Prevention and Screening Clinical Services, in collaboration with Diagnostic Imaging, is proud to announce the Ontario Lung Cancer Screening Program (OLSP) has launched at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). The program is aimed at improving early detection and outcomes for individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ontario, but when caught early through screening, it can be treated more effectively. This new program offers low-dose CT (LDCT) scans to eligible individuals who meet specific criteria, such as age and smoking history. The goal is to detect cancer at an earlier stage, often before symptoms appear, when treatment can be most successful.

The program is supported by Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario and is part of a provincial effort to improve cancer screening rates and reduce health inequities across the region. It also represents another step forward in TBRHSC’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centred care.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this important service available to our community.

For more information, contact Olivia Coy, Screening Navigator, at olivia.coy@tbh.net or visit the Prevention and Screening website.

Shared on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety Department

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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all employees, physicians, undergraduates, post graduates, medical trainees, students, volunteers and contractors.

Employers and employees both have responsibilities and obligations with incident and injury reporting. The employer will be compliant with the reporting requirements as defined in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Incident and injury reports are required to be submitted immediately following as this will allow Occupational Health and Safety to support the employees efficiently and effectively with preventing a similar occurrence and a supported return to work.

Occupational Heath and Safety will provide and offer safe, suitable and transitional work to employees within their identified restrictions and limitations.

The employer supports WSIB’s rationale of the “Better at Work Principle “, which is a principle that guides the case management program. Strong evidence suggests that activity hastens optimal recovery while inactivity delays it and that remaining at or promptly returning to some form of productive work improves clinical outcomes as compared to passive medical rehabilitation programs.

When claiming a work related injury/illness, WSIB has requirements that must be met in order for an employee to be entitled to benefits.

• Employees must report the injury/illness to the manager and complete an employee electronic incident report.

• If an employee feels they are unable to perform the essential duties of their job, they must seek medical attention and Transitional Modified Work will be offered. If the injury/illness occurs after hours, the Administrative Coordinator must be notified.

• Medical documentation must indicate clear restrictions. If no clear restrictions are provided, restrictions are based on the WSIB suggested standard restrictions that will be used to plan and offer a Transitional Modified Work Plan.

• If the employee declines the Transitional Modified Work offer, Occupational Health and Safety will notify WSIB and WSIB is responsible for making all the decisions in the claim including approval or denial of the claim and payment of lost time in the claim.

• Employees must maintain contact with Occupational Health and Safety regarding updates, changes in condition etc.

If you have any questions regarding the WSIB process or the Transitional Modified Work Program, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Department.

Take part in the Global Workforce Survey, developed by Health Standards Organization (HSO) and Accreditation Canada, to provide your valuable input on patient safety, quality care, work environment, and well-being.

Complete the survey by June 16, 2025 to be eligible to win free parking.

Laptop Bookings

To provide dedicated space and equipment for staff to complete the survey, the following dates have been booked in Auditorium B (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.):

• June 17 and 24
• July 8 and 15

Once you have completed the survey, scan the QR code available on the poster for your chance to win great prizes. Draws will be held weekly. Once entered, your name will stay in for the remaining prize draws, so complete the survey early to increase your chances to win. Weekly winners will be posted on the Daily Informed Newsletter – stay tuned.

Thank you for your time and valuable feedback. 

Join us on Wednesday, June 18, for Pride Beading, an hour of beading, learning, and community connection.

Where: ICP Main

Date: June 18, 2025

Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. 

*Light snacks will be provided.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and create beautiful beaded pins. All beading supplies will be made available. We can’t wait to see you there!  Seats are limited. Register by emailing Annette Klement, Cultural Safety Educator at tbrhsc.culturalsafetyeducator@tbh.net

To enter the raffle, print off the ticket below and fill out the information. At each event, find Annette Klement and get your ticket signed. At the end of the month, submit all your signed tickets to Annette via email at tbrhsc.culturalsafetyeducator@tbh.net or interoffice mail. The draw will take place at the beginning of July. Good luck!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the June edition of Town Hall, which featured a Year Three review of Strategic Plan 2026, including key updates and insights from staff and project leads.

For those that were unable to attend, a recording of the session and the presentation slides are available below.

Please note that this is also the final Town Hall of the season—we’ll be back in September. If you’d like to submit a question or suggest a topic for a future edition of Town Hall, please email us at TBHRSC.GroupNews@tbh.net.

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Interested in viewing a past Town Hall? Recordings and presentation slides from each session can be found in the archive.

It is Stroke Awareness Month and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 10 years of Code Stroke. We are highlighting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide timely and effective care for stroke patients. Meet Mallory Karsten, Clinical Stroke Nurse.

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What is your position at the Hospital? 

I work as the Clinical Stroke Nurse. My role includes responding to Code Strokes, supporting acute stroke care on the unit, and providing education to patients and families about stroke, recovery, and risk factor management.

What role do you/your team play in Code Stroke?

During a Code Stroke, I respond to help coordinate care quickly and efficiently. I assist with order entry, communicate with the care team – including physicians, diagnostic imaging, lab, EMS, and patients and families – and ensure the process flows smoothly from arrival through to treatment.

What is unique about your role/team’s role? 

I bridge multiple parts of the stroke response – from the initial emergency to ongoing care and education. I support not just the clinical side, but also guide patients and families in understanding the stroke, what it means for them, and how to prevent another one.

How does your role/team impact stroke patient care?

We help reduce delays in treatment, improve coordination, and support better outcomes through timely response and consistent communication. After the acute phase, I focus on education and helping patients understand how to reduce their risk factors.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession as it relates to Code Stroke/stroke care?

The most rewarding part is seeing the difference early intervention can make. Being part of a team that helps someone regain function – or even walk out of the hospital is incredibly meaningful. It’s also fulfilling to assist patients through recovery by helping them feel informed and empowered and supported through their stroke journey.

We want to hear from you!

The Staff Advisory Committee cordially invites all staff, professional staff, and volunteers to join us for coffee and conversation. These conversations, which will focus on “What Matters to You”, will help us to identify emerging themes, barriers, and areas where we can support you.

The Staff Advisory Committee is co-chaired by the President & CEO and the Vice President, People and Culture is a committee resource. For more information about the committee please see our page on the Hospital’s corporate Intranet page.

DATE: Wednesday, June 18
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: East end of the Cafeteria (near the sliding exit doors)

All staff are encouraged to share what matters most to them