𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 begins a momentous phase for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI). As the inaugural joint strategic plan, it is the foundation on which significant progress in patient care and health research will be made.

This plan was built on extensive engagement with patients, families, the public, volunteers, staff and health service providers. Updated Mission, Vision and Values statements reflect the input received, but responses were clear that the organizations’ philosophy needs to remain the same: patients at the centre of everything we do. TBRHSC is committed to upholding its position as a leader in Patient and Family Centred Care by introducing the principles of co-design into care planning to ensure care better reflects the needs of the patients and families.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is an evolution that builds on the successes of the previous strategic plan, with focused strategic directions identified during stakeholder consultations, including Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Patient Experience and Staff Experience. A clear emphasis on Research, Innovation, & Learning will help prioritize and integrate research efforts, build research capacity and create an environment that better supports research, innovation, teaching and learning.

The strategic enabler, Sustainable Future, is critical to the organizations’ financial health and future success, and includes supporting expansion of digital health, creation of a clinical services plan, advancing partnerships and system integration, and achieving operational sustainability.

With this new strategic plan, TBRHSC and TBRHRI will strive for continuous improvement, driven by the needs of the patients and families served, and the commitment to exceptional care for every patient, every time.

Since their establishment in 2004 and 2007 respectively, TBRHSC and TBRHRI have continuously evolved and expanded their directions, programs, services and facilities to advance and to support the health care needs of the people of Northwestern Ontario and to fulfill the mandate of becoming a leading academic health sciences centre.

Successes to date are the result of the hard work, dedication and commitment of staff, physicians, volunteers, partners and donors. That dedication and commitment is evident with the launch of 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, the first ever strategic plan jointly created by TBRHSC and TBRHRI and developed through consultation and collaboration with hundreds of stakeholders. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 will build on our successes over the last five years and will help us to address the health needs of residents of Northwestern Ontario.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is dynamic and will evolve in response to changing needs and ongoing stakeholder feedback. Progress reports will be made to the public annually, including the results of strategic performance indicators that will be used to measure success in achieving goals and advancing the vision of 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.

With much anticipation and celebration, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) released Strategic Plan 2026 today – a plan that will guide both organizations along a path of growth and continued success for the next four years.

“I am so pleased to see the official launch of Strategic Plan 2026,” says Gord Wickham, Board Chair for TBRHSC. “This blueprint for our success is the result of input from 120 engagement sessions with more than 700 stakeholders, including community and regional partners, staff from TBRHSC and TBRHRI, Indigenous communities, patients, families and caregivers, and so many more. Our Patient and Family Centred Care philosophy will continue to guide us as we set out to accomplish our strategic plan, which focuses on enhancing the overall patient experience through patient partnership and improving care coordination, all while embedding the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.”

“Strategic Plan 2026 will drive our post-COVID-19 recovery,” says Dr. Andrew Dean, Board Chair for TBRHRI. “We’ll be incorporating innovation and inspiration into every decision we make, which is key to advancing health care for the people of Northwestern Ontario and beyond. Strategic Plan 2026 will shape the future of health care through cutting edge research and education.”

The new Strategic Plan 2026 is available for download at https://bit.ly/TBRHSC-TBRHRI-StrategicPlan2026.

Strategic Plan 2026 builds on the successes of the previous strategic plan, with focused strategic directions identified during stakeholder consultations, including: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Patient Experience, and Staff Experience. A clear emphasis on Research, Innovation, & Learning will help prioritize and integrate research efforts, build research capacity and create an environment that better supports research, innovation, teaching and learning. The strategic enabler, Sustainable Future, is critical to the organizations’ financial health and future success, and includes supporting expansion of digital health, creation of a clinical services plan, advancing partnerships and system integration.       

“The past two years have seen our amazing teams at the Hospital and Health Research Institute adapt, pivot and go above and beyond their everyday practices and duties,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and Chief Executive Officer of TBRHSC and Chief Executive Officer of TBRHRI. “Strategic Plan 2026 seeks to address the needs of the people of Northwestern Ontario, supports community and regional partnerships and is a roadmap to our COVID-19 recovery. I am excited to lead both of our organizations forward into a positive and promising future.”

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available. Click to download your copy today: https://bit.ly/2021-22-TBRHSC-Annual-Report

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute’s 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available. Click to download your copy today: https://bit.ly/2021-22-TBRHRI-Annual-Report

Shared on behalf of Georgia Carr, Manager of Laboratory Services

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Debbie Anderson, Laboratory Administrative Assistant & Office Supervisor, will be retiring on June 30, 2022.

Debbie obtained her Honours Diploma in the Medical Office Assistant program at the Toronto School of Business Career Canada College in 2002. In addition throughout the years, she has also obtained specialized learning in the areas of office suite computer software systems, medical terminology, transcription, chemistry, biology and phlebotomy.

Debbie began her healthcare career at McKellar General Hospital in 2003 in Health Records, which involved dedicated service throughout the amalgamation. Following this, Debbie transitioned through many roles, including Dictation Typist at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, Secretary at the TBRHSC’s CCDC & Maternity Centre, Secretary with the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Clerk III in the Laboratory Services Pathology Office & lastly, becoming the Laboratory Administrative Assistant and Office Supervisor.

This distinctive background has provided Debbie with a unique knowledge base which is beneficial to the lab, overall. Debbie is a key member of the team, with a myriad of duties which includes facilitating varied requests for key stakeholders such as physicians including pathologists, programs and servicing clients both internal and external, lab professionals, etc.

Please come and say goodbye to Debbie between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on June 30 (lab lunch room #1706). Treats will be available. Lastly, Debbie is known for her good sense of humor, kind demeanor and dedication. She will be greatly missed. We wish Debbie the best of luck.

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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Please be advised that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over on the 2B Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. All restrictions have been lifted.

Please share this information with the appropriate staff. As always, our number one priority is the safety of patients and their families, staff and visitors. The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.

Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management

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There have been reports of bears on Hospital property near entrances. Please be mindful of your surroundings and remain on high alert while travelling within the hospital perimeter areas, especially near garbage cans.

While black bears are generally shy by nature and tend to avoid human contact (attacks are extremely rare), we still ask that staff, patients and visitors follow these precautions to stay safe:

• If encountering a bear, do not approach the animal or attempt to feed it;
• When on property, arrange to walk in pairs or groups or contact TBRHSC Security
  (Tel. 684-6509) if an escort is required to walk to or from parking lots;
• Be aware of your surroundings and use an alternative door if you witness a bear at
  the Hospital access points;
• Contact Security at 684-6509 and Quality and Risk Management at 684-6019 if you
  should witness a bear on property;
• Complete an Employee Incident Form (available on the Novell Platform or iNtranet).

To learn more about bear encounters and prevention, please visit the following web link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise

Thank you for your cooperation.