The French Language Training Reimbursement Program is funded by the Ministry of Health and coordinated by L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay. The program is available to health care professionals in Ontario who:

• Want to improve their French language skills;
• Are proficient in French at a level above beginner; and
• Have direct contact with patients, clients, families or the public in a health care environment.

Eligible employees may receive a reimbursement of their tuitions fees, up to a maximum of $300.00.

For more information regarding eligibility and requirements for reimbursement, please refer to the below documents which can be accessed via the Human Resources iNtranet page under Employee Resources:

• French Language Training Program Information – provides basic information about the program and the approved providers;
• Fact Sheet – provides information about eligibility and requirements for reimbursement;
• Conditional Eligibility Form – must be completed and submitted by interested employees prior to registering for classes.

Any questions concerning the above can be addressed to Chantal Després, Resource Person for the French Language Training Program: Telephone: 1-807-697-0881 / 1-888-382-6452 e-mail: cdespres@accueilfrancophone.com.

September 29 is World Heart Day. Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day informs people around the globe that cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of death claiming 18.6 million lives each year, and highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVD. It aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided.

In honour of World Heart Day, the 2C Cardiology and Stroke team (📷) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is wearing red, to remind people of the importance of taking charge of their heart health.

To learn more, visit https://world-heart-federation.org/.

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at TBRHSC, Inpatient Unit AMH, as of September 27, 2025. All restrictions are in place.

Outbreak #2522-2025-00078.

Please share this information with all appropriate staff. Thank you. 

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

Cruising for a Cure – Jeep Raffle officially launches September 26, 2025! This one-of-a-kind 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition in Tuscadero Pearl (pink), valued at over $160,000 was generously donated by Lakehead Motors in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every ticket sold supports the Northern Cancer Fund, with 100% of proceeds staying right here in Northwestern Ontario. Tickets start at $25—grab yours at www.cruisingforacure.ca.

Shared on behalf of Blake Rathje – Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Distribution

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On September 25, 2025, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a national strike following the announcement from the government on Canada Post’s transformation plan. Effective immediately, the Mail Room will cease mail delivery to Canada Post. Mail can still be delivered using the following options:

• Time sensitive items requiring same day delivery or outside of Thunder Bay, will be sent via Purolator (note – Purolator will not deliver to PO boxes);
• Items within Thunder Bay, requiring delivery within a 2-3 day window will be sent via local Courier.

If mail was picked up from your department today, Friday September 26, 2025, it will be held in the Mail Room until Canada Post resumes service. If you had urgent mail in this pick up, please come to the Mail Room to retrieve it or to discuss the alternate solutions as mentioned above. 

Canada Post will not process or deliver mail and parcels for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees are suspended for items already in the postal network. Canada Post has notified customers that their scheduled pickups have been cancelled. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over. 

All mail and parcels in the postal network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume. However, a national strike of any length will impact service to Canadians well after the strike activity ends. Processing and delivery may take some time to fully return to normal. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact myself or Jennifer Svane at Jennifer.svane@tbh.net ext. 6202.

Today, we celebrate the heart of our Hospital’s mission — our Human Resources (HR) team.

Behind every patient and family we serve and every team member we support, there is the dedication and expertise of our HR professionals. From recruitment and onboarding to employee wellness, benefits, training, and conflict resolution, the HR team plays a vital role in ensuring our Hospital remains a place of compassion, excellence, and collaboration.

Human Resource Professional Day, observed this year on September 26, is a moment to recognize the often behind-the-scenes efforts of those who keep our organization thriving. HR professionals are not only stewards of policy and process — they are champions of people, helping to shape a workplace culture that is positive, inclusive, and resilient.

To our HR team: Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your ability to navigate complex challenges with grace, and your steadfast support of every employee at our Hospital. Your work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.

Earlier today, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) celebrated the vibrant Francophone culture in Northwestern Ontario by hoisting the Franco-Ontarian Day flag. Representatives from Ontario Health North West, Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO) and Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario (Réseau) attended the flag raising.

TBRHSC recognizes the importance of providing culturally sensitive care to improve health outcomes and the quality of care. Our Hospital is dedicated to meeting the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of all patients, including the diverse Francophone population.

TBRHSC is committed to ensuring that it respects and responds to Francophone cultural preferences, needs, and values, along with those of all the other diverse populations it serves.

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Aujourd’hui, le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay (CRSSTB) célèbre la culture francophone rayonnante du Nord-Est de l’Ontario en hissant le drapeau franco-ontarien. Des représentants de Santé Ontario Nord-Ouest, de l’Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario et du Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario ont assisté à cette cérémonie.

Le CRSSTB reconnaît l’importance de fournir des soins adaptés à la culture afin d’améliorer les résultats sur le plan de la santé ainsi que la qualité des soins. Il ne ménage aucun effort pour répondre aux besoins d’ordre social, culturel et linguistique de tous les patients, y compris ceux de la population francophone diverse.

Le CRSSTB s’engage à reconnaître et à respecter les préférences, les valeurs et les besoins culturels de la population francophone, ainsi que ceux de toutes les autres populations diverses qu’il sert.

Shared on behalf of Medical and Academic Affairs

We are excited to announce that Dr. Yoko Schreiber has joined Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as an Infectious Disease Specialist with the Department of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Schreiber completed her Doctor of Medicine at Dalhousie University before pursuing residency training in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Infectious Diseases at the University of Ottawa. She further completed a Master of Science in Epidemiology and the Clinician Investigator Program at the University of Ottawa, strengthening her expertise in research and evidence-based practice. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases) and has held academic appointments at the University of Ottawa, the University of Manitoba, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Dr. Schreiber brings extensive experience as a consultant in Infectious Diseases, with a strong focus on improving care in rural and remote communities. Her clinical and research work has included antimicrobial stewardship, tuberculosis, skin and soft tissue infections, and the health impacts of housing and environmental conditions in Indigenous communities. She has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals such as CMAJ, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, and JAMMI, and she has been recognized with national awards for her research on rheumatic fever in First Nations communities.

She has also served in multiple leadership roles, including Chief of Inpatient Medicine and Chief of Specialist Services at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, member of the Public Health Testing Strategy Expert Panel at Public Health Ontario, and consultant to Indigenous Services Canada. In addition to her clinical expertise, she is committed to advancing medical education and has taught and supervised learners at multiple academic institutions.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Schreiber to our Hospital and the Thunder Bay community. Her dedication to infectious disease care, public health, and health equity will be a tremendous asset to our patients and community.

Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD) is an annual experiential learning opportunity for Grade 9 students across Ontario. This year, TOWKTWD is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025. In previous years, our Hospital has hosted grade 9 students from a variety of schools within the city.

Throughout the day groups of students travel to pre-scheduled departments for a tour or demonstration. These students are broken down into groups of 10 and led by Human Resources through various areas and departments within the Hospital. Departments that were visited in past include MDRD, Operating Room, Emergency, Biomedical Engineering/Maintenance, Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging and Nutrition and Food Services. 

By participating in TOKTWD, students are able to learn about the variety of careers within the Hospital. This day also creates a great opportunity for employee engagement within the workplace. This event encourages teambuilding, productivity, social interactions and employee involvement.

Deadline to enroll is October 24, 2025. You can find more information and the enrollment forms on the intranet: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/departments/human-resources/programs/take-our-kids-to-work-day.

If you have any questions, or would like to submit your enrollment forms, contact Rina Pratola, Human Resources Advisor, at Rina.Pratola@tbh.net or by calling extension 7058.