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Health care staff and the leadership team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) came together today to celebrate the launch of an anti-stigma campaign designed to bring awareness to and break down the stigma associated with substance use and addiction.

“All individuals with addictions and substance use disorder deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This campaign will help bring awareness to the negative stereotypes and barriers created by stigmatization,” said Adam Vinet, Vice President of Patient Experience and chief Nursing Executive, Regional Vice President, Regional Cancer Care at TBRHSC. “Our words and actions matter. Out-dated language around addictions and substance abuse continues to be used in conversations, and this can be a barrier to breaking down stigma. It is our responsibility to advocate for change and reduce stigma to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, patients, and their families.”

As part of the Patient Experience pillar of Strategic Plan 2026, the Anti-Stigma Campaign will define what stigma is within TBRHSC and provide education on the appropriate tools and strategies to ensure staff provide exceptional care to every patient facing mental health and addictions.

“Having faced two decades of stigma, I’ve seen its harm up close. But through my journey, I’ve learned a powerful truth: no one is beyond help, and everyone deserves compassion,” said Kyle Arnold, Harm Reduction Support Worker Safer Supply NorWest Community Health Centres. “Stigma thrives in silence, but it’s time to speak out. This campaign is not just about raising awareness; it’s about saving lives. Together, let’s break the chains of stigma, because every person, every story, deserves to be heard and valued.”

The campaign launch will take place over the next three days (March 26-28), with the signing and Substance Use and Addictions Project members visiting in-patient units to provide education on approaches to reduce stigma and an opportunity to sign the pledge. Initiatives of this Campaign will continue throughout the year. The campaign will also include anti-stigma videos and posters as a learning tool for staff.

Individuals in Northwestern Ontario are at three to four times higher risk for hospital stays for self-harm caused by substance use than the average of many areas in Southern Ontario. In addition, the suicide rate in Northwestern Ontario is 2.75 times higher than the rest of the province. Due to these higher statistics, the TBRHSC’s Substance Use/Addiction Planning Working Group want to ensure that individuals living with addiction who come to the Hospital for help feel respected, safe, understood and supported.

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.

📅 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟴 (📸)

1) The Northern Cancer Research Foundation and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation merged.

2) Medical Learners, 4th year medical students and clinical clerks began training at TBRHSC.

3) TBRRI (now the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute) announces research focus on Imaging Guided Interventions; Advanced Detection Devices; and Biomarker Exploration.

4) TBRHSC’s Home Hemodialysis Program was launched.

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

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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The current outbreak of COVID-19 on the 1A medical unit has been expanded to include the 1A Oncology unit also as of March 25, 2024. All restrictions are in place.

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 at Ext. 6094.

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on the 2B inpatient unit as of March 25, 2024. All restrictions are in place.

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 Infection Prevention and Control department 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 Ext. 6094.

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There is no one position that is better than another during labour. It’s important to try different positions to help cope with pain and help labour along. Standing, walking, or swaying can help in early labour. Lunging, kneeling, and squatting are also helpful positions to work with your body as the baby descends in the pelvis.

We offer different forms of pain management during labour. Labouring individuals can choose between warm water immersion, birthing balls, entonox gas, sterile water injections, IV pain management, and epidurals.

Often, having an epidural can limit a person’s movement. At TBRHSC, we offer the use of “peanut” balls to mimic a squatting position for those who have opted for an epidural. This position effectively facilitates fetal rotation and descent during vaginal birth and allows a person the option of having an epidural but still being able to try different positions during labour.

No referrals are necessary to access care at the Maternity Centre.

For more information on the programs and services available visit our website at bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre.

The Ladies of The Italian Society of Port Arthur are hosting their annual Spring Tea in support of The Northern Cancer Fund on Sunday, April 21.

Dress to impress and join us at the Italian Cultural Centre at 132 South Algoma Street for an Afternoon Tea featuring a bake sale, door prize, and a penny auction!

Tickets are available for purchase at the Health Sciences Foundation donation office inside the Hospital beside Robin’s Donuts, or available at the door on event day.

Join members of the Confederation College Performing Arts Club along with guests from Applauze Productions, Cambrian Players, and World Cultural Dance in a show full of laughs, songs, dance, and more!

A little something for everyone with proceeds to support the Northern Cancer Fund.

Tickets are $10 each with 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows on Saturday, April 6 at the College’s Dibaajimogamig Theatre.