Congratulations to January’s Patient and Family Centered Care (PFCC) Shout Out Winners, Kathryn (Kat) Giba and Katie Cardy.
Both Kat and Katie embody PFCC within our organization by showing a commitment to communication, collaboration, dignity, and respect for their patients, enabling them to remain key participants in their own health.
Keep up the great work!
Kat Giba, Nurse Practitioner – Out Patient Antimicrobial Team
As a Nurse Practitioner with the new Out Patient Antimicrobial Team (OPAT), Kat has demonstrated compassion, empathy and collaboration by offering flexibility with appointment times that allow for her patients to navigate their care while juggling the complexities of their lives.
Kat Giba
Katie Cardy, Nurse Practitioner – Surgical Intake
Katie Cardy is a Nurse Practitioner with the Surgical Intake department whose colleagues have witnessed as always going above and beyond for her patients, always taking the extra time to listen to the patients, and truly caring about having positive outcomes for every patient she sees!
Katie Cardy
Do you know someone in our organization who consistently demonstrates exceptional Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC)? We want to hear about them!
Simply send a PFCC Shout Out email to TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net and include the staff member’s name, department, and a brief description of what they did that deserves recognition.
Let’s celebrate the people who make this a truly patient and family centred organization.
Clean hands are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection. Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) reminds all staff to follow proper hand hygiene practices as outlined IPC-2-12 Effective Hand Hygiene.
From February 2 until February 13, members of the IPAC team will be visiting departments to observe and support hand hygiene practices. Staff demonstrating proper hand hygiene may receive draw tickets, with prizes drawn weekly.
Please remember to wash or sanitize your hands:
Before patient contact
Before a clean or aseptic procedure
After body fluid exposure risk
After patient contact and contact with the patient environment
Help Us Celebrate Staff Who Go Above and Beyond for Patients and Families
Do you know someone in our organization who consistently demonstrates exceptional Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC)? Someone who takes the time to truly listen, who includes patients and families in care decisions, and who ensures everyone feels respected, safe, and valued?
We want to hear about them!
Each month, the PFCC team is accepting “PFCC Shout Outs”—recognizing staff across all departments who go the extra mile to make the patient and family experience better. Whether it’s a small gesture of kindness, a meaningful conversation, or an example of true collaboration and compassion, we want to celebrate those moments.
What does a PFCC Shout Out look like?
A nurse who takes time to explain care options in a way the patient understands
A porter who makes a patient feel comfortable and less anxious during a transfer
A unit clerk who warmly greets families and helps them navigate the hospital
A physician who ensures the family is included in rounds and decisions
Any team member who prioritizes dignity, respect, and collaboration
How to nominate someone:
Anyone—staff, patients, families, or volunteers—can nominate a staff member by sending a quick email to TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net.Just include the staff member’s name, department, and a brief description of what they did that deserves recognition.
Monthly winners will receive a small prize, have their photo featured on the PFCC intranet page, and be highlighted in The Informed newsletter.
Let’s celebrate the people who make this a truly patient and family-centred organization. Start shouting out today!
Presented by: Dr. Tara Baron and Dr. Samah Salman Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Time: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Location: Auditorium A or Teams (click the link on the poster below to join)
The HELP Program is happy to introduce the Senior Resource Centre, now open at the entrance to the 2B Medical Unit. The Senior Resource Centre was created to support older adults and their families during a Hospital stay by offering easy access to helpful, age-friendly information.
Resources include a Senior Resource Guide, education on delirium, and connections to community programs including PATH, the Dementia Café and the Alzheimers Society. The Senior Resource Centre also offers activity books filled with crosswords, sudoku, and word searches to encourage engagement, reduce stress, and support cognitive well-being.
We are excited to share that a second Senior Resource Centre will be added to 2A Medical Unit.
Requests for specific senior-friendly materials are more than welcomed and can be sent to Tabetha.Belanger@tbh.net.
After an incredibly successful inaugural year, Thunder Bay’s favourite game-show-style fundraiser is returning to the Valhalla Hotel on April 16, 2026, and this year promises to be bigger, bolder, and even more exciting.
Bullseye Chase the Case presented by Doane Grant Thornton is a high-energy, interactive evening where fundraising and fun collide. Guests will take part in a fast-paced bidding game inspired by classic television game shows, all while supporting the fight against breast cancer through the Northern Cancer Fund.
How the game works:
20 silver cases hold 20 fabulous prize packages
The evening unfolds over 4 rounds of bidding, with 5 prize cases per round
Guests know which prizes are available in each round but not which case holds which prize
Bid against other guests to earn the first chance to choose a case
Want an edge? Purchase a “Phone the Banker” option to:
Eliminate two cases, or
Donate more to find out exactly which case holds the prize you want
Choose your case and win the prize hidden inside!
Tickets are officially on sale!
$125 General Admission — Your seat in the room with full access to all the excitement
$150 VIP Experience — Premium seating near the stage, prime bidding access, a private bar, and your own personal table usher
We’re also proud to introduce this year 10 passionate event ambassadors who are helping us work toward our $55,000 fundraising goal. Their support is helping spread the word and bring this exciting event to life.
Every ticket purchased directly supports the Northern Cancer Fund for breast cancer, ensuring that every dollar raised stays right here at home. Your participation helps women in our community access the care and support they need, close to home, when it matters most.
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is proud to launch its new Cancer Survivorship Campaign, an awareness initiative focused on the importance of regular screening, early detection, and celebrating resilience, and life after cancer.
The campaign, launched in partnership with the North West Regional Cancer Program and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, shines a light on the types of cancers that impact the 33 First Nations SLFNHA serves across Kiiwetinoong and encourages conversations about cancer, healing, and hope. In many of the communities SLFNHA serves, cancer is too often detected at later stages, when treatment options can be more limited. This campaign aims to change that by empowering people with information, encouraging regular screening, and reminding families that early detection improves outcomes.
“This campaign is about saving lives through awareness and early detection. We are committed to strengthening cancer awareness and survivorship supports across Kiiwetinoong.” Says Sonia Isaac-Mann, SLFNHA President & CEO.” We are incredibly grateful to Connie, Pauline, and Norine for sharing their stories so others can find courage and hope.”
At the heart of the campaign are three powerful voices from the region who have lived through cancer and are now sharing their stories to inspire others:
Connie Gray-McKay, breast cancer survivor from Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation
Pauline Lac Seul, endometrial cancer survivor from Lac Seul First Nation
Norine Van Breda, colon cancer survivor from Hudson, Ontario
Each survivor brings a unique experience and perspective, reflecting the many paths through diagnosis, treatment, and healing. SLFNHA is deeply grateful and honoured that Connie, Pauline, and Norine have chosen to share their journeys so openly.
The theme of the campaign is “Let’s Talk About Cancer, Healing, and Hope.” It is a message that encourages people to speak up, ask questions, get checked, and support each other on a community level. Lives can be saved and those on their cancer journey are not alone.
“We know from the data that far too many people in the communities SLFNHA serves are not getting screened regularly. In some cases, fewer than one in three people are participating in screening,” says David McConnell, Director of the North West Regional Cancer Program. “Survivorship reminds us why this matters: earlier screening can lead to more treatment options and better outcomes. By sharing the real stories of survivors in these communities, we aim to empower others to get screened so they can be there for their families and live longer, healthier lives.”
The Cancer Survivorship Campaign is a partnership between Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, the North West Regional Cancer Program, and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). The campaign videos were directed and filmed by Upriver Media.
Hosting the BIG GAME on February 8 just got a whole lot easier!
Local catering company Gusterra is serving up ready-to-heat game day appetizer platters, with proceeds supporting life-saving cardiac care right here at home through our Northern Cardiac Fund.
To owners Theo Sundell and Beckham Thompson, Gusterra’s launch fundraiser is deeply personal. Cardiac care has touched their own family, and now they’re giving back! Platters come ready to serve 6-10 people, depending on how big your game day party will be! Platter for 6 is $110, platter for 10 is $160.
$25–$35 from every platter supports local cardiac care right here in Thunder Bay.
Pre-orders are open NOW until February 4, then you just pick up, heat, serve & enjoy. Pickup will be available at the RFDA at 570 Syndicate Ave S on February 7 and 8 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the kitchen entrance.
1. Open Microsoft Outlook Open the Outlook desktop app or Outlook Web (Office 365).
2. Create a New Meeting/Event Select New Meeting (desktop) or New Event (web).
3. Add the Wellness Room In the Location field — or under Required attendees — type the name Wellness Room. Select it from the directory so it is added as a Room Resource.
4. Pick Your Date and Time Choose the day and time you want to reserve. Outlook will automatically show whether the room is free or already booked.
5. Add a Simple Subject Enter a brief title — your first name and last initial
6. Send the Invitation Click Send. If the room is available, it will auto-accept and appear on your calendar. If unavailable, you will receive a decline message
7. Confirm Your Booking Open the event on your calendar to ensure the wellness room is listed under Location.
For more information, please contact: Rose Lazinski, Manager, Occupational Health and Safety Department at Rose.Lazinski@tbh.net.
