Accreditation Canada surveyors will be visiting Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre from May 11-14, 2026 to assess how well we are providing safe and effective care that aligns with national standards.
What Does it Mean to Me?
Accreditation involves everyone at TBRHSC. We all play a role in delivering the highest standards of care to our patients, and families — each and every day.
Shared on behalf of Ryan Sears, Director, Capital & Facility Services
This memo serves as reminder that only toilet tissue is to be flushed in Hospital toilets. No materials, including but not limited to paper towels, wipes (even those labeled as “flushable”) gloves, hygiene products, or other items, are to be disposed of through the Hospital’s sewer system.
Recently, we experienced a Code Grey – Alert for Drainage Loss due to a sewer line backup. This incident was quickly resolved, but subsequent investigation determined that improper items flushed into the system were the primary contributing factor.
To protect our patients, maintain a safe environment, and avoid future disruptions, please ensure you are following proper disposal procedures. Appropriate trash and biohazard receptacles are available throughout the facility. If you require additional receptacles, please reach out to your direct Manager/Supervisor or Housekeeping.
Please note that the Hospital procedure for an unplanned partial or full loss of domestic water or drainage access is Code Grey – Water or Drainage (EMER-10B-5). This policy must be included in your departmental emergency code binders.
Shared on behalf of Dr. Naana Jumah, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs
As part of our continued evolution as an Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), and in alignment with our Academic Mandate, we are pleased to announce the Medical Library and Simulation Program will now formally align under the leadership of Academic Affairs within the overall Medical and Academic Affairs portfolio.
This transition reflects our commitment to strengthening the integration of teaching, research, the academic environment, and clinical care within our organization. Both the Medical Library and Simulation Program are foundational to advancing a high-quality academic environment, supporting learners, clinicians, and staff through access to evidence, knowledge resources, and experiential simulation based education.
We would like to acknowledge the leadership of Dawna Perry in her former role as Senior Director of Nursing, Academics and Practice Excellence for her guidance of these roles and establishing a strong foundation upon which this next phase of alignment is built. Dawna’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing both interprofessional learning and academic engagement across the organization.
Our goal in bringing these functions together within Academic Affairs is to:
Enhance coordination of academic resources that support undergraduate, postgraduate, and interprofessional education
Strengthen the link between evidence-informed practice, simulation-based learning, and clinical care
Support innovation in teaching and research aligned with our AHSC mandate
Improve the learner and faculty experience through more cohesive academic programming and support services
From an operational perspective:
The Medical Librarian, Cyndy Smith will report to the Manager of Academic Affairs, Karen Anderson
The Simulation Program Manager, Leanne Baird will report to the Director of Medical & Academic Affairs, Jennifer Fawcett
Both roles will function under the overall strategic guidance of Dr. Naana Jumah as the Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs.
This alignment helps also positions us to better partner with NOSM University, Lakehead University, Confederation College and other academic stakeholders while we continue to support the needs of TBRHSC internal education across disciplines, ensuring that our infrastructure and supports continue to move us forward as a high-functioning academic health sciences centre.
For many people, retirement marks the end of a chapter. For Hilary McIver, it marked the beginning of a new way to stay connected to a place that meant so much to her.
Hilary spent many years as a dedicated employee at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, contributing her time, expertise, and care to the organization and the community it serves. Even after concluding her career, Hilary knew she wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. Instead, she chose to return in a different role, as a volunteer.
Today, Hilary generously gives her time supporting several areas of the hospital, including Surgical Daycare and Genetics, where her familiarity with the hospital environment and her compassionate approach help create a welcoming and supportive experience for patients and families. Her presence provides reassurance to those navigating appointments and procedures, and her willingness to lend a hand wherever needed is deeply appreciated by both staff and patients.
In addition to her volunteer roles within hospital departments, Hilary also serves as a member of the Volunteer Advisory Council, where she helps provide insight and guidance that strengthens the volunteer program. Drawing on her years of experience as a former employee, she brings a unique perspective that helps ensure volunteers continue to make a meaningful impact across the organization.
Hilary’s decision to return as a volunteer speaks volumes about her commitment to Thunder Bay Regional and the people it serves. Her continued dedication reflects a deep sense of pride in the hospital community and a genuine desire to give back.
We are incredibly grateful that Hilary chose to remain part of the Thunder Bay Regional family. Her time, experience, and kindness continue to make a difference every day.
Thank you, Hilary, for your ongoing commitment and for inspiring others through your service.
(L-R) Shannon Schiffer, Manager, Patient and Family Centred Care, Patient Experience, Engagement and Advocacy; Keri Taylor, Lorna Ridler, Diane Dupuis; and Paul Carr, Patient Family Advisor.
Congratulations to Keri Taylor, Lorna Ridler, and Diane Dupuis, dedicated Registration Clerks in the Emergency Department, for their exceptional efforts in supporting patient experience.
Through their professionalism and consistency, these women have gone above and beyond in ensuring patients presenting to the Emergency Department are offered the opportunity to participate in our patient experience surveys through email or SMS consent.
This work plays a vital role in helping us understand the patient journey, recognize what is working well, and identify opportunities to improve care. Most importantly, it ensures the voice of the patient and family is present in shaping decisions across our organization.
Their commitment reflects the heart of Patient and Family Centred Care and helps us achieve our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Thank you for the meaningful difference you make each day at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
The RSV outbreak on 1A Medical/Oncology inpatient unit had been DECLARED OVER as of Friday, April 24, 2026.
All restrictions are lifted.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff.
The Infection Prevention and Control team encourages everyone to consistently follow routine practices, including hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and appropriate admission screening for all patients. Please help set the standard for staff and students by maintaining strong compliance and ongoing diligence.
It’s National Volunteer Week, and we recently connected with Barb, Maureen, Hilary, and Bill — dedicated volunteers at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre — to learn what inspires them to give their time and why they enjoy being part of our Hospital community.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Steering Committee invites all staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers to join the Pride Working Group.
If you would like to be involved in planning and participating in Pride month activities, please reach out to the EDI Steering Committee by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 8, 2026 at: TBRHSC.EDISteeringCommittee@tbh.net.
Brad Adams, Barb Rickards, Susan Allen, Marie Viherjoki, Anna Bolt and Doug Brown are pictured with Staxi chairs at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. As volunteers, they play an important role in supporting patients and families throughout the Hospital, offering assistance, guidance and a welcoming presence that helps make each visit a little easier. Whether helping individuals with mobility challenges or ensuring patients can get where they need to go, their contributions are felt every day.
Thanks to your support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, through donations, Foundation events and Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases, 33 new Staxi chairs have been funded to help meet growing demand and replace aging equipment. Together, donor generosity and volunteer dedication help ensure patients and families can move safely and comfortably through the hospital each day.
For Gary, volunteering as a Patient Family Advisor (PFA) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is a meaningful way to stay engaged and give back to the community.
He first learned about the PFA role through his involvement with the Prostate Cancer Support Group and over time has come to truly appreciate the vital role hospitals play in people’s lives.
Since becoming a PFA in 2021, Gary has made a significant impact at our Hospital. By volunteering his time and sharing his lived experience, he helps improve the patient journey for everyone who walks through our doors.
At TBRHSC, PFAs are essential partners in care. By bringing the patient voice to the table, Gary plays an important role in helping to shape the policies, programs and practices that guide how care is delivered – ensuring it remains patient-centred and grounded in compassion and understanding.
What Gary enjoys most about his role is the opportunity to help others. Whether he is helping to educate staff about our Patient and Family Centred Care philosophy, or supporting patients by promoting clearer communication and enhancing the overall experience, his contributions make a difference. As part of a team of 70 PFAs, Gary values the consistently active and engaging nature of the work, which makes his volunteer experience both rewarding and impactful.
We are grateful for Gary’s ongoing dedication and the positive difference he continues to make in our Hospital.
Gary volunteers as a Patient Family Advisor, helping guide improvements to the patient and family experience at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
