Thank you to all those who participated in week 2 of Pride Trivia! ‘

Week 3 of Pride Trivia is now live. Click here for this week’s questions, or scan the QR code below for a chance to win prizes.

Question 1: In which year was same-sex marriage legalized in Canada?

Answer: 2005. With the passing of the Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized across Canada.

Question 2: True or False: Canada was the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage

Answer: TRUE. With the passing of the Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005, Canada became the 4^th country in the world to legalize same-same marriage, behind Spain (2005), Belgium (2003), and the Netherlands (2001).

Question 3: True or False: the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym stands for: Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Allies

Answer: FALSE. The 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym stands for: Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (and other A identities such as Aromantic and Agender). While allies provide instrumental support to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, they are not members of the community, and do not share the struggles of community members, therefore they are not represented in the acronym.

Question 4: What do the 6 colours of the rainbow on the Pride flag represent?

Answer: The 6 colours of the rainbow on the Pride flag represent:

Red	Life
Orange	Healing
Yellow	Sun or Sunlight
Green	Nature
Blue	Serenity/ Harmony
Purple	Spirit of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community

It is Stroke Awareness Month and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 10 years of Code Stroke. We are highlighting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide timely and effective care for stroke patients. Meet the Medical Laboratory team.

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What is your position at the Hospital?

We are a team of Medical Laboratory Professionals (MLPs). Although there are a number of different MLPs in the Hospital Laboratory, two types of professionals are involved in stroke protocols:

(1) medical laboratory assistants/technicians (MLATs) who perform pre-analytical testing, i.e., proper patient ID with blood collection/phlebotomy; and
(2) licensed, regulated medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) who analyze and report assay results, i.e., coagulation studies.

What role does your team play in Code Stroke?

The blood collection by MLAT is performed STAT because door to needle matters. It can save lives and for these reasons is measured/tracked provincially. Testing is also performed/reported STAT by MLTs.

What is unique about your team’s role?

Our team provides timely, accurate laboratory testing. This is crucial to aiding physicians with respect to medical diagnosis and treatment decisions.

How does your team impact stroke patient care?

Laboratory service’s role is crucial to patient care. We provide the doctor with critical/key information. MLPs are specially trained to keep the bar high for quality.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession as it relates to Code Stroke/stroke care?

The most rewarding aspect of our profession is service, helping patients and saving lives.

Regular physical activity is essential for overall health and well-being. Active commuting is a great way to incorporate movement into your daily routine. It supports cardiovascular health and lowers the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults. Active commuting can help you meet this goal without needing extra time for exercise.

Whether you walk, bike, or combine transit with walking, choosing active transportation is a practical, sustainable way to improve your health.

Active commuting not only supports your physical health—it also benefits your mental well-being. Research shows that people who actively commute report better mental health than those who don’t. It can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving mood and overall well-being.

It may also boost productivity and job satisfaction, creating a positive shift in workplace culture. All the more reason to join our team!

Log in or register now to see our current team members and get involved.

TBayOnTheMove.ca

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We’re happy to share that the 3rd Floor Staff Lounge has some fresh new additions. Additional lounge furniture has been added to enhance the space’s comfort, allowing staff to relax and recharge. Additionally, a brand-new water bottle filling station has been installed to help keep you hydrated throughout the day. Enjoy the space. You’ve earned it!

Prevention and Screening Clinical Services, in collaboration with Diagnostic Imaging, is proud to announce the Ontario Lung Cancer Screening Program (OLSP) has launched at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). The program is aimed at improving early detection and outcomes for individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ontario, but when caught early through screening, it can be treated more effectively. This new program offers low-dose CT (LDCT) scans to eligible individuals who meet specific criteria, such as age and smoking history. The goal is to detect cancer at an earlier stage, often before symptoms appear, when treatment can be most successful.

The program is supported by Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario and is part of a provincial effort to improve cancer screening rates and reduce health inequities across the region. It also represents another step forward in TBRHSC’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centred care.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this important service available to our community.

For more information, contact Olivia Coy, Screening Navigator, at olivia.coy@tbh.net or visit the Prevention and Screening website.

Shared on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety Department

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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all employees, physicians, undergraduates, post graduates, medical trainees, students, volunteers and contractors.

Employers and employees both have responsibilities and obligations with incident and injury reporting. The employer will be compliant with the reporting requirements as defined in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Incident and injury reports are required to be submitted immediately following as this will allow Occupational Health and Safety to support the employees efficiently and effectively with preventing a similar occurrence and a supported return to work.

Occupational Heath and Safety will provide and offer safe, suitable and transitional work to employees within their identified restrictions and limitations.

The employer supports WSIB’s rationale of the “Better at Work Principle “, which is a principle that guides the case management program. Strong evidence suggests that activity hastens optimal recovery while inactivity delays it and that remaining at or promptly returning to some form of productive work improves clinical outcomes as compared to passive medical rehabilitation programs.

When claiming a work related injury/illness, WSIB has requirements that must be met in order for an employee to be entitled to benefits.

• Employees must report the injury/illness to the manager and complete an employee electronic incident report.

• If an employee feels they are unable to perform the essential duties of their job, they must seek medical attention and Transitional Modified Work will be offered. If the injury/illness occurs after hours, the Administrative Coordinator must be notified.

• Medical documentation must indicate clear restrictions. If no clear restrictions are provided, restrictions are based on the WSIB suggested standard restrictions that will be used to plan and offer a Transitional Modified Work Plan.

• If the employee declines the Transitional Modified Work offer, Occupational Health and Safety will notify WSIB and WSIB is responsible for making all the decisions in the claim including approval or denial of the claim and payment of lost time in the claim.

• Employees must maintain contact with Occupational Health and Safety regarding updates, changes in condition etc.

If you have any questions regarding the WSIB process or the Transitional Modified Work Program, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Department.

Take part in the Global Workforce Survey, developed by Health Standards Organization (HSO) and Accreditation Canada, to provide your valuable input on patient safety, quality care, work environment, and well-being.

Complete the survey by June 16, 2025 to be eligible to win free parking.

Laptop Bookings

To provide dedicated space and equipment for staff to complete the survey, the following dates have been booked in Auditorium B (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.):

• June 17 and 24
• July 8 and 15

Once you have completed the survey, scan the QR code available on the poster for your chance to win great prizes. Draws will be held weekly. Once entered, your name will stay in for the remaining prize draws, so complete the survey early to increase your chances to win. Weekly winners will be posted on the Daily Informed Newsletter – stay tuned.

Thank you for your time and valuable feedback. 

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the June edition of Town Hall, which featured a Year Three review of Strategic Plan 2026, including key updates and insights from staff and project leads.

For those that were unable to attend, a recording of the session and the presentation slides are available below.

Please note that this is also the final Town Hall of the season—we’ll be back in September. If you’d like to submit a question or suggest a topic for a future edition of Town Hall, please email us at TBHRSC.GroupNews@tbh.net.

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Interested in viewing a past Town Hall? Recordings and presentation slides from each session can be found in the archive.

It is Stroke Awareness Month and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 10 years of Code Stroke. We are highlighting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide timely and effective care for stroke patients. Meet Mallory Karsten, Clinical Stroke Nurse.

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What is your position at the Hospital? 

I work as the Clinical Stroke Nurse. My role includes responding to Code Strokes, supporting acute stroke care on the unit, and providing education to patients and families about stroke, recovery, and risk factor management.

What role do you/your team play in Code Stroke?

During a Code Stroke, I respond to help coordinate care quickly and efficiently. I assist with order entry, communicate with the care team – including physicians, diagnostic imaging, lab, EMS, and patients and families – and ensure the process flows smoothly from arrival through to treatment.

What is unique about your role/team’s role? 

I bridge multiple parts of the stroke response – from the initial emergency to ongoing care and education. I support not just the clinical side, but also guide patients and families in understanding the stroke, what it means for them, and how to prevent another one.

How does your role/team impact stroke patient care?

We help reduce delays in treatment, improve coordination, and support better outcomes through timely response and consistent communication. After the acute phase, I focus on education and helping patients understand how to reduce their risk factors.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession as it relates to Code Stroke/stroke care?

The most rewarding part is seeing the difference early intervention can make. Being part of a team that helps someone regain function – or even walk out of the hospital is incredibly meaningful. It’s also fulfilling to assist patients through recovery by helping them feel informed and empowered and supported through their stroke journey.

Here’s a look at the media coverage (via tbnewswatch.com) from yesterday’s official unveiling of construction for our Hospital’s new Cardiovascular Surgery Program.

The event was a great opportunity to reflect on the hard work and dedication of our staff, health care partners, and generous donors who made this long-standing dream a reality. Soon, patients and families across Northwestern Ontario will have access to life-saving cardiac surgery—closer to home.