Following the success of the 2024 Regional Forums, the NBMS hosted five additional forums across the province in 2025. Beginning in Fredericton in April, accredited sessions were also held in Edmundston, Bathurst, Moncton, and Saint John. Each forum offered members the chance to connect with colleagues, learn about key NBMS initiatives, and engage directly with leadership.
Dr. Lise Babin, president, opened all five forums with remarks highlighting the evolution of this important engagement initiative. She noted that in 2024, the NBMS replaced the traditional Presidents’ Tour with regional forums to create more meaningful spaces for physicians to connect, a need identified during the October 2023 District Presidents’ meeting. Held during an election year, the forums helped strengthen relationships across the province and generated valuable insights that informed the NBMS’s preparation for 2025 negotiations. Building on that success, Dr. Babin welcomed members back for meaningful collaboration, discussion, and shared purpose.
Two presentations updating members on important survey results related to wellness and member satisfaction were delivered by Meaghan Sibbett, Manager, NBMS Wellness and Nora Lacey, Chief of Physician & Patient Engagement respectively.
Chief Operating Officer, Lisa LePage presented members with an overview of the new Practice Support Program, which supports New Brunswick physicians and their teams in making changes to optimize their current processes and create more effective, healthier practices. Areas of support include:
Business Management
- Starting a Practice
- Managing your Office
- Closing your Practice
- Enhancing the Use of Technology
Practice Management
- Optimize your teams
- Workflow, QI & Innovation
- Tool Kits & Action Plans
- Networks
Chief Executive Officer, René Boudreau and John Maher, Chief of Negotiations & Physician Compensation presented an update on the 2025 Physician Master Services Agreement negotiations. Prior to the tentative agreement being ratified on November 13th, discussions were focused on the negotiation process, consultation with members, timelines and the top three priorities:
- Rebuilding Primary Care in New Brunswick
- Restoring Specialty Competitiveness
- Resetting the Provincial Medical Pay Plan
With Additional Focus Areas being:
- Existing PSMA Schedules
- Salaried Physicians Issues
- Rural Health
- Surgical Items
Tim Ross, General Counsel and John Maher, Chief of Negotiations & Physician Compensation outlined important work under Specialty / Surgical Care, covering topics such as the provincial billing number system, recruitment, RHA management, physician disengagement, income and billing relativity, research and teaching responsibilities, blended payment opportunities, operating room resource management, psychiatric services and physician leaders development.
The final presentation and discussion was around the 2026-29 NBMS Strategic Plan.
Members took part in a SWOT analysis exercise, providing feedback on what the NBMS is doing well, what it is not doing well, what opportunities the NBMS could be taking advantage of, and what threatens the work of the NBMS. This input will inform the draft strategic plan which will be presented to the Board for their review and approval.
The 2026-29 Key Result Areas are:
- Economics and Physician Compensation
- Physician Wellness and Member Services
- Public Health and System Advocacy
- Organizational Excellence and Sustainability
More than 150 physicians took part in the five Regional Forums, with many family members joining for meals and social activities.
To view the Regional Forum presentations, please click here.
