National Nutrition Month is a dedicated campaign focusing on the significance of nutrition and health. It seeks to educate individuals about the importance of making informed food choices, developing consistent eating habits, and undertaking regular physical activity. Spearheaded by nutrition professionals and enthusiasts, the month offers a myriad of resources, events, and initiatives to promote a healthier lifestyle for all.
Make the most of Nutrition Month by following the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide, such as planning meals, cooking more often and involving your kids in the kitchen. Include physical activity along with your nutritious eating habits, helping you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can also subscribe to Canada’s Food Guide updates for health information and recipes to keep unlocking the potential of food throughout the year.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit also has information including resources for recipe sharing, stretching your food dollar and more.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
Please be advised that the COVID–19 outbreak has been declared over on 1A Medical as of February 29, 2024. All restrictions will be lifted as of first shift tomorrow, March 1, 2024.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at 807-684-6094.
Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Code Amber Executive Sponsor
The Hospital’s Code Amber – Missing or Abducted Infant/Child (EMER_80) policy has been revised. As a part of the updated policy launch, a Code Amber Search drill has been scheduled for March 8, 2024 at 14:00H. The purpose of this drill is increased familiarization for all staff on revised processes and the new eObservation search reporting process in particular (see all staff memo and safety huddles issued via email Dec. 7, 2023). This drill is anticipated to take approximately fifteen minutes.
Managers:
Circulate this memo to staff, including employees without regular access to email, and post the attached drill poster in your unit.
Ensure that the most up to date versions of the Code Amber policy and sub plan are in your emergency code binder.
How do I prepare for this drill?
Know the location of your emergency code vest and binder.
Review the Hospital’s Code Amber policy and area sub plan, and be aware of any instructions specific to your role and department.
What am I expected to do during the drill?
Upon overhead Code Amber Search drill announcement all staff will:
Communicate with patients and visitors during the drill that this activity is part of the Hospital’s emergency preparedness training and patient care services are continuing as normal.
Designated departments will monitor assigned exits points.
All departments will immediately conduct a systematic search their assigned response area and submit Code Amber Search eObservation results as soon as the search is complete.
If the individual matching the description is found call Switchboard (55) and escort them to the Information Desk. Note: a staff member will be simulating a child for the purposes of this drill.
What happens if a real emergency occurs during the drill?
If the drill must be stopped due to a real emergency, Switchboard will immediately announce “Code Amber Drill – All Clear” overhead, followed by “NO DUFF, NO DUFF + relevant colour code announcement”.
Thank you for your participation and cooperation. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).
Sincerely,
Crystal Edwards, Code Amber Executive Sponsor, Director, Women & Children’s and Adult & Forensic Mental Health Programs (ext. 6530 or Crystal.Edwards@tbh.net)
As we leap into March from a bustling February, I want to pause and hope that amidst your busy and somewhat chilly days, you found moments of joy with loved ones on Family Day and Valentine’s Day.
Here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, we celebrated a significant milestone this month, marking two decades since we opened the doors of our state-of-the-art facility. Looking back and reflecting on February 22, 2004, the excitement of that day is so vivid, with memories of the incredible efforts that made it all so successful.
As I reflect on those vibrant beginnings, I am filled with admiration for the exceptional individuals – you, our staff, and our extended Hospital family – whose dedication shapes the care we provide. Whether your role is in direct patient care or behind the scenes, your expertise and influence are the driving forces of our progress.
As we step into the next chapter, the reality of time asks for renewal – in equipment and determination. In that spirit, with immense gratitude to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, we’ve welcomed a refresh of our Cardiac Cath Labs with leading-edge technology, reinforcing our commitment to cardiac excellence in Northwestern Ontario.
February also gave us the opportunity to honour Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich contributions of Black Canadians. Within our community, Dr. Naana Jumah stands out as a beacon of advocacy and clinical excellence, and we are privileged to learn from and with her. Her story, and the breadth of her impact, is a source of great pride for our Hospital and health research community.
March not only brings Spring, but also Employee Recognition Week, a time when we celebrate our people – you – the heart and soul of our vision for exceptional care. This is a week dedicated to you for your contribution to our vision of Exceptional Care for every patient, every time. I look forward to connecting with you and taking part in the festivities that honour you, your professionalism, compassion and commitment.
At our recent Town Hall, we highlighted the key areas for our collective focus from the 2023 Engagement Survey. They are: addressing workload and staffing concerns, fostering deeper engagement and information sharing, and reinforcing accountability. These areas will shape our action plans, drawn from your valuable insights. It’s reassuring to know that results show that many of you experience positive work-life balance, teamwork, respect, and diversity – these are the cornerstones we will build upon. Thank you, once again, for sharing your thoughts and perspectives as we look to improve our workplace.
Finally, I encourage you to connect with our Health Research Speaker Series. With Dr. Travis E. Marion’s upcoming presentation, it’s a perfect opportunity to engage with groundbreaking research and expand our collective knowledge. Join us on March 21 for an insightful session.
Your feedback is important and I welcome your thoughts on these blogs or any matter that’s on your mind. Reach out to me anytime at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) opening its doors.
Since welcoming our first patient on February 22, 2004, TBRHSC has expanded in size, as well as its programs and services.
Many of the milestones that have been achieved in the past 20 years would not be possible without the efforts of our dedicated staff, physicians, Patient Family Advisors, and volunteers.
As we celebrate this special occasion, we want to hear from you! Share your favourite memories from over the last 20 years by submitting them toTBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net by March 1, 2024, to be featured on the Daily Informed Newsletter throughout the year.
Each individual submission will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of five $25 gift cards (sponsored by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation) to a local vendor.
Thank you for your assistance in helping us celebrate TBRHSC’s 20th anniversary.
On March 19, the Screen for Life Coach will be parked at our Hospital to provide cancer screening services to our staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers.
The Coach offers:
Breast screening: Most women, Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people, ages 50 to 74 years, should have mammogram every two years.
Cervical screening: Anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 69, who has ever been sexually active, should complete a Pap test every three years.
Colon screening: People aged 50 to 74 with no first-degree family history of colon cancer should complete a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years.
Services can be accessed without a referral and are available even if you have a primary care provider.
If you’re due for breast, cervical or colon cancer screening, call (807)684-7777 to book your appointment.
Last Thursday the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre celebrated 20 years since the opening of its building on Oliver Road.
The health sciences centre opened the doors at its current location on Feb. 22, 2004, and it has grown steadily since then.
Hospital president and CEO Rhonda Crocker Ellacott said she vividly remembers opening day.
“When we think back to the last 20 years in this building, so many things have changed,” she said.
The hospital held a celebratory event for staff last week that Crocker Ellacott said helped staff recognize their contributions towards the hospital.
“There’s been so many different things that we’ve done in every aspect of the organization, so we took last week to have a little bit of a walk down memory lane and really celebrate with our staff the amazing things that have happened. We celebrated the growth of the organization and how we’ve really come to adapt to reflect the needs of our patients across Northwestern Ontario,” she said.
Crocker Ellacot said even with all of the growth the hospital as a whole has seen, what she’s most proud of is the innovations, contributions, dedication and commitment shown by hospital staff throughout the years.
“Honestly, I think there’s areas to be proud of in each and every program and service of the organization. So, I can go back and talk about the advancements in surgery,” she said.
Crocker Ellacot said there’s plenty to celebrate — “whether it be the programs that we put in place to help patients connect better with their surgeons and with their care team around Seamless MD, in cardiac, around our new cath lab and around being able to provide angioplasty, in renal and introducing home hemodialysis or in the service areas.”
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, 2024.
Dress to impress and join us at the Italian Cultural Centre at 132 South Algoma Street for afternoon tea featuring a bake sale, door prize, and a penny auction!
Tickets are $10 each and available for purchase at the Health Sciences Foundation Donation Office beside Robin’s Donuts, or available at the door on event day.
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.
📅 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟰 (📸 1): On February 22, 2004, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre welcomed its first patients.
📅 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟱 (📸 2):
1) The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre opened to serve victims and survivors of sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
2) Tbaytel Tamarack House opened, a “home away from home” for regional cancer patients.
3) A second MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was installed, more than doubling TBRHSC’s capacity and reducing patient waiting time.
4) The Maternity Centre opened to offer services from a team of care providers to help mother and baby stay healthy.
