Shared on behalf of Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network

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On December 9, 2024, Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) took a significant step forward in stroke treatment by implementing tenecteplase (TNK) as the new standard of care for eligible acute ischemic stroke patients, replacing the previously used alteplase (tPA).

This change aligns with the latest stroke best practice recommendations and marks a notable improvement in the hospital’s stroke care capabilities.

The switch from tPA to TNK brings several benefits and advantages for both patients and health care providers:

• Improved Administration: TNK is administered as a single bolus injection over 5-10 seconds, compared to tPA’s one-minute bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion.
• This streamlined process significantly reduces treatment time and simplifies the procedure for medical staff. It also assists in transporting the patient for possible EVT treatment faster due to our large geographical region.
• Enhanced Efficacy: Multiple studies have shown that TNK provides equal or higher rates of reperfusion compared to tPA without increasing the risk of death, serious adverse events, or intracranial bleeding.
• Increased Safety: TNK’s higher fibrin specificity contributes to a decreased risk of bleeding, potentially improving patient outcomes for our regional patients.

As more Telestroke sites across Northwestern Ontario make similar transitions, LWDH’s adoption of TNK places it at the forefront of stroke care.

This change enhances the hospital’s ability to treat stroke patients effectively and demonstrates its commitment to adopting evidence-based practices that improve stroke patient care and outcomes.

This transition to TNK represents a watershed moment in one of our regional sites’ stroke treatment protocols. LWDH can now deliver life-saving care more quickly and efficiently, which is crucial in stroke cases where every minute counts.

Congratulations to the entire team who made this possible, with a special acknowledgement to the hard work of Jenn Young and Dr. Tim Wehner. Without their commitment and dedication to this practice enhancement, this would not have been successful.

Our Hospital’s smallest patients are showing their holiday spirit this week! We are grateful to the parents of the newborns and staff for letting us share these wonderful photos.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre works tirelessly to ensure families are supported while separated from their babies.

A big THANK YOU to the NICU staff for taking the photos and creating this festive holiday scene. 🎄🎁

As we wrap up Holiday Cheer Week (December 16–20), we want to thank all our incredible staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers who participated in the festive events. Your energy and enthusiasm made this season truly special.

Highlights of the Week

Daily Holiday Trivia: Your holiday knowledge was tested and the trivia was a huge hit! Thank you to everyone who played along.

Showcase Your Decorations: Your creativity sparkled brightly! Workspaces were transformed into festive displays, bringing holiday cheer to every corner of the hospital.

Holiday Attire: You looked fabulous! Thank you for dressing in your best holiday outfits and sharing your festive photos.

Also, this year, we introduced a brand-new initiative to show our appreciation for all the incredible work you do. Every paid staff member at TBRHSC and RI was automatically entered into our Grocery Draw, with 50 lucky winners receiving $100 grocery gift cards. Draws were held daily throughout the week, with 10 winners announced each day.

This new initiative to Holiday Cheer Week was our way of saying “thank you” for your dedication, hard work, and the difference you make every day throughout the year. We hope it brought extra joy to your holiday season and reminded you how much you’re valued!  

Take a moment to admire the creativity and festive spirit of your colleagues. From beautifully decorated workspaces to stunning holiday outfits, the submissions truly captured the joy of the season. Thank you to everyone who participated—you’ve made this holiday season extra special.         

Happy Holidays!

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Boozhoo, Bonjour, Hello.

As we approach the end of 2024, I know how hard it can be to truly pause and reflect when work and life is so busy – but I encourage you to take the time to do it. Admittedly, this has been an extraordinary year, with historic levels of demand and challenges in health care. Each of you, whether at the bedside or supporting our teams behind the scenes, has risen to meet these challenges head-on. Your dedication to patient-centred care —especially at a time when the pressures are so high — is remarkable. I thank you sincerely for everything you’ve done and continue to do.

I do want to share some genuinely positive news that I hope will bring encouragement as we move forward. For many years, we’ve wrestled with financial constraints that limited our ability to invest in innovative solutions, expand our research, and strengthen our care. Today, I’m pleased to say that we have turned a significant corner. This week, we received an unprecedented level of funding support: an additional $14.9 million, on top of the $7.1 million announced earlier this year. In total, $22.1 million in operational base funding will help stabilize our finances, support staffing, and enhance our capacity to deliver the care our patients deserve.

This isn’t just about balancing budgets; it’s about creating a sustainable foundation that will enable us to plan more strategically, invest more thoughtfully, and transform the way we work. You’ll see it reflected in improved scheduling, strengthened clinical operations, and the exploration of new innovations to support our long-term vision. It’s a powerful acknowledgement of the importance of our Hospital’s role in the region.

We have other reasons to feel optimistic. Recent funding announcements will support key projects, such as the redesign of our Emergency Department’s Mental Health and Addictions Assessment and Observation Area — an essential step in responding to growing patient volumes and acuity. We’ve also secured funding for a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC), a crucial piece of equipment that will advance radiation therapy for cancer patients. This means fewer people will need to travel long distances for care and more will receive life-saving treatment here at home. We expect the new LINAC to be operational by late January 2025, and I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen.

We’re also immensely grateful to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the communities we serve for their philanthropic efforts this year, with the Foundation contributing $6.6 million this past year to support our patients and teams. This pushes us closer to our shared goal: exceptional care for every patient, every time.

As the holidays approach, I recognize not everyone will be able to take time off. Health care doesn’t stop for the festive season. For those working through the holidays, thank you for ensuring our patients and community continue to receive the very best care. Please, when you can, take a few moments to recharge in the new 3rd floor staff lounge. This space, along with the holiday cards and vouchers you’ve received (if not, please check with your Manager), is a small token of our gratitude.

Your respect, teamwork, and resilience have a direct impact not only on our patients and their families, but also on each other. I am proud and grateful to lead this organization, and I am continually inspired by the compassion and expertise you bring to your work.

As we close out 2024, I again encourage you to pause and acknowledge all you have contributed to our Hospital and Health Research Institute. May your holidays be filled with comfort, joy, and moments that remind you why your work matters so deeply. Here’s to a brighter, healthier 2025 for all of us.

As always, I welcome your feedback or any thoughts you’d like to share. Please feel free to reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.

Miigwech, merci, thank you, and warmest holiday wishes.

As Holiday Cheer Week comes to an end, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the activities, shared their holiday spirit, and helped make this week truly special. Your enthusiasm and creativity have brightened the season for all of us!

Congratulations to Today’s Prize Winners!

Grocery Draw Winners ($100 President’s Choice Gift Card)

• Hillary Stezenko
• Kaylee Poulin
• Cody Nygard
• Katrina Smart
• Jacqueline Marsh
• Richard Buckley
• Angel Baby
• Denise Stewart
• Bruno Tassone
• Seth Boland

Trivia Winners

• Jessica Serson ($50 Cheese Encounters Gift Card)
• Colin Koivula ($50 Fresh Air Gift Card)

Best Holiday Attire Winners

• Lindsey Hordy ($50 Serenity Salon & Spa Gift Card)
• Jan Ihamaki-Morgan ($50 Gear Up Gift Card)

Showcase Your Holiday Decorations Winners

• Andrea Kromm ($50 Fresh Air Gift Card)
• Patrizia Charrette ($50 Cheese Encounters Gift Card)

Thank you once again for making this week so memorable. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with cheer and warmth!

Happy Holidays!

In 2023, our Hospital became a training site for the NOSMU Undergraduate Community Clerkship (CCC) year. For a duration of eight months, third year medical students work onsite with our staff, various departments, and a local family medicine clinic. To celebrate reaching the halfway point of the year, Academic Affairs, along with the CCC students, would like to express their gratitude to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff and departments for warmly welcoming these learners. 

Here is a message from our students about how supportive you have all been:

“Thank you for taking on clerkship (third-year) medical students! I have had incredible preceptors and mentors throughout this year, and you have all played a part in making this clerkship a truly wonderful experience. Wishing a lovely holiday season to those who celebrate, and a healthy and happy new year!”

We’re celebrating 20 years of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Throughout the year, we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of our most significant milestones.

Thank you to our dedicated staff, donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, community members and partners in health who have played a vital role in building exceptional healthcare for patients and families in Northwestern Ontario.

This week, we’re remembering 📅 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 (📸)

1) TBRHSC launched a public campaign aimed at bringing awareness to the issue of workplace violence.

2) TBRHSC and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) launched Strategic Plan 2026 – a plan that will guide both organizations along a path of growth and continued success for the next four years.

3) For the first time in the Hospital’s history, TBRHSC joined a group of select hospitals in Canada to receive the highest possible designation from Accreditation Canada, ‘Accredited with Exemplary Standing’.

4) A 20-foot tall tipi was raised on the grounds of TBRHSC to symbolizes the Hospital’s commitment to supporting and enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ healing journey while in our care.

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Visit www.tbrhsc.net/20years for more milestones.

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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Please be advised that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over at TBRHSC 1A Oncology unit.

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.

For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094.

Thank you to those who participated in the Holiday Cheer Week activities.

Below are today’s prize winners:

Grocery Draw Winners ($100 President’s Choice Gift Card)

• Chris Hudema
• Isabel Berardi
• Vraj Purohit
• Thien Phan
• Timothy Todesco
• Selena Owen
• Talia Carroll
• Nancy Gillespie
• Sean McMillan
• Cynthia (Jane) Grant

Trivia Winners

• Liezl Miran ( $50 Cheese Encounters Gift Card)
• Jessie Goodman ( $50 Fresh Air Gift Card)

Best Holiday Attire Winners

• Patricia Madigan ( $50 Serenity Salon & Spa Gift Card)
• Bonnie Beaulieu ( $50 Gear Up Gift Card)

Showcase Your Holiday Decorations Winners

• Elaine Milks ( $50 Fresh Air Gift Card)
• Mandy Girvin ( $50 Cheese Encounter Gift Card)

Last Chance to Participate – Draw Ends Today!

Keep the Holiday Cheer alive by participating in today’s activities! Submit your photos, join the trivia, and spread the holiday spirit for a chance to win. Every entry counts!

So, don’t miss your chance to celebrate and win!

For more information on how to participate, please use this link for reference.

Additional funding to connect more people to high quality care, close to home.

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The Ontario government is investing over $18 million to support staffing and operations at local healthcare organizations, helping them address financial pressures and meet the unique needs of the region’s population.

“I’m proud of the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to supporting our healthcare facilities,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “By providing this substantial funding, we’re equipping our healthcare providers with the resources they need to tackle urgent challenges that are unique to our area. This investment will help ensure our healthcare professionals can continue delivering the highest standard of care to the people of Thunder Bay – Atikokan, now and in the years to come.”

This funding will allow healthcare organizations to support and retain healthcare workers, improve access to care and better meet the specific healthcare needs of diverse and rural populations in the region. It represents an additional investment to each organization’s base funding, supporting both immediate needs and long-term improvements.

• Atikokan Health and Community Services: $184,690
  
• St. Joseph’s Care Group: $3,155,914
  
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: $14,874,513

QUOTES

“We are truly grateful for this significant investment from the provincial government and the ongoing advocacy by MPP Holland. It acknowledges the unique challenges and cost pressures we face in delivering comprehensive healthcare across Northwestern Ontario. By ensuring more predictable and sustainable funding, this support empowers us to better serve our patients, strengthen our partnerships, and retain and recruit the dedicated healthcare professionals who care so deeply for our communities.”

• Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute

“We are incredibly fortunate to have some of the most talented and dedicated healthcare staff right here in Thunder Bay. This additional investment recognizes the unique challenges we face in Northwestern Ontario, helping us retain and strengthen our workforce, attract the next generation of healthcare professionals, and keep our focus where it matters most: delivering high-quality care to the people we serve.”

• Janine Black, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Care Group

“Atikokan Health and Community Services is thankful to the Ministry of Health as they demonstrate their continued commitment to supporting health care in rural, northern communities by providing this base funding to our facility. This funding will help to mitigate some of our staffing costs so we can continue to provide inclusive, comprehensive, quality care in our hospital and long-term care home. We appreciate the work that Kevin Holland has done on our behalf and would like to thank him for his ongoing support and advocacy on behalf of our organization.”

• Jennifer Learning, CEO, Atikokan Health and Community Services