The Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair‘s mission is to promote scientific inquiry and support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Northwestern Ontario. The NWORSF team is comprised of several employees and trainees from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute who have a passion for science and health research. They work closely with schools and teachers to support the development of the next generation of scientific talent.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with regular screening, follow-up of abnormal results, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, recent data shows that almost half of eligible individuals in Northwestern Ontario are not up-to-date with their cervical screening.
Anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 69, who has ever been sexually active, should complete a cervical screening Pap test every three years. Screening is for people who have no symptoms and generally feel fine.
“For Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we want to remind you that regular cervical screening is important because it can find early changes that could lead to cervical cancer and treating these changes can prevent cervical cancer from developing,” says Allison Porter, RN, Ambulatory Care, Colposcopy Clinic.
For more information about cervical screening, check out www.cancercareontario.ca/ccaw.
Shared on behalf of the Behavioral Sciences Centre
As we embrace this new year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for entrusting Behavioural Sciences Centre (BSC) with your EFAP and Wellness needs in 2023. Our gradual return to “normalcy” in the wake of the pandemic, among other stressors in the world, have caused many ups and downs for most people. The team at BSC is honoured and humbled by the countless individuals we meet, the resilience demonstrated and the amazing work we get to do together.
Some key insights from 2023 to share with you!
Growing Talent in the North: BSCIP – Behavioural Sciences Centre Internship Program
In our commitment to support the growth of talent within the Northwest region, BSC has successfully hosted six social Work, or Counselling Psychology Interns within BSC. Through the BSCIP we are able to provide complimentary support services within the EFAP, like system navigation and advocacy for clients.
Compliment Vs Duplicate
Finally, our goal for our EFAP services in 2024 is to focus on complimenting versus duplicating what is available. There are a variety of resources available to support ones wellbeing (ex. Wellness Together Canada, free community based services and coverage through extended health benefits). Our team is focused on helping individuals look at all of the supports within their reach and strategically use services that best meet their current needs. We are committed to continual improvement to ensure BSC services meet the needs of our clients.
Wishing you a gentle year to come,
The BSC Team
| Together with Wellness Together Canada, will run MindWell for Healthcare Workers again, starting Monday, February 12. With this training you will be able to deepen your ability to: -Stay calm amidst chaos -Feel confident and capable -Build resilience and well-being Restarting your MindWell for Healthcare Workers training will allow you to: – Go through the weekly training modules again – Attend Live Sessions with your peers in the healthcare industry – Continue to improve your ability to handle stress, improve your well-being and overall perform better at work and beyond The training starts again Monday, February 12th. Reset your training modules today to join your colleagues and peers. Registration is free! |
The stigma around substance use and addictions creates barriers that affect a person’s health and quality of life.
Have you or a loved one experienced stigma because of substance use or addiction?
The Substance Use and Addictions Education and Training Working Group wants to share your story through video, in hopes of promoting awareness and breaking the stigma around substance use and addictions.
If you are interested in participating, please email tbrhsc.substanceuseandaddictions@tbh.net by January 26, 2024 with your name, contact information and a few sentences about your story.
The TBRHSC Maintenance Department will be conducting the 2-part annual electrical breaker maintenance switching on the evenings of: (1) TUESDAY JANUARY 9, 2024, and (2) TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 2024, from approximately 23:00 to 02:00 on each night.
All work associated with this maintenance effort is conducted in the 4th floor (penthouse level) of TBRHSC. During these times, there will be an electrical power supply disruption (either momentary or about 10-15 minutes) at various locations throughout all 4 levels of blocks B1 & B2 and C1 & C2 of the hospital. There are 4 main power feeds (2 normal & 2 emergency) and this maintenance will effect 2 of these feeds (1 normal & 1 emergency) so not all of the electrical loads within the shown (below) areas will be impacted by this maintenance.
Maintenance Employees will be on site during these time periods to deal with any unforeseen issues, if any should arise. If related problems are encountered during either of these events, please contact: JAMES ARRIL, Coordinator – Electrical, Control & Systems at CELL PHONE # 1-807-620-6925.
Should you have any questions in advance of this planned maintenance, please contact James Arril, per the contact information listed below. Thank you for your cooperation during this important & required maintenance event.
Shared on behalf of Information Technology
In order to standardize GroupWise naming schemes, IT is required to update the GroupWise resource naming format.
Starting this week, some GroupWise recourses will have altered names. Please make sure you are using the main GroupWise address book when booking rooms or equipment.
Any preexisting bookings will not be affected. If you are a resource owner, no action is required on you part.
For more information, contact the Help Desk at help@tbh.net.
NorWest Community Health Centres will be holding a virtual Peer Leader Training for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program starting February 2024.
The program includes trained Peer Leaders who deliver self-management workshops in to the community.
This training is open to individuals who have had a chronic disease experience, is a caregiver or a staff member who is interested in delivering workshops in the community.
Training is free to all participants. Peer Leaders receive a stipend at the completion of a workshop series (6 weeks, 2.5 hours, once a week).
To register, please complete the registration form here: https://forms.office.com/r/c7vB8ifHw7 If you have any questions about the program, please contact Kevin Ng, Manager, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program at kng@norwestchc.org or call 807-626-8480.
“Be prepared” may be the Scout’s motto, but it works for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as well.
This past fall, TBRHSC Emergency Preparedness led the coordination of a Minimum Staffing Drill (also referred to as a Vulnerable Occupancy Drill) with representation from the Hospital’s the Code Red (fire) and Code Green (evacuation) policy working groups and unit management. This annual hospital-wide drill, mandated by the Ontario Fire Code, tests the Hospital’s ability to safely evacuate patients from a unit during hours with minimal staffing levels. The team’s drill response is then evaluated and timed by Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR).
The drill was conducted with conditions adjusted to replicate times of minimal staffing, with volunteers acting as mock patients. A pre-determined fire alarm was triggered within the 3A Surgery department, prompting the activation of a hospital-wide Code Red response. The simulated scenario ultimately escalated, initiating a Code Green. Designated responders quickly arrived from across the Hospital as soon as the overhead announcement was made.
“This year we had 38 volunteers, the largest number of participants since pre-pandemic drills,” explains Mēsha Richard, Emergency Preparedness Lead. “All mock patients were evacuated within the mandated time. Immediately after the drill was completed, participants and observers, including TBFR, conducted a debrief to provide feedback. This was a great opportunity to discuss potential revisions of current emergency response plans and procedures, as well as improvements regarding exercise design and coordination.”
Brittney McLaughlin, Interprofessional Educator, supported the design and facilitation of the drill, as well as co-lead the debrief.
“Drills are a chance to promote interprofessional teamwork, and ultimately enhance the quality of patient care,” says McLaughlin. “It was great to see everyone actively engaged in this learning opportunity.”
Laura Jurimae, Manager, 3A and Mike Martin, Administrative Manger 3A, 3B, 3C & Neurosurgery Units, acted as observers during the drill.
“There is quite a lot of planning that goes into these drills,” explains Martin. “Laura and I helped with the preparation by coordinating volunteers, staff, and resources. This exercise provides a unique opportunity for our staff, volunteers, and partners in the community to practice for unexpected events.”
Jurimae adds, “The drill was a great success and allowed our staff to showcase their abilities with respect to emergency preparedness. We are very pleased with how smoothly everything went.”
“A big thank you to all of our staff and volunteers for their participation and commitment to emergency preparedness at TBRHSC. Looking forward to continuing to work together on training opportunities in 2024,” concludes Richard.
For more information on emergency preparedness at TBRHSC please visit https://bit.ly/emergency-codes-TBRHSC. If you’d like to become a volunteer with us please visit https://bit.ly/become-a-volunteer-TBRHSC.
