Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, Vice President, Medical Affairs & Jessica Logozzo, Vice President, Strategy & Regional Transformation

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We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Prashant A. Jani as the inaugural Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The creation of this new leadership role reflects our commitment to ensuring strong clinical leadership as we advance our digital transformation strategy, including the implementation of Meditech Expanse in 2027. This role will be instrumental in helping us successfully navigate one of the most significant transformational initiatives in our organization’s history.

Reporting to the Vice President, Medical Affairs and the Vice President, Strategy and Regional Transformation, Dr. Jani will provide medical leadership and strategic direction for the design, development, and implementation of digital health initiatives across TBRHSC. As a respected physician leader, he will serve as a vital bridge between clinicians, Clinical Informatics and Information Technology, ensuring that digital solutions are driven by frontline clinical expertise and support high-quality, patient-centred care.

A key priority for Dr. Jani will be partnering with physicians, clinical leaders and care teams to support the successful implementation and adoption of Meditech Expanse. Dr. Jani will also provide clinical leadership for other strategic initiatives, including eReferral, Central Intake and technologies that strengthen care coordination across our organization and region.

Dr. Jani brings more than two decades of clinical, academic and physician leadership experience. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation as a collaborative leader who builds strong relationships, engages colleagues around a shared vision, and helps teams embrace meaningful change. Currently an Anatomic Pathologist and an Associate Professor at NOSM U, Dr. Jani has championed initiatives that have improved medical education, supported healthcare provider well-being, and advanced culturally appropriate education for Indigenous healthcare professionals. His ability to connect people, build consensus, and translate vision into action will be invaluable as we advance our digital transformation journey.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jani to this important new leadership role. He begins in this role on August 4, 2026.

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.

Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

The fires burning across Northwestern Ontario have shaped everything about this month.

As I write this, more than 120 wildfires are active across our region, and thousands of people have been forced from their homes with many evacuees coming to Thunder Bay. These are communities we serve and have built partnerships with, and the losses this region has absorbed in a matter of weeks are hard to take in.

Many of you have family and friends who have been evacuated or who are waiting on word about their communities. Some of you have lost homes. Some of you have lost camps that have been in your families for generations, and anyone from this part of the world knows a camp is never just a building. You have been carrying those losses and that worry while continuing to show up for patients, and I do not take that for granted.

Over this past month, and yet again, you continue to do what we do when things get tough. We come together, we help one another, and we cover shifts for colleagues dealing with evacuations and difficult issues. People have opened their homes to displaced family and friends, donated to evacuee supports, volunteered their time and checked in on each other without being asked. Some of that help has happened through your work here and much of it has happened quietly outside of it, and all of it reflects who the people of this organization are. If you are one of the people who has been affected, please reach out to your manager or to our Employee and Family Assistance Program. Asking for support is part of how we get through a season like this one, and no one here should carry it alone.

Our regional mandate means something different in a summer like this. We serve a geography larger than the country of France, and when communities in that geography are displaced, the people in them still need dialysis, cancer treatment, medications and emergency care. That care has continued through the wildfire smoke, and I am proud of how this organization has remained focused.

I know many of you have had questions about air quality within your departments.

Our Facilities and Occupational Health and Safety teams continue to monitor particulate levels throughout the building daily, and the results show levels remain within acceptable ranges. The ventilation and filtration systems are doing their job. The odour that may continue to come and go — comes from gases the particulate monitors do not measure, which is unpleasant but does not indicate harmful particle levels indoors. Due to the fluctuations in wildfire smoke, the outdoor courtyards and terraces have closed intermittently and will re-open as air quality allows. We will continue to assess and respond to the fluctuating environment and its related challenges. If you have concerns about the air in your specific work area, please submit a work order so an assessment can be completed.

Amid the hardest month this region has seen since COVID-19, the work of building for its future has not stopped. The Emergency Department renovations continue and the administration addition is now complete, which will serve as the temporary triage area while renovations continue through the fall, with the new reception, registration and security area opening in early August. The Cardiovascular Surgery Program has passed 38 per cent completion and remains on track for spring 2028. The renovated ECG and phlebotomy areas will soon welcome back these services to their permanent space at the end of this month.

And for those of you who cycle to work, the new secure bike shelter will be completed over the remainder of the summer by the east cafeteria entrance — details on access to follow.

Finally, for anyone who missed the Annual General Meeting in June, our 2025-2026 Annual Report is now available online, and I hope you will take a few minutes with it. One number stands out for me, especially this month. Last year, 90.7 per cent of Northwestern Ontario patients received their required inpatient care without leaving the region. The report also shows our Strategic Plan 2026 scorecard heading into its final year, with ten initiatives complete, sixteen on track and none behind. Behind those numbers is every one of you, and in a summer when our region needs its Hospital more than ever, that number is the measure of what we have built together.

Thank you for what you do, and please take care of yourselves and each other through the rest of this season.

Honouring Emancipation Day 

Emancipation Day is observed annually on August 1, to mark the day in 1834 when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect; however, full emancipation for enslaved peoples in Canada would not be realized until several years later, on July 31, 1838.    

Although slavery was abolished in Canada, Black and Indigenous communities, including the descendants of those who were enslaved, continue to experience systemic racism and discrimination, and social and health inequities that contribute to disparities in health outcomes, and negative impacts to physical and mental health.  

Many Canadians remain unaware of Canada’s participation in the transatlantic slave trade, and the enslavement of Indigenous Peoples. This day is therefore an important opportunity to acknowledge Canada’s history, and to commit to addressing anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.  

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) recognizes the importance of providing culturally-safe and responsive care, and fostering an inclusive environment for our patients, their families, and our staff. In order to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do, TBRHSC will: 

1. Develop a Black Health Action Plan. The Black Health Action Plan will be a roadmap to creating equitable health conditions for Black populations 

2. Continue to advance culturally-safe care through staff education and training, and cultural activities and initiatives at TBRHSC 

3. Provide culturally safe services. Indigenous Care Coordinators, the Traditional Wellness Coordinator, Spiritual Care Associates, and Patient Advocates support patients’ unique preferences, needs, values, and culture throughout their care journey 

To learn more about Emancipation Day, please go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/emancipation-day.html 

To learn more about the social determinants and inequities for Black populations, please go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health/social-determinants-inequities-black-canadians-snapshot.html 

With the move to a Microsoft 365 environment, we have gained access to multiple applications and features. As you begin to implement these new tools into your current workflows, we want you to be aware of what’s acceptable and why – especially when it concerns our data!

Our Microsoft 365 environment stores most of our data in Canadian datacenters. While OneDrive
and SharePoint are completely covered, there are some exceptions that do not store data within
Canada.

Microsoft Teams is approved for:

• Patient and Client Meetings
• Sharing Personal (or Health) Information through Teams Chats with other @TBH.net accounts ONLY

If you have Teams with AI-Generated notes, it is NOT acceptable to record a meeting that involves personal (or health) information.

Microsoft Forms is approved for:

• Gathering Data that does not include Personal (or Health) Information.

Microsoft Forms is NOT an acceptable method for collecting personal (or health) information since it sends data to U.S datacenters.

Outlook is approved for:

• Sending Personal (or Health) Information to other @TBH.net accounts.
• Sending Personal (or Health) Information to external emails where encryption has been turned on.
• If you need assistance encrypting an email, please view KA 14354: Sending an encrypted email in Outlook 365 in our Knowledge Base or contact the Help Desk.

Outlook should ONLY be used when required, as there is always a risk that the recipient could forward the information.

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If you have any questions regarding acceptable usage of other M365 applications, please contact the Help Desk at Help.Desk@tbh.net.

If you have questions regarding organizational privacy policies, please contact your Privacy Officer at: SJCG, SJCG.Privacy@tbh.net and TBRHSC, TBRHSC.Privacy@tbh.net.

Always be safe and double-check what you are sending, sharing or recording!

Shared on behalf of Dawna Perry, Interim Chief Nursing Information Officer

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Devices supporting our transition to MEDITECH Expanse have begun arriving at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Over the coming months, infrastructure work will continue, and new equipment will be deployed throughout the Hospital. This includes monitors, docking stations, workstations on wheels (WOWs), printers, barcode scanners, and other devices required to support the new electronic health record.

During this time, staff may notice equipment deliveries, installation activities, or changes to workspaces. The deployment team will work with managers to coordinate installations in each area and communicate any steps needed to prepare workspaces before deployment.

If you have concerns about equipment placement, workspace configuration, accessibility, or ergonomics that cannot be resolved with the installation team, please contact:

Dawna Perry Interim Chief Nursing Information Officer
Email: dawnamaria.perry@tbh.net
Phone: 807-684-6562

Erin Kilar-Bearman Project Manager
Email: erin.kilar-bearman@tbh.net

Please do not move, disconnect, remove, or refuse newly deployed equipment without first discussing your concerns with us. We are committed to working with you, to identify an appropriate solution while ensuring the equipment required to support MEDITECH Expanse is available and ready for go-live.

Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we prepare our organization for the implementation of MEDITECH Expanse. Your support is essential to ensuring a successful transition to our new electronic health record.

For general questions or inquiries about the MEDITECH Expanse project, please contact at TBRHSC.MeditechExpanse@tbh.net.

Shared on behalf of Patient and Family Centred Care

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Ashley Hill has been a member of the team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre since 2007, serving as a Registered Practical Nurse in a variety of clinical roles. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to patient-centred care, advocacy, and improving the healthcare experience for patients and families. Ashley is now stepping into the role of Patient Advocate, where she will work collaboratively with patients, families, and healthcare teams to ensure patient voices are heard and care experiences continue to inform quality improvement across the organization.

In addition to her clinical practice, Ashley is a Certified Clinical Instructor with extensive experience educating nursing and Personal Support Worker students. Throughout her career in education, she has worked closely with Indigenous communities and learners, promoting culturally safe and inclusive learning environments while advocating for barrier-free access to education. Her background in education, mentorship, and community engagement reflects a longstanding commitment to supporting both patients and healthcare providers. This combined with her dedication to quality improvement and patient-centred care, will be instrumental in strengthening partnerships between patients, families, and care teams while supporting excellence in healthcare delivery across our region.Ashley is proud to be Métis and values the importance of community, connection, and lifelong learning—principles that have shaped both her personal and professional journey. Outside of work, she is the proud mom of two children who keep her busy, cheering them on from the football sidelines, at the hockey rink. When she has a chance, you’ll find her reading, planning her next travel adventure or exploring outside on a paddleboard and hiking the next trail.

Ashley believes that some of life’s best moments are found in nature, with family, and through meaningful connections with others.

Whether she’s supporting patients, mentoring students, or exploring the outdoors with her family, Ashley brings curiosity, compassion, and a genuine appreciation for people and their stories to everything she does.

Shared on behalf of Medical Affairs

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Medical Affairs is pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher Smith has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as an Interventional Radiologist with the Department of Diagnostic Imaging.

Dr. Christopher Smith earned his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science from Saba University School of Medicine after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology at Wayne State University. He completed a Preliminary Internal Medicine Residency at The Christ Hospital, followed by a Diagnostic Radiology Residency with Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR) through Northeast Ohio Medical University. He then completed a Fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he developed expertise in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures with interests in trauma, oncology, and hepatobiliary interventions.

Beyond his clinical training, Dr. Smith has demonstrated a strong commitment to research, medical education, and physician leadership. He served as Chief Resident during his Diagnostic Radiology Residency, mentored medical students and residents, held leadership roles with national radiology organizations, and has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented research at regional and national conferences. His contributions to radiology research were recognized with the RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award in both 2022 and 2023.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Christopher Smith as he joins Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. We look forward to the expertise, innovation, and collaborative approach he will bring to our organization and to the patients and families we serve.

Shared on behalf of Dr. Laura Power, Chief of Staff

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We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mike Scott’s appointment as Chief of Critical Care has been extended until June 30, 2027.

Dr. Scott has been providing exceptional leadership as Chief of Critical Care since 1998 and we are fortunate to see him continue in this role for another year. Other leadership experience includes Medical Lead for Critical Care, Critical Care NWO LHIN Lead, Medical Program Director for Emergency/ Trauma/Critical Care and Medical Lead Northwest Regional Critical Care Response (RCCR) Team.

The contributions Dr. Scott has made to quality patient care at TBRHSC, regionally and provincially are significant. He has advanced ECMO cannulation and transfer model in collaboration with Ornge and TGH; and supported provincial and interprovincial surge management with his involvement in the Ontario Critical Care COVID Command Centre. In 2014 he led the creation of the RCCR Team, improving critical care responses for patients in the region through telemedicine. From 2006-2012 Dr. Scott helped transform ICU care delivery to create Intensivist led models of care across the province. In addition to the impact Dr. Scott has had through his leadership, he is an Assistant Professor at NOSM University and has maintained a clinical practice, with over 30 years’ experience as an anesthesiologist, critical care physician, intensivist and coroner.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Scott on his extension as Chief of Critical Care.