A local doctor was recently recognized by Doctors Manitoba.

Dr. Trina Mathison was presented with the Medal of Excellence, awarded to recognize those who demonstrate excellence in the medical profession and whose actions are a source of inspiration.

Dr. Mathison learned in early spring that she had been nominated by Dr. Candace Bradshaw, the incoming president of Doctors Manitoba.

“And then I found out a few weeks before it was announced that I would be getting the award,” she said. “I was kind of surprised. It’s not something that I really expected to have happen. It’s sure great to be recognized, because I work in a lot of different areas. So I was just surprised that would even be something that I would get nominated for.”

Dr. Mathison has been practicing in Dauphin since 2001. She enjoys working with the team at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and Dauphin Medical Clinic.

“It’s a great place to work and we all get along really well. So I think that’s probably what I like the best. And Dauphin is great, too,” she said.

Dr. Mathison was one of eight physicians to be recognized this year by Doctors Manitoba.

“The physicians we are recognizing this year with our awards have one thing in common, their devotion to improving the health of Manitobans,” said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, President of Doctors Manitoba. ​“Some of these extraordinary physicians played a key role in leading our province through the pandemic and some found a way to advance other essential medical priorities despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19.”

A Prairie Mountain Health press release stated as a rural physician, Dr. Mathison has a broad scope of practice including cancer care, inpatient care, emergency medicine and surgical assistance, as well as offering care for the elderly and palliative care. Dr. Mathison has dedicated her career to serving the Parkland community for over 20 years. An active member of the region’s physician leadership group, she is described as a team player by her colleagues and medical learners, is well-loved be her patients and has found time to volunteer her time in the community, coaching all four of her children’s hockey teams.

Currently the site Chief Medical Officer of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, Dr. Mathison has practiced as a general practitioner in oncology, acute inpatient care, emergency medicine, surgical assist, respiratory clinic care and personal care home medicine, as well as working at the Dauphin Medical Clinic. She is the medical lead for the CancerCare community program in Dauphin, with palliative care and care for the elderly being her areas of special interest. She has been known to do home visits for palliative patients and elderly patients. Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Mathison has contributed to Shared Health provincial meetings concerning COVID-19 and the impact on long-term care facilities, as well as a working group for palliative care.

Dr. Mathison admitted it is a little intimidating to be included with the other doctors honoured by Doctors Manitoba.

“They’re all very well known people. So it’s interesting to be included in this group of other physicians that are doing so well,” she said. “It’s just nice that I was thought of in this way to receive such a nice award.”
With most specialists centered in Winnipeg, Dr. Mathison feels it is important to recognize rural physicians.

“I think it’s great that they’re looking outside the Winnipeg boundaries to recognize other physicians, because there are sure a lot of hard working physicians in rural Manitoba,” she said.

A gala awards celebration to honour the winners will be held later this spring.