Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), in collaboration with the Miskwaa Biidaaban department, is pleased to launch the new Indigenous Health E-Learning, now available on LMS Dual Code

This enhanced learning experience provides staff with important knowledge and practical information to strengthen culturally respectful, informed, and responsive care for Indigenous patients and families.

The updated education goes beyond foundational awareness by connecting the history of Indigenous health care in Northwestern Ontario with the realities Indigenous patients continue to experience when accessing health services today.

What You Will Learn:

The Indigenous Health Education provides practical knowledge to support respectful and informed care, including:

• Indigenous Health in Northwestern Ontario: Regional history and its ongoing impact on health and health care.
• Indian Hospitals: Their history, legacy, and impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.
• One Patient, Two Systems: How Indigenous patients navigate federal and provincial health systems and associated barriers.
• TBRHSC Patient Supports: Available hospital services and supports.

Why This Learning Matters:

One patient should not have to navigate two systems alone. Understanding the history, systems, and barriers affecting Indigenous health strengthens our ability to provide respectful, equitable, and culturally safer care. This education helps staff better provide an introduction to the Indigenous patient journey, recognize barriers, and connect patients and families with appropriate supports.

Click here to take the training.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff are invited to attend the upcoming Sickle Cell Awareness Event, hosted by NorWest Community Health Centres in partnership with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Davinci Centre, Thunder Bay.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells and can lead to serious health complications, including episodes of severe pain, anemia, infections, and organ damage. Although SCD can affect people from different backgrounds, it disproportionately affects people of African and Caribbean ancestry.

For TBRHSC staff, the event is an opportunity to learn more about sickle cell disease, available community resources and the experiences of individuals and families affected by the condition.

TBRHSC will also have a presence at the event as part of ongoing community engagement for the development of our Hospital’s Black Health Action Plan (BHAP). Hospital representatives will connect with members of Black communities and participating organizations, share information about the BHAP, and recruit eligible participants for upcoming focus group discussions.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. Registration: https://surveymonkey.com/r/DH2PJJ7

We encourage interested TBRHSC staff to attend, learn, connect and support greater awareness of sickle cell disease in our community. 

We are excited to share an important milestone for our Neurosurgical team with the launch of our first-ever Neuro Simulation Education Days at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre (TBRHSC).

As we continue to advance our Neuro Observation Unit to align with Ontario Health and Critical Care Services Ontario Level 2 Critical Care standards, we have increased the education, training and clinical skill development available to our nursing team. Level 2 neurosurgical patients require enhanced neurological assessment, monitoring, early recognition of deterioration and the ability to safely manage increasingly complex patient care needs.

To support our nurses in developing these competencies, staff have participated in a neurosurgical-focused online course through Conestoga College, complemented by our newly developed Neuro Simulation Education Days. These education days were developed and facilitated by our interim Neurosurgical Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Kayla Paoliello, NEON Educator, Kim Belluz, and our Neurosurgical Physician Assistant (PA), Victoria Lemay-Stirrup which provided staff with hands-on learning and realistic simulation scenarios specific to the care of higher-acuity neurosurgical patients.

This is an exciting step forward and a great new resource for our Neurosurgical team. Providing dedicated education and simulation allows our nurses to build their knowledge, skills and confidence while helping ensure our practice continues to meet the standards expected for Level 2 Neurosurgical care.

A huge thank you to our neurosurgical nurses for embracing this opportunity and continuing to advance the care we provide and continuing to deliver on TBRHSC’s commitment to providing Exceptional Care for Every Patient, Every Time.

September 8, 2026, to March 28, 2027

Beginning September 8, 2026, the Hospital will introduce a temporary Pay-for-Results (P4R) initiative to provide dedicated support for inpatient bed moves and patient transportation within the Emergency Department (ED).

Through this initiative, Inter-facility Transport Escorts will assist with moving patients within and between inpatient units to support timely bed placement and cohorting. Completing these moves promptly will help make inpatient beds available for patients waiting in the ED and support the movement of admitted patients to the appropriate inpatient care area.

When they are not completing inpatient bed moves, team members will assist with patient transportation within the ED. This added support will allow nurses to spend more time providing direct patient care.

The initiative is intended to:

• support timely inpatient bed moves and patient placement.
• reduce delays in transferring admitted patients from the ED.
• help free ED treatment spaces sooner.
• support improved ambulance offload times.
• reduce the need for clinical staff to leave their care areas to complete routine patient transfers.

Coverage will be introduced gradually as team members complete onboarding and orientation. The service is expected to provide full 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage beginning October 5, 2026.

If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact Chad Johnson, Director – Pre-hospital Program, Emergency & Critical Care Services. 

Take It In Strides 2026, presented by Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology, is a community run/walk bringing people together in support of mental health and suicide prevention in Northwestern Ontario. In just three years, our community has helped Take It In Strides raise more than $150,000, supporting mental health programming and initiatives that make a difference right here at home.

While race day brings us together, the impact goes far beyond one day, funds raised help support programming and initiatives throughout the year. Every person who walks, runs, volunteers, donates, or simply shows up is helping remind someone in our community that they are not alone. It’s about creating connection, starting conversations, reducing stigma, and continuing to build a community where people feel supported when they need it most.

Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, every stride we take together is a stride toward better mental health in our community.

Anne-Marie was selected as Preceptor of the Month for the kindness, patience, knowledge, and encouragement she brings to her role as a preceptor in Diagnostic Imaging. With more than 12 years of experience, she creates a friendly and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, learning from mistakes, and building their skills.  

Anne-Marie is thoughtful in the learning opportunities she provides, making sure students are exposed to unique cases and have the time, practice, and support they need. She is recognized for her ability to simplify complicated concepts, provide constructive feedback and advice, and listen openly to students’ questions and concerns.  

Her adaptability, easy-going nature, and commitment to providing students with a positive learning experience are what set her apart as an exceptional preceptor.  

Thank you Anne-Marie! 

What’s Changing?

With the move to a fully Microsoft environment, your ZENworks Application Launcher (ZAP) is going away. So, the way you access your applications is going to change! To access your applications going forward, there are four main methods:

Option 1: Desktop Icons

Core applications used throughout the organization will be located on the desktop.

1. Locate the application’s desktop icon.
2. Double-click the icon.

Option 2: Search Function

Quickly search and open your applications.

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Start typing the name of the application.
3. Click the application from the search results.

Tip: This is the fastest way to open any installed application, as you don’t have to go looking for it.

Option 3: Pinned Apps

Personalize your desktop! Pin your frequently used applications to the Start menu or taskbar.

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Click All.
3. Locate the application in the list.
4. Right-click and select Pin to Start or More > Pin to taskbar

Option 4: Browse All Apps

View all your installed applications to locate the one you need.
1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Click All.

Application not listed? Click on the Company Portal icon located on the desktop and see what’s available for you to install.

For IT assistance or missing applications, please contact the Help Desk: Email Help.Desk@tbh.net | Phone 807-684-6411