Shared on behalf of Blake Rathje, Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Distribution

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Please note, Stores and the Print Shop will be closing early to complete year-end inventory counts on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Access to Stores will only be available in emergency situations.

Please place orders for Stock items prior to the end of day on Thursday, March 21. Orders placed on Friday, March 22 may not be delivered until Monday, March 25.

Stores will re-open and resume regular hours on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Please contact me if you have any questions.

We are pleased to announce that the construction of our new A2 parking lot expansion has been completed and is ready for use.

This parking lot expansion project was initiated to address the parking demand associated with new tenants at 1040 Oliver Road and the forthcoming Cardiovascular Surgery expansion.

We sincerely appreciate the patience demonstrated by everyone throughout the construction process.

Here are some key details:

• Location: West of A2 Parking Lot, along Golf Links Road
• Number of Spaces: 208
• Access: A2 Parking Lot Gate Entrance off Ron Saddington Way. Painted hatched areas at the lot thoroughfare is provided for pedestrians as a walkway.

We kindly request all designated staff members utilize the new A2 parking lot effectively and adhere to designated parking regulations to ensure a smooth and organized parking experience for everyone.

Join the Healthy Living and Cancer Prevention & Screening Series on Thursday, March 21 at 2pm EST for a presentation entitled ‘Supporting the Journey: A Colon Cancer Survivor’s Story’.

Colon cancer survivor, Derek Kelly shares his experience and the importance having family and community support during your cancer journey.

The Healthy Living and Cancer Prevention & Screening Series provides ongoing education and awareness about chronic disease prevention, cancer prevention and screening for Indigenous communities, partners and organizations throughout Northwestern Ontario.

Register for this virtual event here: https://thunderbayhospitals.webex.com/weblink/register/r5fed4fda9d92089a9006465d0445b425

Join one of our information sessions to prepare you for the March 25, go-live of our new organization wide scheduling system.

You will get to see the system, learn what you will need to do, and how it will benefit you.

Visit the UKG Pro Workforce Management Intranet page for regular updates and resources:
https://informed.tbrhsc.net/departments/staffing/ukgdimensions-new-staff-scheduling-system

Have you tried any of the monthly recipes in the 2024 Staff Health & Wellness Calendar? We are starting a new initiative, featuring various monthly recipes from the calendar in Flavour’s Cafeteria. This month’s Greek Chicken Orzo Power Bowl is being featured as the recipe for March. Come down to the Salad Bar in the Cafeteria during the week of March 18-22 between 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to try it for yourself for $9.99!

Meet Keri Gerlach, Registered Kinesiologist and Smoking Cessation Counsellor at the Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).

Keri is available to assist pregnant clients and their partners with quitting or cutting back on smoking. She will assist with developing a plan based on your specific smoking habits and provide support to reach your goal.

“Pregnancy is a great time to create a healthier lifestyle,” says Gerlach. “I am grateful that I can assist clients and their partners with quitting or cutting back on smoking as a way to improve their overall health.”

Call the Maternity Centre today for an appointment with Keri at 807-684-6228.

No referrals are necessary to access care at the Maternity Centre.

For more information on the programs and services available visit our website at bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre.

Beginning March 25, 2024, all staff will be required to punch in and out of UKG to capture your time key points:

• Three ways to punch.
• Punch in at the beginning and the end of every shift.
• All staff will be required to punch in and out starting March 25, 2024.

Open the attached documents to learn how to punch. A time clocks location map as well as a time capture FAQ is also included.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) presents “Ask an Expert”, a series where team members from our Bariatric Centre of Excellence answer questions they commonly encounter. For more information on our Regional Bariatric Care Centre, please visit bit.ly/TBRHSC-RBCC. This month’s question is answered by Tanya Burgess, Registered Nurse.

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Is bariatric surgery right for everyone?

Bariatric surgery may not be the right treatment for everyone. The interdisciplinary team at the Regional Bariatric Care Centre will work with you to decide if surgery is a good option for you. The process the team uses to determine if surgery is the right treatment for you will also help you to make an informed decision. The team will encourage you to you consider the benefits and risks of surgery, to make important lifestyle changes as needed, and to commit to maintaining these healthy lifestyle habits. Information about other treatment options will be reviewed with you if they are determined to be more appropriate and successful for you long-term.

There has been an increase in measles cases globally, including countries in Europe and outbreaks in the United States. There have been five confirmed cases in Ontario to date. In order to ensure staff are protected, the Occupational Health and Safety Department is reviewing all staff immunization records on file. Letters will be sent out to TBRHSC employees, outlining if additional immunizations are required or bloodwork to confirm immunity. Should you receive such a letter, we strongly recommend that you promptly attend to the necessary action outlined.

As per the OHA/OMA Communicable Disease Protocols, the following is required of Health Care Workers:

• Health care workers are recommended to have two doses of vaccine (regardless of their age) OR proof of immunity against measles (i.e. lab confirmed immunity).

If you have any questions feel free to email the Occupational Health and Safety Department at TBRHSC.OcccupationalHealthandSafety@tbh.net

As part of our commitment to keeping staff engaged and informed on the Strategic Plan 2026, Strategy and Performance is sharing updates in alignment with the identified priorities: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Patient Experience, Staff Experience and Research, Innovation, & Learning.

The March 13th Operational Updates and Strategic Planning Meeting covered EDI Policy & Procedure and EDI Truth & Reconciliation and was presented by Dr. Miranda Lesperance, Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion.

Visit the Strategic Plan 2026 page on the Hospital’s corporate intranet, where these presentations, along with other resources can be found.