Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences

The section of MIGS provides medical and surgical care to patients with complex benign gynecologic conditions like endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, adenomyosis and fibroids.

The membership of the section is comprised of both private-practice and hospital-based physicians and staffs the province’s pelvic pain and endometriosis clinic at St. Boniface Hospital. Members of the section perform gynecologic procedures at Health Sciences Centre, Saint Boniface Hospital, Victoria Hospital and Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.  

The section also collaborates on complex obstetrical procedures like caesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum disorders and caesarean myomectomy. The section is involved in faculty and trainee mentorship and education and plans to open a fellowship program effective July 2025. 

Section head: Devon Evans

Section members

• Alaa Awadalla
• Anet Maksymowicz
• Margot Rosenthal
• Lisa Spangelo

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) Fellowship

Award name: Dr. Irvin Carr Peever and Mrs. Muriel Peever Memorial Prize

Purpose: This prize recognizes exceptional students in the Postgraduate Medical Education Program (PGME) at the University of Manitoba who show outstanding promise in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Value: Prize amount is determined by the annual interest from the trust fund.

Recipient criteria:

1. Full-time enrollment in the third or fourth year of the PGME program in the Faculty of Medicine.
2. Demonstrated exceptional promise in Obstetrics and Gynecology, based on clinical competency as assessed by the selection committee.

Award background: Established by a trust fund in memory of Dr. Irvin Carr Peever and Mrs. Muriel Peever, this award honors their contributions and supports emerging leaders in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Award name: Dr. Max Rady Memorial Prize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Purpose: This prize honors outstanding achievement in Obstetrics and Gynaecology by recognizing the top first-year resident in the field.

Value: The prize amount is determined by the annual income of the $5,000 bequest.

Recipient criteria: Open to first-year residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Manitoba, based on exceptional performance in the field.

Award background: Established through a generous bequest from the late Dr. Max Rady, this award commemorates his legacy and supports excellence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Manitoba.

Award name: Dr. Marvin Raynes Memorial Prize

Purpose: The Dr. Marvin Raynes Memorial Prize recognizes and supports a postgraduate resident demonstrating exceptional promise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Value: The annual value of the prize is $100, with potential for increase based on additional donations and earnings.

Recipient criteria: Open to postgraduate residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Manitoba who exhibit exceptional promise in their field.

Award background: Established by Mrs. Margaret Raynes, Mrs. Sylvia Berkson, and Mrs. Estelle Einsenberg in memory of Dr. Marvin Raynes, this award celebrates his legacy and encourages excellence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Award name: Dr. Michael Bruser Memorial Award

Purpose: The Dr. Michael Bruser Memorial Award supports residents in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Sciences, with a focus on fetal physiology and fetal heart monitoring, reflecting Dr. Bruser’s areas of interest.

Value: $600 annually, with potential for increase based on fund earnings or additional contributions.

Recipient criteria: Open to second or third-year residents in the Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Sciences division at the University of Manitoba. Preference is given to those working in fetal physiology and fetal heart monitoring.

Award background: Established by Dr. Michael Bruser’s colleagues and friends, this award honors his contributions to the field and supports residents continuing his legacy of excellence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Award name: Dr. T.J. Lamont Memorial Prize in Maternal and Neo-Natal Welfare

Purpose: This prize encourages research and interest in maternal, peri-natal, and neo-natal welfare by recognizing outstanding student presentations in these areas.

Value: Awarded annually based on available interest from the fund. If no suitable presentations are found, the prize will be added to the capital.

Recipient criteria: Open to full-time students enrolled in the Postgraduate Medical Education Program up to and including the PGY7 level. Applicants must present the best oral or poster presentation of original research in maternal, peri-natal, and neo-natal welfare.

Award background: Established in 1944 by Dr. J. Laurie Lamont to honor his father, Dr. T.J. Lamont, a pioneering general practitioner in Manitoba. The prize commemorates Dr. T.J. Lamont’s contributions and aims to further research in maternal and neo-natal care.

Provide point of care obstetric ultrasound and fetal assessments to rural Manitoba

The program serves four reserves (Island Lake-Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamach, St. Therese Point, Garden Hill, Norway House, Little Grand Rapids & Pauingassi, and Berens River), which are reached by air several times throughout the year.

The portable ultrasound technology that we provide on site allows fetal Doppler examinations when needed.

The obstetric implications of accurate pregnancy “dating” are significant.

Approximately 40% of program assessments are to assist accurate estimation of gestation when patient menstrual dates are uncertain or unknown.

The program offers obstetric perinatal consultation when needed via the medical director and on site by an obstetrician during air visits.

It is not simply a technical (ultrasound) reporting service. All assessments provide a written report to the referring physician or midwife.

More complicated situations result in a letter or, if needed, a telephone interpretation and discussion between the medical director and provider of care.

Assistance arranging transfer to and consultation in Winnipeg’s tertiary care obstetric facilities is provided when necessary.

Although areas with higher perinatal mortality rates were originally selected for program visits, such rates for those sites decreased rapidly and now are comparable to the provincial rate.

Provided that patients with pregnancy complications are referred to the Program, their odds of perinatal deaths are similar to the provincial average.

The program was designed to focus in particular on Indigenous patients, whose pregnancy outcomes remain worse than those of the rest of Canada’s population.

Although Manitoba’s population is approximately 15% identifiably Aboriginal, roughly three quarters of program assessments are Aboriginal patients, with some variance between sites.

These consultations reduce disruption of families, avoiding unnecessary transfers and assessments in Winnipeg for most patients.

However, program services also improve identification of patients who need urban tertiary care.

When follow up examination of patients is required it may be arranged on subsequent site visits, or when needed in the Winnipeg Fetal Assessment Units.

Only ~5% of patients are recommended for transfer to Winnipeg and the average ultrasound number per patient is 1.5, well below the provincial average.

As well, significant economic and social effects for the isolated Island Lake population have been demonstrated by the J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit.

Data collected by this unique model have been informative and have implications for effective rural maternity care planning.

Issues may include (but are not limited to):

• Early pregnancy dating
• Placental localization given bleeding
• Early identification of multiple gestation
• Planning site of delivery in advance
• Arranging tertiary level consultation when problems are identified or confirmed
• Fetal anatomy review (19-22 week window)