As we celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day (Monday, May 6), we want to take the opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of Indigenous nurses in the healthcare industry.

In honor of this special day, we would like to highlight the achievements of Indigenous nurses and their home communities. We believe their expertise and dedication have made a significant impact on the lives of many patients and their families, not only inspiring others, but also raising awareness of the important role that Indigenous nurses play in promoting wellness and healing for Indigenous communities.

If you are an Indigenous nurse or know someone who is, we would love to hear from you! Please share with us your experiences, challenges, successes or quote as a healthcare provider by Monday, April 29.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to healthcare, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Please send your experiences to Annette Klement, Cultural Safety Educator at TBRHSC.CulturalSafetyEducator@tbh.net.

Science North and the Science Communication Program at Laurentian University are excited to collaborate with Eastlink to bring you Northern MedTalks 2024!

A fast-paced speakers event featuring 10 presentations by Northern Ontario healthcare providers. Each 10-minute talk will inspire audiences through engaging stories about human health.

You’ll connect with powerful narratives from physicians, nurse practitioners, researchers and more!

WAYS TO WATCH

• Live in-person presentation in the Vale Cavern.
• Enjoy Northern MedTalks at home! A livestream will be available on this webpage and on Eastlink Community TV on April 25 beginning at 7pm (no ticket required).

For a full list of speakers and more, visit https://www.sciencenorth.ca/medtalks

Featuring Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s own Dr. Naana Jumah:

Dr. Naana Afua Jumah is an Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and a researcher at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Dr. Jumah’s research and clinical practice focuses on Indigenous women’s health and substance use in pregnancy in Northwestern Ontario. Through a series of integrated research studies, Dr. Jumah seeks to determine how to organize a model of care that addresses the needs of substance involved pregnant women living in rural and remote areas in order to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Dr Jumah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a DPhil in Medical Engineering from the University of Oxford, which she completed as a Rhodes Scholar. Following her doctorate, she graduated from Harvard Medical School and then completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a specialization in Addiction Medicine at the University of Toronto.

For National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (April 21-27), Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is raising awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donors in our community and across the province.

“As our population ages, the need for organ and tissue donations is increasing. One donor can save up to eight lives and help 75 more by donating organ and tissue,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “Donors and their families give an extraordinary gift, often at the most difficult time in their lives. Our team approaches the conversation with care and compassion, ensuring every patient and family has the information needed to make a life-saving choice. Consider discussing organ and tissue donation with your loved ones. You can make an incredible impact in the lives of another family.”

For the flag raising Dr. Crocker Ellacott was joined by local transplant recipients, family members of donors who gave the gift of life, and other members of the Hospital’s health care team.

“The collaboration between TBRHSC and Trillium Gift of Life Network is crucial in saving lives. On average, there are approximately 1,400 individuals on the waiting list for organ transplantation in Ontario,” said Kiley Perrier, Trillium Gift of Life Network’s Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator at TBRHSC. “By registering your consent, you are making a selfless decision to help others through organ and tissue donation. Your decision can make a significant difference in saving someone’s life.”

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week provides an ideal opportunity to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor. Have the conversation with your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of others.

Find out more and register at www.beadonor.ca. It only takes two minutes to potentially save or enhance many lives.

Every April 22nd, stakeholders of all backgrounds come together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is committed to environmental stewardship. Some of the initiatives that have been incorporated to help meet our environmental goals include transitioning to biodegradable gloves and the introduction of the ORCA system (aerobic food waste digester). In May 2024, we will introduce reusable sharps containers and host our annual ‘Spring to Clean Up’ in collaboration with EcoSuperior (May 31).

Some ways you can participate in Earth Day include:

• Walk/Bike/Car pool/Public transit to work.
• Use reusable vs disposable when possible.
• Plant trees, pollinator and vegetable gardens.
• Participate in composting.
• Set up a rain barrel or rain garden.
• ‘Spring Clean Up’ of their yards or your neighbourhood.

TBRHSC’s Green Team is proud to be involved in the waste and energy reduction initiatives onsite which help reduce our Hospital’s environmental impact and carbon footprint.

For more information on Earth Day visit: Earth Day: The Official Site | EARTHDAY.ORG

Shared on behalf of Help Desk

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Please be aware we are currently experiencing issues with the EMR Any Record Search function when searching by Account Number.

This may also occur in other Meditech modules such as PCS, ADM etc.

If you experience this issue, please search by Patient Name or Medical Record number.

Laundry and Linen Appreciation Week occurs during the last full week of April and is an opportunity to recognize an important group of behind-the-scenes champions at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Join us in thanking everyone in our Laundry and Linen Department for their hard work, tireless effort and vital contribution to the patient care experience. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬?

✅ Our Laundry team processes over 3.4 million pounds of laundry per year.
✅ The team works seven days a week, from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
✅ The team is comprised of 12 full time employees which provide the backbone of the workforce by maintaining consistency and expertise in daily operations.
✅ The team also relies on 14 part time and five casual employees who supplement the workforce during peak periods and ensure smooth operations, even during fluctuations in demand.
✅ The Laundry and Linen department operates four 250Ib washing machines and two 85Ib washing machines, which are industrial grade and were strategically chosen to handle the immense laundry volume.
✅ The Laundry and Linen department has two small piece folders which are designed to efficiently fold towels, gowns, soaker pads, pillowcases and other small items.
✅ The Laundry and Linen department also uses one blanket folder, which is designed to efficiently fold large / oversized items such as blankets, spreads and draws sheets.
✅ The workflow within the facility is finely tuned to optimize efficiency and productivity.
✅ From sorting, loading, washing, drying, and folding, each stage of the laundry process is meticulously coordinated to minimize turnaround times and maximize productivity.

Allan Korol, Manager Facilities & Biomedical Services

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I am pleased to announce that Darryl Galloway has accepted the position of Coordinator Electrical, Controls and Systems effective April 22, 2024.

Darryl will be replacing James Arril (retired February 2024). Darryl brings a vast amount of knowledge with over 20 years of private and public sector experience including Electrical and Control Systems Supervision, Project Management, energy & cost efficiency, training, system installation / operation / maintenance, on call support.

Prior to joining TBRHSC, Darryl’s employment included Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Electrical & Controls Projects & Maintenance, Coordinator, Team & Project Leadership roles and with Johnson Controls Canada providing building automation services to Lakehead University.

Darryl’s training includes Red Seal Industrial Electrician at Humber College, Toronto and Magna Technical Training Centre, Brampton.

Please join me in congratulating Darryl and wishing him well in his new role.

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.

 2009 ()

1) The Patient and Family Centred Care model was formally adopted.

2) A state-of-the-art PET-CT scanner was installed, enabling advanced clinical imaging and research.

3) The Regional Joint Assessment Centre opened to reduce wait times for patients seeing an orthopedic surgeon.

4) Perioperative Services began the Operating Room Telementoring Project, providing remote teaching and telementoring.

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

Shared on behalf of Phil Thompson, Director, Support Services

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I am pleased to announce that Ashley Dell has accepted the permanent position of Manager, Housekeeping, Laundry/Linen and Portering.

Ashley has been in the position as interim leader since August 31, 2024. Ashley will officially assume this role April 22^nd, 2024 in a permanent capacity. Ashley Started at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in 2008 as the Housekeeping Secretary. In 2014, Ashley stepped into a nine month temporary roll of Housekeeping Supervisor. In 2019, she transitioned into a full-time Supervisor and in 2022, she accepted the Housekeeping Coordinator position.

At the end of August of last year, Ashley stepped in as Acting Manager, Housekeeping, Laundry/Linen, and Portering.

Ashley has a Bachelor of Psychology and is a certified Teacher.

Please join me in congratulating Ashley in her new role.