Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirit people (MMIW) is not just a societal issue. It also has significant implications for healthcare. Healthcare providers need to acknowledge the MMIW crisis. By implementing trauma-informed practices as well as culturally safe and competent care, the healthcare system can be sensitive to the varying forms of violence that have ongoing traumatic impacts. l ensure that Indigenous women can access the healthcare system that addresses the unique needs of Indigenous peoples.

May 5 is National MMIW Day, a day to raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirit people in Canada. Today is a day to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence and their families and communities that live daily with the grief of losing loved ones.

You will see people wearing red today to show their support. Wearing red raises awareness about this ongoing national human rights crisis and is a way to take action. It is also a time to advocate for change and to demand action from governments and institutions to address the root causes of the MMIW crisis.

For more information on MMIW, click here.

A beading session was held for staff to receive education on MMIW and bead an MMIW pin. Beading is considered a healing practice in Indigenous culture and will allow staff to further their education in Cultural Safety.

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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is asking the community to provide input to develop their revised multi-year Accessibility Plan.

TBRHSC is committed to making the Hospital environment more accessible for patients, families, volunteers, and staff. To ensure accessibility is achieved under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, TBRHSC will continue to identify, remove and prevent any accessibility barriers to care, services, work and learning.

TBRHSC values input and believes that it is crucial in identifying the most meaningful and impactful changes. We need your help to ensure our multi-year Accessibility Plan is reflective of the priorities and needs of the community.

To support the process in updating the Accessibility Plan, TBRHSC is seeking feedback from the community to identify existing barriers and areas for improvement. This feedback will be used to guide the development of the plan.

The public is encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas on how we can make TBRHSC more accessible by completing an online survey. A hard copy version of the survey will also be available at the Hospital. Respondents can deposit their completed survey in one of the comment boxes located on every level at TBRHSC by the patient elevators and at the main entrance. Alternative formats of the survey can be requested by emailing tbrhsc@tbh.net or by calling (807) 684-6218.

The deadline to provide feedback is May 30, 2024.

The survey and more information on TBRHSC’s current Accessibility Plan can be found online at https://tbrhsc.net/tbrhsc/accessibility/.

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.

This week, we’re remembering 📅 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟭 (📸)

1) The new Angioplasty Short-Stay Care Area opened.

2) TBRHSC was recognized for Leading Practice in Patient and Family Centred Care.

3) The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care opened to provide specialized diabetes management and treatment.

4) Hundreds of community members helped create the TBRHSC Strategic Plan, launched in 2011.

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

Shared on behalf of Adam Vinet, Vice President, Patient Experience & Chief Nursing Executive & Regional Vice President, Regional Cancer Care; and, Peter Myllymaa, Vice President, Operations, Clinical & Support Services & Chief Financial Officer

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UKG Pro Workforce Management has been live since March 25, 2024. Since that time, leaders and timekeepers have been tirelessly maintaining schedules in both UKG and our legacy scheduling system, StaffRight, while we transition between systems.

We are pleased to announce that the final transition to UKG will take place the pay period beginning May 6, 2024.

From this day forward staff will use UKG Pro Workforce Management exclusively for all scheduling and timekeeping functions. To support this final transition you can help by reviewing your timecards daily and communicating any issues or exceptions to your leader as they happen.

We are proud of everyone who has helped our transition to UKG Pro Workforce Management be such a success! We know that the transition has not been without some minor challenges but thanks to you and our dedicated team of support people we have successfully met those challenges.

Thank you for making this such a great place to work. We depend on each other every day and it’s nice to know we can continue to depend on each other even as we make changes to how we do our work.

Take a moment in your day and publicly acknowledge someone who has helped you navigate this change. Let that person know you appreciate their help. We are in this together and everyone deserves recognition for the part they have played in this success.

Thank you.

UKG Implementation Team:

• Dino Armenti – Co-Project Sponsor
• Dawna Maria Perry – Co-Project Sponsor
• Rita Grenier Buchan – Project Lead – Scheduling
• Michael Iorianni – Project Lead – Payroll
• Carrol Wenzell – Payroll Subject Matter Expert
• Monique Trudeau – HR Subject Matter Expert
• Cora Rouillard – Integration Subject Matter Expert
• Julio Gomes – Integration Subject Matter Expert
• Trisha Gibson – HR Subject Matter Expert – Leaves
• Sharen Howarth – HR Subject Matter Expert – Leaves
• Angela Kutok – PI Consultant

For information and resources visit: UKG Resource Page

Click HERE to pre-register.

Shared on behalf of Aaron Bruno, Project Planner, Capital & Program Development

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We are pleased to inform you that the construction of the new doors within the 2nd level ‘A’ service corridor has been successfully completed.

Kindly note that these doors will remain locked at all times, restricting public access. Staff members can unlock the doors using their hospital badges, followed by the touchless hand swipe to automatically open the doors if necessary.

For patients and visitors accessing departments other than Renal, or trying to exit the Hospital through this corridor, signage will direct them to use the main entrance.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience throughout the construction period.

The biography of Anishinaabe trans Knowledge Keeper, Mona Hardy, Lost Between The Cracks is the tale of resilience, determination, and the space between two cultures. Follow Mona from her childhood to the end of her life, from the remote forests of Northern Ontario to the big city and back, in this rich tale of adventure, love, advocacy, and more.

As a long-serving volunteer, Mona dedicated over 10 years of her life to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation (TBRHSF). Her exemplary dedication displayed the essential role volunteers fulfill to help ensure patients have the best experience possible. Mona advocated for a strengthened relationship between patients and professional staff by providing input on policies and processes.

Lost Between The Cracks is a true story, told through Mona’s memories and stories. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you look for the people in your life who have been lost between the cracks, in between cultures, who just need a lucky break or a helping hand.

For more information on Lost Between the Cracks click here!

Did you know? Over the last three months the R.E.F.S. team has educated over 1,700 staff members! Great work, R.E.F.S. team.

Throughout the month of May, R.E.F.S is offering roaming education opportunities for vascular wounds and vascular access.

Shared on behalf of Wayne Taylor Director, Cardiovascular, Medicine & Renal Program

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I am pleased to announce that Matthew Shonosky has accepted the position of Manager, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Pacemaker Clinic & Visiting Specialty Clinics.

Matthew brings over a decade of experience in cardiovascular care and has been the Manager of 2C Cardiovascular and Regional Stroke Unit, Outpatient Vascular Services since 2020. Matthew will begin transitioning into his new role effective Monday, May 20, 2024.

Matthew has worked at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre since 2011. He started at the hospital as a registered nurse on 2C before transitioning to the roles of Utilization Coordinator for 2C and the Transitional Care Unit (TCU), as well as acting Manager for the TCU. From there he took on the role of Manager of 2A Medicine, the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) and Telemedicine before finally taking on his current leadership role as Manager of 2C in 2020.

Over the years, Matt has successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure positive results that have improved staff satisfaction and ensured high quality care for our patients and their families. In this new position, Matt’s continued focus on accountability and commitment to quality will be a valuable asset to the teams he supports while staying true to our vision, mission and values.

Efforts are now underway for the recruitment of a successful replacement for Matt in his current role.

Please join us in welcoming Matthew to his new position.

Shared on behalf of Adam Vinet, VP Patient Experience, Chief Nursing Executive and RVP, Regional Cancer Centre

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With Laura Lee Barrie’s impending Winter 2025 retirement, I am pleased to announce the appointment of John Ross as the Director, Surgical & Ambulatory Services, beginning in 2025.

Reporting to myself, John will be responsible for optimal patient care and the delivery of high quality service within the Surgical & Ambulatory Services portfolio.

In his role John will work to advance Strategic Plan 2026 priorities, including Seamless Transitions and Evolution of PFCC, while managing a busy and complex portfolio.

John is well known to the staff and professional staff at TBRHSC as the current Director, Patient Flow & Partnerships, a role he has held since 2018. In 2020, John was appointed the Planning Head on the hospitals COVID-19 Incident Management Team and later led the IPAC and Situation Unit. In John’s current role, he has implemented multiple initiatives to improve patient flow and help patients receive the right care, at the right time.

Within our institution prior to his role as Director, Patient Flow & Partnerships, John started as an RN in the Emergency Department (ED) and then advanced through various leadership roles such as the ED Charge Nurse, ED Quality Nursing Clinical Coordinator, Corporate Patient Flow Manager and ED Manager.

Please join me in congratulating John and wishing him well in this new role.