Shared on behalf of Chad Johnson, Manager, Critical Care Services
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Bruno Tassone as the Coordinator, Critical Care and Respiratory Services, effective February 13, 2023.
Reporting to the Critical Care Services manager, Bruno will be responsible for the establishment and implementation of Critical Care and Respiratory Services operational priorities that promote the efficient delivery of quality patient care.
Bruno is well known to the staff and professional staff at TBRHSC. For the past seven years, Bruno has been an Interprofessional Educator (IPE) where he has had the opportunity to be involved with many initiatives, such as the opening of the Ibn Sina Simulation Centre and the development and implementation of the COVID-19 pandemic response related education.
Within our organization, prior to his role as an IPE, Bruno was a staff respiratory therapist, professional practice lead for the Respiratory Services, and for two years the acting coordinator.
Please join me in congratulating Bruno and wishing him well in his new role.
During his two month stay in the Hospital, Michael organized ’40 in 40’, a fundraiser to raise $40,000 in 40 days, with all funds going towards treatment and supports for patients with head and neck cancers at the Cancer Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
When Michael was diagnosed with cancer, he was fortunate that he had people to talk to. They helped him prepare for the road ahead. Today, he shares his story in hopes of inspiring and helping others who may be going through a similar experience.
Michael’s cancer journey started with a sore on his tongue. It felt like a canker sore but it wasn’t going away. When he brought it to the attention of his family physician, Michael was sent for a series of biopsies. After two inconclusive tests, the third one gave him the answer – it was tongue cancer.
Michael’s heath care team took immediate action. The following week, he was on his way to Toronto for a consultation with his surgeon. Surgery was booked for two weeks later, which would remove part of his tongue (replaced with a graft) and lymph nodes on the right side of his neck. When he returned home to Thunder Bay, he had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Due to severe side effects from treatment, Michael had to be hospitalized.
During his two month stay in the Hospital, Michael organized ’40 in 40’, a fundraiser to raise $40,000 in 40 days, in support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Northern Cancer Fund with all funds going towards treatment and supports for patients with head and neck cancers. He sold tickets to Hospital staff while a team of others, including his family, friends, and colleagues collected donations from the community.
“Thunder Bay and its residents became so involved,” Michael reminisced. “I didn’t realize I had so much support; so many stepped forward to help.”
As a well-known hairdresser in the community, it was fitting that the fundraiser ended with a hair show featuring hairstyles through the decades. The fundraiser was a success and raised over $100,000.
Throughout his cancer journey, Michael was able to maintain a positive mindset. He able to stay positive thanks to the support he received from his wife, Rose, and the nurses and physicians at the Cancer Centre. Family and friends also played a big part in his recovery. “Some people sit in that chemo chair and lose hope,” Michael said. “I believe your attitude makes a huge difference in your recovery. My brother, uncle and close friends came to the Hospital often to play cards with me and try to keep my hopes up. I had many dark moments and people helped me push through. Don’t push them away – your family and friends will help you move forward.”
Michael has been cancer-free since March of 2014 but since then has been diagnosed with Capillary Lymphatic Syndrome and Cushing’s disease. He is receiving treatment for both of these conditions but remains in good spirits.
“I’m always worried – even though I am cancer free. I use all the possible ammunition in my repertoire to be healthy,” Michael shared. “I lift weights and ride my spin bike daily and I follow a plant-based diet.”
By sharing his cancer journey story, Michael is bringing attention to head and neck cancers so that individuals are aware of the signs and symptoms and can catch cancer early.
It’s the start of Resident Doctor Appreciation Week! This week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of who medical residents are, and acknowledge the critical role they have here at TBRHSC.
Resident doctors have completed medical school and work at hospitals or at physician clinics to continue their education and training in a specialized field of medicine. A resident may work like this for two to five years, a period known as residency.
Throughout the week, we hope that students, faculty, and staff will reflect on the significant contribution that residents make to the lives of our patients, while training students and gaining new knowledge themselves. Our residents are shaping the future of medicine, and for that we sincerely thank them.
If you see a resident this week, stop and say thank you……you’ll know who they are by the green lanyards they wear.
Read our daily posts and take a few moments to complete this staff quiz for your chance to win a prize! All those completed by noon on Friday, February 10 will be entered in the draw.
Wellness Together Canada presents MindWell for Health Care Workers.
MindWell for Health Care Workers is an online learning experience designed to teach you the tools to feel confident and capable, remain calm amidst chaos and build resilience and well-being.
Short, simple, and effective lessons are provided in four weekly modules designed to give you maximum results in the least amount of time. These modules can be completed at your own pace.
February is Heart Month, and we want to use this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary team of health care workers at our Hospital who provide world-class cardiovascular care to patients and their families across Northwestern Ontario.
The Cardiovascular and Stroke Unit (2C) at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre provides inpatient and outpatient care to the cardiovascular and stroke patients in our region. The unit is made up of 36 inpatient beds, 24 of which are cardiovascular and medical care beds and 12 of which are regional stroke care beds. This unit is a fast paced unit with patients having many tests done.
The regional stroke unit beds on 2C are cared for by a team of stroke specialists including specially trained Registered Nurses, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, and Neurologists. This team works together to provide excellent stroke care for our patients in the hospital who are having a stroke, receiving treatment to treat a stroke, or are recovering from a stroke. This team works collaboratively to support a network of hospitals in our region, optimizing care for our community.
2C’s cardiovascular and medicine beds are cared for by Registered Nurses who have undergone special training to care for cardiovascular patients. Cardiovascular patients include those who have had a cardiac event, require further tests and observation, or are waiting for or recovering from cardiovascular surgery, among other things. 2C works very closely with the Cardiac Catheterization Lab who perform tests and interventions on many of their patients.
In addition to 2C’s 36 inpatient beds, there are an additional six beds in our angioplasty recovery unit. This unit is an outpatient care area where patients are cared for after having angioplasty procedures. Patients from our hospital and our region will undergo extra monitoring after angioplasty until the following day when they will go home or fly back to their home hospital.
2C’s specially trained team works 24hrs a day and 365 days a year to support cardiovascular and stroke patients in our community and for that we are thankful. Thank you 2C for your hard work, dedication and compassion.
Sent on behalf of Peter Myllymaa, Vice President, Operations, Clinical and Support Services and CFO.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Sears as the Director of Capital and Facility Services effective February 13, 2023.
Reporting to myself, Ryan will be responsible for a busy and complex portfolio, overseeing the direction and operation of Capital Planning, Biomedical Services, Maintenance, Facilities Services and Emergency Preparedness, Security and Switchboard.
Ryan brings to the Director role tremendous knowledge and leadership with over ten years of experience in project and contract management in the public infrastructure and manufacturing industries. Prior to joining Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Ryan worked at Tetra Tech Canada as a Mechanical/Project Engineer and at Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. as an Industrial Project Engineer. Ryan’s focus on continuous improvement, team coordination and strategic thinking will be an asset to our team.
Ryan is a Professional Engineer, a Masters of Business Administration graduate from Laurentian University and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering graduate from Lakehead University.
Please join me in congratulating Ryan and wishing him well in this new role.
I’d also like to thank Allan Korol for supporting the portfolio and providing interim coverage for this role.
