Enhancing Individualized Stroke Care in the Community – Results of a Community Consultation in Southeastern Ontario

Presenter: Kayla Purdon, BScN, BA, MN- Community and LTC Coordinator, Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario

Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. EST

Host Site: Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario

Virtual Event – no pre-registration required just click on the Microsoft Teams link at the designated time of the event.

Supporting documents for this event are attached below. The presentation handout will be distributed via e-mail if being shared by the presenter.

*** Electronic evaluations are available for all Provincial Stroke Rounds at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/mj6EXqX1Ns.

Shared on behalf of Marcello Bernardo, Manager, Communications and Engagement

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I am pleased to share that Gina Fata will be joining the Communications and Engagement Department as the Cultural Communications Specialist, effective November 27, 2023.

Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Engagement, the Cultural Communications Specialist will support the implementation of proactive and effective communications primarily associated with the Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion direction of Strategic Plan 2026. The Specialist will use their extensive knowledge and experience in cultural awareness to ensure communication materials, activities, and initiatives are meaningful to and reflective of various cultural audiences within the organization and throughout Northwestern Ontario.

Gina comes to us from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) where she held the position of Communications Advisor. While at NAN, Gina gained considerable knowledge of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and Indigenous-specific racism on Indigenous Peoples and health care systems. She was the lead coordinator on many of NAN’s cultural programs and events, while handling media relations and creating content for several key publications including NAN’s annual report.

Gina obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lakehead University, as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Humber College.

You can reach Gina by calling extension 6031 or by email at Gina.Fata@tbh.net. Please join me in welcoming her to our Hospital.

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Joe Valente from Thunder Bay experienced the warm and cozy feeling of being instantly $1,105,420 richer when he got the call that he is the winner of the November 50/50 Grand Prize!

“I have supported the Hospital (through the 50/50) since day one,” said Valente. “They were always so good to my wife during her cancer treatment.” He plans to take all his family members away “somewhere nice” for vacation.

Proceeds from the Thunder Bay 50/50 monthly draw go towards purchasing vital equipment for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and its satellite programs across Northwestern Ontario. To date, over $29 Million in prizes has been awarded to winners from across Ontario.

“It has been a phenomenal year of support for the Thunder Bay 50/50 which has allowed us to do more, faster for the Hospital and better local healthcare now,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “To show our thanks, we have lots of really big things happening for the Christmas draw and the reopening of our Christmas 50/50 Pop-up store for people to buy their tickets while in the Intercity Shopping Centre. We’re hoping to end the year with our biggest jackpot ever.”

Christmas Coming Early for the Health Sciences Centre

The Foundation is preparing to make its annual grant announcement to the Hospital. Thanks in part to the 50/50, the 2023/24 grants will set a new record amount.

Christmas 50/50 Draw Now Open

December’s draw features a $2-Million Guaranteed Grand Prize, bonus numbers and seven Holiday Bonus Draws worth $100,000. There will be five $10,000 bonus draws, plus two $25,000 bonus draws on December 27th! The grand prize jackpot happens Friday, December 29, 2023. Tickets are now available online at www.thunderbay5050.ca or at the December 50/50 Store in Intercity’s food court area.

Ticket packages are as follows:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers + 50 BONUS numbers = 200 numbers
• $100 for the Special Holiday Ticket Package 500 numbers + 200 BONUS numbers = 700 numbers

** Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2023 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, December 29, at 11:00 a.m.

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years old or older. The Thunder Bay 50/50 continues each month with the Grand Prize drawn on the last Friday of the month. (2023 Lottery licence RAF1285982)

Health Sciences Foundation Reopens Christmas Pop-up Store at Intercity Shopping Centre

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Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, today announced that December’s Christmas 50/50 Grand Prize will be a guaranteed minimum $2 Million Grand Prize – the largest guaranteed 50/50 prize in Northwestern Ontario history.

Craig made the announcement during the Grand Opening of the new Christmas 50/50 Pop-up Store in the Food Court (closest to Urban Outfitters) at Intercity Shopping Centre.

“Last year, the Grand Prize was a minimum of $1 million,” Craig said. “This year, we’ve doubled it to a minimum $2 Million Grand Prize. But who knows how big the prize will grow. I can’t wait to make that phone call!”

The Intercity Shopping Centre location makes it easier than ever to gift tickets. Starting today, everyone who wants a chance to make their loved one a multi-millionaire can purchase tickets in person at the Christmas 50/50 Pop-up Store. Ready-made gift packages include a card and festive envelope to put under the tree or in a stocking.

“We are once again thrilled to be hosting the Christmas 50/50 spot for in-person ticket sales,” said Stacey Ball, General Manager, Intercity Shopping Centre. “And we look forward to December 29th when a new multi-millionaire will be called and announced from right here in this spot in our shopping centre.”

The Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw is one of the biggest hospital lotteries in Ontario. Already this year, lucky winners have won $11.3-million dollars in Early Bird and Grand Prizes. The Health Sciences Foundation is getting ready to announce a record high amount in funding to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in 2023/24.

This year’s Christmas 50/50 features the $100 Special Holiday Ticket Package, which includes 200 Bonus Numbers (only available for the December draw) and a $50 ticket package with 50 Bonus Numbers (please see tickets and prices below).

There will be seven Holiday Bonus draws with prizes totally $100,000 including two $25,000 prizes on December 27 just two days before the Grand Prize Draw.

Proceeds from this month’s draw will go towards supporting projects such as the Health Sciences Centre’s Emergency Department renovations, construction of the new Cardiovascular Surgery Wing, and a replacement Cardiac Cath Lab.

“To all of our donors – a sincere and heartfelt thank you. Because of your generosity and the funds raised by the Health Sciences Foundation, we are able to continue to provide quality, innovative care for our community through projects like the renovation of our Emergency Department and upgrading the Cath Lab Suite,” said Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “These projects and more are part of our commitment to delivering exceptional care, for every patient, every time.”

Craig said the success of the Thunder Bay 50/50 means the Health Sciences Foundation is able to fund more closer-to-home healthcare programs to support patients throughout our region.

“Success doesn’t mean we’re done. Success means we can do more, faster,” Craig said. “Regardless of which lucky person wins the $2 million or more, we’ll all have better healthcare in our stockings this year.”

Christmas 50/50 Draw Now Open
Tickets are now available online or in-person at the Christmas 50/50 Store at Intercity Shopping Centre in the Food Court. People can buy for themselves or to give as gifts! Ticket packages are as follows:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers + BONUS 50 numbers = 200 numbers total
• $100 Special Holiday Ticket Package for 500 numbers + BONUS 200 numbers = 700 numbers total (Best Value)

** Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years old or older. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2023 to be eligible for the Grand Prize Draw on Friday, December 29, at 11:00 a.m.

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared on Transitional Care Unit as of November 23, 2023. All restrictions are in place.

Please share this information with the appropriate staff.

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 will require isolation with appropriate additional precautions.

The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.

For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at 807-684-6094.

Trina Diner, Manager, Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network (NWORSN), Neurology, Cardiac Diagnostics and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), is the winner of the 2023 RBC Innovation Hero of the Year award for the development of NWO Navigate Application: an app for navigating stroke care in Northwestern Ontario.

The annual awards, put on by the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, honour innovative businesses, projects and individuals in Northwestern Ontario.

Diner, with team members from NWORSN, Dr. Ayman Hassan and Keli Cristofaro, developed an app in collaboration with various organizations from TBRHSC, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Lakehead University and ORNGE.

NWO Navigate is an innovative geomapping system that promotes evidence-based decision making to support conversations about the transfer of patients to the services needed in a timely manner, thus providing the best care opportunity for patients in Northwestern Ontario.

A coordinated system of care is essential to provide timely access to treatment for patients who present with a suspected acute stroke. In Northwestern Ontario (NWO) limited resources, dispersed geography, multiple transport and communication channels make stroke systems complex. Health care providers, often situated temporarily (locum) or providing care remotely, may lack sufficient knowledge of the most appropriate methods and locations to access care for time-sensitive conditions. This can lead to multiple transfers before reaching definitive stroke care, resulting in poor outcomes and additional cost to the health care system.

The interactive app NWO Navigate, can assist physicians and nurses working to support acute stroke care within health institutions in Northwestern Ontario in making stroke care decisions.

The app provides information to assist decision making when navigating the patient to advanced stroke care. It suggests fastest routing, most appropriate access diagnostic/treatment sites, maps and next steps for assessment and treatment opportunities. It combines all acute protocols, processes and resources into one impactful tool.

Congratulation Trina and the NWO Navigate team for being recognized with the award, and for your incredible work in improving outcomes for stroke patients in Northwestern Ontario.

View the news coverage of the awards here.

The NWO Navigate team was also nominated for 2023 Innovative Project of the year. This is a very competitive category and they did not win, but the team wanted to acknowledge the honour of being nominated.

Did you miss the Virtual All Staff Town Hall on November 22nd? A recording is now available for viewing here.

The informative session featured a patient story told by John Ross (Director of Patient Flow and Partnerships) an update on the implementation of the UKG Dimensions project by Dawna Marie Perry (Senior Director, Nursing, Academics & Practice Excellence and Co-Project Sponsor for UKG Implementation), Strategic Plan results for 2023/24 Q2 by Jessica Logozzo (VP, Strategy and Regional Transformation), and information on the Employee and Professional Staff Engagement Survey and the Hospital’s plans for the upcoming holidays by Jeanine Verdenik (VP, People and Culture).

If you have questions you would like answered, please send them to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net and we will do our best to address them at a future Virtual All Staff Town Hall.

If you’d like to access a recording or presentation from a previous Virtual All Staff Town Hall, visit the archive.

Thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged.

Congratulations to the latest prize winners for the Employee & Professional Staff Engagement Survey! Meaghan Parent and DawnaMaria Perry (pictured) were randomly chosen as the draw prize winners and each are going home with a gift card for completing their survey.

Want the chance to win a prize too? Don’t forget to complete your confidential Employee & Professional Staff Engagement Survey by Sunday, November 26.

A heartfelt thank you to the Volunteer Association for the recent donation that allowed us to purchase a commercial fridge for the Tbaytel Tamarack House at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). This donation will impact the lives of patients and families from all across Northwestern Ontario coming to our Hospital for care, and reinforces our Patient and Family Centered Care philosophy.

The Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre was formed when the longstanding auxiliaries of the General Hospital of Port Arthur and McKellar General Hospital merged. Throughout its history, the Association volunteers have contributed significantly to fundraising for the development and expansion of new and innovative health care initiatives at the hospital, including cardiac care, cancer care, as well as the purchase of many pieces of vital medical equipment.

Thanks to funds raised through your purchases at Seasons Gift Shop, the members of the Volunteer Association continue this proud tradition of dedication to health care in Thunder Bay.