Today, we observe the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW), a day dedicated to raising awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirit people in Canada.
This day serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing violence and systemic injustices faced by Indigenous women and girls across the country. It is a time to advocate for change and urge governments and institutions to address the underlying causes of the MMIW crisis. It is critical to recognize that the issue of MMIW is not only a societal concern but also has significant implications for health care. Health care providers and institutions must strive to establish a culturally sensitive and respectful health care system that meets the needs of Indigenous peoples.
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 📅 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 (📸)
1) Our Hospital earned high marks in the Accreditation Canada report.
2) TBRHSC launched a groundbreaking pilot project to improve opioid prescribing.
3) TBRHSC ranked among the top research hospitals in Canada.
4) TBRHSC raised Fort William First Nation’s flag to recognize the traditional lands that the Hospital is on.
All staff, professional staff, volunteers and students are invited to virtually attend a variety of webinars brought to you by the Healthy Hospital Working Group. Attend a live session or watch a recording by November 10, 2024, to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a prize.
Report from Patricia Lang, Chair, Board of Directors
For me, the transition from summer to fall brings with it a feeling of excitement; the anticipation of getting back into a routine and days becoming busier as the weather cools down. I hope that Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers and members of the Board took time over the summer to reset, recharge and connect with family and friends. Before the summer break, our Hospital celebrated a successful year at the Annual Meeting of the Corporation in June. In my new role as Chair of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Board of Directors, I’m pleased to announce the return of our existing Board of Directors, and the reappointment of the President and Chief Executive Officer to a new term.
Joining the Board is Jesse Fiddler as the new Community Member on the Governance and Nominating Committee. Darlene Furlong was appointed as the new Community Member on the Patient Safety and Quality of Care Committee.
Returning to the Board of Directors for a three-year term is Christine Bates. Along with myself, continuing their terms of office on the Board are Charles Campbell, Dr. Andrew Dean, Kimberly Ferris, Douglas Judson, Michael Pelletier, James Peotto, Matt Simeoni, Joy Wakefield, and Gord Wickham.
Recently departed Board Director and Treasurer John Hatton was remembered fondly and honoured for his leadership, his passion and dedication to the Hospital and the community.
The Board includes the ex-officio Directors Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, Adam Vinet, Chief Nursing Executive, Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff, Dr. Sarita Verma, (former Dean, President and CEO, NOSM University), and Dr. Elrasheed Osman, President, Professional Staff Association.
I am looking forward to working with this incredibly motivated group, aligning the care we provide to the needs of the community and the people we serve. We continue to advance the Hospital’s Strategic Plan 2026; TBRHSC’s 2023-24 Annual Report was released and highlights last year’s accomplishments and our continued commitment to patient and family centred care.
Speaking of which, this month marked 15 years of Sharing and Caring Together, a week-long event demonstrating our successes in patient and family-centred care, culminating in an exhibition displaying some of the initiatives that have been developed to improve the patient experience.
Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our Hospital’s Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion portfolio organized events to honour the survivors and underscore the importance of Truth and Reconciliation. Starting with a sunrise ceremony, events for staff throughout the month included hand drum making, beading, drumming, and an education session with an Elder and Residential School Survivor. As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and the 94 Calls to Action, our Hospital also recently published a report sharing our progress on the Calls to Action and our next steps. We are committed to promoting transparency with our response to the Calls to Action and to continually working towards creating an environment of inclusion, equity and compassion at our Hospital.
The 8th edition of the Trauma Nursing Core Course will take place on November 28 & 29. Developed by the international Emergency Nursing Association, Trauma Nursing Core Course empowers nurses with critical thinking skills, and hands on scenario–based training for:
Rapid identification of life-threatening injuries
Comprehensive patient assessment
Enhanced intervention for better patient outcomes
Date/Time: Thursday, November 28 (800h-1700h) and Friday, November 29 (800h – 1400h) Location: 44 Algoma Street South
The course includes:
A Systematic Approach of Initial Assessment
The first few minutes of trauma care are critical to achieve better patient outcomes. The A – I mnemonic and trauma Nursing Assessment will assist nurses in providing appropriate and early intervention.
Hands-on Training Using both an Individual and Team Approach
Three psychomotor skill stations offer nurses the opportunity to practice the systematic approach of the initial assessment in real life situations. The skill stations covered are trauma nursing process, airway and ventilation, and trauma interventions.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at the Transitional Care Unit as of Tuesday October 01, 2024. All restrictions are in place.
Outbreak # 2262-2024-00105
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. All patients identified as having an exposure to this outbreak will require isolation with appropriate additional precautions.
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
Dr. Alla Reznik pictured with the Radialis machine she will be speaking about at the upcoming Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope on October 4th.
Dr. Alla Reznik, a scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute and professor at Lakehead University, will talk about Radialis and the past, present, and possible future of breast cancer diagnosis at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Superior Inn and Conference Centre.
Dr. Reznik has dedicated her career to finding new and better ways of detecting breast cancer, particularly for patients with dense breast tissue. She will tell the story of how it all started with one patient experience.
“I will talk about my closest friend at the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope and the issues she faced because of dense breast tissue,” Dr. Reznik said. “I will also talk about the challenges of traditional mammography and MRI, and how Radialis may help overcome those challenges.”
Mammography is Ontario’s gold standard for breast cancer screening. However, mammograms are not perfect and many women are sent for additional tests like MRI.
“This triggers an enormous amount of testing including biopsies,” Dr. Reznik said. “You can imagine the stress and compromised quality of life for those patients. It can even lead to unnecessary prophylactic mastectomies.”
Dr. Reznik wanted to find a way to reduce the number of tests needed and to reduce the risk of false positives that can lead to unnecessary biopsy and mastectomies.
Radialis, a brand new imaging method now in the test phase, might be the answer.
Radialis uses low-dose Positron Emission Tomography (PET) that “lights up” cancer cells during the scan. In short, Radialis may reduce the need for biopsy, reduces the risk for unnecessary treatments including surgery, and has a much lower rate of false positives than MRI. It is also doesn’t require painful breast compression like mammography.
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) recognized Radialis’ potential earlier this year in a commentary and a news release with the headline, “Novel Technique Has Potential to Transform Breast Cancer Detection“. RSNA praised Radialis’ strong sensitivity and low false-positive rate compared to MRI.
However, it noted, more studies are needed to determine this new technique’s “exact role and efficacy in the clinical setting”. The US FDA approved Radialis for medical use, while Health Canada has authorized it to be sold for use in a clinical trial. The Hospital received its Radialis unit this summer – the third site in the world to have one.
Hear Dr. Reznik talk more about this remarkable technology at this year’s Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope. To learn more and to get your tickets, please visit: healthsciencesfoundation.ca/luncheon
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.
No referrals are necessary to access care at the Maternity Centre.
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 98 babies born at our Hospital during the month of September. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!
