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(Via tbnewswatch.com)
St. Joseph’s Care Group and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre have both agreed to require all 5,900 employees of the two institutions take the Wake the Giant virtual Indigenous and Inclusivity training.
Staff at both Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Care Group will have to undertake mandatory Wake the Giant Indigenous cultural and diversity training.
The 30-minute online session was developed in part to teach employees at both organizations create more inclusive spaces, free of racism and welcoming Indigenous Peoples with open arms.
Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, president and CEO at Thunder Bay Regional, said the program was a perfect fit for the hospital, which in the past has faced accusations of incidents of poor treatment of Indigenous Peoples.
The hospital needs to do better, she said, adding the organization has made it a priority to address equity, diversity and inclusion at the Health Sciences Centre and heard loud and clear last year the importance of all three.
“We heard many, many stories about how we could be better,” Crocker Ellacott said. “And we know we can do better. We know we want to create an organization and an environment where people feel culturally safe, where their wishes are respected and overall, we’re able to create an exceptional care experience for every patient, every time, leading to that as our new vision.
Crocker Ellacott said understanding and learning about Indigenous history and traditions, culture and what individuals have had to endure will go a long way to realizing that vision.
“We learn more from failures than we do from successes many, many times. And by hearing about these stories and understanding what individual’s situations are, it will certainly help us to be able to relate better, create a more open organization that is culturally safe and understanding of Indigenous People,” she said.
Kelli O’Brien, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group, said 2,200 employees will be expected to take part in the training effort, saying its part of their process as they walk with humility to create a culture where everyone feels welcome and receive care with respect and dignity.
“We made it mandatory to signal our commitment to this work … This really is just in line with that commitment. We spent a number of years build the foundation, to be able to be prepared to take that step today,” O’Brien said.
The program was developed by Northern Nishnawbe Education Council leaders, with the collaboration of elders, knowledge keepers, educators and the Wake the Giant committee, along with support from health-care partners.
It took more than two years to put together and is expected to be taken up by 5,900 employees combined at the two institutions when it becomes mandatory training on April 1.
In addition to helping enrollees identify racism and engaging in anti-Indigenous racism strategies, the training also includes information to help understand the harm left behind by colonialism, the residential school system, the Sixties Scoop and Indian hospitals.
Upon completion of the course, employees and volunteers at Thunder Bay Regional and St. Joseph’s Care Group will receive a special decal to place on their employee badge, a signal to patients and guests that they’ve gone through the module.
Dobi-Dawn Frenette, the director of education at NNEC, said it’s important for the city of Thunder Bay to do everything it can to partner together to ensure Indigenous People have voices in the spaces they need to access for services.
“Working with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the St. Joseph’s Care Group could be very monumental in terms of the client services and patient services that could be available to people and their families, in particular ensuring that marginalized people feel they have a voice when they’re coming into access health-care services.”
Frenette said there’s no reason the training could not be rolled out to other large- and medium-sized businesses in the very near future.
Today, Wake the Giant, joined by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and St. Joseph’s Care Group, introduced a new way to learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples and anti-Indigenous racism strategies.
Wake the Giant Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training provides an online learning experience to support businesses, companies and organizations in creating more inclusive spaces, free of racism, where Indigenous People are welcome.
The training course was developed by Northern Nishnawbe Education Council leaders in collaboration with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, the Wake the Giant committee, and support from healthcare partners. The training has been in development since early 2021.
The online training module will become mandatory for all staff at TBRHSC and St. Joseph’s Care Group as of April 1, 2023. Participants will learn to identify racism and engage in anti-Indigenous racism strategies while exploring Indigenous history, culture, and traditions. The training also includes a wealth of crucial information that help to understand the harmful processes of colonization in Canada, including the residential school system, the 60’s Scoop, and Indian hospitals. This approach will incorporate assessment quizzes, a complete glossary of ‘need to know’ terminology, videos, and case study scenarios.
Over 5,900 employees and volunteers from the healthcare organizations are expected to participate in the training by March 2025. Upon successful completion, each participant will receive a special Wake the Giant decal for their employee badge. The decals will be visible to patients, students, and others to help identify that staff have completed the training.
“Health professionals have an opportunity to be the first positive experience Indigenous Peoples have in Thunder Bay. Students have indicated that hospitals can be very triggering. Our hope is that having the Wake the Giant symbol worn by staff will help students and their families feel more at ease, as the training will support individuals to be more receptive and empathetic to the challenges that Indigenous Peoples face, particularly when they come to the healthcare organizations for help,” explained Greg Chomut, Wake the Giant Co-Founder and Committee Member.
“Our frontline staff are committed to providing the best possible health care experience for everyone in Northwestern Ontario, and as such have been asking for this kind of Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of TBRHSC, and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “This partnership is much needed and long overdue, and I am hopeful it will help our region further establish itself as a national leader in this regard.”
“The Wake the Giant Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training will help our staff to better serve our community and bring us forward in a good way. We remain committed to continually working with community partners in developing our Hospital as a more culturally inclusive, safe space,” said Dr. Miranda Lesperance, Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion at TBRHSC.
“Relationships are the root of community because they are founded in mutual respect and understanding. St. Joseph’s Care Group is honoured that the students and staff of Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School have entrusted us as partners in Wake the Giant,” said Kelli O’Brien, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Care Group. “Through their guidance, in harmony with our own journey of Walking With Humility, we are committed to a healthcare system where Indigenous Peoples can expect to be welcomed with respect in an environment that supports care for body, mind and spirit through traditional healing and spaces for ceremony.”
“As people, we are always learning and growing. When discussions began about participating in Wake the Giant, we knew this would be a good fit with the goals outlined in our Walking with Humility plans,” said Paul Francis Jr., Director of Indigenous Relations, St. Joseph’s Care Group. “Through ongoing education, relationship building and commitment to Truth & Reconciliation, we hope that all our sites and programs will help combat racism and discrimination, so that Indigenous Peoples accessing our services or who work at St. Joseph’s Care Group are respected and feel safe.”
The training module also continues resources that encourage each participant to further their understanding and role to prevent racism event after the course is complete. Wake the Giant was a movement created to provide the Thunder Bay community with awareness and tools to better respond to racism and help celebrate the enduring cultural diversity of Indigenous Peoples. The training will be incorporated into the Wake the Giant Decal Program, which has over 350 local businesses and organizations involved to date.
“Wake the Giant is committed to continue to engage in the important work of challenging racism to create a more welcoming and inclusive city. We know Indigenous Peoples face a wide array of barriers and challenges, and this is an opportunity for people to invest in capabilities that will help individuals and organizations thrive on being better – to create meaningful change and help continue to build a more vibrant and supportive community,” said AJ Haapa, Wake the Giant Co-Founder and Committee Member.
The fourth installment of the Wake the Giant Music Festival will be held in Thunder Bay on September 16th, 2023. Details are expected in early spring. For further information on the Wake the Giant Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training, please visit www.wakethegiant.ca or email info@wakethegiant.ca. The Wake the Giant Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training is supported by Canadian Heritage and the Government of Ontario.
Order through the Hospital’s iNtranet today at https://erw-recognition.tbrhsc.net/.
(Reposted from SJCG’s website)
This past week, on Friday, February 10th, St. Joseph’s Care Group’s Centre for Applied Health Research hosted the 19th annual Showcase of Health Research. Organizations from across the city of Thunder Bay came together to discuss new and emerging health research at the Showcase, which continues to be the premier annual event for the dissemination of research relevant to the health of Northwestern Ontarians. Bringing together professionals, students and researchers from organizations such as Lakehead University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and St. Joseph’s Care Group, participants had the chance to engage other healthcare professionals and researchers exploring important topics in our community.
This year’s event showcased research from 22 different organizations, including 7 oral presentations and over 25 poster presentations. Topics included “Supporting Elders Living with Frailty in Remote Indigenous Communities in Northwestern Ontario: Implementing the Role of a Community Rehabilitation Worker,” “Everyone Is a Leader: How Plural Leadership is Enacted By, Between, and Among Long-Term Care Workers,” and “Changes in Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Presentations as a Result of COVID-19: A Study of Primary Care Practices in Northern Ontario.” With over 200 registered attendees, we are excited to see the event’s continued engagement each and every year.
“We’ve come a long way from the first research showcase in 2006, which took place on the third floor of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital (LPH),” said Kelli O’Brien, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group. “At the time, we had 8 oral presentations, but only 17 posters and under 50 attendees. It’s events like these that provide critical opportunities to highlight research done in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario that will help us meet our goals of providing committed, evidence-informed, client-centred care.”
During the event, participants not only had the opportunity to learn about new and emerging research projects, but to discuss with others how to incorporate research into clinical practice and network and develop research partnerships. One such partnership allowed local high school students from St. Patrick’s High School to attend the event and discover the opportunities that await them in healthcare research. The students were all Health & Wellness Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs), a program that prepares them for future careers in the health and wellness sector. Excited minds inspire others, and this was definitely the central focus of the day.
Thank you to all the presenters, researchers, organizers and attendees for making this year’s Centre for Applied Health Research Showcase an event to remember. Special thanks to Hillary Maxwell, Sacha Dubois, and Dr. Michel Bédard for hosting another exceptional event that allows individuals to learn, grow, and continue providing the best healthcare we can.
To learn more about the Centre for Applied Health Research, please visit their website at www.cahr.sjcg.net.
For more information, please contact:
Hillary Maxwell
Research Coordinator
St. Joseph’s Care Group
Telephone: (807) 343-2431 ext. 2107
Email: Hillary.Maxwell@tbh.net
Shared on behalf of Jennifer Pugliese – Director, Information Technology
I am excited to announce that Cora Rouillard has accepted the position of Manager Information Technology Support as part of the shared Informatics team for St. Joseph’s Care Group & Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, effective March 13, 2023.
Reporting to myself, Cora will be responsible for providing leadership over the daily operations of the Help Desk and Desktop Support teams for St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the hospitals in Northwestern Ontario.
Cora brings more than 20 years of IT & leadership experience, evidenced by her ability to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers. We have no doubt she will continue to brilliantly represent our team as out Manager of IT Support.
I hope you will join me in congratulating Cora and wishing her the best of luck in her new role!
Shared on behalf of Adrianno Copetti – Director, Information Systems & Application Support
I am pleased to announce that Jamie Robertson has accepted the position of Manager Information Systems as part of the shared Informatics team for St. Joseph’s Care Group & Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, effective March 13, 2023.
Reporting to myself, Jamie will be responsible for providing leadership of a number of software support systems for St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the hospitals in Northwestern Ontario.
Jamie brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership with over 20 years experience in software support & implementation, project management and leadership roles. Jamie’s recent experiences include Project Manager at Health e(fx) and Manager of Application Services at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Please join me in congratulating Jamie and wishing him well in this new role.
Shared on behalf of Andrea Raynak, Director, Nursing Practice
I am pleased to announce that Alisha Tokar has accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology.
Alisha graduated from Lakehead University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has spent the majority of her career within the Cardiology & Stroke Department beginning with the 2C in-patient unit, to providing post percutaneous coronary intervention care, and additionally, transitioning to the Regional Stroke Unit. Alisha also has experience working as a CNS, as she has been fulfilling the temporary Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network role. Lastly, she also is affiliated with Lakehead University, serving as a Clinical Instructor for all year levels.
Alisha is enrolled in a Masters of Science in Nursing through Aspen University with a focus in Nursing Education.
Alisha believes in, and values, interprofesional collaboration, team work and compassionate care for patients, and furthermore, within collegial relations- this attributes will support her immensely in the CNS role and associated competencies.
Outside of work, she enjoys travelling with her family.
Please join me in welcoming Alisha to the role.
Shared on behalf of Andrea Raynak – Director, Nursing Practice
I am pleased to announce that Emma MacKenzie has accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Vascular Access.
Emma graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and will be completing her Master of Science in Nursing- APN Specialization this spring from the University of Ottawa.
The bulk of her career has been spent in Critical Care in which she worked in the Intensive Care Unit, providing holistic and comprehensive care for a wide range of complex and acutely ill patients. Within this role, she also worked on the Medical Emergency Management Team and the Regional Critical Care Response Team. She believes in, and recognizes the importance of, furthering her knowledge and clinical skill set, as evidenced by her formal and informal education and leadership activities. Furthermore, Emma is affiliated with Lakehead University and Oshki-Wenjack in the capacity of a Clinical Instructor and Contract Lecturer.
The aforementioned experiences will provide a great foundation for Emma’s success in the Clinical Nurse Specialist role and its associated competencies.
When not at work, she enjoys reading, baking, camping, and any outdoor activities.
Please join me in welcoming Emma to the role.