated into the community. I think that made the difference in us wanting to stay in Manitoba well beyond my return of service.
After eight years, this is home for us. We have a practice that allows me to offer the full continuity of care that I was looking for and my wife has been able contribute to the practice and the community in many ways, including using her skills and experience as a clinical practice manager. The health region has supported me as I’ve grown my practice to include areas of special interest, including community-based addictions care and setting up addiction services for the region.
We have also found many different adventures to enjoy and beautiful places to explore in a place where the sun shines more than we knew was possible! Manitoba is Calling and now it’s my turn to say “Come and have a look.”
In celebration of National Physicians’ Day, Manitoba celebrates physicians who work in every sector of our health system whose skills, compassion and contributions to quality care make a difference in the lives of Manitobans every day.
