Shared on behalf of Wayne Taylor, Director, Cardiovascular, Medicine & Renal Programs
We are pleased to announce that Shannan Cryer has accepted the position of Program Implementation Manager for the Cardiovascular Surgery Project. Shannan will report to the Director of Cardiovascular, Medicine & Renal Programs. In her role, Shannan will provide clinical leadership to help facilitate the achievement of key deliverables to support the major capital project of bringing Cardiovascular Surgical Services to North Western Ontario.
Shannan began working at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in 2009. She has gained valuable experience in the delivery of cardiovascular & acute stroke care as a registered nurse (RN). As a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for the cardiovascular services, Shannan enhanced her knowledge and experience in clinical program development, training & orientation specific to cardiovascular care and the advancement of nursing practice.
Shannan has played a role in contributing to the development of the Cardiovascular Surgery Program at the working group level. Shannan will bring this experience and her passion for cardiovascular care to the project team as she works alongside her clinical & capital planning colleagues from both the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the University Health Network (UHN) to help advance this project.
Please join us in welcoming Shannan to her new role which takes effect January 3, 2023.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared on Forensic Mental Health as of December 20, 2022. All restrictions are in place.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff.
As always, our number one priority is the safety of patients and their families, staff and visitors. All patients identified as having an exposure to this outbreak will require isolation with appropriate additional precautions.
The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at 684-6094.
A reminder regarding the RedCap COVID-19 Self Screening tool over the holidays. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is not on shift on the weekends and will not be on site December 26, 27 or January 2, 2023.
When completing the self-screen, please ensure you read the directions carefully.
If you do not pass when completing the screening tool, it will direct you to the next steps, which may include booking your own PCR swab at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre. OHS will follow up on the next business day.
As a reminder, please DO NOT contact OHS by phone or email following a failed screen as this results in a duplication of work. If you have a failed screen, you will also need to contact your Manager and/or Staffing per usual processes for reporting absences.
If you have any questions about the above information please contact your Manager for further information.
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping yourself and our Hospital safe.
Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
I am pleased to share my final report of 2022 to the community as Chair of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors. And the headline for 2022, in my opinion, is ‘TBRHSC Perseveres Through a Record Challenging Year”.
I know that headline may come as a surprise to some in the community as many have returned to some sense of normalcy over the past few months. However, for our frontline staff, there has been no normalcy for what is now approaching three years since the pandemic began officially in March 2020. 2022 saw a record year of COVID cases at the Hospital, which was exacerbated by the human resources challenges all hospitals are facing and then this nasty flu season we are experiencing.
So, I do encourage the community to thank their friends, family and neighbours who work as frontline healthcare workers and volunteers who have made tremendous sacrifices to help keep our community safe throughout the last year. The Board is inspired by our staff and their unwavering commitment to safe, quality, patient and family centred care. Thank you for your flexibility, resilience and for continually adjusting to each situation as challenges unfolded and continue to evolve. Moving forward, our priority as always is to work with our team, our care partners, our community and region to protect our patients and ensure that critical services are available to those who need them, while maintaining a safe workplace for all.
I mentioned our volunteers and there really is no time of year where they shine more than this time of year which emphasizes the importance of giving. December 5th is recognized as International Volunteer Day, a global celebration that highlights the contributions and positive impacts of volunteers in all areas of society. At our Hospital, volunteers clearly play an integral role. They lend their time and skills to support patients and families, and improve the way we work and provide care across the organization. We would like to take this opportunity to offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteer programs could not be a reality without the ongoing support of staff and managers – thank you for enabling our volunteers to make a difference in providing Patient and Family Centred Care at our Hospital.
In keeping with the importance of volunteers, I would like to express my appreciation on behalf of the Board and Hospital for the valuable contributions that Bonnie Pelletier has made in her Board Director position since June 2021. We very much appreciated her legal expertise and guidance throughout her time on our Board and her resignation is reluctantly accepted. We thank Bonnie for her efforts and wish her well.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the leadership of CEO Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, who just celebrated two years in the role. Taking over the head of a hospital isn’t easy at the best of times, let alone in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic. Rhonda has led with determination, endurance and grace. And with the help of her Senior Leadership Team and staff, this past year TBRHSC was among a group of select hospitals in Canada to receive the highest possible designation from Accreditation Canada, ‘Accredited with Exemplary Standing’. Exemplary Standing is Accreditation Canada’s highest designation and is awarded to an organization that has gone beyond the requirements of the accreditation program, demonstrating excellence in quality improvements. So, congratulations to Rhonda and the entire team. The community should feel confident that the Hospital has a Strategic Plan in progress and is in good hands with momentum moving forward into 2023.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, best wishes for a joyous holiday season and healthy and happy New Year ahead.
The Radiation Therapy department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has continued their annual tradition of sponsoring a family through the Children’s Aid Society’s holiday hamper program.
Special thanks to Michelle Gale for organizing the donations for the last 16 years.
Members of the Radiation Therapy team have demonstrated their true spirit of the holiday season by giving to those in need. The team’s generosity will undoubtedly help ensure this family has a very special holiday season.
Dr. Christopher Mushquash Part of Team Nationally Recognized for Contributions to Clinical Psychology
A local clinical psychologist is part of the team led by Dr. Martin Drapeau (Lead Researcher, McGill University) and Dr. Maxine Holmqvist (Lead Clinician, University of Manitoba) that has been nationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to the practice and profession of clinical psychology by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
Dr. Christopher Mushquash is a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, Professor at Lakehead University and NOSM University, Vice-President of Research at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Chief Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI).
He was part of the team awarded the 2022 CPA Clinical Section Award for Clinical Excellence for their work developing the Best Practices in Psychology Portal.
The Best Practices in Psychology Portal is an online hub for psychologists and trainees in psychology across Canada. The portal connects research and practice by providing the latest evidence-based resources, information, and tools.
The portal contains videos that allow psychologists and trainees to learn from other clinicians, researchers, and students, and the ability to download tools and measures that can be implemented in clinical practice. Dr. Mushquash contributed to the development of a video resource discussing considerations for when applying evidence-based psychological practice with Indigenous people.
“It was an honour to be a part of the development of the Best Practices in Psychology Portal, and for the work to be awarded by the CPA,” said Dr. Mushquash. “This online resource for psychologists and trainees allows them to view examples and considerations for incorporating the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice and clinical tools into clinical work, so that they in turn can provide the best possible care to their patients.”
“Dr. Mushquash is a true champion for culturally and contextually appropriate mental health and addiction services for First Nations peoples, and for individuals living in rural and northern communities,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of TBRHRI. “Congratulations to him and the team for all their incredible work.”
“Congratulations to Dr. Mushquash and his team for being recognized as this year’s winner of the CPA Clinical Section Award for Clinical Excellence,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
“The development of the portal for clinical psychologists is unique and very forward thinking. Providing tools and resources through this method will allow for appropriate and current resources for practicing psychologists. The team and Dr. Mushquash truly are worthy recipients for this important award,” added Dr. Dean.
The CPA is a national association for the science, practice and education of psychology in Canada. This not-for profit organization is Canada’s largest professional association for psychology and has more than 7,000 members and affiliates. Each year, the CPA honours clinical psychologists who advance the understanding and amelioration of suffering and the promotion of psychological wellness with the Clinical Section Award for Clinical Excellence.
On December 13th and 14th, our renal dietitian team distributed the annual holiday food hampers to hemodialysis patients at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and La Verendrye Health Centre in Fort Frances.
The food hampers provide a variety of safe and healthy foods to patients who are on hemodialysis. Patients on hemodialysis must follow a strict diet which limits their food options and can make meal planning difficult, especially during the holidays. The dietitian team works closely with patients in the renal program to ensure they are educated on how to follow a healthy renal diet. The hampers allow patients to both enjoy a safe meal while learning to put this theory into practice.
Renal Services would like to thank the Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture, My-Pride FARM the RFDA Thunder Bay Regional Food Distribution Association and its dedicated volunteers, as well as the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Renal Patient Fund for their support in making this project possible.
To make a donation to support the renal Christmas hampers, please visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca and direct it specifically to the Renal Patient Fund.
In anticipation of our upcoming Employee Recognition Week (ERW) 2023, we are shining a spotlight on some of our local supporters. Today we are featuring our friends at 3Ride Bicycle Co, who recognize our staff with 10% off all products and services excluding bicycles.
Our friends at 3Ride Bicycle Co. can be found at 251 Red River Road, Unit 25.
For more information on our upcoming Employee Recognition Week, taking place February 26 – March 3, 2023, contact Madeline Reinikka at madeline.reinikka@tbh.net or extension 6221.
Shared on behalf of Peter Myllymaa, VP, Operations, Clinical & Support Services and Chief Financial Officer
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Thompson as the Director of Support Services effective immediately.
Reporting to myself, Phil will be responsible for a busy and complex portfolio, overseeing the direction and operation of Material Distribution, Housekeeping, Laundry and Linen Services, Portering, Nutrition Food Services and Medical Device Reprocessing.
Phil is well known to staff at the Hospital, most recently as the Manager of Material Distribution for TBRHSC and SJCG, a role he has held since 2012. Phil brings to the Director role tremendous knowledge and strong leadership with his thirty-four years of experience working within the health care environment. Phil’s focus on customer service, collaboration and team building will be an asset to our team.
Phil is a graduate of the Humber College Institute of Technology and previous to working at the Hospital, he was employed as the Director of Technical Services for AGFA Canada HealthCare Inc. and General Manager of Central Zone Technical Service for AGFA HealthCare U.S.
Please join me in congratulating Phil and wishing him well in this new role.
