Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR) will provide onsite training in alternative evacuation techniques (e.g. blanket drag) coordinated by Interprofessional Education and Emergency Preparedness.
No registration is necessary. Staff are invited to stop by January 21 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Auditoriums A and B by for some hands-on learning.
All staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers are invited to tune in, stay informed, and get involved as in our monthly Town Hall. This is your chance to hear the latest updates from across our Hospital and Health Research Institute — from strategic priorities to day-to-day operations — and to have your voice heard.
Past and Upcoming Town Hall Dates Via Microsoft Teams
September 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
October 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
November 26 @ 2:00 p.m.
December 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
January 21 @ 2:00 p.m.
February 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
March 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
April 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
May 20 @ 2:00 p.m.
June 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
Got questions or feedback?
This is your forum. Ask questions live during the Q&A segment or submit them in advance to ensure the right people are available to respond.
Submit your questions by:
Submitting questions in advance ensures the right people are available to respond.
Don’t miss it — we look forward to seeing you there!
If you’d like to access a recording or presentation from a previous Town Hall, visit the archive.
Now that all TBRHSC and TBRHRI employees are using Microsoft Outlook, this is a great opportunity to ensure your email signature aligns with our corporate branding standards.
Please apply the appropriate signature template (by copying and pasting) to all tbh.net email accounts and customize it with your individual information.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute
Using a standardized signature helps ensure our communications to other staff, partners in health, and the community are professional, consistent, and reflective of our shared organizational identity.
The approved signature templates are also available in the Quick Links area of the main page of the corporate intranet under Tools/Training.
At this time, the corporate email signature template does not support the inclusion of additional elements (e.g., other logos, advertisements for events or initiatives). For more information or questions, please contact the Communications and Engagement team.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping maintain a polished and professional appearance in our email communications.
January 4 is National Ribbon Skirt Day. Indigenous Ribbon Skirts are vibrant symbols of identity, resilience, and tradition among Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island. Primarily linked to the Plains Indigenous communities, these skirts have evolved and are now embraced across various territories on the continent. Traditionally crafted from materials like cotton and leather, these skirts are adorned with colourful ribbons. These ribbons symbolize beauty, femininity, pride, and storytelling, conveying cultural significance through their patterns and colours, which often reflect family lineage and communal values.
For many people, wearing a Ribbon Skirt is a spiritual practice, especially during cultural ceremonies, powwows, and gatherings. It fosters a deep connection to ancestors and the spirit world while serving as an expression of resistance against colonial narratives, reclaiming Indigenous identity and challenging stereotypes.
The craftsmanship of Ribbon Skirts is an esteemed art form, requiring skill and creativity. The process involves selecting fabrics and intricately sewing colourful ribbons into unique designs that vary among communities. Traditional techniques are often passed down through generations, fostering community bonds and preserving cultural practices. Contemporary artists are innovating these designs, merging traditional elements with modern influences while respecting the Skirts’ cultural significance.
Indigenous Ribbon Skirts are more than garments, they embody a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and artistic expression. Worn and created with care, they serve as living symbols of identity and resilience, bridging the past with the present and representing the beauty and strength of Indigenous cultures.
The priority of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion identified in Strategic Plan 2026 ensures that the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre embeds equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, providing a culturally safe experience for all patients and staff.
For more information on Ribbon Skirts, click here.
We are pleased to invite all staff to take part in our new cultural safety training session titled, “Repairing the Sacred Circle: An Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Education Primer”.
The session will introduce participants to an insightful way of thinking about truth and reconciliation. It will be a reflective pathway for cross-cultural discussion and an entry point to create the necessary change for awareness and inclusiveness within Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Participants will be introduced to concepts such as colonization, race and racism, common stereotypes, and how these contribute to health inequities for Indigenous Peoples within the current healthcare system.
This is a free training session, there is no cost to attend. The session is 3 hours long and takes place in-person. We encourage all staff (including students, residents, volunteers, and PFAs) to participate and look forward to seeing you there.
Sign up today!
It’s a girl! The first baby of 2026 was born to proud parents Kaiyah and Chris at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre at 3:21 p.m. on January 1. The little one has not yet been named as the family takes time to choose the perfect name.
The family welcomed their daughter, weighing 5 pounds, 8 ounces, marking a joyful beginning to the year.
Both baby and mother are doing well and enjoying these first precious moments together. The family will also receive a special gift generously donated by Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Volunteer Association to help celebrate this memorable occasion.
Shared on behalf on Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s & Mental Health Programs, Dr. Teresa Bruni, Medical Director, Women & Children’s Program
We are excited to announce that Noah DiFranco has accepted the position of Coordinator, Women & Children’s Program.
Noah has been a valued Registered Nurse at TBRHSC since 2020. He began his career with us in the Emergency Department, where he worked for four years before moving into the role of Lead for the Regional Paediatrics Program.
Along the way, Noah also broadened his clinical experience as a travel nurse in the United States, completing assignments in San Antonio, Portland, and Grand Marais. Through his work in emergency care, Noah developed strong clinical skills in fast-paced, high-acuity environments and discovered a deep passion for paediatric nursing. This passion, combined with his emergency medicine background, led him naturally to the Regional Paediatrics Program. In this role, Noah has made a meaningful impact, helping to advance the program and playing an important role in the development of a new service that will provide 24/7 virtual support to paediatric patients across our region.
Please join us in congratulating and warmly welcoming Noah as he steps into his new role, commencing in February 2026. During his transition from the Regional Paediatrics role, Noah will continue to support the onboarding of new Regional Paediatric nurses and contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive Regional Paediatric Response Team.
Renovations to the Level 1 Washroom (1582W), Staff Change Room (1583), and Kitchenette (1562C) are scheduled to commence the week of Monday, January 5, 2026, with an anticipated completion in April 2026.
These renovations will modernize and enhance the existing facilities, introduce an additional washroom, and incorporate accessibility improvements. These upgrades are designed to create a more comfortable, inclusive, and functional environment, supporting an improved experience for all staff.
Access to the Staff Lockers/Lounge (1562/1562B) will remain available throughout the renovation period. We kindly ask that staff remain mindful of the nearby construction activities and exercise caution while moving through the area.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve these shared spaces.
An influenza outbreak has been declared at TBRHSC 3C Surgical Inpatient Unit, as of Wednesday December 31, 2025. All restrictions are in place.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff. As always, our number one priority is the safety of patients and their families, staff and visitors. All patients identified as having an exposure to this outbreak will require isolation with appropriate additional precautions.
The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094.
The Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) recently celebrated the one year anniversary of its first paediatric transport.
This highly skilled team is comprised of a Registered Nurse and a Registered Respiratory Therapist who travel aboard an ORNGE aircraft to retrieve children (primarily under one year of age) and transport them to a higher level of care, either at TBRHSC or a specialized children’s hospital.
Please join us in thanking this amazing team and all others involved in this initiative for their commitment, teamwork, and compassionate care.
