This is a free in-person workshop to educate staff on structural stigma, working to change policy free from stigma, empowering staff to be leaders in changing the conversation, and the importance of lived experience in policy and program changes.

We all must be aware of any outdated language being used around stigma. Everyone can be a champion against stigma when advocating for the use of accurate and respectful language.

The below table can be used as a guide to assist in changing your language to ‘Persons First’ Language.
‘Persons First’ Language recognizes the patient as a whole, and removes stigma related to their illness or disorder.

It’s time to get screened for cancer! The Screen for Life Coach is beginning its travels across Northwestern Ontario this month.

The Screen for Life Coach (Coach) is a mobile cancer screening bus that will deliver breast, cervical and colon cancer screening services to more than 30 locations across the region between April and October. The first stop will be in Dryden at the Dryden Regional Health Centre on April 8.

“The Coach provides an excellent opportunity for those who do not have screening services available in their community,” explains Vanessa Masters, Mobile Coach Coordinator at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “For communities in Northwestern Ontario, getting to the nearest cancer screening site for an appointment may mean long travel times. To help address this barrier, the Screen for Life Coach travels extensively throughout the region, bringing these services closer to home.”

Cancer screening is important as it detects pre-cancerous changes or cancer at an early stage when there is a better chance of treating it successfully.

Who should get screened?

Anyone who is eligible for breast, cervical or colon cancer screening can visit the Coach.

In Ontario, the screening guidelines for average risk individuals are as follows:

• Women, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people ages of 50 and 74, should have a breast screening mammogram every two years.
• Anyone with a cervix between 25 and 69 years, who has ever been sexually active, should have a Pap test every three years.
• Individuals, between the ages of 50 and 74, who have no first-degree family history of colon cancer, should complete a take-home colon screening kit every two years.

Those who are eligible for screening can visit the Coach, even if they have a primary care provider. A referral is not required to access services on the Coach.

Where to find the Coach

The Coach travels to communities across Northwestern Ontario throughout the summer months and services the Thunder Bay area during the winter months. For a list of dates and locations where the Coach will be parked, visit www.tbrhsc.net/screenforlife.

How to make an appointment

A physician referral is not required. To book your breast, cervical or colon cancer screening appointment on the Screen for Life Coach call (807) 684-7777.

Today, we are celebrating International Infection Preventionist Day (April 5)!

Infection Control Practitioners (IPCs) play a crucial role in keeping our staff, patients, families, care partners, and volunteers safe. The role of an IPC includes much more than conducting swabs or requesting isolation. By providing their expertise and promoting best practices, IPCs are involved in many areas, including construction, product evaluation, reprocessing practices, environmental cleaning, and hand hygiene. These knowledgeable and skilled professionals must also complete an Essentials of Infection Prevention course followed by writing an exam to receive their Certification in Infection Control (CIC®).

We appreciate the dedication and commitment of all ICPs in keeping our Hospital safe from the spread of infections. Join us in thanking them for all that they do!

Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

April 2024 marks an extraordinary chapter in our journey at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), filled with significant milestones and vibrant initiatives. As I reflect on the past and look to the future, I’m thrilled to share with you the strides we’ve made and our vision moving forward.

On February 22, we celebrated a remarkable milestone—the 20th anniversary of TBRHSC. Since our doors opened in 2004, we’ve been on an upward trajectory, advancing healthcare in a myriad of ways. Our growth into the premier academic, tertiary hospital in Northwestern Ontario is a testament to our commitment to meeting the evolving care needs of our community, especially through unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic. As the current Chair, I am deeply honoured to be a part of this legacy and extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey.

Our achievements over the past two decades reflect the combined efforts of our dedicated staff, volunteers, Patient Family Advisors, donors, community members, and health partners. Each of you has played a pivotal role in fostering excellence in healthcare at TBRHSC, and for that, we are profoundly thankful.

A shining example of our commitment to innovation is the provincial innovation award received by our Cancer Centre’s Radiation Therapy Department from Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario. Their Remote Treatment Planning initiative exemplifies our dedication to providing accessible, advanced care options, showcasing the positive impacts of teamwork and forward-thinking.

Employee Recognition Week was a heartfelt expression of our appreciation for the relentless dedication of our staff, researchers, volunteers, and Patient Family Advisors. It’s their unwavering commitment that enables us to provide exceptional care consistently. We also celebrated the recipients of the 2023 iCare Awards, acknowledging those who embody our mission, vision, and values, enriching the lives of our patients and their families.

Volunteer Recognition Week is an opportunity to honor the selflessness and generosity of our volunteers and Patient Family Advisors. Their contributions are invaluable, enhancing the care experience for patients and families and making TBRHSC a warm and welcoming place.

April is Be a Donor Month, a crucial reminder of the life-saving power of organ and tissue donation. With the growing need for donations, we encourage everyone to consider the impact they can make. It’s a conversation worth having with your loved ones.

As we move forward, our focus remains steadfast on our community—working collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and to maintain the availability of critical services. Our journey is far from over, but with your continued support, the future is bright.

Thank you for being an integral part of our story.

Join us on Friday May 24, at 7:00 p.m. for a five-course dinner of Latin-inspired dishes by Nortenos, with wine paired by Sommelier Cale Graydon. This fun evening is located at the Ramada Hotel, following dinner admission is included to Nortenos Taqueria for a night of Latin msuic and dancing. Tickets are available today for $125. A portion of the ticket sales will support the Northern Cardiac Fund. Grab your friends, family, and significant other for a great evening of food and music!

Tickets are available for purchase through the following link: Hungry Hearts Taste of Latin America & Wines of the World – CanadaHelps

John Andrews built his wealth in this community from 1938 to 1969 and has been giving it back to Thunder Bay for over 45 years. His Foundation, founded in 1977, has distributed over $7 million in grants to more than 100 charities and non-profit organizations across the northwest region.  

Cancer patients in Thunder Bay and the region are the latest beneficiaries of the John Andrews Foundation’s generosity. It has donated $500,000 towards the addition and replacement of radiation equipment to treat patients here at the Regional Cancer Centre.

It was 12 years ago when the Cancer Centre was fully updated with new, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment through the Exceptional Cancer Care Campaign. Since this time, the number of cancer patients has grown substantially. So, too, must the cancer program.

The Exceptional Cancer Care Campaign is returning to raise funds to add a third linear accelerator (linac) to the cancer centre, as well as replacing the ageing PET/CT, CT Scanner and, eventually, the two existing linacs and the mobile cancer screening motor coach.

The PET CT helps find a tumour and determine whether it is cancerous and, if so, the details of the tumour to help determine the appropriate surgery, chemo or radiation treatment plan for the patient. The CT Scanner provides high resolution images of the cancer tumour. The linear accelerator provides targeted high dose radiation therapy to treat the tumour itself, protecting nearby healthy tissue.

John Andrews set up his Foundation to donate to causes that mattered most to him – education, healthcare, social welfare and the arts. Board Chair Allan McKitrick, who knew John personally, said it is a pleasure to be helping maintain exceptional cancer care locally. “John would be very happy to be assisting to get this sophisticated equipment for cancer patients here and around the region, helping eliminate the stress of having to travel elsewhere for their treatment.” He added, “The Hospital was one of John’s favourite targets for donations and he would be proud of what the Regional Cancer Centre is doing.”

Since 1996, the Health Sciences Foundation has received $1.85 million in donations from the John Andrews Foundation, supporting projects like the new Hospital (which is now celebrating its 20^th Anniversary), Exceptional Cancer Care and the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Surgery Campaign.

“We appreciate the incredible generosity of the John Andrews Foundation – we never take it for granted,” said Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation. “We know there will be huge impacts for the many new and repeat cancer patients receiving exceptional care and here at home. They are giving more than just money – they’re giving HOPE.”

For over 45 years, the John Andrews Foundation has supported initiatives that share our values and enhance the well-being of Northwestern Ontario communities. It focuses on impact and making a real difference in the lives of local people.

Founder John Andrews is a classic example of the self-made man. He was a man with a deep social conscience. His creation of the John Andrews Foundation in 1977 was the product of his role over three decades as a business leader and an extension of his selfless contribution to causes dedicated to the well-being of this community.

John passed away in 1986. His wife Rita sat on the Foundation Board and was highly supportive of it. When Rita passed, the residue of John’s Estate was vested in the Foundation, which has donated $7-million to community-based projects across Northwestern Ontario to date.

 To learn more about John Andrews and his Foundation’s contributions, visit johnandrewsfoundation.ca

Originally published in the April 2024 edition of the Walleye Magazine

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Twenty-five years ago, Kim Montanaro started volunteering as a way to give back to the community and honour family and friends who had gone through a cancer experience.

“A friend was volunteering and suggested I try it,” says Kim, “and I’m still here!”

Formerly coordinated by the Canadian Cancer Society, the volunteers at the Regional Cancer Care Northwest program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provide hospitality, friendly visiting, information, and practical support to patients and their families from across Northwestern Ontario. Kim has taken on additional volunteer roles including training and overseeing new volunteers, and serving as a Patient Family Advisor (PFA). A strong advocate, she supports TBRHSC’s cancer-related programs by participating on committees and writing for the Cancer Chronicle Newsletter.

“Each time I volunteer is memorable, as each shift is different because of the people I meet and what I am able to do for them,” Kim shares. “It brings great satisfaction knowing I’ve made a difference (big or small) for someone.”

“Kim’s dedication, insights, and compassion are invaluable to staff, fellow volunteers, and the patients and families she accompanies in their journey,” says Donna Jeanpierre, Manager of Volunteer Services at TBRHSC.  “Each person who volunteers here comes with their own experiences and knowledge. It is their unique backgrounds that enriches the experience for the patients, families and for the volunteers themselves.”

And for every volunteer, there is a unique story as to why they choose to give the gift of their time to the Hospital.

Abbey Hunter is another volunteer, a PFA.

In 2019, following her following her diagnosis of lupus and the tumultuous, year-long journey it took to get there, Abbey wrote a letter to TBRHSC, explaining her story. She was asked to come in to interview to be a PFA.

“Although I was the youngest PFA by at least 20 years, I felt more comfortable than ever,” recounts Abbey.

Abbey sits on various councils including the Telemedicine Council and the Women and Children’s Council. In 2023, she joined the Patient and Family Advisory Council within the Noojmawing Sookatagaing (Healing Working Together) Ontario Health Team for Thunder Bay. As a coordinator for the inaugural “Walk for Lupus Thunder Bay”, $21,000 was raised to train another professional to provide support for those living with rheumatic diseases in the North. In January 2024, Abbey was one of thirteen people from across Ontario to be publicly appointed to the Minister of Health’s Patient Family Advisory Council.

“I hope to continue to advocate for a younger and northern voice at a provincial level,” Abbey explains.

“All of these tables that I have been fortunate to sit at, have stemmed from my role as a PFA at TBRHSC. Throughout my journey, I have learned the importance of speaking up and of the valuable contributions that PFAs make representing the voice of the patient.”

“Volunteers are an essential part of the team at TBRHSC, enhancing programs and services by supporting the Hospital’s philosophy of Patient and Family Centred Care,” says Shannon Schiffer, Manager of Patient and Family Centred Care, Patient Experience, Engagement and Advocacy at TBRHSC. “There are opportunities all across the organization, and through direct or indirect interaction with patients and families, volunteers contribute positively to the patient experience.”

If you are interested in volunteering at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre find more information and the online application at tbrhsc.net/join-our-team/become-volunteer/. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a PFA, you can email TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net or call (807) 684-7322.