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.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) officially broke ground today on its new Cardiovascular Surgery Program, the first of its kind in Northwestern Ontario. This marks a major step forward in access to life-saving care for people in the region.
Leaders from the Hospital were joined by health care partners, community donors, and government representatives to recognize this long-anticipated moment and celebrate the beginning of construction on more than 76,000 square feet of new and renovated clinical space.
“This historic investment from the Government of Ontario will help us work toward establishing a cardiovascular surgery program at our Hospital,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “It could not have happened without the advocacy of Minister Greg Rickford and MPP Kevin Holland. It also reflects the hard work of our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly on this project, and the community donors who have supported it. This is what it looks like when a region pulls together for a common cause that benefits all.”
The Cardiovascular Surgery Program will allow patients to receive urgent and elective procedures in Northwestern Ontario. This will eliminate the need for long-distance travel to southern Ontario for approximately 300 patients every year. Once complete, the program will improve access to surgical care, reduce wait times, and lead to better outcomes for patients across the region. It is all made possible by funding from the Government of Ontario and contributions to the Our Hearts at Home campaign, led by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
The Honourable Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan, was in attendance and called the announcement a game-changer for the North.
“This over $93 million investment marks a historic moment for Northwestern Ontario,” said the Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “For the first time, our region will have its own Cardiovascular Surgery Program bringing lifesaving care closer to home. This project reflects our government’s strong commitment to improving access to health care in the North and ensuring better outcomes for patients and families. It also builds on more than $200 million in health care investments our community has received since I was elected in 2022 including critical expansions, infrastructure upgrades, and frontline services that are improving care across Thunder Bay. I want to sincerely thank Minister Sylvia Jones for her leadership and express my deep gratitude to the entire team at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for their dedication to this transformative initiative.”
The program is being developed in partnership with University Health Network’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre to ensure the highest standards of care. Representative from UHN were also there for the announcement.
“We are proud to partner with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on this important step toward bringing comprehensive cardiovascular surgical care to Northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director, UHN’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. “It is exciting to see construction begin, as it brings us closer to delivering the same standard of excellence in Thunder Bay that patients receive at the Peter Munk Cardiac
Centre. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to making world-leading cardiac care more accessible to people in Northwestern Ontario and other underserved regions across Canada through an integrated program.”
When complete, the program will include:
Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. Updates on progress, detours, and patient access will be shared regularly at www.tbrhsc.net.
On Monday, June 9, volunteers from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre were proudly recognized at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, held at Fort William Historical Park.
These dedicated individuals were celebrated for their years of outstanding commitment and service to our hospital and the community. We are so grateful for the time, compassion, and energy our volunteers bring to everything they do. Their contributions make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients, families, and staff every single day.
Congratulations to all our award recipients—and thank you for all that you do!
Week 1 of the TBayOnTheMove Active Commute Challenge is complete, and our TBRHSC team is off to a fantastic start.
Thank you to everyone who registered and began tracking their sustainable commutes – whether you biked, walked, carpooled, or took transit, your efforts are helping to build a healthier, greener workplace.
Congratulations to our week 1 prize winners:
It’s not too late to join – head to TBayOnTheMove.ca to register and start logging your trips. Each week brings more chances to win, and every commute counts toward our workplace leaderboard.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
Shared on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety Department
Wearing an N95 mask provides protection for staff from chemical exposures and airborne contaminants. Respirator fit testing verifies that the respirator provides the expected level of protection by ensuring a tight seal between the respirator and the wearer’s face. It is a requirement of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center that your fit testing be updated bi-annually, or sooner if there are changes in facial features, weight loss or gain of 10 pounds or more, or if the mask you were fit tested for is no longer available.
Occupational Health and Safety sends out quarterly notices to managers identifying who is overdue or coming due on their mask fit testing. If you have received a notification, or you think your fit test requires an update for another reason, please call Occupational Health and Safety at (807) 684-6212 to book.
Visit this link for information on fit testing:
Thank you to all those who participated in week 1 of Pride Trivia! Below you will find the answers to last week’s questions. .
Question 1: When was the Pride flag first raised at Parliament Hill in Ottawa?
Response: The first Pride flag was raised at Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2016.
Question 2: How many colours did the original Pride flag have?
Response: The original Pride flag was developed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to stand as a symbol of gay pride. Baker’s flag had 8 colours: hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and purple.
Question 3: How many colours does the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag have?
Response: 11 colours. The Pride flag has undergone several updates. The hot pink and turquoise stripes of Gilbert Baker’s original Pride flag were removed. Black and brown stripes were added to represent communities of colour, while black also represents the lives lost during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Light blue, pink, and white were added to represent the Trans community; and a purple circle on a yellow background represents the Intersex community. There are duplications of yellow and purple, for a total of 11 colours.
Question 4: How many Canadians over the age of 15 identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community?
Response: According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians over the age of 15 who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, is 1.3 million.
Click here for more information.
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 4th 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 |
Question 1: What does 2S stand for in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym?
Answer: 2S in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym stands for Two-Spirit. The term Two Spirit is a culturally specific identity describing Indigenous individuals whose gender, spiritual, or sexual identity includes both male and female spirits. The term honors gender and sexual diversity and emphasizes the ability of Two-Spirits to navigate both worlds and hold male and female responsibilities in their communities. While the concept of Two-Spirit individuals has existed among Indigenous Peoples for generations, the term niizh manidoowag, meaning “two spirits,” was first proposed in 1990 by Elder Myra Laramee.
Question 2: True or False: The Stonewall Uprising was a gay rights protest that started on June 28, 1969?
Answer: TRUE. The Stonewall Uprising, also known as the Stonewall Rebellion, or the Stonewall Riots, was a gay rights protest that began on June 28, 1969 and lasted approximately 6 days. It was named for the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City, and the site of the uprising. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the bar, leading to several days of violent protests. It was considered a turning point for the gay rights movement, and the first gay liberation march took place the following year on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
Question 3: The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is observed annually on May 17. What is the significance of this date?
Answer: On May 17, 1990, The World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, marking a significant step toward greater equity for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is therefore observed annually on May 17 to honour this significant event.
Question 4: Why is Pride Month celebrated in June?
Answer: Pride Month is celebrated in June each year to honour the Stonewall Uprising—which took place in June of 1969—and its contributions to advancing 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights.
Question 1: Which Canadian Physician and their husband won The Amazing Race Canada! in season 7?
Answer: Dr. James A. Makokis. Dr. James A. Makokis and his husband Anthony Johnston formed the team “Team Ahkameyimok,” which means “Never give up” in the Plains Cree language, for the seventh season of The Amazing Race Canada! Dr. Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree), and Two-Spirit Family Physician, from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Dr. Makokis’ practice focuses on Trans health. You can learn more about Dr. Makokis on his website at: https://www.drjamesmakokis.com/
Question 2: Which Canadian city was the first in North America to host WorldPride?
Answer: Toronto. Toronto hosted WorldPride in 2014, becoming the first city in North America to do so. WorldPride was developed by the InterPride organization, to generate visibility and awareness of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
Question 3: What are some ways that you can be an ally to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community? (Check all that apply).
Answer: There are many ways to demonstrate allyship with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. You can:
Mr. Banskumar Arjune, a long time employee of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), dedicated his life to efforts supporting the treatment of patients with cancer and, despite a valiant effort, succumbed to that condition himself on May 22, 2025. Mr. Arjune launched his career in cancer care in 1984 joining what was then the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre. By the early 1990’s Mr. Arjune had become certified as a Medical Physicist and, in the process, had become a “Jack of all Trades” in the field of radiation oncology. For a period of about three years he single-handedly fulfilled myriad roles that enabled the continued delivery of radiation treatment. Arguably, radiation treatment in Northwestern Ontario may not have survived that period without his commitment. Subsequent to the full integration of the cancer program with the TBRHSC in the early 2000s, the radiation treatment program continued to grow and is now a robust and world class operation. Over those years Mr. Arjune’s clinical contributions continued to be substantial and pivotal. He influenced the careers of many who have been integral to the program, some of whom continue to actively apply their talents in radiation treatment today. He was, and will continue to be, an inspiration.
His lifelong commitment and dedication to the promotion of the highest standard of radiation treatment is being honoured by the lowering of the flags to half-mast on June 11, 2025. That recognition reflects on both those who have and those who continue to dedicate their careers to the care of the patients of Northwestern Ontario.
To view the obituary and to send condolences, visit the online tribute.
As June marks Stroke Awareness Month, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre proudly celebrates a decade of implementing the Code Stroke process — a lifesaving protocol that has profoundly enhanced stroke care and outcomes. This month, we honor the innovations, dedication, and teamwork that have contributed to saving countless lives and improving the quality of care for stroke patients.
Stay tuned throughout the month as we share staff features of those who play a part in Code Stroke daily.
A Decade of Innovation in Stroke Care
Since its inception ten years ago, the Code Stroke process has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the emergency response to stroke incidents. Streamlining identification and treatment procedures has significantly reduced the time it takes to deliver critical care, improving recovery rates and outcomes for patients.
Lifesaving Collaboration and Impact
Our Hospital’s commitment to enhancing stroke care through the Code Stroke initiative has brought together a dedicated team of health care professionals. These experts work tirelessly to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment, leveraging the latest advancements in medical technology and protocols. Over the past decade, this collaborative approach has not only saved lives but also reduced the long-term impacts of stroke, enabling patients to regain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life.
“The success of the Code Stroke program is a direct result of the incredible collaboration across disciplines — from EMS to emergency, radiology, and neurology,” states Dr. Amro Lahlouh, Neurologist and lead of the Code Stroke working group. “This unified approach ensures that every patient receives timely, high-quality care when every second truly matters.”
Looking to the Future
As we commemorate this milestone, our Hospital remains committed to advancing stroke care through continuous improvement. We are exploring system optimization and methodologies to further enhance the Code Stroke process, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of stroke treatment and care.
This June, we invite the community to join us in raising awareness about the recognition, prevention, and treatment of stroke. Together, we can continue to make strides in saving lives and improving outcomes for stroke patients.
Donations supporting stroke care can be directed to the STROKE FUND through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/donate or by calling 807-345-4673. For more information on stroke care in Northwestern Ontario, visit www.nwostroke.ca or email nwostroke@tbh.net.
