Shared on behalf of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC)

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Health care across the regional and remote communities can sometimes involve long trips for patients and tight timelines for health practitioners. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) makes that path easier by pairing local isotope production with same-day PET/CT and integrated cancer services, ensuring access to care for many patients across northern Ontario.

The CNIC is proud to welcome TBRHSC as its newest health partner. With an integrated isotope production and radiopharmacy program, next-generation PET/CT imaging, and strong research–training ecosystem, TBRHSC is setting a scalable model for how health systems can translate nuclear innovation into patient impact.

At the core of TBRHSC’s program is a hospital-based TR-24 cyclotron and adjacent radiopharmacy that produces Fluorine-18 (F-18) for PET radiopharmaceuticals and is designed for multi-isotope output. Local isotope production has made Thunder Bay a near self-reliant hub for time-critical PET tracers, reducing cancellations and ensuring consistent access despite weather and distance. The program supports patients across Northwestern Ontario, from east of White River to the Manitoba border, and is also preparing to provide backup supply to other centres to strengthen provincial and national isotope resilience.

The production will help to enhance capacity with the hospital’s expanding cardiovascular surgery (CVS) program, alongside FDG PET for diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring.

Through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, TBRHSC’s independent research arm, the Centre advances tracer development and radiochemistry while training the next generation of radiochemists, technologists, and imaging professionals. This integrated clinic–lab–academia model positions Thunder Bay to help lead Canada’s move into theranostics, bringing targeted, isotope-enabled therapies closer to routine care.

“By pairing local isotope production with advanced imaging and oncology, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is ensuring patients in Northwestern Ontario communities get timely, high-quality care.” said Melody Greaves, Executive Director of the CNIC. “This is exactly the type of regional model that strengthens the whole system and builds Canada’s health network resilience.”

“Our cyclotron and radiopharmacy teams are expanding access to advanced diagnostics and pioneering new isotopes. Joining CNIC strengthens our ability to collaborate nationally and help shape the future of isotope development,” said Roxanne Pycko, Director of Cyclotron Operations at TBRHSC.

To learn more about Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, visit www.tbrhsc.net

About Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), a 425-bed academic specialized acute care facility, is a national leader in Patient and Family Centred Care. As the only tertiary care provider in Northwestern Ontario, we provide comprehensive services to a population of over 250,000 residents in a region the size of France. Effectively addressing the health care needs of patients and families has earned us both Innovation Awards and Leading Practice Designations. As an academic health sciences centre, we teach the next generation of health care providers and advance medical research. Patients benefit from interprofessional teams of dedicated health care providers and access to leading-edge medical technology and clinical trials. To fulfill its teaching and research strategic goals, TBRHSC is supported by Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) as a not-for-profit and independent research corporation. TBRHRI is the research arm of TBRHSC and seeks to lead research to improve the health outcome of the people of Northwestern Ontario and beyond.

About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council

The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization. The CNIC supports over 115 members from across science, academia, healthcare, and nuclear-sector organizations dedicated to maintaining Canada’s position as a global leader in the production of life-saving isotopes. The CNIC raises awareness and advocates for long-term policies that support health-care innovation and will save countless lives for decades to come. 

To learn more about the CNIC, visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, or please contact:

As everyone has access to Microsoft Teams, we will be removing Webex access from accounts starting Friday, November 14.

Please make sure to download your Webex recordings, and then DELETE them from your Webex account. This will let us know you have moved to Microsoft Teams!

Transition to Microsoft Teams

Use our Pre- and Post- Transition Checklists for a smooth transition from Webex to Teams.

Learn About Microsoft Teams

Go to M365Hub.tbh.net and look at our Education Resources for Teams.

Join Teams Drop-In Sessions

On Mondays from October 20 to November 24 (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.), ask questions and get support for Teams. Go to the M365Hub Training page at M365Hub.tbh.net for links.

If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at Help.Desk@tbh.net

Shared on behalf of Bridge Northwest

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As Bridge Northwest continues preparing for the regional launch of Meditech Expanse, one key focus has been ensuring the right technology is in place to support staff and patient care.

This past month, hub events were hosted at hospitals across Central, East, and West Northwestern Ontario for our Device Discovery Fairs — interactive sessions where clinicians, IT staff, and leaders got hands-on experience with the tools that will support the new electronic health record (EHR).

Staff explored a range of options, including workstations on wheels, wall-mounted computers, keyboards, mice, and other essential devices that will bring Expanse to life on the frontlines.

These events weren’t just about testing equipment — they were about connecting people to the tools that will make their work more efficient, reliable, and patient-focused. The feedback gathered during the fairs will directly shape the next phase of planning as each hospital confirms its device needs.

What’s Next:

Over the coming months, local teams will work alongside Bridge Northwest’s Technical Readiness and Change Management groups to review and validate device needs across every department. This information will guide regional procurement in Spring of 2026 — ensuring every partnering organization is equipped and ready for the transition to Meditech Expanse.

The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre provides enhanced support to patients with diabetes and that require more intensive treatment strategies. Specialized interprofessional teams within the CCDC use a coordinated approach to diabetes management and treatment to meet each patient’s individual needs and that of their families. Typically patients attend several different appointments throughout their course with the program depending on their specific needs. Often patients are also connected with other hospital programs due to their other medical conditions.  

In April 2025, the CCDC piloted a new patient flow model titled ‘Multi-disciplinary Clinics’ and now coined “Multi Clinic”. This new model aimed to provide patients who had difficulty attending appointments, numerous other appointments, and those who may have been through the program before. The goals of this new model were to improve attendance, decrease the amount of appointments and ensure timely access to the right clinician at the right time.

To do this, patients were scheduled throughout the clinic and multiple disciplines were present and available at the time of these appointments including Nurse Practitioner, Nurse, Dietitian, Social Work, Pharmacist, Indigenous Liaison, Occupational Therapist, and Physiotherapist. These clinics were trialed several times a month over the following five months. Data collected showed that attendance was better than with usual care and patients verbally expressed satisfaction with having the opportunity see multiple clinicians at the same appointment. Staff enjoyed improved collaboration at the time of the visit and less delays in patient care.  Due to the success of Multi Clinics, CCDC has increased the frequency of this style of care. Patients who attend the CCDC now have the option of this new model or the traditional stream of care. Go team!

As we recognize World Diabetes Day, we celebrate initiatives like the Multi Clinic model that embody this year’s theme of promoting access to quality diabetes care for all. The CCDC team’s commitment to innovation and collaboration reflects the global effort to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes every day.

The Occupational Health and Safety Department is pleased to be offering the Moderna Spikevax to all staff, professional staff, and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre by appointment only.

The COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held every Friday starting October 31 until December 13, 2025.

Hours of operation are: 8: 00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m.

Appointments can be booked by calling the OHS department at extension 6212.

To be eligible for the vaccine, you must be a health care worker 18 yrs of age and 6 months (168 days) since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Staff must bring a piece of government issued identification in order to obtain the vaccine. Your health card or driver’s License is acceptable.

Ontario Health (Ontario Renal Network) has recognized the North West Regional Renal Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for its outstanding commitment to excellence in care for renal patients.

In 2024-25, the program made significant improvements in the delivery and management of kidney care services. These improvements reflect the dedication, collaboration and resilience of the programs front-line staff, physicians and Regional Renal Program leadership. The program continues to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to providing high-quality care for renal patients despite the ongoing pressures of our health care system.

Based on performance indicators set out by Ontario Health, the North West Regional Renal Program achieved or exceeded the following targets:

• Goals of Care Among Prevalent Chronic Dialysis Patients: Achieved a high annual growth rate of 9% during the 24/25 fiscal year – the third highest among all programs in the province;
• Deferred Dialysis: Surpassed the 75% annual target with a score of 84% in Q3 of the 2024/25 fiscal year;
• Goals of Care Completion: Surpassed 85% annual target and achieved a score of 87.4% for Q4 of the 2024/25 fiscal year;

Performance indicators measure how well programs deliver and improve patient care. As a tool, they help identify successes and guide improvements to ensure better outcomes for people living with kidney disease.

The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.

Self-referral can be made to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Physician, Social Worker, Kinesiologist, Dietician, and Lactation Consultant.

To be seen by an Obstetrician, a referral is needed from your primary health care provider or midwife.

During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.

TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 116 babies born at our Hospital during the month of October. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!

Find out more about our services by visiting https://bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre-info