News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

January 13, 2020

Appointments Made to Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, Physiotherapy



A number of council and board appointments have been made to Manitoba’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, and College of Physiotherapists, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.

“These regulatory organizations play a vital role in the provision of health services in our province, ensuring Manitobans receive a consistently high quality of care,” said Friesen.  “I thank those who have stepped forward and filled these important leadership roles at a time of great change in the health system, with a renewed focus on providing care closer to home.”

Ardith Sigurdson, of Gimli, has been appointed as a council member to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.  She is the administrator of Sigurdson Farms, a school immunization planner and public health nurse for the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.  Joining Sigurdson are seven new public representatives who have appointed to the college’s council.

The appointees include:
•    David Bjornson (St. Andrews), a retired tribunal panel member for the Office of the Commissioner of Review Tribunals Canada Pension Plan;
•    Eileen Gelowitz (Winnipeg), who owns Achak Solutions, which developed the firstelder-sanctioned online Aboriginal awareness course, and Vera Kennel, which specializes in breeding and raising police service dogs;
•    Lynette Magnus (Winnipeg), a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in finance and accounting;
•    Leanne Penny (Winnipeg), a senior manager of taxation services for Meyers Norris Penny LLP and chair for the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade;
•    Alan Scramstad (Winnipeg), a retiree who worked as the chief appeal commissioner for the Workers Compensation Board Appeal Commission;
•    Raymond Strike (Winnipeg), a senior human resources advisor of client services in the Indigenous services division for the Government of Canada; and
•    Elizabeth Tutiah (Winnipeg), a litigation lawyer with the federal Department of Justice.

Additionally, two Winnipeggers have been reappointed to the board of the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba.  Alix Kravetsky, a certified human resources (HR) professional and chief operating officer of Kowintco Inc., remains a member of the college’s inquiry committee while Laura Matlashewski, a senior benefits and compensation analyst and HR business partner with Manitoba Public Insurance, has been given a new term on its board of assessors.

The minister noted these appointments are part of the Manitoba government’s efforts to continue to refresh the agencies, boards and commissions of our province, ensuring Manitobans continue to be represented in these important positions by highly qualified and enthusiastic individuals.

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