CPSM Announces Leadership Transition

Update: The Registrar’s retirement date was updated to June 30, 2024. 

CPSM announced three significant leadership transitions within the organization. As part of ongoing succession planning, the process for continuity of key leadership positions has been underway and will be implemented over the upcoming year to ensure a seamless transition.

The transitions will be as follows: 

• Dr. Anna Ziomek will retire as the Registrar and CEO of CPSM when her term concludes in December 2024. Update: Dr. Ziomek has decided to retire on June 30, 2024. See update here.

Upon her retirement, Dr. Ziomek will have led CPSM for a decade, contributing 25 years of dedicated services across various roles in the organization, including two five-year terms as Registrar and CEO. Her leadership and resolve have been significant during some of the historic challenges the profession has faced in recent years, such as COVID-19 and an increasing physician shortage.

“I am proud of CPSM’s growth over the past ten years and the work accomplished during that time. I am confident in the team as they continue to deliver on our mandate to protect the people of Manitoba by fostering ethical, safe, high-quality medical care,” said Dr. Ziomek.

Dr. Ziomek is the 11^th CPSM Registrar and the first female to hold the position.

• Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk has been appointed Deputy Registrar by CPSM Council, effective January 1, 2024. On January 1, 2025, she will assume the role of Registrar and CEO. Update: Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk will step into the role of Registrar and CEO on July 1, 2024. See update here.

For the past four years, Dr. Mihalchuk has been the Assistant Registrar of the Quality Department. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication to our mandate, and a deep commitment to fostering a culture of safety within the medical profession to report and discuss health matters in the context of self-regulation. Dr. Mihalchuk is a practicing family physician in Northeast Winnipeg, providing clinic, hospital, and nursing home care.

“She is a remarkable member of our profession and has all the skills required to lead CPSM into the future,” shared Dr. Ziomek.

"This appointment recognizes Dr. Mihalchuk’s exemplary leadership and the Council’s confidence in her ability to guide our profession,” said Dr. Shenouda, Council President.

• Dr. Karen Bullock Pries, Assistant Registrar for Complaints & Investigations is retiring in June 2024. Dr. Bullock-Pries first got involved with CPSM over 21 years ago as an external investigator. She later advanced to Council and several roles with CPSM, such as Chair of the Investigations Committee, Director of Complaints and Investigation, and eventually, Assistant Registrar. She has set a strong foundation of compassion and respect in the department and we express our appreciation for her commitment to excellence. 

Plans are underway to fill the role of Assistant Registrar for Complaints and Investigations.

Read the President’s year-end letter for more information about the transitions and other Council updates.

Read the Registrar’s letter for more on the transition and organizational highlights from this year.