OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2022 /CNW/ - MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) and Scotiabank today announce a new, three-year agreement with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) to support initiatives that facilitate social connections, mentorship and mutual support among Indigenous physicians, residents and medical students.

Our partnership will help ensure that wellness and professional development in the Indigenous medical community remain a priority, in turn fostering the retention of Indigenous physicians. Support includes funding to enable student members to attend the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress as well as future events that are crucial for their professional development.

"We understand that the pandemic has been uniquely challenging for physicians and their families, and we want to do our part to help Indigenous physicians and medical students access the experiences they need for both medical learning and community connection," said Daniel Labonté, MD's President and CEO.

As exclusive financial services partners of IPAC, Scotiabank and MD will also provide educational content, and advice and financial planning solutions tailored to the specific needs of Indigenous physicians and their families.

"Our organization is excited about our partnership with MD and Scotiabank," said Dr. Nel Wieman, IPAC's president. "Social connection, mentorship and mutual support are important to the wellness and retention of Indigenous physicians in the healthcare system. Having greater resources also means IPAC can ensure our initiatives are always grounded in culture, ceremony and a sense of family."

Through long-term partnerships with more than 35 organizations, including IPAC, MD and Scotiabank are deeply committed to supporting Canada's physicians and their families. 

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.2 trillion (as at October 31, 2021), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About MD Financial Management Inc.

With more than 50 years of physician-focused experience, MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) is dedicated to providing financial peace of mind to Canada's physicians and their families, so they can enjoy what matters most to them while achieving their career and life goals. MD had more than $59 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2021. MD Management Limited was the first of the MD Group of Companies to be founded, in 1969. MD Financial Management Inc. wholly owns or has a majority interest in the MD Group of Companies. It provides financial products and services, is the fund manager for the MD Family of Funds and offers investment counselling services. For a detailed list of the MD Group of Companies, visit md.ca.

About the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada

IPAC was founded by, and is composed of First Nations, Métis and Inuit physicians and medical learners. They collaboratively draw from the traditional Indigenous teachings across Canada to advance the health of all nations. IPAC provides a network of knowledge for communities, national Indigenous organizations and healthcare providers. They also advocate for Indigenous peoples' health and act as a support mechanism for Indigenous physicians and medical learners through mentorship and knowledge-sharing.

SOURCE Scotiabank