All staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers are invited to tune in, stay informed, and get involved as in our monthly Town Hall. This is your chance to hear the latest updates from across our Hospital and Health Research Institute — from strategic priorities to day-to-day operations — and to have your voice heard.
Past and Upcoming Town Hall Dates Via Microsoft Teams
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has been used to screen for colon cancer in Ontario since 2018. It is a test that effectively detects microscopic amounts of blood in the stool.
It’s not a conversation most people want to have: stool samples and cancer. But when it comes to colon cancer, avoiding the conversation can be far more uncomfortable than having it.
Colon cancer often develops without symptoms, which is why regular screening is one of the most effective ways to catch the disease early. In many cases, the first warning sign is something only a stool test can detect. When detected and treated early, 9 out of 10 people with colon cancer can be cured. Yet in Northwestern Ontario, 42 per cent of eligible adults are overdue for screening.
“For most people between the ages of 50 and 74 who are at average risk and have no family history of colon cancer, screening starts with a simple test you can do at home every two years,” says Dr. Nicole Zavagnin, Regional Primary Care Lead for Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “The fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, looks for tiny amounts of blood in the stool that aren’t visible to the eye and can be an early warning sign of cancer.”
One common myth that prevents people from getting screened is the belief that the test is invasive. “A FIT is not a colonoscopy,” explains Dr. Zavagnin. “It’s a simple at-home test that involves collecting a small sample of stool and does not require a hospital visit, sedation, or time off work. If you have a family history of colon cancer, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about the screening option that’s right for you. When a FIT result is abnormal, a colonoscopy is the important next step to find the cause.”
Another myth about cancer screening is that if someone feels healthy, they don’t need to get tested. In reality, screening is designed for people who feel well, before symptoms appear or illness develops.
“Screening is a proactive step you can take while you’re feeling healthy,” says Dr. Zavagnin. “It gives us the best chance to find cancer early, when treatment is less complex and outcomes are significantly better.”
This Colon Cancer Awareness Month, ask your healthcare provider if you are due for screening. People without a healthcare provider can get a FIT from the Screen for Life Coach (807-684-7777) or by calling Health811. The test is quick, private, and covered by OHIP for eligible individuals.
Talking about colon cancer screening might feel uncomfortable at first, but it can be one of the most important conversations you have.
March is Engineering Month, a time to celebrate the profession of engineering. Engineers in hospitals work in a variety of roles, including project planning and execution, facility engineering, and biomedical engineering. They design, develop, and maintain equipment and spaces to support clinical care.
2026’s theme is Engineers Open Doors, which highlights how engineers create new futures, opportunities, and innovations. We want to take this opportunity to recognize the dedication, passion, and hard work of engineers here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
These staff work to improve our patients’ care experience through innovation and progress, and support our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Photo (L-R):Allan Koral – Manager, Facilities and Biomed Services, Darin Pretto – Maintenance and Energy Lead,Aaron Bruno – Project Planner, Capital and Facility Services,Casey Ladouceur – Manager, Capital and Program Development, Daniel Sedano – CVS Project Coordinator.
Shared on behalf of Craig Kozlowski, Director – Patient Flow & Partnerships and Kelly Keeler, Manager – Medical Transitions Clinic/OPAT, Internal Medicine Clinics (CHF/COPD/Anticoagulation), Complex Care Diabetes Centre, Regional Bariatric Centre, Paediatric Healthy Living & Telemedicine
We are pleased to announce that Brody Blackwood will be joining the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team as Coordinator and Operations Coordinator for Outpatient Medical Programs, effective March 9, 2026.
Brody brings a strong clinical and operational background to the role. He has experience working as a Registered Nurse in the ICU and most recently served as a Patient Flow Coordinator. Through these roles, he has developed valuable insight into the coordination of care across the system, including outpatient programs. His experience will be a great asset in supporting the continued development of the H2H programs and our outpatient medical programs.
Brody has also completed the Critical Care Course at Durham College and is currently working toward his Master of Nursing at Lakehead University.
Please join us in welcoming Brody to his new role.
Congratulations to our Employee Recognition Week (ERW) Daily Trivia winners for Thursday, March 5.
Thank you to all of the Hospital and Health Research Institute employees who participated, and to our valued partners in the community for donating the wonderful prizes.
🏆 $25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Brenda, Laboratory Hematology 🏆 Free 13″ pizza gift coupon, donated by Boston Pizza: Bryan, Emergency Department 🏆 $25 gift card to Tim Horton’s, donated by BMO: Carrie, Surgical Day Care 🏆 $25 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Dana, Health Information Services 🏆 $20 gift card to Edo Japan, and a $5 gift card to Robin’s: Danica, Ultrasound 🏆 $50 gift card to President’s Choice, donated by Co-operators: Kathleen, 3B 🏆 $50 gift card to President’s Choice, donated by Co-operators: Kristine, Nutrition and Food Services 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Lesley, Medical Device Reprocessing Department 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Samantha, Interventional and Angiography 🏆 $50 gift card to Serenity Spa: Maria, 2B 🏆 $50 gift card to Fresh Air: Rawna, Health Records 🏆 $50 gift card to Pizza Hut: Tracey, Financial Services 🏆 A Yeti mug, donated by Fresh Air: Jody, Occupational Health and Safety 🏆 A gift package, donated by HCP: Katherine, Diagnostic Imaging Administration 🏆 Six months of free parking at TBRHSC: Sarasta, Emergency Department 🏆 $1,500 Mastercard (Big Prize): Amber Rose, Mental Health Nurse Resource Team
Prizes can be picked up Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Human Resources in Suite 302B of the Medical Centre.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Recognition Week including the full schedule of events.
The iCare Impact Awards program is open to all employees, professional staff, and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. It provides a forum for staff to recognize outcomes brought about by other staff, peer-to-peer, for their positive impacts to patients and their families.
As part of Employee Recognition Week, we’re thrilled to share this year’s deserving winners and nominees. Congratulations to all!
Just a reminder that nominations will be open until October 2026 for the 2026 iCare Impact Awards! Submit your nominations here: https://icare-awards.tbrhsc.net/
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award
Trisha Desa, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (left), with Dr. Miranda Lesperance, Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & InclusionTrisha Desa (center).
Patient Experience Award
Linda Buchan Centre Staff.
Staff Experience Award
Anne Purves, RN, and Manager of 3B SurgeryAnne Purves (center).
Research, Innovation, & Learning Award
Clinical Nurse Specialists, Interprofessional Educators, & Nursing Practice Leaders.Dr. Andrea Raynak, Director, Nursing & Health Professions, Nursing Practice (left), and Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Vice President Research and Chief Scientist
Congratulations to our Employee Recognition Week (ERW) Daily Trivia winners for Wednesday, March 4.
Hospital and Health Research Institute employees are able to participate in our ERW Daily Trivia every day until March 5. Prize draws will be held daily, and the winners will be announced on the Daily Informed Newsletter and on the Hospital’s socials.
🏆 $25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Brandon, Systemic Oncology (Pre and Post) 🏆 $25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Chelsey, Regional Surgical Services 🏆 Free 13″ pizza gift coupon, donated by Boston Pizza and a $10 Robins gift card: Christina, Renal Services 🏆 $25 gift card to Tim Horton’s, donated by BMO: Don, Medical Device Reprocessing Department 🏆 $25 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Ethan, Purchasing 🏆 $20 gift card to Edo Japan and a $5 gift card to Robins Donuts: Jodi, Hemodialysis (Thunder Bay) 🏆 A Yeti mug, donated by Fresh Air: Karen, Chief Nursing Executive 🏆 A gift package, donated by Within You: Katrina, MCKC Pre-Dialysis Clinic 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Lyden, Financial Services 🏆 $50 gift card to Serenity Salon and Spa: Marisa, Laboratory Administration 🏆 $50 gift card to Fresh Air: Shawn, Utilization Management 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Shazia, Ontario Breast Screening Program 🏆 $50 gift card to Pizza Hut: Sona, Housekeeping 🏆 Six months of free parking at TBRHSC: Stephanie, 3A 🏆 85″ 4K Smart TV, donated by ACO: Taylor, Health Records
Stay tuned for more winners!
Prizes can be picked up Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Human Resources in Suite 302B of the Medical Centre.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Recognition Week including the full schedule of events.
The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.
Self-referral can be made to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Physician, Social Worker, Kinesiologist, Dietician, and Lactation Consultant.
To be seen by an Obstetrician, a referral is needed from your primary health care provider or midwife.
During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.
TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 128 babies born at our Hospital during the month of February. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!
To better facilitate the booking of recurring meetings, on March 11, 2026, we are enabling a feature on all bookable rooms to allow for recurring meetings to be booked that do not conflict and to deny those instances that do conflict, instead of declining the entire series.
Congratulations to our Employee Recognition Week (ERW) Daily Trivia winners for Tuesday, March 3.
Hospital and Health Research Institute employees are able to participate in our ERW Daily Trivia every day until March 5. Prize draws will be held daily, and the winners will be announced on the Daily Informed Newsletter and on the Hospital’s socials.
🏆 $25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Angela, Strategy and Performance Management 🏆 $25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Ashley, Clinical Research Program 🏆 $25 gift card to Tim Hortons, donated by BMO: Cassandra, Pre-Admission Clinic 🏆 $25 gift card to Swiss Chalet and a hand crafted olive oil dish, donated by BMO and Be Natural Pottery: Eva, Laundry and Linen Department 🏆 $25 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Gordon, Health Information Services 🏆 $50 gift card to President’s Choice, donated by Co-operators: Karen, Clinical Pharmacy 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Lidija, Hemodialysis (Thunder Bay) 🏆 $50 gift card to The Cheese Encounter: Tarah, Child and Adolescent Mental Health 🏆 $50 gift card to Serenity Spa: Shannon, Regional Surgical Services 🏆 $50 gift card to Fresh Air: Tammylynn, Systemic Oncology (Pre and Post) 🏆 $50 gift card to Pizza Hut: Taylor, Health Records 🏆 Gift coupon, donated by Boston Pizza: Brenna, Women and Children’s Resource Team 🏆 Gift hamper, donated by Karen Eberhardt: Heidi, Peritoneal Dialysis 🏆 Membership gift coupon, donated by BJJ 4 Life: Kaiya, Medical Device Reprocessing Department 🏆 Bissel Power Clean Cordless Stick Vacuum, donated by Youngs Insurance: Teresa, Quality and Risk Management 🏆 Ninja Magic Bullet, donated by BMO: Tracy, Intensive Care Unit
Stay tuned for more winners!
Prizes can be picked up Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Human Resources in Suite 302B of the Medical Centre.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Recognition Week including the full schedule of events.
