Shayne Reitmeier, MSc MD CCFP

Spotlight on CMHF Award Recipient: Dr. Shayne Reitmeier

Shayne Reitmeier, MSc MD CCFP, has built a practice that blends primary care, dermatology, medical aesthetics, sexual health, and gender-affirming care. Since receiving the 2015 University of Manitoba CMHF Award, he has been honoured as a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Manitoba and has been nationally recognized by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Dr. Reitmeier has centered his career on identity-driven medicine, with a focus on access, community-based care, and the thoughtful integration of technology into patient-care models.

After completing his residency in rural family medicine, Dr. Reitmeier pursued postgraduate training and earned a Master of Science in Practical Dermatology, where his research centered on dermatology in the context of gender-affirming care. Beyond his clinical practice, he has spent over eight years working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) in regulatory and committee roles, including serving as Panel Chair of the CPSM Complaints Committee and Chair of the Southern Health CPSM Standards Subcommittee. He continues to teach and mentor medical learners, and much of his current work focuses on building systems that create space for patients and providers who have historically been overlooked in medicine. “Whether through advocacy, education, technology adoption, or program development, I am focused on creating paths that did not exist when I started,” he explains.

Reflecting on the CMHF Award
For Dr. Reitmeier, the CMHF Award came at a pivotal moment in both his personal and professional journey. “At the time, I was a medical student trying to turn the weight of struggling with my sexuality into purpose and advocacy. I was speaking up in an environment where inclusion was not guaranteed, where I often felt invisible and, at times, actively resisted,” he recalls. “The award made me feel seen in a way I had not felt before. It was deeply affirming.”

More than the certificate or ceremony, it was the message of recognition that left a lasting impression. “What stayed with me most was that being myself, and speaking up for others, was not something to hide or downplay. It showed me that leadership does not have to resemble anyone else's version of it. That moment helped anchor the belief that the path I was on, even if it was unconventional or uncomfortable for others, was worth continuing.”

Evolving Passion for Medicine
Dr. Reitmeier’s understanding of medicine has grown over time from treating individuals to addressing the broader systems that shape health outcomes. “I have come to see health not just as treatment, but as access, affirmation, and advocacy,” he says. “Working in rural Manitoba and with marginalized communities has shown me how systems, not just symptoms, shape people’s outcomes. My passion has shifted from the idea of being a ‘good doctor’ in the traditional sense to building environments where people actually receive care without shame, delay, or discrimination.”

Medicine for him now encompasses teaching, policy advocacy, and program development. “I am still driven by helping individuals, but I am equally motivated by changing the conditions that make care inaccessible in the first place,” he adds.

The Award’s Lasting Impact
The CMHF Award gave Dr. Reitmeier both public recognition and the confidence to lead boldly. “It signaled that the work was legitimate and valued. It told me that leadership could come from lived experience, from challenging norms, and from refusing to stay silent,” he says. The recognition helped shift his internal dialogue from self-doubt to action. “Instead of wondering whether I was allowed or deserving, I started asking what more I could build. It became a turning point that gave me the confidence to take on bigger roles and withstand resistance later on. The Award reminded me that my voice and perspective were not only valid, but necessary. It reinforced that authenticity is not a liability. It is a form of leadership, and that belief has stayed with me ever since.”

Opportunities Resulting from the Award
The visibility and credibility from the Award created doors that might have otherwise remained closed. “It positioned me early on as someone who could contribute to conversations about equity, identity, and the future of medicine,” he notes. “That recognition led to mentorship opportunities, speaking invitations, and leadership roles that helped shape my path. More importantly, it helped others see me differently. Having that early national recognition made it harder for institutions to dismiss the work as fringe or personal interest. It also attracted collaborators and students who wanted to learn, advocate, or build inclusive services.”

Even years later, the Award’s impact continued to support him during challenging moments. “When I faced public resistance and political opposition for offering gender-affirming and community-based care, the Award reminded me that the work was legitimate. It helped me hold my ground during some of the most challenging periods of my career. The impact was never just about networking — it was about being recognized early enough that I felt I had permission to lead without apology. That confidence changed how I approached every opportunity that followed.”

Advice for Current CMHF Award Recipients
Dr. Reitmeier encourages new award recipients to embrace authenticity and use the recognition to fuel their work. “It’s okay to be who you are. Let the Award strengthen your voice, not soften it. Don’t wait to become someone else’s idea of a leader before you act. The work you are doing now, especially if it challenges norms or serves people who are overlooked, matters more than you may realize. Stay connected to what moved you to act in the first place, and do not shrink your vision to make others comfortable. Find allies early and make space for those coming up behind you. The impact of this Award is not about prestige — it’s about what you build with the confidence it gives you.”

Dr. Reitmeier’s journey exemplifies the spirit of the CMHF Award — courage, authenticity, inclusivity and the conviction to reshape medicine so it better serves everyone.