The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.
Self-referral can be made to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Physician, Social Worker, Kinesiologist, Dietician, and Lactation Consultant.
To be seen by an Obstetrician, a referral is needed from your primary health care provider or midwife.
During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.
TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 108 babies born at our Hospital during the month of April. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre finds success in gathering patient feedback from SMS-based surveys
Can a text message help improve patient care? The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is betting that it can.
The hospital is the first in Ontario to adopt a text message-based patient survey distribution.
The hospital has seen a two per cent increase in people responding to surveys since switching to SMS (Short Message Service, the technology behind text messages) said Shannon Schiffer, Manager of Patient and Family Centred Care.
“SMS really helped reduce some barriers. So, say for those patient populations that maybe don’t check their emails regularly or maybe they don’t have reliable internet or access to a computer. We decided, it’s really important to meet patients where they’re at,” said Schiffer.
“Patient experience surveys are so critical to our hospital.,” she said. “They offer direct insight into how patients are perceiving their care and help us really determine improvements to quality and safety.”
“This is really our ability to give our patients a voice in their care and ensuring that we’re operating from a patient and family-centered care philosophy.”
Before using text message surveys, the hospital primarily used email surveys to gather patient feedback, but Schiffer said there were “some barriers” to that approach.
“There was some difficulty in asking patients for email, and there was also some hesitancy on the patient’s perspective on providing email,” said Schiffer.
She said the registration clerks were often questioned about the hospital’s safety and security policy in collecting personal information.
“It was something that our security ITS were all involved in to ensure that there’s no risk to patient information,” said Schiffer.
Other barriers Schiffer found were the limits email had on getting real-time information back quickly.
“It’s a more modern, accessible and efficient way to capture the patient’s experience. Patients are able to fill out the surveys shortly after their experience, so their memory is still fresh. And, it enables us to identify those opportunities for improvement and in real-time quality improvement,” said Schiffer.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
A respiratory outbreak has been declared at TBRHSC , TCU-Transitional Care Unit, located at Hogarth Riverview Manor as of May 03, 2025. All restrictions are in place.
Outbreak #2262-2025-00057
As always, our number one priority is the safety of patients and their families, staff and visitors. All patients identified as having an exposure to this outbreak have been isolated with appropriate additional precautions. New admissions will not be sent to the unit until the outbreak is declared over. Essential Care Partners will only be permitted on a case by case basis, following the process outlined in the Care Partner/ Essential Care Partner Guidance Document.
Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to continue applying routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, cleaning shared equipment and the appropriate screening of all patients. Please set an example to staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at 807-684-6094
UPDATE MAY 5, 2025 – TECHNICAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED
Issues were resolved as of the afternoon of Friday, May 2. Please continue to submit job applications through e-Recruit as usual.
Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a technical issue affecting the receipt of applications for job postings through our posting software e-Recruit. The issue has been reported and both IT and the vendor have been actively working today to identify and resolve the problem.
As a precaution, Human Resources has held off on publishing any new job postings and will continue to do so until the issue is fully resolved. We will keep you updated as we receive further information and will notify you once the issue is resolved.
Thank you for your understanding and patience. If you have any questions, or wish to check the status of an application submitted, please contact Human Resources.
Shared on behalf of David McConnell, Director, Regional Cancer Care Northwest & Prevention and Screening
It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Lori Hygaard as the Manager of the 1A Medical/Inpatient Unit. Lori will be replacing Samantha Ward, and we thank Samantha for her dedication and contributions to the unit and organization.
Lori brings a wealth of experience to this roll, with many years of oncology nursing experience and having served as Coordinator of the Cancer Centre. Most recently, Lori has been acting as the interim manager, demonstrating her leadership capabilities and commitment to our team.
Please join us in welcoming Lori to her new role. We are confident that her expertise and passion will be invaluable to the 1A Medical/Oncology Inpatient Unit.
We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our patients and staff. Further details regarding Lori’s replacement in the Cancer Center will be communicated shortly.
During National Volunteer Week, we will be spotlighting volunteers to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Today’s spotlight shines on Bryan McKay.
Bryan McKay’s journey with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation (TBRHSF) began from a place of deep personal experience. In 2006, his son, Kol, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. For the next ten years, the Regional Cancer Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) became a central part of their lives. “They always made him feel welcomed and cared for,” Bryan recalls. “They always addressed him by name with a big smile whenever he came in.”
After Kol’s passing in 2016, Bryan wanted to find a meaningful way to express his gratitude for the care and support his family had received. With Kol’s love of music in mind, he envisioned a fundraiser that would bring people together through song — spreading hope to those facing cancer. With the support of Diana Hannaford-Wilcox, choir director at St. Paul’s United Church and a cancer survivor herself, the idea came to life. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation staff embraced the concept, providing guidance and encouragement to make it a reality.
On May 5, 2018, Choirs for Hope took the stage, featuring seven choirs performing songs of hope and inspiration. The event provided a space to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those lost, and raise vital funds for the Regional Cancer Centre. Thanks to overwhelming community support, it raised over $10,000.
Inspired by the success of Choirs for Hope, Bryan returned to the Foundation the following year with another fundraising idea—this time in support of cardiac care. Having lost his father to a heart attack at the age of 63, he was passionate about advancing heart health initiatives. He saw an opportunity to connect Valentine’s Day, a holiday symbolized by hearts, with a campaign to support cardiac care. When he pitched the idea of “Share a Heart” bouquets — floral arrangements sold by local florists with proceeds benefiting the Northern Cardiac Fund — the response was overwhelmingly positive. With the help of the Foundation and enthusiastic local businesses, the initiative launched in 2019, and to date, over 500 bouquets have been sold.
Bryan’s passion for fundraising and event organizing was sparked early — he helped coordinate a fundraiser in high school and continued to plan events throughout his teaching career. These experiences gave him the confidence to turn ideas into reality. However, he never anticipated the profound impact volunteering would have on him. “Giving in itself is a rewarding experience,” he says. “But I’ve also learned that having the support and guidance of others can make a significant difference.”
Among his most cherished memories is witnessing the power of music during Choirs for Hope. “Hearing seven choirs come together to sing songs of hope and inspiration was truly a spiritual shower,” he reflects. The event reinforced his belief in the power of community and the importance of giving back.
While Bryan’s role doesn’t involve direct patient interaction, his experiences with the Foundation and hospital staff have deeply influenced him. “Their commitment to helping others — whether supporting my initiatives or providing care for my family — has been inspiring,” he says. “I remain grateful for the exceptional care available here in Thunder Bay.”
Now retired, Bryan has made volunteering a core part of his life. Each day, he reflects on the opportunity to make a difference in his community. His advice for those considering getting involved? “You don’t have to do it alone. There are so many people willing to support you.” And the reward, he says, is simple: “The feeling of satisfaction you get from knowing you’ve helped someone — it’s worth every effort.”
Looking ahead, Bryan remains committed to finding new ways to contribute. Whether through fundraising or community initiatives, one thing is certain — his journey of giving is far from over.
To start, I would like to welcome all new staff and professional staff that have joined our Hospital and Health Research Institute community — we are thrilled you are here! We look forward to working together, learning with you and benefitting from your energy and fresh perspectives. I know you will embrace your position with dedication and help us move towards our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.
I’d like to start with some good news. There was a wonderful announcement this week with the Family CARE Grants media event on April 29th to announce the results of the applications submitted. We are immensely appreciative of how the money from donors helps to extend Patient Centred Care and our vision of Exceptional care for every patient every time. 74 grants were approved by the Foundation and its Board of Directors for a total of $139,265.99. Further to this, through formal request, the Foundation will now review and assess the Hospital and Health Research Institutes’ submissions for critical equipment, and improvements in support of better care and research. Last year we were grateful that the Foundation provided close to $6.8 million in 2024 for various equipment and other care improvements. We look forward to what this partnership will bring throughout 2025.
Thank you to the donors in the community and to the committee for their work in overseeing this extensive process. Thank you also to the countless staff who took time out of their busy schedules to submit applications. It is truly impressive to see the passion in the ideas brought forward from frontline staff that will improve the care experience at our Hospital.
On now to patient capacity and the flow of patients throughout our facility – essential factors for providing appropriate care in suitable spaces. Through the coordination of the Patient Flow team, and the collective efforts of the Hospitalists, the CDU Unit, and all Allied Health Care teams, there have been significant changes and improvements to support patient flow both into and out of our facility. Teams have been working hard to transfer any patients from the Emergency Department to a bed and we are seeing great progress, resulting in a decreased length of stay for these patients. We know that teamwork is essential in seeing these results and thank you to the many involved to make sure patient care is optimal and efficiently managed.
As we continue to transform the care we provide to support the growing healthcare demands in our community, you will see many alterations in our facility and throughout the Hospital campus. Although these activities are inconvenient, they are essential to getting to where we need to be. I want to reassure you the teams are continually assessing the impacts and logistics of these activities to minimize disruptions where able. Your patience and support in keeping patients and families informed on these changes is an important part of the care experience. Please know you can keep current on these happenings through the Daily Informed Newsletter, our monthly all staff Town Hall, our website or any of our social media platforms, as well as direct updates from the Capital Planning team
I would like to wrap this blog up by recognizing our extraordinary volunteers throughout our Hospital, the Health Research Institute and the Health Sciences Foundation. National Volunteer Week is April 27th to May 3rd and this week of recognition is certainly not enough to celebrate all those who provide precious time to support so many of our operations and provide their time, expertise and compassion to make our community a better place to be. Thank you for all that you do.
Please know you can always send me any feedback about this blog or connect with me on anything else on your mind. Feel free to reach out to me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.
Every day, our physicians demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to caring for patients and fostering a healthier community. National Physicians’ Day — celebrated every year on May 1st — gives us an opportunity to acknowledge their exceptional skill, professionalism, and heartfelt compassion that shines through daily, whether in routine situations or during challenging times.
We sincerely thank all physicians for their unwavering dedication to patient care. Your efforts in saving lives and enhancing the well-being of our community are truly remarkable. We appreciate your invaluable contributions, which help us deliver exceptional care to every patient, every time.
During National Volunteer Week, we will be spotlighting volunteers to highlight the important roles they play at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Today’s spotlight shines onBianca Zussino.
Bianca Zussino is a third-year biology and neuroscience student at Lakehead University with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine. In addition to her academic studies, she is currently a neurogastroenterology research intern with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Bianca is also a dedicated volunteer in her community, working with organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, St. Joseph’s Care Group, and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Her volunteer role at TBRHSC involves serving as a Patient Family Advisor (PFA), where she advocates for the patient perspective to drive positive change within the institution.
Her motivation for volunteering in this capacity is rooted in her personal health challenges. Through her experiences, Bianca learned the importance of self-advocacy and the significant impact it can have on one’s health journey. She witnessed both the strengths and weaknesses of the healthcare system and decided to pursue a role as a Patient Family Advisor (PFA) in order to contribute to meaningful change. In her current position, Bianca serves on the Surgical and Surgical Services Board at TBRHSC, participates in monthly PFA council meetings, and shares her patient story during orientations for new staff. These opportunities have enabled her to engage in important policy discussions, contribute insights based on her personal experience, and advocate for improvements that prioritize patient-centered care.
Bianca believes that education is a powerful tool for driving change. By sharing her story, she helps new hospital staff understand the real impact of patient-centered care. Her experience highlights both the strengths and areas for improvement in the healthcare system, underscoring the need for empathy, effective communication, and strong advocacy in improving patient experiences.
As a PFA, Bianca is passionate about helping future patients navigate the healthcare system. Her own experience allows her to relate to the challenges patients face, and she believes her perspective can help improve the overall experience for others. For Bianca, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others is incredibly rewarding. Through her involvement, she hopes to contribute to a more compassionate and efficient healthcare system for future patients.
