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As we transition into fall, September not only brings a fresh new season but a brand new millionaire. Lorna Bottos from Thunder Bay received the life-changing call today letting her know she is the latest winner in the September Thunder Bay 50/50 draw, winning an incredible $1,370,372. “Oh my god, I don’t even know what to say! I’m quitting my second job, Lorna immediately exclaimed after hearing how much she had actually won.

Lorna, who works for OSAP helping students with financial aid achieve their goals and occasionally in the evenings at the Metro deli, can now look forward to more time to enjoy her newfound winnings. 

“I was hoping the 50/50 would change my life one day,” she said. During the call, Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, completed her thought: “Your wish has been answered.” With her winnings, Lorna says she definitely plans to do some traveling, possibly to Europe and maybe the states.

In a surprising twist, Lorna also shared that her friend won a million dollars this past April in the Lotto 649 Gold Ball draw – talk about some lucky friends!

This month’s winner now marks our 13th consecutive millionaire.The Thunder Bay 50/50 is more than a lottery; it’s a crucial support system for health care in our region. Every ticket purchased helps fund vital equipment for our hospital, ensuring exceptional care when we need it most. So far, over $47 million in prizes has been awarded across Ontario.

October Draw Now Open

Spooky season is finally here and we’ve made A TON of new and exciting changes to our draw schedule for October! 

1. On Friday, October 4th, we’re giving away $30,000 in EARLY BIRD PRIZES which includes one $20,000 draw – a first outside of Christmas.
2. There are a total of 34 WINNERS in October; with 27 of those draws happening in just the FIRST WEEK!
3. In the last week of October we will be drawing A WINNER EVERY WEEKDAY right up until the draw deadline on October 31st!
4. This month’s draw is also FIVE WEEKS long! We’ve extended it until October 32nd (how creative of us).
    

** Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 31, 2024 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, November 1 at 11:00 a.m.  

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years old or older. The Thunder Bay 50/50 continues each month with the Grand Prize drawn on the last Friday of the month. (2024 Lottery Licence RAF1413948)

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 Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre team on 2C Cardiology and Stroke 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 Ryan Sears, Director, Capital & Facility Services

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I want to take a moment to remind everyone of safety practices regarding fire sprinkler systems in our Hospital.

Do Not Use Fire Sprinkler Heads as Attachment Points

Do not use fire sprinkler heads as attachment points for hanging items such as decorations, signs, equipment, or any other materials. These sprinkler heads are highly sensitive and designed solely for fire suppression. Even a small disturbance can cause an unintentional discharge, leading to significant water damage and a potential disruption of operations. Fasteners or attachments of any kind can impede the performance of sprinkler heads.

Keep a Safe Distance

Maintain a clear space around all sprinkler heads. Ensure that:

• No items are stored within 18 inches of the sprinklers, as this can block proper water distribution in the event of a fire.
• Furniture, shelving, or other objects are not placed too close to the sprinklers, which could inadvertently trigger or damage them.

Report Damaged, Dirty, or Misaligned Sprinklers

If you notice any damaged, dirty, or misaligned sprinkler heads, or if they appear to be obstructed, please report it to the Maintenance team immediately. Regular inspections are conducted, but your vigilance can help prevent accidental discharge or compromised fire safety.

Avoid Accidental Impact

Be cautious when using ladders, carts, cleaning tools, or tall equipment around sprinkler systems. Accidental bumps or contact with the sprinkler heads can trigger the system, leading to water discharge.

If you have any questions about fire sprinkler safety or need guidance on where and how to secure items safely, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor. If you have any immediate fire safety concerns, please contact Nicole Moffett, Manager – Emergency Preparedness, Switchboard & Security. For Maintenance or equipment concerns, please contact Allan Korol, Manager – Facilities & Biomedical Services. For general questions, please contact me.

By following these guidelines, we can help ensure a safe environment for everyone and protect property from unnecessary damage.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Today, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating the vibrant Francophone culture in Northwestern Ontario by hoisting the Franco-Ontarian Day flag. Representatives from the 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. Franco-Ontarian Day highlights the significant contributions of Ontario’s Francophone community to the province’s cultural, historical, social, economic, and political life. With over 622,000 Francophones and 1.5 million French speakers, Ontario boasts the largest Francophone community outside of Quebec. The date, September 25th, commemorates the inaugural raising of the Franco-Ontarian Flag in 1975.

TBRHSC recognizes the importance of providing culturally sensitive care to improve health outcomes and the quality of care. The 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.

Our Hospital is in the process of recruiting an Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (EDI) Coordinator that will lead a number of initiatives at TBRHSC, including the French Language Services. Their vast knowledge of the Francophone community of Thunder Bay and areas served by the Hospital, will help deliver EDI services within the health care setting in French.

As part of our commitment to keeping staff engaged and informed on the Strategic Plan 2026, Strategy and Performance is sharing updates in alignment with the identified priorities: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Patient Experience, Staff Experience and Research, Innovation, & Learning.

The September 25th Operational Updates and Strategic Planning Meeting featured an update on the System Partnerships and was presented by Jessica Logozzo, Vice President, Strategy and Regional
Transformation.

Visit the Strategic Plan 2026 page on the Hospital’s corporate intranet, where these presentations, along with other resources can be found.

We recently connected with Hafsa Siddiqui, Data Specialist, to learn more about her role and how she supports Patient and Family Centred Care at our Hospital.

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Please tell us about your role, Hafsa.

As a Data Specialist, my role is to analyze, interpret, and report data to improve patient experience. I uncover actionable insights that can be used to drive quality improvement initiatives across the hospital.

As part of my role in Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC), I administer patient experience surveys and analyze data from post-discharge liaison calls. I compile this data for distribution to unit managers and directors to incorporate into their quality improvement plans. Measuring patient experience is a core part of patient and family centred care, as it ensures that we provide high-quality care that meaningfully incorporates the patient voice into our practices.

Find out more about Patient and Family Centred Care by visiting https://tbrhsc.net/home/caring-for-patients-families/.

Shared on behalf of Jeannine Verdenik, VP People and Culture

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We are pleased to announce that effective October 1, Thunder Bay Counseling will be the new Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).

Thunder Bay Counseling offers a range of support services designed to assist our employees and their families with personal and professional challenges. Their experienced team is dedicated to providing confidential, compassionate care tailored to individual needs.

During this transition phase those that are active clients of Behavioural Sciences Centre (BSC) who have accessed services within the last three months, will be able to continue their sessions with their current therapist until closure date (October 31, 2024) with support for transition to a new therapist if needed.

Any employee or eligible dependent that is a new client may access EFAP through BSC until September 30, 2024. BSC can be reached at the following numbers and website:

• Telephone (807) 623-7677 or Toll Free 1-888-423-5862

As of October 1, 2024 employees and eligible dependents can access EFAP through our new service provider Thunder Bay Counselling (TBC). TBC can be reached at the following numbers and website:

• Telephone (807) 684-1874 or Toll Free 1-866-397-0399 (Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30)
• After hours emergency services 1-800-668-9920 (24/7)
• MyFSEAP.ca

We encourage all staff to take advantage of this valuable resource. More details regarding services and how to access them will be shared in the coming weeks.