Three nurses from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) have received recognition from the OPP with a Commissioner’s Commendation. This award is presented to citizens who have provided exceptional assistance to the OPP.
In this case, Aleksis Penna, Bryan Opaski and Stephen Gibbons, put their personal safety at risk to assist the OPP and prevent serious injury.
Nipigon OPP officers were attending a person who was in our Hospital receiving medical assessment while in police custody on New Year’s Eve, 2020.
The individual received medical clearance, and was advised he would be returning to the District Jail. This resulted in a physical outburst that the officers struggled to contain. Nurses Aleksis Penna, Bryan Opaski and Stephen Gibbons stepped up and helped the officers de-escalate the situation, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect those around the situation, including the officers.
If not for the assistance and courage of Aleksis, Bryan and Stephen, injuries could have resulted to the officers, Hospital staff, other patients in the area, or to the person in custody.
Our most heartfelt thank you goes out to these individuals for your efforts that day and every day, for putting your own personal safety at risk to go above and beyond your required duties to protect and provide care to those around you.
Health care workers and first responders face risks every day providing an essential service. Thank you all for your courage and endless drive to help others for a safe and healthy community.