Bottom row (L-R): Zach (NP), Brad (RN – 3A), Kailen (RN – ICU), Gareth (RN – PACU), Alex (RN – Renal) Top row (L-R): Justin (Paramedic), Chandler (RN – ICU), Adam (PT), Nick (MRT), Kyle (PT), Landen (PT), Jamie (Orthopedic Technician), Ben (RN – 3A) Coach: Vanessa (PT)
This past weekend in Thunder Bay, a multidisciplinary team from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre hit the ice for the 2026 Woodlands Hockey League Tournament.
Led by Coach Vanessa, the “Medical Mighty Ducks” skated their way all the way to the finals. While they came up just short, bringing home silver, their teamwork, dedication, and camaraderie made the experience truly unforgettable.
The PALS Provider Renewal course is a fast-paced course. It is designed for proficient PALS providers who regularly direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies in critically ill or injured children and who holds a current PALS Provider certificate. This course assumes a comprehensive awareness, knowledge and skill proficiency in PALS concepts, and is best suited for providers who use these skills frequently and therefore require limited practice to be successful.
Learners will practice and apply their knowledge to case scenarios applying the proven systematic approach to pediatric assessment, treatment algorithms and coordinated high-performance team dynamics, in both team leader and team member roles.
Join us in celebrating Medical Laboratory Week (April 12-18).
Medical laboratory professionals at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) work tirelessly to support our Hospital’s programs and services by providing quality results for timely diagnosis and treatment. Caring for patients and families of Northwestern Ontario is their number one priority. This team is comprised of Pathologists, Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs – regulated), Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs – includes Phlebotomists), Diagnostic Cytotechnologists (DCTs), Pathologist’s Assistants (PAs), leadership staff and clerical staff. All play a vital role in patient care.
Did you Know?
Diagnosis and treatment decisions are based on laboratory results.
TBRHSC’s Lab performs 7,300 tests per day.
TBRHSC has approximately 170 laboratory staff.
TBRHSC’s Lab has over 3,000 individual document-controlled policies and procedures.
TBRHSC’s Lab has 10 major department specializations:
Biochemistry (Clinical Chemistry): Large array of tests involving the measurement of chemical constituents in blood and body fluids to evaluate organ function, toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, and to detect chemicals, endocrinology and other special tests.
Haematology: Study of cells e.g. red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets as well as bleeding disorders/coagulation.
Flow Cytometry: The study of bone marrows, lymph node/tissue specimens for lymphoma and leukemia.
Transfusion Services: The testing for blood types, antibody detection, and compatibility testing (perinatal/neonatal and blood components). Also called Immunohaematology or Blood Banking.
Microbiology: The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
Histology: The preparation and study of tissue specimens.
Cytology: The study of ‘free’ cells, their origin, structure, function, and pathology.
Point of Care Testing (POCT): Oversight of bedside testing i.e., glucometer, etc.
Specimen Procurement & Dispatch: Blood collection and reference testing.
Quality & Safety: Licensing, accreditation, Biosecurity Containment Level II (Biosafety) classification, etc.
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.
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 Lakehead University (Centre for Health Care Ethics)
Encounters in Bioethics 2025-2026 offers a free webinar “When Patients Thank the AI: Compassion, Care, and the Limits of Automation in Health” on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jean-Christophe Bélisle-Pipon, PhD, Assistant Professor in Health Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
Time is running out to register for the inaugural SCOPE (Surgical Care Optimization & Primary Care Education), hosted by the Regional Surgical Services team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Who should attend?
MDs, NPs, PAs, medical students, nurses, physiotherapists, and chiropractors.
What can participants expect?
Participants will get up to date practice guidance on various medical/surgical conditions, master orthopedic physical assessments, and learn new clinical skill sets in cortisone injection practice. Participants will have the opportunity to network with our Central Intake team to better incorporate electronic referral platforms and pathways into their primary care practice and various community programs and services to optimize patient care.
Participating Specialties
Hematology, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology, Otolaryngology, and Surgical Oncology.
When and where is this happening?
Date: May 4, 2026 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay, ON
For Be A Donor Month, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is raising awareness about the urgent need for organ and tissue donors in our community and across the province.
As the population ages, the demand for organ and tissue donations continues to grow. A single donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation. These generous decisions, which are often made during incredibly difficult moments, represent an extraordinary gift from donors and their families.
At TBRHSC, our team approaches every conversation about donation with care and compassion, ensuring patients and families have the information they need to make informed, life-saving choices. Taking the time to discuss organ and tissue donation with your loved ones can have a profound and lasting impact on other families.
“The collaboration between TBRHSC and Trillium Gift of Life Network (Ontario Health) is essential in saving lives. On average, about 1,400 people in Ontario are waiting for an organ transplant,” says Dylan Blake, Trillium Gift of Life Network’s Specialist – Organ and Tissue Donor Coordinator at TBRHSC. “By registering your consent, you are making a selfless decision to help others. Your choice can make a life-changing difference.”
Be A Donor Month is an important reminder to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor. Start the conversation with your loved ones, and take a step that could save lives.
Learn more and register at www.beadonor.ca. It only takes two minutes to potentially save or enhance many lives.
