Did you miss the Walk the Talk Awards ceremony? Watch it here and cheer on the winners:

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Clinical laboratory testing plays an essential role in the delivery of quality health care. In an ever-changing, complex scientific field, continued education is essential for laboratory staff to keep pace with advances in medicine and to maintain high proficiency in their work.

“Medical laboratory professionals work behind the scenes fulfilling crucial healthcare roles including performing, interpreting and reporting test results required for physicians to be able to determine diagnosis and treatment decisions,” explains Georgia Carr, Manager of Laboratory Services at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). “Close to 85% of the patient’s medical record is diagnostic test results.”

Thanks to the Dr. Douglas Rathbone Scholarship Fund, well-deserving Laboratory Services staff at TBRHSC are now being awarded funds to contribute to continuing education or professional development pertaining to the field of medical laboratory science and/or job-relevant health-related fields.

Through an endowment to honour her husband, Dr. Douglas Rathbone, Lyla Rathbone, created the Dr. Douglas Rathbone Scholarship Fund. Dr. Rathbone was a prominent Thunder Bay physician and former coroner, who valued continued education and believed there was always something more to learn.

In 2021, there were nine successful recipients of the scholarship: Chelsea Alexander, Dayna Chambers, Christina Deleo, Paula Ferguson, Kylie Gregory, Yutong Liu, Katelynn Scheuerman, Brenda Voth and Raymond Zuliani. 

There was no shortage of gratefulness from this group as they shared their plans to put the scholarship to good use.

“With the help of this scholarship, I chose to enroll in a program about preventing pre-analytical errors,” explains Christina Deleo. “I want to learn how to prevent possible errors that can be introduced into specimens during collection, transportation, testing, and storage that can alter test results, so that I can provide the best patient care.”

Similarly, several of the recipients have chosen to sign up for courses in flow cytometry, medical terminology and leadership development through various Ontario colleges.

After working for 22 years as a phlebotomist, Paula Ferguson is grateful for the opportunity that this scholarship has provided. “Being a successful applicant of the Rathbone Scholarship has motivated me to attempt my Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) certification. Obtaining this certification will potentially open new job opportunities for me,” she shares.

Like Paula, Chelsea Alexander and Raymond Zuliani will be dedicating their scholarship winnings towards the MLA certification.

Kylie Gregory will be using her award towards the Medical Laboratory Technologist Program. “I’ve always wanted to help people, and I think the best way to achieve that goal is to become a technologist. I am excited to start school in the fall!”  

Shared on behalf of Dawna-Maria Perry, Director Nursing Practice, Crystal Edwards, Director, Women  & Children’s Program

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We are pleased to announce that Danielle Reszitnyk has accepted the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health effective March 14, 2022.

Danielle has been working as the Coordinator for the W&C Program where she has demonstrated strong leadership and team building skills. Danielle achieved Canadian Nurses Association certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing in 2020. She previously worked as a Registered Nurse in the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Unit and prior to that, as a nurse in the Nursing Resource Team working in Adult & Forensic Mental Health. As a unit nurse, Danielle frequently empowered her colleagues to make their department the best that it can be and was always working towards quality improvements in mental health care for her patients.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Martina Boote for her service in her CNS role and wish her success in her new position.

Jenny Stewart will provide interim coverage to the W&C Program, in addition to her duties as Manager of Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Recruitment for a permanent Coordinator for our program is actively underway.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Danielle into her new role.

Register for the morning: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm OR repeat session in the afternoon: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Price: FREE

Registration Deadline: March 25th, 2022

Please copy and paste this link in your web browser to sign up:
https://transfusionontario.org/en/event/17th-annual-tm-education-web-conference/

For more information, contact Janet Sharun, Coordinator Transfusion Services, SHARUNJ@tbh.net

The Intensive Care Unit is home to a new Bariatric Stretcher Chair, thanks to everyone who’s supported the Thunder Bay 50/50!

There are risks to lifting and moving patients over 350 pounds – risks to the patient and staff. This specially designed chair minimizes risks to improve patient and staff safety. The heavy-duty chair has an infinite number of tilt and recline positions from fully sitting to a flat stretcher with powered positioning controls.

“Having access to equipment like this makes it easier for all of us in the ICU to help mobilize our patients and provide them better quality care.” says Chris Kroker, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Clinical Care Services at TBRHSC.

Thank you to all of our 50/50 supporters for making this possible! Learn more about the Thunder Bay 50/50 and medical equipment you’ve helped fund at www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/5050impact

🍀 St. Paddy’s Day EARLY BIRD BLITZ this Friday! 🍀

Grab tickets at www.thunderbay5050.ca 🎟

Enter before the end of St. Patrick’s Day to be entered into all six Early Bird draws on Friday, March 18th:

🍀 One $5,000 Early Bird
🍀 Five $2,000 Early Birds
🍀 Plus you’ll be entered into the Grand Prize draw on March 25th – currently over $475,000!

Remember: If you win an Early Bird draw your winning number will go back into the raffle for a chance to win the rest of the month’s draws.

Every ticket in the Thunder Bay 50/50 funds important medical equipment, like the Bariatric Stretcher Chair, to bring better healthcare to you and your loved ones in Thunder Bay & NWO.

Anyone 18 or older and in Ontario at time of purchase can buy tickets. (Raffle Licence RAF1222518)

Spending quality time with family members and friends plays an important role in our lives and can help us maintain our wellbeing and stay positive. Life can be busy and full of other commitments, but reconnecting with family helps you to reconnect with yourself, your culture, and reflect on what matters most in life.

This March Break, plan a fun activity with your family and/or friends. Activities can include watching a movie, going for a walk, cooking a healthy meal together, playing a board game, and many more.

Take a group picture during the activity and submit it to enter the March Break Photo Contest. The contest opens on March 12th and closes March 21st.

See the event poster for details on how to enter, or contact Samantha Morris at morrissa@tbh.net for more information.

Navigating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant stress and uncertainty for health care workers. It may be difficult to cope during these challenging times and it is important to take time to take care of your own health and wellbeing. Self-care is taking time to do things that improve your physical health and mental health. Self-care can help to manage stress, improve mood, and increase energy. Self-care activities look different for everyone and even in small amounts can be beneficial in relieving stress.

Here are some self-care ideas:

• Set aside time for exercise. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress, and improve mood and overall health. Consider taking a short walk during a lunch or coffee break.
• Know and respect your limits and try to find balance. Consider setting aside time to ‘unplug’ from electronic devices and instead do something fun and healthy for yourself.
• Aim to get proper rest. Inadequate sleep can contribute to stress while healthy sleep routines can improve well-being.
• Include yourself on the list of people you are taking care of. Be kind to yourself. Set aside time to participate in social and recreational activities that you enjoy.
• Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge negative, unhelpful thoughts.
• Practice gratitude. Remind yourself of things you are grateful for and write them down as visual reminders.

Despite incorporating various self-care practices, you may continue to experience challenges. If you feel you are not coping well and are experiencing significant distress, you may benefit from formal support from someone like your family doctor, nurse practitioner or a mental health professional. 

Here are some mental health resources available for additional support:

• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) (807) 623-7677
• Walk-In Counselling
• Thunder Bay Counselling Centre & Children’s Centre Thunder Bay (807) 700-0090
• Dilico Anishnabek Family Care (807) 624-5818
• Thunder Bay Crisis Response Service (807) 346-8282
• CAMH Mental Health Support for Health Care Workers during COVID-19: https://www.camh.ca//covid19hcw

Thunder Bay 50/50 tickets are back at Seasons Gift Shop! If you’re looking for purchase Thunder Bay 50/50 tickets, swing by Seasons to purchase some using credit or debit. Tickets are also available online at www.thunderbay5050.ca

The Thunder Bay 50/50 funds vital medical equipment right here in our Hospital.