Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, VP Medical Affairs
To all professional staff:
Please find the attached Call for Internal Applicants for Medical Director, Emergency Medicine (Temporary 6 Month Contract).
The Opportunity
Working in a program management model and reporting to the Vice President, Medical Affairs, the Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, works in partnership with the Director of Pre-hospital, Emergency and Critical Care Services to lead the program of Emergency Medicine at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
The Medical Director is responsible for advancing the program’s clinical vision, strategic priorities, and quality performance metrics. The Medical Director works collaboratively with physician leaders, administrative leadership, and partners to support program performance, evidence-informed practice, quality improvement metrics, patient flow, and ensuring services align with Hospital goals and evolving community/regional needs.
While the Medical Director, Emergency Medicine does not report to the Chief of Emergency/Trauma, they maintain collaborative and ongoing communication with the Chief. The Medical Director will keep the Chief informed of program directions, operational decisions, and initiatives that may have a material impact on the Department and will work in partnership to support the effective delivery of Emergency Medicine.
A full role description is available upon request.
Interested applicants are invited to forward their curriculum vitae and cover letter, in confidence, by June 11th, 2026 at 1600 hours to:
Medical and Academic Affairs Email: TBRHSC.MedicalAffairs@tbh.net Attention: Jennifer Fawcett, Director Academic and Medical Affairs
Enhance your ability to care for paediatric patients with innovative online modules supported by a revamped provider manual, preparing you for an interactive classroom experience.
The Emergency Nursing Paediatric Course (ENPC) is a one and a half day course developed by the Emergency Nurses Association to enable nurses to provide high-quality care for this unique patient population. The goal of ENPC is to improve pediatric patient outcomes by providing nurses with foundational knowledge, skills, and a systematic Paediatric Nursing Process (PNP) to guide patient care.
Course Dates: Thursday, September 24 to Friday, September 25, 2026 Location: Auditorium A (3rd Floor) at TBRHSC
For more information or to register, click here. To see all the Cerftificate Couses that are being offered, click here.
Shared on behalf of Patricia Lang , Chair, TBRHSC Board of Directors
As summer comes into view and the fiscal year wraps up, I want to share some thoughts about where we are and what comes next.
In spite of the systemic challenges of the past year, we have momentum. We broke ground on the Cardiovascular Surgery Program, which will bring complex cardiac care to Northwestern Ontario by 2028. The Bridge Northwest Program continued its work to connect twelve hospitals across the region on a shared electronic patient record. And, Indigenous health engagement deepened through Miskwaa Biidaaban and through new partnerships with Matawa Education and Care Centre, Anishnawbe Mushkiki, Grand Council Treaty #3 and Matawa Health Co-operative.
In November, the Foundation approved $22.8 million in funding for this Hospital. This is the largest single commitment in its history and those funds are being used to replace existing aged equipment, purchase vital new equipment and update patient rooms.
We are in the fourth and final year of Strategic Plan 2026 – Exceptional care for every patient, every time. The development of the next strategic plan starts this fall and the community engagement is essential. TBRHSC is not the Board’s hospital. It is not the staff’s hospital. It is yours. The people of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario built this institution. They fund it, depend on it and must have a say in what it does next. If you live in this city or region, your input matters. Please participate as community engagement begins. We need to hear from you.
Serving on this Board, and on its committees, is one of the most direct ways residents of this city and region can shape the future of their hospital. Board members and community members on committees bring perspectives that the operational leadership side cannot. The Hospital welcomes applications from people across Northwestern Ontario who want to contribute their expertise and experience to the work of governance of the Hospital. If you have ever wondered whether it might be for you, I encourage you to visit the Hospital website for more information on the Board and committee opportunities.
To my fellow Board members, thank you for your expertise, your time commitment, and the hard decisions you’ve had to make. To Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, our President and CEO, to Dr. Laura Power, our new Chief of Staff and Dr. Brad Jacobson our outgoing Chief of Staff, our Senior Leadership, our professional staff and every employee across the Hospital and the Research Institute, thank you for showing up when it was hardest and doing the work that mattered most. Thank you to our donors who support us through the Foundation, your generosity makes the difference.
The annual meeting which will be held this June marks the end of my term as Chair. Serving has been a privilege. The work continues, and I leave the Board in very capable hands.
We enjoyed celebrating Employee Recognition Week with you. Please take a few moments to complete our short survey and share your thoughts on this year’s activities.
Thank you for everything you do. Your hard work and commitment truly make a difference.
Shared on behalf of Caroline Fanti, Director, Regional Surgical Services Manager
I am pleased to announce that Marnie Fitzsimons-Watkis is joining Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as Program Manager for the Local Delivery Group, where she will lead and support the continued implementation and maturation of eReferral and Central Intake across Northwestern Ontario.
In this role, she will focus on advancing patient access to care by leveraging digital health solutions to improve care coordination, streamline referral processes, and enhance both patient and provider experience.
Marnie brings a strong foundation in digital health transformation, change management, and regional collaboration. Most recently, she served as Patient Attachment Coordinator with All Nations Health Partners Ontario Health Team, where she supported Ministry of Health priorities to connect unattached patients to primary care. Through this work, she partnered closely with Ontario Health, local providers, and community organizations to improve equitable access and strengthen patient attachment processes across the region.
Through her previous work with Ontario Health, Marnie led engagement and adoption of digital solutions – including eReferral – across Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario. She has also contributed to the development and implementation of Central Intake models, helping to establish standardized workflows and more coordinated pathways to specialty care.
Marnie is a strong advocate for Patient and Family Centred Care and is passionate about working collaboratively with partners across the system to identify gaps, drive quality improvement, and advance integrated care delivery. She is committed to using digital innovation and system-level thinking to improve outcomes for patients, families, and care teams across the Northwest.
Marnie reports to Caroline Fanti, Director, Regional Surgical Services, who is leading the advancement of the LDG related to Central Intake and eReferral across clinical and digital domains. In alignment with this leadership approach, Marnie will further advance this work across both areas.
Shared on behalf of Justin Garofalo, Vice President, Facilities, Capital Planning and Support Services & CFO
I am pleased to announce that Blake Rathje has accepted the position of Director, Support Services, effective June 15, 2026.
Blake brings experience in procurement, supply chain operations, strategic sourcing, and distribution management through his work at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, where he has served as Manager of Strategic Sourcing and Distribution. In this role, he has overseen procurement activities, contract negotiations, and collaborative initiatives with external partners and healthcare organizations
Over the past several years, Blake has demonstrated a strong ability to lead operational improvements while balancing organizational priorities, regulatory compliance, and financial stewardship. His work has supported efficient procurement practices, strengthened vendor and stakeholder relationships, and contributed to initiatives that enhance both operational performance and patient care services
Blake is recognized for his thoughtful leadership approach, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to teamwork. He has built strong relationships across departments and consistently supports a collaborative and service-focused environment
We are excited to see Blake step into this new leadership role and are confident he will continue to make valuable contributions to the organization and the Support Services portfolio. Blake will work with Phil Thompson during this transition period to ensure a seamless transition and continued support for the team during this change. Phil’s last day, as previously mentioned, will be July 9, 2026.
Please join me in congratulating Blake on his new role. He can be reached at Blake.Rathje1@tbh.net and effective June 15, he can be reached at ext. 6773.
We began Indigenous History Month in a good way with a Powwow demonstration at our Hospital. Over 70 staff from across departments, as well as patients and their families, gathered to celebrate and learn together. Powwows are joyful celebrations meant for all of us, and this event provided a chance to experience the traditions, protocols, and teachings of Powwow culture.
A highlight of the event was seeing young dancers share their gifts and stories through dance. Attendees learned about the parts of regalia and the different types of dancing, including Men’s Warrior, Grass, Traditional and Women’s Jingle Dress, and Fancy Shawl/Butterfly Shawl. The demonstration also invited participants to take part in an Intertribal and Social Dance, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of Powwows.
Thank you to Elder Marlene Pierre, Knowledge Keeper Jeordie Pierre, the dancers and drummers as well as everyone who joined us for making this a meaningful start to Indigenous History Month.
Each June, Canadians recognize National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the histories, cultures, contributions, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
In health care, this month also offers an important opportunity to reflect on the history of Indigenous health in Canada and the lasting impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities. Understanding this history helps health care organizations move toward reconciliation, cultural safety, and equitable care.
Prior to colonization, Indigenous Peoples had strong and sophisticated systems of wellness rooted in community, spirituality, land, traditional medicines, and holistic healing practices. Health was understood as a balance between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
However, colonization brought devastating changes. European diseases such as smallpox, influenza, and tuberculosis caused widespread loss of life among Indigenous communities. Government policies later disrupted traditional ways of living, restricted cultural practices, displaced communities from their lands, and created long-term barriers to health and wellness.
The passing of the Indian Act in 1876 gave the federal government extensive control over many aspects of First Nations life. These policies contributed to systemic inequities that continue to affect Indigenous Peoples today.
From 1883 to 1996, the Canadian Indian Residential School system forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and communities. Many children experienced abuse, neglect, malnutrition, loss of language, and cultural disconnection. The impacts of Residential Schools continue to influence mental health, family systems, and trust in institutions, including health care.
During the mid-1900s, many Indigenous patients were also separated from their families for tuberculosis treatment in distant Indian Hospitals. Some children never returned home, and many families received little information about their loved ones. These experiences contributed to intergenerational trauma and mistrust of health care systems.
Despite these harms, Indigenous communities have continually demonstrated resilience, strength, and leadership. Across Canada, Indigenous Peoples continue to revitalize traditional healing practices, advocate for culturally safe care, and lead Indigenous-focused health services and wellness initiatives.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its Calls to Action, including several focused specifically on health care. These Calls urge health care organizations and professionals to recognize the impacts of residential schools, address systemic racism, and support culturally safe and trauma-informed care.
TBRHSC Response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
Released annually, this report shows the work Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) has done to date through Strategic Plan 2026 and highlights our efforts to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. TBRHSC will continue to apply the 94 Calls to Action as a lens to every decision we make as an institution, to ensure we deliver the highest level of compassion and inclusion to every patient, every time. The report focuses on the work that has been done at TBRHSC on five of the 94 Calls to Action (18, 20, 22, 23 and 24) related to health care. In addition, it highlights the work done through partnerships and a timeline of the Indigenous health initiatives to date. To view the most recent report, click here.
Today, reconciliation in health care involves more than awareness. It requires meaningful action:
listening to Indigenous voices and lived experiences,
recognizing the ongoing impacts of colonial policies,
supporting Indigenous-led approaches to wellness;
and creating healthcare environments that are respectful, safe, and inclusive.
As we recognize National Indigenous History Month, we honour both the truths of the past and the strength, knowledge, and resilience Indigenous communities continue to carry forward.
