Ontario saw fewer forest fires this year than the 10-year average, and only a fraction of what we experienced during last summer’s record setting fire season (see graphic below). Last year, drought conditions made the ground almost four times more receptive to lightning strikes that could spark fires; meanwhile, this year some regions had snow into May!

There have nonetheless been significant forest fires this season and it continues to be important to proactively refresh ourselves on our Code Grey – Air Exclusion (EMER-10) policy, which can be triggered by wildfire smoke.

See the attached Code Grey – Air Exclusion Safety Huddle for more information.

A reminder that Family CARE Grant applications due in one week (October 21).

The Volunteer Association/Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants are here to help you – the family of health care providers that make the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre the excellent facility it is. Family CARE grants can be used to improve the care you give every day. Listen for patient and family suggestions when brainstorming ideas. Initiatives that improve the care we can provide benefit us all!

Please see the application form attached below. Please submit application to Sarah Miniaci in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation office by October 21, 2022, 4:00pm to room 2232 (Foundation President’s Office)

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Miniaci, Executive Coordinator at ext. 7276 or visit room 2232.

October 9 – 15 is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the passion, persistence and dedication to patient care that our Emergency Department and trauma nurses display every single day. This team of health care professionals focus on the immediate care of patients who require medical attention to avoid long-term disability or death. It is a complex role, treating the trigger event for the emergency visit as well as communicating with the patient, the families, and the care team. This front-line role is very people-centered, not only physically but emotionally too. People in emergency situations often feel distraught and upset. So, the emergency nurse must treat the emotions as well as the emergency medical issue. It can be chaotic, especially if the cause of the visit is a violent incident. Please join us in thanking our emergency nurses for their tremendous contributions to patient care in our community.

As a part of Employee Recognition, a variety of businesses in Thunder Bay offer discounts on purchases or services to employees of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

They have been compiled into a list known as the Affinity List. This list is being continuously updated; the most recent addition being an offer from Downtown Fitness. See poster below for more details. You can view the full TBRHSC Affinity List here.

To provide instructions to staff in the event of a fire alarm, smoke, or fire, the Hospital maintains our Code Red – Fire (EMER-30) policy to safeguard lives and reduce property damage. See attached safety huddle for more information on fire safety at the Hospital.

Halloween is a peak time of year for spooky celebrations and activities, but it also presents some truly scary fire safety hazards. As the holiday nears, let’s all review some simple precautions that can help ensure the holiday remains festively fun. See the attached Halloween fire safety sheet for more information.

We’re encouraging you to get active by taking part in the TBay on the Move Sit Less, Move More Challenge. The challenge runs the entire month of October. Sign up now at https://tbayonthemove.ca/challenges/.

Join our Hospital’s team for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Fresh Air Experience.

Below are the steps you need to take to get active in this challenge and join our Hospital’s team.

Step 1: Sign up.

Click the sign up button in the top right corner of the website and start by creating your profile.

Step 2: Find your team.
After you sign up, you will search your workplace, ‘Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’ (start typing Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and it should appear in the list as an option). Select ‘Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’ to join the team.

Step 3: Track your progress.
You can track your move minutes at any time in your profile. Just select the date and enter the time moved throughout your work day and your progress will be tracked.

For more information, contact Samantha.Morris@tbh.net

Frankie was a Dietary Aid that worked in Nutrition and Food Services. He passed away on October 5, 2022. As the flag is lowered to half mast on October 14, we celebrate the life of one of our colleagues. Our deepest Sympathy to the Cicchitano Family. Rest in Peace Frankie.

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(Obituary as shared by Sargent and Son)

It is with broken hearts that the family of Frankie Cicchitano announce his sudden passing on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

Proud parents, Dino and Shawna Cicchitano, joyfully welcomed their beautiful baby boy on April 26, 1996. Frankie was known to light up a room with his smile and his unforgettable laugh was contagious. He was described by all as somebody who went out of their way to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or share words of encouragement. No matter the struggles that Frankie endured, he always remained a sweet, gentle soul.

Frankie was born and raised in Thunder Bay, ON. He attended St. Pius X Elementary School where he met some of his lifelong friends. He was often found playing road hockey on Kuznier Cres, playing unhealthy amounts of golf at the Thunder Bay Country Club or baking his favourite chocolate chip cookies with his Nonna. After graduating from St. Ignatius High School, Frankie went on to complete his Bachelor of Science. He then continued his education by taking courses to obtain his mutual funds licence and designation to pursue his career as a Financial Services Representative with CIBC. Frankie not only loved the job, but he especially loved his work family. He quickly excelled in his position, and most recently received a promotion to a managerial position at the Arthur St location.

Frankie was always on the go. He not only worked at the bank, but for years he also held a second job at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre working as a Dietary Aid. He could also be found spending his early mornings or late evenings in the gym, weekends at Loon Lake with his girlfriend, Hayley, and her family and Sundays making carb sandwiches at the “kids table” at our weekly family gatherings. Family was extremely important to him, that included his little fur babies Sammy, Marley, and Louie.

Frankie will be missed dearly and always remembered by his father Dino Cicchitano, sister Sara Cicchitano & brother in law Brennan Longpre, girlfriend Hayley Biggs & family, grandparents Sam & Mary Cicchitano, aunt & uncle Linda & Peter Kibzey, great aunt & uncle Gina and Gordon Sutton, cousins Ashley & Stephanie Kibzey, and countless caring aunts, uncles, and second cousins. He will be fondly remembered by his friends near and far. Frankie is predecesed by his beautiful mother Shawna Cicchitano.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral celebrated by Msgr. P.M. Stilla. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honour of Frankie to St Joseph’s Foundation. Donations will be directed to the Sister Margaret Smith Centre helping those struggling with addiction. Donations can be made via phone or online. Those unable to attend the service in person may attend via livestream through the Sargent & Son Facebook page. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

To send flowers to the family of Frankie Cicchitano, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.