The NICU has some very special visitors… and Santa got to meet them!
This holiday season, our Hospital’s smallest patients got dressed up and met the jolly old elf himself. Thank you to the parents of the newborns and staff for letting us share these wonderful photos.
A big thank you to Shannon Mancuso, RN, NICU for taking the photos and Brianne Belanger, RN, NICU for assisting and creating the amazing holiday scene.
Showing the true spirit of the season, the Radiation Therapy department has sponsored four independent youths through the Children’s Aid Society’s Holiday Hamper program.
We want to thank this amazing team for their kindness and generosity. The gifts will undoubtedly help ensure that these individuals have a very special holiday season..
After learning about the work being done by Elevate NWO while visiting the local homeless encampments, and providing residents with assistance and supplies, the generous staff of Regional Cancer Care Northwest at our Hospital decided to collect donations to create ‘kindness bags’ for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed.
Staff contacted Elevate NWO to determine what the greatest needs of residents were to create kindness bags for them. The staff filled over 40 bags with scarves, hats, mittens, personal care items, and non-perishable food and treats.
The staff also collected donations of warm clothing and other basic essential items for the team at Elevate NWO to have on hand for those in need.
Learn more about Elevate NWO and how they help our community by visiting https://elevatenwo.org/.
Congratulations to our winners of the Holiday Cheer Attire, Decorations and Trivia contests! Thank you again to everyone for participating in Holiday Cheer Week. Below are the names of the winners who wish to be shared:
Holiday Cheer Attire:
Holiday Cheer Decorations:
Holiday Cheer Trivia:
The holiday season is officially underway on the Maternal Newborn Unit!
Candyce McKinnon has been a nurse for 17 years and has worked on the Maternal Newborn Unit for the last ten years. Over the last few years, Candyce noticed that her fellow staff needed a morale boost. “Nursing has been tough the last few years. I thought I could do something special to help raise the spirits of my fellow staff,” said Candyce. ”I decided to decorate during the holiday season to bring a bit of joy to everyone’s life, especially all the staff, to ensure they work in an environment full of joy.”
Since then, Candyce has spread holiday cheer by decorating the unit with beautiful ornaments. Candyce and her husband handcrafted all the decorations, and it took her about 15 hours to decorate the unit.
This year’s theme is for ‘unto us a child is born’. A very special wreath is the focal point of the décor this year. Among the glittering snowflakes, there are personalized ornaments with the names of those who work on the unit (created by Kathleen Dunne). Wooden snowflakes, wooden trees, angels, floral arrangements and greenery with lights also adorn the nursing station.
Nurse Lynn Boyko donated a large wreath to the Unit many years ago. Lynn retired three years ago and unexpectedly passed away in October 2023. This loss was a shock for everyone. To honour Lynn, Candyce decided to dress the wreath with many angels and included an inspirational quote for the conference room.
The beautiful décor has created a sense of calm throughout the unit and inspired other units to dress up their work area. Women’s and Children’s including Paediatrics, Labour and Delivery and NICU have also taken up the tradition.
After the holiday season, the snowflakes that hang from the ceiling will remain to ensure a bit of magic throughout the rest of the winter. Thank you, Candyce for bringing holiday cheer to the Hospital!
A big thank you to the Support Services & Capital Facility Services departments, who recently organized a Food Drive Challenge.
Eleven departments participated, collecting non-perishable food items in support of the Dew Drop Inn. They brought in a total of 678 pounds of food. Nutrition and Food Services brought in the most donations this year, at a whopping 190 pounds!
Thank you everyone for bringing in these amazing donations and making this food drive successful. The Dew Drop Inn provides nourishing meals every day for people in need, and each contribution received will make a significant impact in the lives of many in our community.
Shared on behalf of Christina Bayko, Manager, Health Records.
I am pleased to announce that Stefany Galati has accepted the position of Coordinator Health Records at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Stefany will be replacing Marcia Gillies as Coordinator for the Coding and Cancer Centre Health Records. Stefany will move into the role effective January 15, 2024.
Marcia is expected to retire in Spring 2024 after over 30 years with the organization and the Health Records department. Marcia will be onboarding and training Stefany over the next few months for a smooth transition.
Stefany brings a tremendous amount of knowledge with over 15 years’ experience in NACRS and DAD coding. Stefany has also served as Coding Lead, and occupied the role of Temporary Coordinator while Marcia served as Acting Manager Health Records.
Please join me in congratulating Stefany and wishing her well in her new role.
Thank you to the Informatics Team (Information Systems, Information Technology and Health Records) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for their very generous donation of $580 to the Patient Clothing Cupboard.
These funds will help our volunteers purchase new socks, underwear, and other clothing items for patients in need, especially upon discharge from the Hospital.
Shared on behalf of Jeannine Verdenik, Vice President, People & Culture
The holiday stats are being observed on Monday, December 25, Tuesday, December 26 and Monday, January 1.
Attached is the department closure list, please share with your staff as required.
Happy Holidays!
Jeannine
Did you miss the opportunity to attend the ‘Don’t ‘Should’ on Yourself’ talk last week? Feel free to view or listen to the presentation attached.
Description:
Don’t Should” on Yourself – Tips and Tricks to Help set Boundaries OR Therapy Tips and Tricks to Help set Boundaries
Exploring your own individual values to help support establishing personal, emotional and physical boundaries with others as well as yourself. Explore and obtain therapeutic strategies to build the confidence to communicate and maintain your set boundaries as you near the holiday season that can also be applied in your everyday practices. Learn to say no and not feel guilty for prioritizing yourself and your mental health needs.