Political Instability, Family, and Universal Care: Why U.S. Doctors Are Heading to Manitoba
When emergency physician Dr. Arleigh Trainor leaves Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for Brandon, Manitoba, in February 2026, she’ll be coming home — and taking a stand for stability.
The Manitoba-born doctor is among six American physicians recently recruited by provincial health officials as part of an expanded U.S. outreach campaign. While Trainor says her main motivations are family, career opportunity, and Canada’s universal health-care system, she admits the “political instability” in the U.S. after the change in administration last November played a small role too.
“Doctors abhor instability,” she said. “Our baseline is already chaos — we want to know the rules and how to best treat our patients.”
Trainor, a strong supporter of socialized medicine, said she’s drawn to a system that offers care “that doesn’t bankrupt you” and prioritizes prevention and equity. She’ll be joining Brandon Regional Health Centre’s emergency department, and will also work in academic medicine.
The move reflects a broader shift. According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, the province typically sees fewer than three American-trained doctors relocate each year. But since Donald Trump’s return to power, 10 U.S. physicians have registered, and eight more have open applications.
“We’ve heard feedback that the political climate, particularly around women’s health, is a factor,” said Jeremy de Jong, the college’s director of registration.
To ease the transition, Manitoba has simplified licensing for U.S.-certified physicians. They can now obtain full licences without retaking Canadian certification exams or working under supervision — recognition that U.S. medical training aligns closely with Canadian standards.
“We want people who are safe to care for Manitobans, but we also recognize the quality of U.S. training,” said Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, the college’s registrar and CEO.
Dr. Alison Carleton, a family physician from Iowa who moved to Winnipegosis, Man. in 2017, is now helping recruit others. She says safety, inclusivity, and respect for diverse professionals are major draws north of the border.
“It’s not safe for me to be down there as a gay woman,” Carleton said. “In Manitoba, we felt wanted and respected.”
For Trainor, the return is both personal and professional — a homecoming and a promotion rolled into one.
“I’m going to be working in academics as well as clinical work,” she said. “Coming back to friends and family — you can’t replace that.”
The province hopes her move will mark the beginning of a reverse brain drain, with more U.S. doctors choosing Canada for stability, compassion, and care that puts people first.
