The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is proud to announce that it has approved over $7.275-million of funding for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in 2023/24.

This is the Foundation’s largest amount ever – and brings its total grants funding to the Hospital in the past four years to over $21-million. The ongoing generosity of donors and success of the Thunder Bay 50/50 mean more dollars coming in so that more grants can be approved for vital equipment and improvements needed at our Hospital.

Departments throughout the Hospital applied for grants to buy new equipment and replace or upgrade essential equipment so they can improve on the exceptional care provided to patients. The grants will improve care locally and in some regional communities.

“Equipment that would have taken years to fundraise for is being funded now, allowing us to Do More, Faster for the patients in Thunder Bay and the Northwest region”, says Parker Jones, Chair of the Foundation Board. “Normally it would take years to fundraise for the $2-million replacement of our oldest Cardiac Cath Lab, but thanks to our amazing community support, it will be open and fully operational in early January. Likewise the phase one $3-million redevelopment of our Emergency Department will be able to happen sooner.”

In total, 35 grants ranging from $3,000 to over $2.8-million were approved to be funded by the Foundation. They will benefit all areas of the Hospital. Some of the grants include:

The remaining $1,018,900 to fund the replacement of a Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab which consists of a C-arm, patient table, and control station. This replacement/ upgrade will offer the latest technology including integrated systems for more streamlined procedures.

• $2.8-million towards phase 1 of the Emergency Department redevelopment project.
• $268,925 for production of Prostate Cancer Specific Drug by the Cyclotron & Radiopharmacy Facility.
• $250,000 towards the new PET/CT project renovations.
• $191,040 for various instruments for the operating rooms for cataract, orthopaedic, and urology surgeries.

The grants benefit both our local community and regional communities where our programs extend to other hospitals in Northwestern Ontario. Grants have been approved for cancer program equipment and enhancements in Marathon, Terrace Bay and Sioux Lookout.

“We are grateful to our donors and the work of the Health Sciences Foundation in establishing these grants,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “The use of these contributions will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment that is vital to providing safe, quality care. The funds will also allow us to upgrade our care areas and provide a better care experience that is patient and family centred. We thank you for furthering our vision and our commitment to providing world-class acute care that is exceptional for every patient, every time.”

For a complete list of approved grants, please see the attached PDF.

Please enjoy the holiday music performances coming up starting this weekend.

Piano – Saturday, December 16, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Piano – Sunday, December 17, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Flutes – Monday, December 18, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Flutes – Tuesday, December 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Brass Band – Thursday, December 21, 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Piano – Saturday, December 23, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Piano – Sunday, December 24, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Piano – Saturday, December 25, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Locations:

The piano will be played outside the Multi-faith Room.
The flutes will be played across from Seasons Gift Shop.
The brass band play in the main lobby in front of the Foundation’s Donor Wall.

Via TBnewswatch.com

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It doesn’t take long to see why one leader at Thunder Bay’s regional hospital calls Heather and Ken White a “volunteering power couple.”

The pair have become go-to volunteers for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and its charitable foundation after years of work supporting patients and efforts to raise funds for the hospital.

They can often be found selling 50/50 tickets or lending a hand at charitable events such as the Save a Heart Ball and the Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed off in-person volunteer opportunities, the couple filled out thousands of mail-out packages for the hospital’s 50/50 draw from their home.

That’s also when Heather began volunteering in the hospital itself, helping out in the pediatric unit, accompanying patients, and offering wayfinding support to patients and visitors.

She plays down those efforts, adding she gets more out of volunteering than she puts in. She also mentioned that volunteers play a crucial support role at the hospital.

“It’s a scary place for some people,” Heather said. “You know, they’re worried about somebody who’s in there or anxious; it’s a big place to walk, they’re not sure where they’re going.

“Just having somebody accompany them [to] the area they’re going or if they’re going for tests, they’re nervous, and you just try to talk to them a little bit and help them relax a little bit. So if there’s any way you can make them feel a little bit better, then you feel better too, and they’re very gracious in thanking you for whatever little thing you do.”

Heather’s drive to help people at the hospital stems in part from her own childhood experiences.

“When I was 10, I was sick in the hospital and [there] for an extended stay,” she recalled. “I just remember the nurses always being so kind.”

Even as a young patient, White was keen to help out – she remembers asking a nurse to show her how to properly make the bed so she could contribute.

“It all goes back to that – it was always, when I get older and I have time, then I want to get back and be able to help,” she said. “I’m certainly not a nurse, but if I can help them in any way.”

The couple have been volunteering since their own children were young for organizations including the Staal Open, the U18 Baseball World Cup, and Special Olympics.

Now, Heather and Ken share their passion for volunteerism with the next generation, sometimes bringing their 11-year-old grandson along.

Heather says children quickly realize the satisfaction that can come from helping others.

“I think it’s important for the younger generation to give back,” she said. “My saying to him all the time is, ‘Choose to be kind.’ I think it’s really important to stress that volunteering is so rewarding all around, that it should be encouraged – and what better way to start [than] with your own family?”

The Centre for Applied Health Research at St. Joseph’s Care Group is pleased to host the 2024 Showcase of Health Research on Friday, February 9, 2024. The Showcase has become the premier annual venue for the dissemination of research relevant to the health of Northwestern Ontarians. The conference features oral and poster presentations by health professionals, students, and scientists.

We cordially invite you to attend this event. Please see the attached invitation for further details and to register. You may also click here to register. The deadline to register is Friday, February 2, 2024.

We look forward to your participation in the 2024 Showcase of Health Research!

Today, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) announced the funding of projects through the Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program (IDHS), an initiative, funded by the Ontario government, aimed at fast-tracking digital health innovations in Ontario. IDHS, delivered by the Ontario Centre of Ontario (OCI), will invest $8.2 million across 13 approved projects designed to revolutionize healthcare delivery across the province.

“Through our government’s Your Health plan, we are taking action to ensure Ontarians can connect to the right care in the right place, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Supporting these innovative projects is one more way our government is investing in digital health solutions to build a more connected and convenient healthcare system across the province.”

Quotes:

“Embedding digital and virtual care solutions in care models helps drive clinical transformation and supports the provision of integrated patient care. This approach to innovation more readily enables clinical teams to connect with technology to help improve access to care and delivery of care.”

– Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, Ontario Health“

The Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program represents a significant leap forward in transforming healthcare access, efficiency, and outcomes for Ontario residents. These projects showcase Ontario’s commitment to innovation in healthcare.”

– Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

“The Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program (IDHS) showcases the collaborative efforts between Ontario Health Teams and companies with innovative digital solutions, demonstrating the incredible potential of such partnerships to advance healthcare innovation. The projects supported through IDHS are exceptional, representing a crucial step forward in transforming healthcare in Ontario and improving patient outcomes.”

– Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)

IDHS supports Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and technology vendors in implementing innovative digital and virtual care solutions. The program addresses specific challenge statements to improve patient-centered care and enhance service efficiency. Approved projects include:

AI-Enhanced Emergency Care: University Health Network in collaboration with Hero AI, are integrating advanced AI technologies to monitor high-risk patients, optimize resource allocation, and improve communication in emergency departments.

Wound Care Assessment: William Osler Health System (WOHS) in collaboration with Swift Medical, are implementing cutting-edge wound care technology for more accurate wound assessments, better documentation, and improved patient care.

Streamlined Navigation: Partners Community Health in collaboration with Trillium Health Partners and Caredove, are streamlining patient navigation by creating a centralized intake and referral system, reducing ED visits for non-urgent issues, and improving healthcare access.

Mental Health Triage: Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), in collaboration with OPTT Inc., are implementing an innovative digital mental health approach combining AI-assisted triage, online psychotherapy programs, and AI symptom monitoring to reduce wait times and improve access to mental healthcare.

Enhanced Healthcare Communication: Brightshores Health System in collaboration with Langs; Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance; Guelph Family Health Team; St. Thomas Elgin Hospital; Joseph Brant Hospital; North Simcoe Family Health Team and Hypercare are enhancing care coordination by facilitating secure communication among healthcare professionals, improving patient care and safety.

Breast Cancer Care: North York General Hospital in collaboration with MyJourney are improving breast cancer patient treatment and survivorship care and breast health management by offering personalized educational resources and streamlined information sharing between patients and their clinical teams.

Smart Cardiac Emergency Care: Ottawa Heart Institute in collaboration with Badal.io are implementing a secure mobile-enabled platform designed to streamline communication between emergency doctors and interventional cardiologists, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Geospatial Health Analysis: Southlake Regional Health Centre in collaboration with ESRI Canada and Carleton University are enhancing health system planning by using geospatial visualization tools to identify local health needs and gaps in service accessibility.

Measurement-Based Mental Health Care: Brightshores Health System in collaboration with Greenspace Mental Health Ltd. are implementing measurement-based care for mental health and addiction services, improving data-driven decision-making and client engagement.

Integrated Patient Records: Urgent Care Collaborative Inc. in collaboration with Health Espresso are implementing a patient-centric platform that enables coordinated care delivery, data collection, and system navigation.

Improving Patient Experience: Queens Square Family Health Team in collaboration with Chime Technology Inc. and Queen Square Doctors are improving how to coordinate scheduling for clinical staff, clinic checks-in, and how to effectively manage clinical exam rooms and other fixed resources more efficiently.

Timely Stroke Treatment in Northern Ontario: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in collaboration with Aurora Constellations are providing timely access to treatment for patients who present with a suspected acute stroke in Northwestern Ontario.

Psychometric mental health screening: Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre in collaboration with Continicare to effectively triage, evaluate and measure patients’ mental health.

IDHS is designed to encourage and foster partnerships between Ontario Health Teams and Ontario-based Technology Vendors to evaluate, adopt, and implement market-ready innovative digital health and/or virtual care solutions that address Ontario’s health system priorities and to drive collaboration that improves patient outcomes, optimizes the impact of investment in health innovation and supports the opportunity to scale health innovation.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation:

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.

As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops, and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent.

OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies.

For more information about the Innovating Digital Health Solutions Program (IDHS), please visit the OCI website at www.oc-innovation.ca

The Clinical Nurse Specialists, Interprofessional Educators and Nursing Professional Practice
Leaders will be facilitating hospital-wide central vascular access device education during the
month of December.

Shared on behalf of Ryan Sears, Director, Capital and Facility Services

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I am pleased to announce the appointment of Casey Ladouceur as the Manager, Capital & Program Development effective December 18, 2023.

Reporting to myself, Casey will be responsible for overseeing the operation of the Capital & Program Development department.

Casey is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a Masters of Business Administration degree. Casey brings to the department great knowledge and leadership with 14 years of expertise in organizing business operations, contract management, financial oversight, resource management, and project operations. Prior to joining Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Casey worked at ERCO Worldwide as the Safety, Environmental, and Technical Manager and at True Grit Consulting Limited as an Air/Noise Specialist. Casey’s focus on team coordination, communication, collaboration, and problem solving will be an asset to our team.

I’d also like to extend my gratitude and thank Darin Pretto for stepping up to support the department by providing coverage for this role during the interim period. His dedication to patient and family centered care and commitment to the hospital ensured smooth operation for the team. We are sincerely thankful for your efforts. Darin will return to the Maintenance department where he will continue to support TBRHSC.

Please join me in welcoming Casey to the TBRHSC team and thanking Darin!

Confederation College’s Continuing Education Department is running a foot care course for nurses looking to gain additional certification. This course uses the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses’
National Competencies for Advanced Nursing Foot Care in Canada as Clinical Performance Standards and is led by a Foot Care Nurse Educator.

For more information and to register, visit: Foot Care Nurse Clinical Program (confederationcollege.ca)

Shared on behalf of Robin’s

It has been brought to our attention that some of our customers have received a second billing for pervious purchases with us.

After investigating this with our debit company Chase Payment Tech, it was found that Chase in error had pulled the payment once in Canada then again in the US.

Chase has process refunds on all transactions that were duplicated to all Visa and Mastercard customers which should be received within the next 48hrs.

Please be advised that in no way are our units compromised and that we take all precautions to ensure we protect our customers and their information while purchasing with us.