CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINEES

Exceptional number of nominations from the community a heart-warming show of support for local business

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The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a remarkable 76 nominations for this year’s Annual Business Awards of Excellence sponsored by Bell.

The themed event Celebrating the Rock Stars of the Business Community is scheduled for Thursday, May 26th at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Event information and registration is available at www.tbchamber.ca

“Every nomination we receive is a show of support for a Chamber Member. Being nominated is an honour in itself – it means the community sees what a business contributes, appreciates it, and wants it to succeed. Receiving so many nominations at a time when businesses have been struggling is incredibly heart-warming,” said Charla Robinson, President.  “Every one of our nominees is a rock star.”

The nominees are as follows:

Large Business Excellence Sponsored by BDO Canada LLP
Levaero Aviation
NorWest Community Health Centres
TD

Medium Business Excellence Sponsored by Weiler Maloney Nelson
99.9 The Bay and Country 105, Acadia Broadcasting Company
Dutchak Scrap Metal Ltd
Gibson Mechanical
Jones Insurance
Red Lion Smokehouse
Rutter Urban Forestry
Superior Strategies Inc.
Teleco

Small Business Excellence Sponsored by Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission
North Superior Art Therapy Services
Rent Panda
Sail Superior
Shumka Dust
The Creative Company

Business Person of the Year Sponsored by OLG
Erin Beagle, Roots to Harvest
Penny Belluz, Teleco
Paul Fitzpatrick, MNP LLP
Gary Mack & Alan Forbes, Bay Village Coffee
John Murray, Red Lion Smokehouse
Michael Nitz, TD
Danny Thompson, George’s Market
Jason Thompson, Superior Strategies Inc.

Clean, Green & Beautiful Sponsored by City of Thunder Bay
EcoSuperior Environmental Programs
Goods & Co. Market
The Refill Co.
The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre
Ungalli Clothing Co.

Customer Service Sponsored by TD
Fountain Tire (Thunder Bay) LTD
Jones Insurance
Lullaby’s
The Creative Company
Tomlin Restaurant

Game Changer Sponsored by Synergy North
Anishinabek Employment and Training Services
Boomer’s Drive In / Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment
Border Giant Inc.
Dew Drop Inn Thunder Bay
Matawa First Nations Management (Four Rivers Environmental Services Group)
On The Links
Salonki Hair Salon & Ethnic Beauty Supply
Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology
The Elleiance Network
The Wedding Directory Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation

Looking Good Sponsored by Tbaytel
EcoSuperior Environmental Programs
Goods & Co. Market

New Business Excellence Sponsored by Nuclear Waste Management Organization
Border Giant Inc.
CSL Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd.
Dorset Pier Mental Health
Lullaby’s
On The Links
Sociable Thunder Bay
Superior Bakes Inc.

Not For Profit ExcellenceSponsored by Impala Canada Limited
Evergreen a United Neighbourhood
NorWest Community Health Centres
St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay
The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre
Thunder Bay Multicultural Association
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
United Way of Thunder Bay

Quality of Life Sponsored by Enbridge
Carolyn Weiss Dental Hygiene Clinic & Mobile Services Inc.
Chartwell Retirement Residence – Glacier Ridge
Evergreen a United Neighbourhood
Kelly Mental Health
St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay
The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre
Westfort Foods

Young Entrepreneur Sponsored by OPG
Natalie Carrier, Lullaby’s
Rachel Chernosky, Art In Motion Dance School
Aaron Gillingham, East Coast Lobster/The Sal
Bree & Hailey Hollinsworth, Ungalli Clothing Co.
Scotia-Leigh Kauppi, Sweet Cherry Spa
Kaija Saarinen, Green and Gone Pest Solutions
Maya Saggar, Impact Learning
Richard Togman, Rent Panda

The 2022 Business Excellence Awards presented by Bell take place at The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Thursday May 26, 2022.
Register today!

The move preserves a regional office in the north and strengthens procurement for Northern Ontario health care providers and Children’s Aid agencies across the province

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Mohawk Medbuy Corporation’s (MMC) purchase of Northern Supply Chain (NSC) has received robust approval from all NSC Members. Both organizations have been committed to continuing a strong presence in the region to focus on services for 33 Northern Ontario hospitals and other health care providers. As part of the acquisition, MMC will maintain a Regional Office in Thunder Bay, supported by the former NSC staff. Northern Supply Chain also provides sourcing assistance to the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and their respective membership of 50 child welfare agencies across the province. Continuing that support to OACAS agencies following the acquisition is a priority of MMC.

MMC and NSC are not-for-profit entities that have enjoyed a long-term, collaborative relationship providing valuedriven procurement services to health care providers and other public sector agencies. The two organizations also have numerous Members in common, which will now benefit from access to additional value-added services.

“We have great esteem for NSC and are excited at the prospect of continuing to support Northern Ontario hospitals and OACAS through this process,” said Karen Berti, Chief Integration & Customer Experience Officer & VP, Accounts Payable of MMC. “By bringing our teams together and leveraging that collective scale and expertise through common sourcing, analytics and IT platforms, we can bring additional value and services to health care and child welfare organizations in the province.”

Northern Supply Chain’s decision to move forward with Mohawk Medbuy was informed by a private-sector thirdparty review and approved by NSC’s Steering Committee. This positive step forward for the two organizations reinforces Canada’s health care supply chain and ensures a continued regional presence in Northern Ontario. It also supports the objective of the Ontario Government to consolidate procurement activities. “The positive and collaborative working relationship that NSC has had with MMC created the platform to move forward.” said Peter Myllymaa, EVP of Corporate Services and Operations of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “We look forward to continued collaboration and further enhancements that will drive additional value for the supply chain, and in particular, to meet the needs of patients and families in Northern Ontario.”

About Mohawk Medbuy

Mohawk Medbuy is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization that supports hundreds of hospitals and non-acute care providers in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Manitoba, and the Yukon. MMC provides efficient, cost-effective procurement of medical/surgical supplies, pharmaceutical products, capital equipment and food/nutrition solutions, as well as warehousing and logistics, accounts payable and linen services. The Burlington-based organization also has offices in London and Brantford and a linen facility in Hamilton.

About Northern Supply Chain

Northern Supply Chain (NSC) was established in 2011 to drive cost efficiencies and standardization for health care in the North. The not-for-profit organization is one of the largest regional shared services programs in the province of Ontario based on territory served, Membership and contract spend. It comprises Member hospitals and child welfare agencies, along with many customers and associate Members.

Shared on behalf of Terri Gurney, Manager Cardiac Cath Lab, Visiting Clinics and Pacemaker Clinic

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Kathy is joining her husband Bruce Bogacki in the “every day is a Saturday” club on April 22, 2022. Bruce retired from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) last June, so Bruce’s life of freedom will be changing soon!   

Kathy has enjoyed a long and varied career in nursing. Kathy trained in Toronto and has worked in Toronto and Ajax, and here in Thunder Bay at Port Arthur General Hospital (PAGH) Med/Surg Units, PAGH ICU (1988 – 1997), McKellar Hospital ICU (1997-2001), TBRHSC’s ICU (2001 – 2008) and then to the Cardiac Cath Lab (2008- 2019).  

Kathy then took on the role of Cardiac Surgery Coordinator – a position she has greatly enhanced with her ability to build relationships and processes.  Kathy ensured that each inpatient and their family had a visit from her because she knows how scary and complicated this experience can be.

The cardiovascular partnership of University Health Network (UHN) and TBRHSC developed during Kathy’s tenure as Cardiac Surgery Coordinator. Kathy is a people person which has proved invaluable as she has made many friends and forged many collaborative relationships with the various triage nurses and cardiac surgeons at UHN. 

Kathy has always been a strong advocate for the profession of nursing and has served in various leadership capacities within the Ontario Nursing Association (ONA).  Kathy will be transferring all the energy she put towards her nursing career to her many friends and family: Joel, Jessy, daughter-in-law Nikki and grandson Benny. Don’t look for Kathy and Bruce sitting on the deck of their camp in Fort Frances. They will be hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, boating and whatever else sport they can find.  

You will be missed Kathy! We wish you well on the next exciting chapter of your life.

Shared on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program; and Laura Lee Barrie, Director, Surgical and Ambulatory Services

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It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Liane MacAskill. Liane’s final day will be May 31, 2022.

Liane graduated from Confederation College with a Diploma in Nursing in 1980 and began her nursing career at the Port Arthur General Hospital as a surgical staff nurse that same year. In 1989, Liane moved to the Operating Room where she spent 15 years before moving to TBRHSC in 2004 as the Perioperative Services Coordinator. In 1994 she received an Honours Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing degree from Lakehead University.

Since that time, Liane has leveraged her passion for front line patient care to guide her approach in leadership roles throughout our organization. During Liane’s tenure, she has supported our staff, patients and their families as the Manager for 3C Neurosurgery and Preadmission Clinic, the Manager of Medical Affairs, the Manager of Ambulatory Services, the Manager of 3B Surgical Services, and most recently
as the temporary Manager of 2A Medicine and the Hospital Elder Life Program.

Liane is well known throughout our hospital. Her contributions are too vast to acknowledge completely, but suffice to say her extensive experience and ongoing commitment to quality care has had a significant impact on patients across our region.

Please join us in thanking Liane, and congratulating her on 42 years of service. We wish her a well deserved retirement where she will have more time to enjoy hobbies and spend precious time with family.

Recruitment to fill this temporary management position is underway.

Shared on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program

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I am pleased to announce that Christina Whatley has accepted the position of Administrative Assistant for the Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program, effective April 11, 2022.

Christina joins the Hospital from the Canadian Mental Health Association where she has been employed since 2008, and most recently fulfilled the role of Senior Executive Assistant. In that role, Christina was responsible for providing administrative support to their Leadership Team as well as the Board of Directors.

In her new position, Christina will be responsible for supporting the Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ program. We are confident that Christina’s administrative and coordination experience, along with her strong organizational and communication skills will be a valuable asset to our team.

Please join me in welcoming Christina to this position and wishing her success in her new role. Christina will be located in the Regional Stroke Program office at 984 Oliver Road and can be reached at 807-684-6703.

Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s Program and Dr. Teresa Bruni, Medical Director, Women & Children’s Program

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We are pleased to announce that Evan Stewart has accepted the position of Coordinator, Women & Children’s Program.

Evan has been a Registered Nurse at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for the last 10 years, working as a surgical nurse on all three surgical inpatient units. During his time working with the Surgical Program, Evan had the opportunity to work as a Patient Flow Coordinator where he gained skills in patient advocacy, leadership and knowledge of community systems and processes.

Most recently, Evan has been working as a Coordinator with the Nursing Resource Team and Professional Practice. In this role, he has provided support and leadership to Unit Care Aides hired through the Extern Program working in collaboration with the Professional Practice Team and Clinical Nurse Specialists. Over the course of the last few months, Evan has been an integral part of the implementation of the PSW Model of Care on 2B Inpatient Medicine where he has successfully recruited and trained these new staff to our organization, while working with a broader team to define, develop and embed the new model of care.

Throughout his career, Evan has demonstrated his commitment to providing quality care, consistent with our core patient and family centered care values, and has continually demonstrated strong relationship building and leadership skills and we are excited to have him join our team.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Evan into his new role commencing May 9, 2022.

Oncology Nursing Day (April 5) recognizes the incredible role that oncology nurses play in our national health care system. This year’s theme is Together Again: Connection, Reflection and Celebration.

Cancer affects people of all genders, nationalities and age groups. Oncology nurses are on the front lines of care across the cancer journey, from cancer screening and prevention, diagnosis and assessment, treatment, symptom management support, survivorship, palliative and end-of-life care. They are also instrumental in health care policy and guideline development and research.

There are few specialties in the nursing profession where nurses get the privilege to practice, teach, lead and impact patients and families with an illness across the entire disease trajectory. Many nurses reflect that they don’t choose oncology nursing, but oncology nursing chooses them. Even during difficult times our patients and families motivate our oncology nurses, lift them up and challenge them. We encourage our community, region and all Canadians to join us in showing appreciation and thanks to all our oncology nurses for their commitment, passion and dedication to patient care.