Shared on behalf of Jeannine Verdenik, Vice President People & Culture and Adam Vinet, Vice President Patient Experience, Regional Cancer & CNE

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The Hospital is committed to ensuring the achievement of the goals within Strategic Plan 2026 and aligning the accountability and resources to support that work. With this in mind, we are pleased to share that Kelly-Jo Gillis, Manager Preventive Health Services and the current work supporting employee wellness will be realigned to the People & Culture portfolio in the position of Manager, Employee Experience and Well-Being.

In this realigned role, Kelly-Jo will report to Amy Carr, Director, Human Resources and will support the leadership team by participating in and leading various initiatives and Staff Experience Strategic projects in areas including wellness and healthy workplace, leadership development, experience surveys and engagement.

In addition, the Preventative Health Services portfolio will now report to Tarja Heiskanen, Manager of Screening and Assessment.

The Patient and Family Centred Care Department would like to thank all clinical staff for their feedback on our PODS/POETs staff feedback survey.

As part of our survey prize draw, three participants were randomly selected to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Congratulations to Angeline Lepage, Cassandra Luby and Katrina Smart!

All winners may contact PFCC at TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net or call (807) 684-PFCC to collect their prize. 

Once again, we thank you for your feedback and involvement in ensuring we provide an excellent staff and patient experience at TBRHSC.

Shared on behalf of Angela Kutok, Acting Manager, Planning and Performance Improvement

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I am pleased to announce that Amanda Walberg has accepted a Permanent Full Time Performance Improvement Consultant position in the Strategy and Performance portfolio.

Amanda has been in a temporary Performance Improvement Consultant role since February 2023 and in that short time has expertly supported and advanced an array of strategic, operational, and regional initiatives including Pandemic Transition to Normal Operations, Lower Limb Preservation, and several initiatives within the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion pillar of our 2026 Strategic Plan.

Amanda holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology from Lakehead University and is nearing the completion of Master of Health Administration (Community Care). Amanda’s experience, education, and skills are evidenced by her ability to consistently exceed the expectations of our clients.

I have no doubt she will continue to brilliantly support our leaders, teams, and organization going forward. Please join me in congratulating Amanda as a permanent member of our team!

Coming to the Emergency Department (ED) can be a stressful experience. At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), we have a team of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, Indigenous Patient Navigators, medical learners, social workers, clerks and support workers dedicated to providing you and your family with safe, quality care while in our Hospital. In this series of videos, we want to introduce you to some team members you may encounter when you come into our ED.

Meet Justyna, an ED Clerk, and find out why she chooses to work in the ED at TBRHSC.

Shared on behalf of The Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation

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We are thrilled to extend an invitation to join us on September 30, 2023, in Thunder Bay, Ontario at Boulevard Lake for the 2023 Honouring Our Children Run. This event holds great significance as we come together to honor the Indigenous children who were lost and acknowledge the ongoing healing journey of residential school survivors and their families. It takes place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, making it a momentous occasion for us to participate in. 

This run serves can serve as a remarkable team-building opportunity for you and your staff, and provides a chance to demonstrate our collective support and commitment to truth, reconciliation, and healing. By being part of this meaningful event, we can showcase our unity as a community and contribute to a positive impact. It’s an occasion not to be missed, as we join hands to be part of something truly special. We have developed a Promo Code: HOCR2023 for groups of 6 or more for 15% off that can be entered when registering. 

Furthermore, we are delighted to inform you that all funds raised from this event will go towards supporting Mazinaajim programs. By participating in the run, we can make a tangible difference and contribute to the continued success of local Indigenous youth. 

Mark your calendars and prepare to be part of an unforgettable experience. Let’s come together as a team, show our support, and make this community run a memorable and impactful event. 

I have attached a PDF invite you can share with your team, family and friends. To learn more about the run or to register, visit our website. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) presents “Ask An Expert”, a series where team members from our Bariatric Centre of Excellence answer questions they commonly encounter. For more information on our Regional Bariatric Care Centre, please visit bit.ly/TBRHSC-RBCC. This month’s question is answered by Rae-Anne Robinson, Social Worker, Regional Bariatric Care Centre at TBRHSC.

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What is internalized weight bias?

Internalized weight bias refers to when an individual believes the weight-based stereotypes and negative attitudes held by others about weight, and directs these beliefs toward themselves. Internalized weight bias can negatively affect mental health, self-esteem, body image, and quality of life; it can also limit motivation to engage in health-related behaviours, and contribute to disordered eating.

Shared on behalf of Dr. Miranda Lesperance, Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion

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I am pleased to announce Leona Kakepetum as our new Interim Manager, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion, effective August 9, 2023 and ending August 31, 2024.

Leona holds a degree in Political Science from Lakehead University and brings leadership experience working as the Interim Health Director at Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), a non-political Chiefs Council that serves Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake, and Poplar Hill First Nations. Prior to her time at Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Leona worked on the Health Transformation Team at Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), which represents 49 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.
Outside of her formal roles and education, Leona is very committed to community volunteer work. She is a member of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Board of Directors, a Transplant Ambassador, and an advocate for health.

As the Interim Manager, Leona will report to the VP, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity, and Inclusion where she will work directly with the TBRHSC Indigenous Health Hub to improve health delivery and equity outcomes for Indigenous Peoples across the organization. She will also work to advance Equity & Inclusion initiatives for other equity-deserving groups that access services at TBRHSC.

Leona is located on Level 1, Room 1480, Office 1472. She can also be reached via email leona.kakepetum@tbh.net and by phone at 684-7922 or 629-4514.

Please join me in welcoming Leona Kakepetum to our organization.

Coming to the Emergency Department (ED) can be a stressful experience. At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), we have a team of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, Indigenous Patient Navigators, medical learners, social workers, clerks and support workers dedicated to providing you and your family with safe, quality care while in our Hospital. In this series of videos, we want to introduce you to some team members you may encounter when you come into our ED.

Meet Anna, a Charge Nurse, and find out why she chooses to work in the ED at TBRHSC.

Enhanced security for GSC everywhere

Millions of Canadians access their health care through GSC everywhere. On August 21, 2023, we’re implementing a new authentication technology to ensure their journey is seamless and secure.

There are two significant changes:

1. Email addresses will replace user IDs
   Before accessing the web or mobile applications, members are required to establish their new account. Based on member feedback, this is the preferred method for login. All preferences and information from their old account will seamlessly carry over to the new one.
2. Multi-factor authentication is required to login to the web and mobile applications
   Members will receive their validation codes via email.

What are the benefits for your plan members?

• Self-serve password reset capabilities
• Better protection of personal information
• This is a key enabler for the GreenShield+ experience you have been hearing about

How and when will this impact plan members?

A message is now live on GSC everywhere advising members of the upcoming change to login credentials.
In August, users will be required to set up a new account at their next login. Users that do not proceed with the change will be unable to access the services until the change has been completed.
We appreciate your support as we improve our customer experience.

Questions? Please reach out to your account manager.

As part of our commitment to keeping staff engaged and informed on the Strategic Plan 2026, Strategy and Performance is sharing updates in alignment with the identified priorities: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Patient Experience, Staff Experience and Research, Innovation, & Learning.

The August 2nd, 2023 Operational Updates and Strategic Planning Meeting featured an update Staffing, Vacancy Reporting, & Recruitment, presented by Amy Carr, Director, Human Resources and Dawna Maria Perry, Senior Director, Nursing, Academics & Practice Excellence.

Visit the Strategic Plan 2026 page on the Hospital’s corporate intranet, where these presentations, along with other resources can be found.