Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is looking for regulated health care professionals interested in obtaining education on how to become a preceptor or mentor to students and new staff.
This four-hour paid education session will focus on enhancing your ability to support learners effectively, while fostering a positive and engaging teaching experience. Participants will explore strategies for collaboratively developing learner goals, supporting individuals experiencing challenges, and delivering both constructive and executive feedback in a meaningful way. The workshop is designed to build confidence, promote consistency in preceptorship practices, and support excellence in clinical education across disciplines.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Auditorium A & B. Please see the attached poster for registration and more details.
To honour Black History Month in February, several features were presented in the Daily Informed Newsletter throughout the month. If you missed any of the features, you can check them out by accessing the links provided.
Article 1 – Introduction to Black History Month
Provides an overview of the significance of Black History Month, including historical injustices, and ongoing systemic racism. Describes the significance of the black, red, green, and gold/yellow colours that are associated with Black History Month.
Article 2 – A Legacy of Black Canadian Healthcare Heroes
This article highlights Black health care providers who have made significant contributions to their fields. It include nurse Lillie Johnson, and physician Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott.
A list of non-fiction, fiction, and poetry books written by Black authors that focus on various themes, including anti-racism and the ongoing fight for equity.
Congratulations to our Employee Recognition Week (ERW) Daily Trivia winners for Monday, March 2.
Hospital and Health Research Institute employees are able to participate in our ERW Daily Trivia every day until March 5. Prize draws will be held daily, and the winners will be announced on the Daily Informed Newsletter and on the Hospital’s socials.
$25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Rebecca, Pediatric Bariatric Program
$25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Leah, Hemodialysis (Thunder Bay)
$25 Ultimate Dining gift card, donated by BMO: Maria, Quality and Risk Management
$25 gift card from Amazon, donated by BMO: Keli, Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network
$25 gift card from The Cheese Encounter: Reshelle, Ambulatory Care Unit
$50 President’s Choice Gift Card, donated by Co-operators: Samantha, Emergency Department
$50 gift card, donated by The Cheese Encounter: Penny, Emergency Department
$50 gift card from Serenity Salon and Spa: Kristin, 3C Surgical Inpatient Unit
$50 gift card from Fresh Air: Lillian, 3B Surgical Inpatient Unit
$50 gift card from The Cheese Encounter: Susie, Supportive Care Administration
$100 digital gift card of choice, donated by True North Mortgages: Cathy, Laboratory Hematology
$500 gift card, donated by Serenity Salon and Spa: Kelly, Finance Patient Billings
Today marks CaRMS Match Day, a significant milestone in the journey of our graduating medical students.
This day reflects years of commitment, resilience, growth, and hard work, and we are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026. Match Day brings many emotions and many paths forward. Regardless of today’s outcome, each of our students has contributed meaningfully to our community and has grown into a capable, compassionate future physician. That is something worth celebrating.
To our physicians, staff, and clinical teams — thank you. Your mentorship, patience, and generosity in welcoming learners into your clinics, hospitals, and teams make moments like this possible. The strength of our students is a reflection of the strength of the community that supports them.
To the Class of 2026: wherever your path leads next, know that you are valued, supported, and celebrated.
Shared on behalf of Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC, and CEO, TBRHRI
Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.
Employee Recognition Week (ERW) is here and we are thrilled to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the people who make our organization extraordinary. What you do every day helps bring us closer to our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time. I know how busy you are, so if you can find the time, please take the opportunity to participate and connect with your colleagues through the activities celebrating your contributions. It will be happening all weekend and until March 6th. You can find more information here.
In other news, our Electronic Health Record upgrade to Meditech Expanse is well underway and as we move forward together, your engagement, feedback and willingness to embrace this change is critical to our success. I know change like this is not easy and there are many competing priorities. That said, it is critical that we support the project and one another for a better staff and patient experience in the long run. Thank you in advance for being part of this project to support high-quality care.
As you know, our Hospital campus is transforming as I write this and it is incredible to see. We have many projects happening simultaneously that include phase two of our Hospital Refresh which includes targeted upgrades to common areas and the main corridors. We also continue to move forward with several significant infrastructure projects. This includes ongoing renovations to the MDRD area that align to our build for Cardiovascular Surgery, both of which are important investments in modernizing our care environments and supporting cardiovascular specialized services. Additionally, we are seeing progress with our Emergency Department expansion that is occurring above the Labour and Delivery Area. The expansion will significantly benefit everyone who relies on our Emergency Department. Thank you to all the teams involved in this work and the cooperation of the involved departments. I will keep you updated on our progress.
Finally, as we prepare for the upcoming Accreditation Survey, I want to thank everyone who took part in the Accreditation mock survey this month. Your openness to engage and provide insight were critical in helping us assess our readiness and identify areas that we can improve upon. The mock survey was a valuable step in the accreditation process and if you were not directly involved, please know that you will likely be involved in the full survey. Every person, role and interaction contribute to our collective success. Stay in the know by visiting the Accreditation section of the Intranet under the corporate info tab found here.
I hope you find this update informative, and as always, I welcome your feedback about this blog or anything else on your mind. You can reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.
Photo: (Top left, going down the stairs) – Karrie Walker (Social Worker, Intensive Care Unit) Tessa DeBruyne (Social Worker, Emergency Department), Janice Ihamaki-Morgan (Social Worker,1A), and Patricia Winters (Social Worker, 2C) (Top right, going down the stairs) – Mark Donylyk (Social Work Practice Lead, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit), Amy Roukema (Social Woker, 2A), Jacqueline Collier (Social Worker, Brief Intervention Treatment Team), Laura Groulx (Social Worker, Bariatric Care), Sara Robinson (Social Worker, AMH), Nahid Anee (Social Worker, Adult Mental Health)
During Social Work Week (March 2-8), we celebrate the impact Ontario’s social workers have at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and in our communities. This year’s theme, “When care and insight come together, change happens”, captures the interconnected strengths that define social work — empathy, expertise, and partnership in action. Each word stands on its own, yet together they express the profession’s unique ability to blend compassion with critical thinking and lived understanding.
This year’s campaign celebrates the trust, expertise, and humanity social workers bring to every community. Social workers deliver care that is person-centred, trauma-informed, and grounded in the realities of people’s lives. Their insight is shaped by advanced education, evidence-based practice, and a deep understanding of the social factors that influence well-being. And at the heart of it all is together: the collaborative, person-led relationship that drives meaningful change.
Join us in celebrating the many ways social workers open doors to health, mental health and wellness for people across Ontario.
Happy Social Work Week to all the social workers at TBRHSC who support hundreds of patients and families each year.
Employee Recognition Week is a time to celebrate the people — our medical staff, employees, teams, volunteers, and Patient Family Advisors — who make a meaningful difference for patients and families across Northwestern Ontario. Their dedication and commitment to providing exceptional care deserve to be recognized and celebrated.
From February 27 to March 6, staff are encouraged to visit the Corporate Intranet, read the Daily Informed Newsletter, and follow our social media channels to learn more about Employee Recognition Week activities, including prize draws, daily trivia, and more.
Congratulations to our Employee Recognition Week (ERW) Daily Trivia winners for Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1:
Hospital and Health Research Institute employees are able to participate in our ERW Daily Trivia every day until March 5. Prize draws will be held daily, and the winners will be announced on the Daily Informed Newsletter and on the Hospital’s socials.
$25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Sandy, Occupational Health and Safety
$25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Ashley, Decision Support and Case Costing
$25 gift card, donated by Pizza Hut: Jane, Emergency Department
$25 Boston Pizza gift card, donated by BMO: Francine, Finance Patient Billing
$25 Cheese Encounter gift card: Sara, Intensive Care Unit
$25 Cheese Encounter gift card: Sophia, Diagnostic Imaging
$50 President’s Choice gift card, donated by Co-operators: Rollande, ICP Pharmacy Support
$50 President’s Choice gift card, donated by Co-operators: Kristine, Psychology and Psychometry
$50 President’s Choice gift card, donated by Co-operators: Alison, Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC)
$50 President’s Choice gift card, donated by Co-operators: Shannon, Patient and Family Centred Care
$50 President’s Choice gift card, donated by Co-operators: Leslie, Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit
$50 gift card, donated by The Cheese Encounter: Tracey, Intensive Care Unit
$50 gift card, donated by Serenity Salon and Spa: Shelly, ICP Oncology Clinical Trials
$50 Serenity Spa gift card: Katherine, Intensive Care Unit
$50 Fresh Air gift card: Mallory, Radiology
$50 gift card, donated by The Cheese Encounter: Erin, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit
$50 gift card, donated by The Cheese Encounter: Kerri, C.T. Scanner
$50 gift card, donated by The Cheese Encounter: Cassandra, MCKC Pre-Dialysis Clinic
$50 Pizza Hut gift card: Kathleen, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
$50 Amazon gift card, donated by Broker Link: Stephanie, Patient Food Services
$50 Amazon gift card, donated by Broker Link: Jamey, Patient Food Services
$50 Pizza Hut gift card: Diane, Laundry and Linen Department
$150 gift card, donated by Fresh Air: Bruce, Laundry and Linen Department
Gift coupon for three private classes, donated by Ross Pilates: Debora, Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD)
Gourmia Airfryer, donated by BMO: Tracy, Laundry and Linen Department
Keep checking in here for the latest winners of our daily prizes!
Prizes can be picked up Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Human Resources in Suite 302B of the Medical Centre.
Click here to learn more about our Employee Recognition Week including the full schedule of events.
Shared on behalf of Jennifer Pugliese; CISO / NW Regional Security Operations Centre; Director / Information Technology (Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre / St. Joseph’s Care Group)
I’m pleased to announce that Mikael Mintenko has joined our team as Manager, Regional IT Security.
With over 20 years of experience in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and privacy, Mikael brings expertise from roles in both public and private sectors.
He has led major initiatives in risk management, cloud security, and helped strengthen organizational practices to meet industry standards. Mikael holds CCSP, SSCP, and CIPM designations and is a Confederation College graduate.
Please join me in welcoming Mikael as he helps advance our regional cybersecurity strategy, supports IT security operations across our region and helps enhance the security of the systems we rely on every day.
