On behalf of the Employee Giving Committee, Jenelle and Lindsay from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will be visiting each department on December 16 at 1:00 p.m. to welcome new Employee Givers and celebrate our amazing current ones.
Become a new Employee Giver and you’ll receive a festive holiday stockingand a candy cane to kick off the season!
Already an Employee Giver?
Increase your giving by $1 and receive acandy cane. Increase your giving by $5 and you’ll receive a stocking + candy cane.
Let’s start the holiday season by giving back to those who need it most. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in our community.
Sent on behalf of Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Justin Jagger has been appointed as the Acting Chief of Paediatrics at TBRHSC effective December 3, 2025, after covering the role since November 1, 2025.
This role is familiar to Dr. Jagger, who was Chief of Paediatrics from 2013-2017. He is a respected member of the Department of Paediatrics and has been a Paediatrician with TBHRSC since 2009.
Dr. Jagger is also an Associate Professor and Chair, Section of Child and Adolescent Medicine at NOSM University. I would like to thank Dr. Jagger for taking on this role until April 30, 2026 while Dr. Linda Bakovic is on leave.
Copper Kettle Coffee House is proudly partnering with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation for the month of December to support the Renal and Hemodialysis Fund — and they are doing it in the sweetest way possible!
For just $1, you can add marshmallows to any hot or cold drink. Your espresso will be poured right over top, melting them into a warm, gooey, irresistible holiday treat — and that $1 goes directly to the Health Sciences Foundation. As well, gingerbread cookies will be up for grabs for $4, with $1 from every cookie supporting the cause as well.
Stop by Copper Kettle Coffee House, enjoy a festive drink and a cookie, and help make a difference for patients in our community.
(L-R) Nikki Joyce MRT(R); Rose Harding MRT(R); Mallory Whitehurst MRT(R); Kati Tuomi, MRT(N), Manager CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT, BMD, Clerical Support; and Jessica Routhier, DMS.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Diagnostic Imaging department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre sponsoring the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay’s Annual Christmas Wish Campaign, now partnered with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.
In a combined effort, Diagnostic Imaging staff came together to fill the holiday wishes of eight children receiving care through the Children’s Aid Society and/or Dilico. Each child receives a personalized gift bag filled with their wish list items, clothing, and other essentials, ensuring each child experiences comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging during the holiday season.
Rose Harding, who has led this initiative in Diagnostic Imaging for all twenty years, shared: “The staff really look forward to supporting this initiative and spreading some Christmas cheer in our community. It has become a department tradition, with many staff asking in early October about the campaign. It’s a simple way to give back and, over the years, we have supported at least 25 families, a few youth living on their own who are aging out of care, and this year eight individual children.”
The department’s commitment to giving extends throughout the year. Their community dinners are funded through the generosity of Dr. Mehran Midia, who provides lunch for staff on occasion. In return, staff contribute a toonie or more, which has enabled the department to sponsor and cook three to four meals annually at Shelter House Thunder Bay for several years. On Saturday, December 6, approximately 154 people enjoyed a hot meal through Dr. Midia’s generosity and the ripple effect created by staff contributions.
Thank you to everyone in Diagnostic Imaging for your continuous dedication to supporting families, youth, and community members in need.
On Saturday, December 6, approximately 154 people enjoyed a hot meal at Shelter House Thunder Bay through Dr. Midia’s generosity and the ripple effect created by Diagnostic Imaging staff contributions.
If you’ve ever wondered where confidence, competence, and a bit of clinical magic are made, look no further than the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab — the beating heart of hands-on learning at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). This immersive, high-energy space is where students and clinicians step into realistic scenarios and sharpen their skills in ways that truly bring health care education to life.
Photo 1: Leanne Baird, Manager of the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab (Sim Lab) invited us in for a closer look at this dynamic space. Her passion for experiential learning and patient-centred training was contagious from the moment she welcomed us in. When asked what she likes about her job, she exclaims “Everything! My job is the best. Let me show you why!”
Photo 2: Baird starts by explaining that the Sim Lab is a learning hub for students, clinicians, and allied health care teams. Continuing professional development takes on a new level of excitement when professionals can refresh skills, trial new procedures, or participate in high-energy scenario training. In a field that evolves daily, simulation ensures health care providers stay sharp, confident, and ready for anything. “The Sim Lab is hopping,” smiles Baird. “The schedule changes every week. We are a teaching Hospital, so we have every type of health care learner.” The photo shows an example of a training schedule for the week.
Photos 3, 4, 5: “It’s a high-impact, no risk environment,” shares Baird. “Imagine walking into a room that looks and feels exactly like a real hospital room with monitors beeping, equipment ready, and a patient [a high-fidelity mannequin] that can talk, breathe, bleed, and even give birth. We can set the space up like an operating room, a birthing suite, whatever is necessary for the specific medical skill the instructor is teaching.” This is where learners get to try, fail, try again, and ultimately master essential skills without ever putting a real patient at risk. “It’s hands-on learning at its most dynamic and empowering.”
Photos 6 and 7: From the control room, Leanne controls various aspects of the high-fidelity mannequin, including pupil dilation, chest movement and voice. She demonstrates by speaking through the microphone and the mannequin suddenly comes to life, blinking and talking. The blend of realism, innovation and teamwork, creates a dynamic and exciting learning environment.
Photos 8, 9, 10: Some clinical events happen only a few times in a clinician’s entire career, but when they do, there is no margin for error. The Sim Lab allow teams to rehearse skills that are High Acuity, Low Occurrence (HALO) until they can respond with calm precision. It is all about building muscle memory, confidence, and clinical excellence that directly translates into safer patient care.
Photo 11: After every scenario, teams come together for structured debriefing, providing a safe, supportive space to reflect, share insights, and refine performance. These conversations are where breakthroughs happen. Learners unpack what went well, what could be improved, and how to elevate their practice. It’s the heartbeat of a culture focused on continuous growth and excellence.
As we introduced Microsoft Teams and are transitioning to OneDrive and SharePoint, additional applications or add-ins can be requested. At this point in time, only Microsoft applications or add-ins are being approved, like Forms and Polls.
Requests for non-Microsoft applications will be reviewed at the conclusion of the project in late spring of 2026. This timeline is necessary since these integrated applications require a thorough review for contract alignment, licensing, and compatibility, which is a time-intensive process.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Help Desk at Help.Desk@tbh.net.
Spread cheer—not germs. Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) wants to remind staff to perform proper hand hygiene – see IPC-2-12 Effective Hand Hygiene.
Members of the IPAC team will visiting departments from December 8 – 31, handing out draw tickets to staff seen washing their hands. Prizes will be drawn weekly.
To support campus safety, there are 20 emergency blue poles across the property. These poles provide 24/7 two-way communication with Security for immediate assistance during emergencies.
How they work: Activation automatically directs nearby cameras to the pole. Security Control receives an immediate alert for two-way communication and then dispatches Security or emergency services as required.
These poles are tested bi-weekly by the Security Team to ensure proper operation. Below is a map outlining emergency blue pole locations.
Jeannine Verdenik, VP People & Culture and Justin Garofalo, VP Facilities, Capital Planning, Support Services & CFO
Parking lots can provide opportunity for safety risks such as slips, falls and personal security concerns. As a reminder for all employees, please prioritize personal safety when walking to and from parking areas—especially during early morning or late evening hours.
Here are a few safety practices to keep in mind:
If you ever feel unsafe, please contact Security for assistance by using the emergency blue pole in the parking lot or calling 807-684-6509.
Avoid walking to the parking lots alone. Whenever possible, leave with a co-worker or group of staff or request a Security escort.
Do not leave your vehicle running or unlocked. The recent incident involved someone approaching cars that were running.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions such as using your phone while walking.
If you have a personal alarm – don’t hesitate to use it.
Report any suspicious behavior immediately to Security at 807-684-6509. Consider saving this number in your personal device.
In cases of imminent danger – call 911.
Your safety and well-being is important and we want you to feel supported. By following the above tips, we can reduce risks and ensure a safer environment for everyone.
If you have any concerns or would like to report a situation then we ask that you contact Occupational Health and Safety 807-684-6240.
