Staff throughout our Hospital wore orange shirts today as a display of remembrance, respect, and commitment to Reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day honours Indian Residential School Survivors, the children who never made it home, and recognizes the ongoing impacts of the Residential School system on Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities.
As health care providers and staff, our participation is especially meaningful. The legacy of Residential Schools continues to affect Indigenous Peoples’ experiences with health care. Creating culturally safe health care environments begins with understanding this history and recognizing the responsibility we all share in building relationships based on respect, dignity, and trust.
We encourage everyone to take a few moments today to reflect on the meaning of this day and how people in our region have been, and continued to be, impacted.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by releasing its third annual report detailing the Hospital’s ongoing responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
“We are pleased to share this year’s report, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This year, our focus is on increasing Indigenous representation and supporting Indigenous health professionals at every stage of their careers,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and Chief Executive Officer of TBRHSC and Chief Executive Officer of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “As part of this work, we are ensuring all staff receive cultural safety training so that every patient, family, and team member feels respected, valued, and supported. Our progress is grounded in strong partnerships, accountability, and the invaluable guidance of Indigenous voices. While there is still work to be done, I look forward to bringing continued updates on this important work.”
This year’s report highlights TBRHSC’s focus on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action #23, which calls for increased recruitment and retention of Indigenous professionals in health care and cultural safety training for all health care professionals.
“Call to Action #23 is about more than workforce numbers. It challenges us to imagine the health care system we want to build. It means asking who is represented, whose voices are valued, and ensuring Indigenous staff have opportunities for meaningful, lasting careers at our Hospital,” said Dr. Miranda Lesperance, Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion at TBRHSC. “Our goal is a culture where every staff member is prepared to provide Indigenous patients and families with care that is safe, respectful, and free from racism or discrimination.”
To honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, TBRHSC’s Miskwaa Biidaaban department (Indigenous Collaboration) organized a series of events throughout September. These initiatives included an opportunity for staff to hear the firsthand experiences of Indian Residential School Survivor, Elder Peter Sackaney. Hearing directly from a St. Anne’s Residential School Survivor provided a rare and valuable opportunity to listen, learn and engage. To mark the launch of the report and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, staff were encouraged to wear orange shirts to honour Survivors and remember those who never made it home.
“Advancing Reconciliation at our Hospital means fostering inclusion, equity, and compassion in all that we do”, said Christine Bates, TBRHSC Board Chair. “We know Indigenous Peoples can face unique barriers accessing health care and we are committed to removing these obstacles and supporting cultural safety. Our latest report highlights the progress we’ve made and our ongoing dedication to this important work.”
I bring you this month’s Blog on a significant day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For our Hospital it is more than just a moment or day to reflect. It represents as a reminder of our work to date and the work to come on providing culturally safe, respectful care for Indigenous patients and families across Northwestern Ontario. This year our annual Truth and Reconciliation report is focused on Call to Action #23 a call for increasing the number of Indigenous professionals working in health care and ensuring cultural competency training for all health professionals. It is a strong account of the work done here over the past year and signifies our commitment. I invite you to read the report and reflect on what it asks of us as individuals and as an organization serving communities across this region.
As most of you know, capacity and flow pressures were significant through the month. Many of you felt that in the Emergency Department, on inpatient units, across our diagnostic departments, and across every area affected by downstream pressures. We thought we were ahead of the curve as July and August showed substantial improvements with our metrics on time to inpatient bed and physician initial assessment. This great progress is not lost, and the team-driven work will guide our planning as we approach our upcoming respiratory and influenza season. Please know that the earlier gains were real and recognized.
The Transitional Care Unit will close on October 22 and transition to long-term care under the leadership of St. Joseph’s Care Group. Occupancy at the unit is currently below 50 per cent and we expect the closure to proceed on schedule. I have been clear about my concerns regarding the impact of this change on capacity and patient flow across our region. Our discussions with Ontario Health remain active and we are working together to identify supports that will help maintain patient flow. I will continue to keep you informed as we progress with this transition.
On September 28th, Special Constables have been added within the Emergency Department to support the safety and well-being of staff, patients and caregivers. Through partnership with Thunder Bay Police Services, this pilot project will complement our existing work on preventing workplace violence and enhancing the safety and well-being of the environment for all.
The Meditech Expanse Fair was held on September 25 and I was pleased to see so many staff and professional staff attending to check out the new look and functions of the new system. I witnessed many “aha” moments as participants explored the new system and the elements of how the flow of information will support their work for improved patient care. It is exciting yet difficult, as any change of this scale is. If you were able to attend, I hope the fair provided you a positive first look at what is coming.
Strategic Plan engagement continues, with opportunities for both staff and members of our community to share their perspectives. Here at the Hospital, you can still have your say by scanning one of the QR codes posted throughout the building to complete the survey, or by stopping by our onsite booth. Members of the public can also share their feedback through our online survey. The questions remain the same: What should we keep doing? What should we start doing? And what should we stop doing? There is still time to share your perspective and help shape our next Strategic Plan.
I encourage you to take part in the many activities happening over the next month within our Hospital, Research Institute and the healthcare community as a whole. Together, we are all making a difference on the care provided in our community. Thank you for taking the time to read this Blog and staying informed about some of the key activities that matter.
I welcome any feedback about this blog or any other topics you would like to discuss. You can reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you
The iCare Impact Awards program is open to all employees, professional staff, Patient Family Advisors, and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. It provides a forum for peer-to-peer recognition of positive impacts on our patients and their families.
Sodexo will be serving beef stew with a side of cheese or plain bannock, starting today at 11:00 a.m. Please note, stew will be served while supplies last.
Shared on behalf of Rachael Shaffer, Interim Director, Nursing and Health Professions
We are pleased to announce that this year’s Sharing and Caring Week will take place October 19 to 23, with the theme “17 Years of Making Every Voice Count.”
This year’s theme recognizes the collective impact of patients, families, staff, physicians, volunteers, and learners in shaping care. The theme provides an opportunity to celebrate key milestones, recognize the partnerships that have driven meaningful improvements, and reflect on the evolution of patient and family engagement. It also invites us to look ahead and reinforce our commitment to ensuring every voice continues to influence the future of care. The week will feature a variety of activities designed to be engaging and inclusive, while reflecting our organizational values of Diversity, Compassion, Excellence, Innovation, and Accountability. The main event, Sharing and Caring Expo, will take place on Friday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
We invite teams to register a booth that highlights your initiatives, innovations, or improvements in patient care and experience. Booth ideas may include:
PFCC action plans based on selected data and metrics
Creative and interactive displays
Demonstrations or tools that enhance care delivery
Innovative processes that reflect our core values
To register your booth, please email TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net or call ext. 7322 with the following details:
Booth lead/contact person
Space requirements (floor/wall space)
Number of tables needed
Any setup assistance you may require
During the week of Sharing and Caring, Lunch & Learns and unit visits will be completed.
Lunch and Learns – Monday through Thursday, we will host lunch and learn sessions focused on a variety or relevant topics.
Topics include:
Whiteboards
Meditech Expanse
Journey of an older adult in acute care
Pet Therapy
Patient Stories
Please watch for the poster and additional information about the Lunch & Learn sessions, including specific times and details, as we get closer to the week of the events. Lunch will be provided at all Lunch & Learn presentations.
Unit visits – Throughout the week, we will be bringing coffee carts and snacks to various units to spread kindness and appreciation in small, meaningful ways.
Thank you in advance for your support and participation in making Sharing and Caring Week a meaningful celebration of our collective efforts. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to reach out.
Building on last year’s successful inaugural event, we are pleased to host the second annual Open Doors Career Showcase. on October 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This collaborative initiative will highlight the diverse career opportunities within our hospital and connect prospective employees, students, and community members with professionals across Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSc).
Our goal is to introduce people to health care career paths, provide insight into the many professions that make up our organization, and encourage professional growth and exploration. Attendees will be able to explore career paths across TBRHSC professions and departments, connect with professionals in the field, learn about educational pathways, and, where possible, tour departments to see health care careers in action.
We encourage every profession and department to participate in a way that works for their area, such as hosting a booth, speaking with attendees, or accommodating a department tour. To register, click here.
Thank you for helping us open doors to the many incredible career opportunities within health care. We look forward to showcasing the amazing work happening across TBRHSC and inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.
Today, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) celebrated the vibrant Francophone culture in Northwestern Ontario by raising the Franco Ontarian flag. Representatives from Ontario Health North West, Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO), the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario (Réseau), Francophone Affairs at NOSM U, and the French Language Health Services Planning Centre attended the flag raising. Members of L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay were also present to provide information about their services for patients.
TBRHSC recognizes the importance of providing culturally safe care. Our Hospital is dedicated to meeting the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of all patients, including the diverse Francophone population.
TBRHSC is committed to ensuring that it respects and responds to Francophone cultural preferences, needs, and values, along with those of all the other diverse populations it serves.
Aujourd’hui, le Centre régional des sciences de la santé de Thunder Bay (CRSSTB) a célébré la culture francophone rayonnante du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario en hissant le drapeau franco-ontarien. Des représentants de Santé Ontario Nord-Ouest, de l’Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario, du Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, du Bureau des affaires francophones (BAF) de l’Université de l’EMNO (U EMNO) et du Centre de planification des services de santé en français ont assisté à cette cérémonie. Des membres de L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay étaient également présents pour fournir des renseignements sur leurs services offerts aux patients.
Le CRSSTB reconnaît l’importance de fournir des soins adaptés à la culture. Il ne ménage aucun effort pour répondre aux besoins d’ordre social, culturel et linguistique de tous les patients, y compris ceux de la population francophone diverse.
Le CRSSTB s’engage à reconnaître et à respecter les préférences, les valeurs et les besoins culturels de la population francophone, ainsi que ceux de toutes les autres populations diverses qu’il sert.
(Back Row L to R: Leona Kakepetum – Director Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion (ICEI), Tsilavo Ralandison – Francophone Affairs at NOSM University, Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott – President and CEO, TBRHSC, and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Jennifer Wintermans – Vice President, Clinical Services, Quality and Corporate Affairs, Chantal Chartrand – French Language Health Services Planning Centre, Solange Côté – L’Accueil francophone , Marlee Pradal Executive Assistant People & Culture, ICEI) (Front Row L to R: Sarah Lynne Myllyaho – Nursing Practice Leader, Laïla Faivre – Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, Élodie Grunerud – Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontari, Rae-Anne Robinson – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead, Chantal Doucet – L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay)
Join Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Renal Department at the 2026 Kidney Walk at Boulevard Lake on October 3, 2026.
In support of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, funds raised will further programs, services, research opportunities and awareness campaigns that have a positive impact on the millions of Canadians living with, or at risk of developing kidney disease.
