Dr. Marcia Anderson, MD

Research summary

Dr. Marcia Anderson's research interests in Indigenous health include urban Indigenous youth health, primary health care, and medical education. Throughout her career, she has advocated for a more robust curriculum in Indigenous health and changes in the admissions process that would support the successful recruitment of increased numbers of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

Research interests

• Indigenous health
• Urban Indigenous youth health
• Primary health care
• Medical education

Throughout her career, Dr. Anderson has advocated for a stronger Indigenous health curriculum and changes in admissions to recruit more First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

Since 2011, Dr. Anderson has held progressive leadership roles within the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, starting as Head of the Section of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Health. In this role, she collaborated with Senior Director Melanie MacKinnon to develop the first strategic plan, which included a vision and Indigenous culture-based practices to guide the Section’s work. This Section focused on curriculum and student support, health services to Northern communities, and Indigenous health research.

With the creation of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Anderson and Ms. MacKinnon, along with Dr. Catherine Cook, developed the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin is a national leader in Indigenous health professional education, research, and innovative health service delivery.

Dr. Anderson also fostered a partnership between Ongomiizwin and the Centre for Healthcare Innovation, working with Indigenous doctoral student Amanda Fowler-Woods to create an Indigenous Advisory Council. This council developed an Indigenous Healthcare Quality Framework, to be released in June 2022, followed by a multi-stakeholder implementation plan to improve Indigenous patient experiences and healthcare quality.

Additionally, Dr. Anderson participates in university-wide initiatives, including the Indigenous Identity Engagement Working Group, the Anti-Racism Task Force, and the University Senate. She also led the COVID-19 Health and Safety Team and served on the COVID-19 Recovery Steering Committee.

Passionate about leadership development, particularly for underrepresented Black, Indigenous, and racialized women, Dr. Anderson became a Certified Executive Coach in 2019 through Royal Roads University. She has integrated coaching into her leadership, mentoring individuals within the Faculty and through a partnership with Doctors Manitoba.

Brief bio

Dr. Marcia Anderson, MD, is a Cree-Anishinaabe physician renowned for her contributions to public health and Indigenous medical education. Growing up in Winnipeg’s North End, Dr. Anderson has become a leading figure in healthcare, particularly within First Nations communities.

Currently, Dr. Anderson practices internal medicine at the Adult Medical Clinic at Grace Hospital. She also serves as a Medical Officer of Health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and is the Executive Director of Indigenous Academic Affairs at the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, part of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. In 2022, she took on the role of Vice-Dean of Indigenous Health, Social Justice, and Anti-Racism.

Dr. Anderson has played an instrumental role in various initiatives aimed at improving Indigenous health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the public health response for Manitoba’s First Nations, significantly mitigating the virus's impact through collaborative leadership and clinical excellence. Her work in public health is characterized by a strong commitment to decolonizing practices and improving the continuity of care for Indigenous populations.

In 2011, Dr. Anderson was appointed Head of the Section of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Health. In this role, she successfully reduced the physician vacancy rate in the Northern Medical Unit from 50% to 5%. That same year, she served as the Chair of the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress and received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for her contributions to Indigenous health.

Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action in 2015, Dr. Anderson led the development of comprehensive Action Plans and continues to oversee their implementation at the University of Manitoba. She was also part of the leadership team that established the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health in 2017, which aims to advance research, education, and health services in collaboration with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities.

Dr. Anderson’s professional influence extends nationally. She was the inaugural Chair of the National Consortium for Indigenous Medical Education and remains on its Executive Committee. She chairs the Indigenous Health Network for the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and was pivotal in preparing the Joint Commitment to Action on Indigenous Health report, approved by the AFMC board in 2019. She is also a Past President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

In addition to her extensive contributions to Indigenous medical education and public health, Dr. Anderson maintains an active role with the Mino Pimatasiwin Sexual Wellness Lodge at Ka Ni Kanichihk. Her dedication and passion for improving healthcare access and quality for Indigenous communities continue to shape the future of Manitoba’s health system and beyond.

Cross appointments

Associate professor in Community Health Sciences and Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba