Shared on behalf of Blake Rathje, Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Distribution
On October 11, 2025, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) transitioned from a nation-wide strike to rotating strikes and Canada Post has resumed commercial pickups and drop-offs as of October 15, 2025.
Rotating strike activity may be isolated to specific locations, affecting those areas for a specified period of time. During a rotating strike, Canada Post will accept, process and deliver parcels in unaffected areas, but delays are still expected. Once Canada Post processes an item, it will be secure but cannot be retrieved if that facility is affected by a rotating strike. Items will be delivered as quickly as possible after a disruption is over and operations resume.
Effective immediately, the TBRHSC Mailroom will resume normal operations. However, departments may consider sending urgent items by Purolator via our standard process (note –Purolator does not ship to PO boxes) or a local Courier. Both alternative options have an estimated delivery time of 2-3 days.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jennifer Svane at jennifer.svane@tbh.net or at ext. 6202.
When we think of a hospital, our minds may go to those providing front line care. But there’s an essential service working around the clock behind the scenes: the Laundry and Linen team.
Every day, hundreds of kilograms of linens are processed at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to ensure a safe, clean environment for patients and staff alike. From bed sheets and pillowcases to gowns, scrubs, and surgical drapes, this department plays a critical role in infection control and patient comfort.
Clean linens may not be the most visible part of patient care, but they’re a crucial part of the healing environment. Fresh sheets and properly sanitized gowns contribute to patient dignity, comfort, and safety. So, the next time you see a neatly made hospital bed or change into a clean gown, remember the dedicated laundry and linen team working behind the scenes to make it happen.
Photo 1
Photo 1: This small but mighty team holds the highest standards for cleanliness. Every load of linens must meet strict hygiene requirements. Linens are washed, dried, and sanitized using industrial-grade equipment and high-temperature cycles that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Photo 2
Photo 2: Each step is monitored closely to comply with health care regulations and infection prevention protocols. Special attention is given to handling soiled items safely and ensuring clean linens are stored and transported properly. In this photo, Chris can be seen carefully loading the washer, ensuring all soiled linens are handled with gloves and without overfilling, in strict adherence to infection prevention protocols. He closes the machine securely and initiates the high-temperature disinfection cycle to prevent cross-contamination.
Photo 3Photo 4Photo 5
Photo 3, 4, 5: Laundry services require a dedicated team working efficiently and meticulously. Their job includes sorting, washing, folding, inspecting for damage, and ensuring timely delivery to every department. During high-demand periods—like flu season or during large-scale procedures—this team works even harder to keep everything running smoothly. The team are shown feeding large linens through the blanket folder (photo 3), hand folding area folding facecloths (photo 4), and standing in front of a small piece folder, where gowns are folded (photo 5).
Photo 6
Photo 6: Did you know that our Hospital has a seamstress? Tannis is responsible for the repair, alteration, and sometimes fabrication of textiles used throughout the Hospital. These can include uniforms, bed linens, patient gowns, surgical drapes, privacy curtains, and other fabric-based materials. Her skilled hands help keep our facility running smoothly and with every stitch supports the comfort, dignity, and safety of our patients and staff.
If you have questions you would like answered, please send them to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net and we will do our best to address them at a future Town Hall.
If you’d like to access a recording or presentation from a previous Town Hall, visit the archive.
Thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged.
Mammograms remain the most reliable tool for breast cancer screening, able to detect changes in breast tissue before symptoms appear.
One in nine women in Ontario will face breast cancer in their lifetime, with many diagnosed before turning 50. Now, thanks to a recent expansion of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), people in their 40s no longer have to wait to be screened. The province’s decision to lower the self-referral age from 50 to 40 gives approximately one million additional women, trans, and non-binary people across Ontario the chance to be screened earlier.
“Breast cancer can and does occur in people in their 40s,” says Dr. Nicole Zavagnin, Regional Primary Care Lead for Cancer Care Ontario at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “Having the option to begin screening earlier means more people can be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective.”
Through the OBSP, eligible individuals aged 40 to 74 who are at average risk can book a mammogram every two years at no cost with a valid OHIP card – no doctor’s referral needed. Those at higher risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer, may need to start screening earlier or be screened more often based on advice from their healthcare provider.
Mammograms remain the most reliable tool for breast cancer screening, able to detect changes in breast tissue before symptoms appear. The benefits are clear: the five-year survival rate for breast cancer found at stage 1 is nearly 100%, but drops to less than 30% when diagnosed at stage 4.
“Cancer screening is for people who feel well and haven’t noticed any changes,” days Dr. Zavagnin. “By expanding eligibility, more patients can benefit from early detection and the wider range of treatment options it allows.”
While mammograms are key to early detection, breast health also involves knowing your body, reporting changes promptly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to reflect on your personal risk factors and talk with your healthcare provider about whether screening is right for you,” notes Dr. Zavagnin.
Where to Get Screened in Northwestern Ontario
Thunder Bay
Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening and Assessment, TBRHSC 980 Oliver Road (807) 684-7777
Thunder Bay Diagnostics 63 Algoma St. N, Suite 100 (807) 683-4411
Screen for Life Coach (serving Thunder Bay and regional communities) (807) 684-7777
Fort Frances
Riverside Health Care Facilities 110 Victoria Avenue (807) 274-4808
Kenora
Lake of the Woods District Hospital 21 West Sylvan Street (807) 684-7777
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre 1 Meno Ya Win Way (807) 737-6579
The Communications and Engagement Department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is dedicated to supporting you in achieving your communications, messaging, and promotional objectives. All staff, professional staff, volunteers and learners are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the following Communications and Engagement policies:
Media and Promotional Communication — Authorization and Process (COMM-01)
As a public institution, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recognizes the public’s right to be informed about their Hospital’s policies and the issues surrounding the care of patients in the institution. As well, the Hospital recognizes that the release of information concerning patients and health care practitioners has both legal and ethical considerations. Confidentiality is important. Therefore, media inquiries for audio and video recordings, interview requests, and photo or video recording within the Hospital must have prior approval from the Communications and Engagement Department.
Production of Publicly Distributed TBRHSC Promotional Materials (COMM-03)
This policy ensures that all publications and other materials and information of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre intended for public consumption, appropriately reflect the mission and vision of the Hospital and maintain current branding standards, are patient and family centred, include key messages where appropriate, and reflect the professional standards of the Hospital.
This policy provides direction on the management of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s presence on social media and ensures that guidelines and behavioural expectations when using social media are met. The Hospital recognizes the value of social media sites as vital resources to positively promote its mission and values, strategic plan, prevention and screening initiatives, recruitment activities, successes and initiatives, as well as a forum for engagement and the exchange of general information and feedback.
Members of the Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD) team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
The second full week of each October (12-18) is dedicated to celebrating the important role of medical device reprocessing departments (MDRD) across the country, just like the one at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
The MDRD staff is made up of certified technicians that wash, inspect, assemble, wrap, sterilize and distribute instruments to the Operating Room and clinics throughout our Hospital. With a focus on patient safety and quality assurance, the proper reprocessing of reusable patient care items is more important than it ever has been.
Staff in the MDRD work almost 24/7 to make sure physicians, nurses and surgeons have the clean, sterile instruments they need to provide exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Back row (L-R): Andraya Bergson, Denette Egeberg, Celia Barry, Roxane Siddall Front row (L-R): Julie Colbourn, Kerry Brosseau, Laura Swancar, Ginette Antoniak, Lindsay Johnson, Kate Adams. Not pictured: Jane Horiguchi and Val Walser.
October is Occupational Therapy Month in Canada.
Occupational therapy is a health profession that empowers people of all ages to overcome barriers in their everyday lives so they can do more and live better.
Occupational therapists (OTs) provide personalized solutions to help people of all ages and abilities recover from an injury or illness, participate in day-to-day activities, and experience life to the fullest. By working with patients, their family members, and health care teams, OTs identify and address any barriers the patient may have with everyday activities. Together, the patient and their OT find solutions that will enable the patient to maintain function, regain skills, develop new skills, and much more.
Please take a moment this month to express gratitude to all the amazing occupational therapists at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Care Group, and other health care organizations across the country for their contributions to patient care.
To learn more about Occupational Therapy, visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website at https://www.caot.ca. To reach an OT at TBRHSC, please call ext. 6271.
Encounters in Bioethics 2025-2026 is offering a free webinar “Violence and Vulnerability: Ethical Decision Making in Health Care Settings” on Thursday, October 23, 2025, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.
Presenter: Jennifer Dunsford, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Connect via Zoom: https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/j/96892511708 Certificate of Attendance available upon request to chce@lakeheadu.ca
