Regional Cancer Care Northwest celebrated a renewed focus on Your Symptoms Matter (YSM), a symptom screening questionnaire that gives patients an opportunity to share how they’re feeling with their health care team before their appointment. Responses are reviewed with the patient’s health care team to help guide conversations and decisions about how to best manage their symptoms.
Staff and volunteers marked the relaunch with balloons, cake, roaming YSM snack carts and “Ask Me About YSM” buttons, while encouraging patients to learn more about the tool and complete it before their appointments.
Moving forward, YSM completion rates will be reported monthly and tracked on thermometer displays in the chemotherapy and radiation waiting rooms, helping staff and patients see our progress as we work to make YSM a consistent part of the patient experience.
Medical Affairs is pleased to announce that Dr. Mahdi Montazeri has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a General Cardiologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Mahdi Montazeri brings extensive clinical, academic, and research experience in cardiology, with particular expertise in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), cardiovascular imaging, and echocardiography. He completed his medical degree at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and his Cardiology specialty training at Tehran Heart Center. Dr. Montazeri subsequently pursued advanced training at the University of Toronto, including a Research Fellowship in General Cardiology, a General Clinical Cardiology Fellowship at St. Michael’s Hospital, and extensive fellowship training in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at Toronto General Hospital.
Through this training, he developed significant expertise in the assessment and management of HCM, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, genetic cardiomyopathy, sudden cardiac death risk assessment, and the evaluation of patients for advanced therapies such as septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation. He has reviewed thousands of echocardiographic studies and hundreds of cardiac MRIs and holds certification through the National Board of Echocardiography.
In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Montazeri has demonstrated a strong commitment to research and medical education. His research has contributed to the understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular imaging, arrhythmia risk, hypertension, and other areas of cardiovascular medicine, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Mahdi Montazeri as he joins Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. We look forward to the depth of clinical expertise, academic experience, and collaborative approach he will bring to our patients and families we serve
We are launching a new open feedback portal called “What Matters to You?,” designed to identify fast, actionable ideas to improve your day-to-day work.
The focus is on small pebbles, the changes we can implement in the short-term.
Scan the QR code on the poster below and let us know:
One thing that would improve your workday
A small change we can implement soon
Point out a process, tool, or practice to reduce friction
What we should start, stop, or continue doing for more joy and well-being
How you’d like to receive updates
Suggestions will be shared with the Staff Advisor Committee.
Thank you for helping us make meaningful, quick-win improvements!
If you have questions please reach out to Human Resources or any Staff Advisory Committee member.
Want to be Featured in the 2027 Well-Being Calendar?
It is time again to open submissions for the 2027 Well-Being Calendar.
Show us how you or your team make your workplace healthier and happier! Scan the QR code below or click this link to submit yourself or your team as a feature, or to submit a recipe!
Together we can make 2027 the healthiest year yet!
Shared on behalf of Dr. Laura Power, Chief of Staff
Dr. Deanna Buitenhuis
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Deanna Buitenhuis has been appointed to the role of Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology effective August 9, 2026.
Dr. Buitenhuis has worked in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at TBRHSC since 2020, after working for a year at Regina General Hospital. She is committed to quality patient care and excellence, as demonstrated by the clinical care she provides, organizations she is involved with and leadership roles she has taken on.
Dr. Buitenhuis is the Medical Lead for Gynecology Surgery at TBRHSC and is a member of the Network of Endometriosis Surgeons of Ontario Committee. She served as a Board member and Ontario representative/member of the education committee with the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence in 2025 and continues to be involved as a member.
Dr. Buitenhuis is an Assistant Professor at NOSM University, involved in teaching students and residents, as well as leading and participating in research initiatives and publications.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Buitenhuis on her appointment.
Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s and Mental Health Programs
I am pleased to announce that Debbie Croswell has accepted the position of Interim Manager for the Adult Mental Health and Brief Intervention Treatment Team, effective August 24, 2026.
Debbie is a highly respected colleague and leader who brings a strong combination of clinical expertise, leadership experience, and a genuine commitment to improving patient care. She is well known for her thoughtful and fair approach to leadership, her strong understanding of both organizational and community systems, and her ability to build positive relationships and foster collaboration across teams.
Most recently, Debbie has been serving as the Patient Flow Coordinator for Adult Mental Health, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound clinical judgment, and a strong ability to navigate complex patient care and system needs. Her experience in this role has further strengthened her understanding of the continuum of mental health services and the importance of ensuring patients receive timely, coordinated, and person-centred care.
Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and is certified by the Canadian Nurses Association in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Her education and extensive professional experience reflect her ongoing dedication to advancing mental health care and supporting both patients and colleagues.
I am confident that Debbie’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to patient-centred care will serve the Adult Mental Health and Brief Intervention Treatment Team well during this interim period.
Please join me in congratulating Debbie and welcoming her to her new interim position. We wish her every success in this role and look forward to the leadership and experience she will bring to the team.
Shared on behalf of Chad Johnson, Code Orange Executive Sponsor
On August 6, the Hospital ran our annual Code Orange – Stage 1 drill.
Available nurses from clinical units reported to the Emergency Department “T” entrance doors and lined up in the hallway with available stretchers and wheelchairs. Arriving nurses were escorted through the ED and, after completing a circuit at the direction of ED staff, were allowed to return to their unit after signing their attendance.
This year’s drill proceeded as planned and on time, with excellent representation from nurse responders; 27 workers from 16 different clinical departments reported to the ED. We also had Observers from various departments helping to facilitate.
Each time we run this exercise things get smoother and overall familiarity increases. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support this drill.
Should anyone have feedback about this drill, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).
