If you have any questions regard the Simulation Survey, please reach out to Quality and Risk Management at TBRHSC.QualityandRiskManagement@tbh.net.

All staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers are invited to tune in, stay informed, and get involved as in our monthly Town Hall. This is your chance to hear the latest updates from across our Hospital and Health Research Institute — from strategic priorities to day-to-day operations — and to have your voice heard.

Past and Upcoming Town Hall Dates Via Microsoft Teams

September 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
October 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
November 26 @ 2:00 p.m.
December 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
January 21 @ 2:00 p.m.
February 25 @ 2:00 p.m.
March 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
April 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
May 20 @ 2:00 p.m.
June 17 @ 2:00 p.m.

Got questions or feedback?

This is your forum. Ask questions live during the Q&A segment or submit them in advance to ensure the right people are available to respond.

Submit your questions by:

• Emailing TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net
• Asking in real time during the Q&A segment of the Town Hall.

Submitting questions in advance ensures the right people are available to respond.

Don’t miss it — we look forward to seeing you there!

If you’d like to access a recording or presentation from a previous Town Hall, visit the archive.

Show appreciation during this year’s Employee Recognition Week, taking place from February 27 to March 6. Send a Recognition O’Gram, submit a Thumbs Up, or send an electronic recognition card to your colleagues.

See below for more details:

Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control.

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Please be advised that the Influenza A outbreak has been declared over at TBRHSC 1A inpatient unit as of January 31, 2026.

All restrictions have been lifted.  

Please share this information with the appropriate staff. 

For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094.

Clinical placements play a vital role in a health care learner’s journey, bridging academic learning with real-world practice and helping students build confidence, competence, and professional identity. Through hands-on experience, learners develop essential clinical skills, teamwork, and an understanding of patient centred care.

As an academic health sciences centre, our Hospital is proud to support learners by providing a safe, supportive, and enriching placement environment where future professionals can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to patient care. Every month, the department of Academic Affairs is highlighting learners at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Today, we meet Jack, who is in the Kinesiology Program at Lakehead University. 

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Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON
Program: Lakehead University – Kinesiology – placement with Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Travis Marion

What does an average day during your placement look like?

A typical day in placement varies depending on what setting we are in. Following Dr. Marion involves being in either the Operating Room, the Fracture Clinic, or his clinic, Big Thunder Orthopedics. In the OR I will typically watch Dr. Marion perform various surgeries, as well as follow him as he sees the patients pre and post operation. The Fracture Clinic is very different from the OR, as it is fast paced, and we see a high volume of patients with various conditions and injuries. Lastly, in his clinic it is similar to fracture clinic and we see patients that are either seeing Dr. Marion for the first time or following up with him so he can see how they are progressing. Regardless of the setting, every placement day has been extremely insightful and very enjoyable.

Is there a mentor of faculty member who has significantly impacted you?

Given that my placement is with Dr. Marion, I will have to say that he has had an immense impact on myself, as a student and hopefully as a future physician. Dr. Marion’s compassion, knowledge, leadership, and respect toward everyone in the hospital are traits that I one day hope to have as a physician. Dr. Marion’s guidance will stick with me for the rest of my career regardless of the field I one day end up in.

What is one interesting fact others might not know about you?

I am currently a student athlete playing on the men’s hockey team at Lakehead University.

Skip the all staff email. Post your message on the Daily Informed Newsletter instead.

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The Daily Informed Newsletter is published Monday to Friday and distributed to all Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute staff via email (tbh.net accounts).

Why should I post my message in the Daily Informed Newsletter?

It’s the most effective way to reach all staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers electronically. It can also support a variety of content formats.

By the Numbers:

• Lifetime published articles: 4,442
• Lifetime visits: 1,290,684
• Visits, last 30 days: 24,827
• Visits, last 365 days: 75,878

Submission guidelines:

• All submissions to the Daily Informed Newsletter are sent to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net.
• Please use Word (.doc/.docx) for text-only submissions.
• To ensure all materials intended for the Daily Informed Newsletter (e.g. event posters, memos, etc.) adhere to our corporate branding and style standards, please contact a member of the Communications and Engagement team for assistance, use the pre-existing templates available to all staff, or view the Production of Publicly Distributed TBRHSC Promotional Materials (COMM-03) policy for more information.
• Please include a high resolution photo (.jpg or .png) to accompany your item. A member of the Communications and Engagement team would be happy to take the photo for you if needed.
• Indicate both the preferred date to start posting and the expiry date.
• Submissions about events include any education, information or awareness raising initiatives and activities happening in the community that support TBRHSC and TBRHRI’s Strategic Plan.
• Please ensure that content intended for the Daily Informed Newsletter has been endorsed by your department’s Manager/Director/VP prior to submitting.

Questions? Contact TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net

Each year in February, Canada observes Black History Month—a time to honor the significant achievements and contributions of Black Canadians. It also serves as a moment to reflect on the historical injustices faced by Black people in Canada, while reaffirming our commitment to dismantling the power structures that perpetuate anti-Black racism.

The 2026 theme for Black History Month in Canada, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” honours the Black Canadians who have shaped our past and present, and the inspiration they provide to future generations.

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Steering Committee invites you to celebrate Black History Month as we highlight the contributions of our colleagues to healthcare, and build our capacity to provide inclusive and equitable healthcare services.

Tune into the Daily Informed Newsletter throughout the month of February to learn more about how TBRHSC is honoring Black History Month. For more information on Black History Month, click here.

Have you ever wondered about the significance of the colours used during Black History Month?

You may have noticed that Black History Month often features black, red, green, and gold/yellow. These colours are derived from the Pan-African Flag, a black, green, and red flag that was created by Marcus Garvey in 1920, and the red, green, and yellow of the Ethiopian flag. These colours symbolize the resilience and liberation of Black people, and each colour holds special significance:

• Black Represents Black skin, and the resilience of Black people
• Red Represents the blood of those who have been lost throughout history to enslavement, colonization, and other forms of violence
• Green Represents the rich greenery of Africa
• Yellow Represents Ethiopia, the only African country that evaded colonization. Yellow therefore denotes optimism, justice, and equality

Black History Month: Staff Features Callout:

We are currently seeking staff members or learners who identify as Black (for example, African, Caribbean, African Canadian, Afro-Caribbean, and Black Canadian) who are interested in sharing about their learning and/or work experiences in healthcare, and what Black History Month means to them.

Submissions will be featured on the Daily Informed Newsletter and TBRHSC social media pages.

If you would like to participate, or have any questions, we invite you to email the EDI Steering Committee by February 9, 2026 at 4 p.m. at: TBRHSC.EDISteeringCommittee@tbh.net.

Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As January comes to a close, we are looking forward to some reprieve from what has been a challenging month across the organization. As you know, this year started with incredible pressures related to influenza and related overcapacity. Our Emergency Department experienced a spike in admissions as our community and region were hit hard with influenza, which we responded to with significant leadership and care. I continue to be inspired by your ability to step up and respond, yet again, to support the needs of our patients and families, locally and regionally.

With that being said, Employee Recognition Week (ERW) is around the corner and provides an opportunity to celebrate the people who make our organization exceptional – our medical staff, employees, teams, volunteers, and Patient Family Advisors. Each day, your skill, compassion, and dedication make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families across Northwestern Ontario. From February 27 to March 6, I encourage all staff to take part in ERW activities by visiting the Corporate Intranet, reading the Daily Informed Newsletter, and following our social media channels. Throughout the week, there will be opportunities to connect and celebrate through prize draws, daily trivia, and other engaging activities. Most importantly, it is a time to say thank you and to recognize the extraordinary commitment that defines our collective work.

Looking forward, while we navigate capital improvements and planning, this is also the time of year when we plan our operational budgets for the next fiscal year. This year, however, is far from typical as we have shifted our focus to Health Sector Sustainability Planning in an environment where most hospitals across Ontario are planning for deficit budgets based on a set of planning parameters which assume more inflation and cost pressures than anticipated ministry revenue to meet those pressures. We are no different. 

This new landscape for planning in Ontario hospitals is challenging us to think differently, be innovative and advance efficiencies across our health system. The pressure continues to address our growing population health inequities and respond to regional needs.

While the financial landscape for Ontario hospitals can bring uncertainty, we remain focused on supporting our teams and ensuring we continue to provide the best possible care experience, grow opportunities to improve patient care and flow and respond to unmet care needs. We encourage everyone to stay informed and reach out with any questions or concerns, and we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. We know we are supporting health care needs in a rather unique environment with more challenging issues related to access to care, chronic disease and geography.

We are starting to prepare for our accreditation process. Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to safe, high-quality care and ongoing improvement across our Hospital. To prepare for the May 2026 on-site survey, we will hold a Simulation Survey on February 18, a practice run designed to increase readiness and offer practical guidance. As we prepare for May, the mock survey will help to empower our teams to uphold rigorous standards, for safe, quality care. Through accreditation, we strengthen trust with our patients, staff and communities, to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to excellence in everything we do. 

February is Black History Month, a time to share and honour the achievements, histories, and contributions of Black communities throughout our province and beyond. It serves as a meaningful opportunity for us to reflect, learn, and engage in conversations that foster understanding, inclusion, and respect. As we recognize Black History Month, we encourage everyone to participate in activities and educational initiatives that celebrate diversity and enrich our Hospital and Health Research Institute.

Between the weather and the patient volume we see, I recognize that this time of year can often be difficult for many. Please ensure to prioritize your well-being and be mindful of those around us that may need support. In doing so, we create a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone.

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.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation has several fundraising initiatives in support of our Hospital throughout the month of February.

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Share a Heart Floral Fundraiser

Share a Heart Floral Fundraiser is Back!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Share a Heart Floral Fundraiser returns with the help of three beloved local florists – Grower Direct, Rollason Flowers, and Vaillant Florists. Each florists are offering beautiful bouquets designed to share love and make a difference.

Throughout the month, purchase or preorder a Share a Heart Bouquet from any participating florist, with proceeds supporting the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign, helping advance cardiac care right here in Northwestern Ontario.

Bouquets will be available for purchase and preorder at each participating florist location, with additional preorder opportunities at the Hospital (across from Seasons Gift Shop) on February 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here for more information.

Bay Village Heart Cookie Fundraiser

Heart Cookies are BACK at Bay Village Coffee! 

This February, treat yourself to something sweet for a great cause. Stop by Bay Village Coffee and grab a delicious Heart Cookie while supporting the Our Hearts at Home campaign. Every bite helps support exceptional cardiac care close to home through the Northern Cardiac Fund.

When: Month of February
Location: Bay Village Coffee – 221 Bay Street, open 7:00am to 2:00 p.m., Monday to Friday
In Support of: Northern Cardiac Fund – Our Hearts at Home

Click here for more information.

Copper Kettle Drinks in Support of the Northern Cardiac Fund

Copper Kettle Coffee House is proudly partnering with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation for the month of February to support Northern Cardiac Fund — and they are doing it in the sweetest way possible!

Elevate your drinks in honour of Valentine’s Day this February! Add coloured whipped cream to any hot or cold beverage with proceeds coming back to the Northern Cardiac Fund. Tie it all together with a delicious Persian Cinnamon Bun for $6, a tasty treat that makes a difference in our community – with $1 coming back to the Northern Cardiac Fund.

Stop by Copper Kettle Coffee House, enjoy a delicious drink and cinnamon bun and help make a difference for patients in our community.

Click here for more information.

Heartbeat of your Car

Rev up for Heart Month!

This February, give your car (and your heart) a little extra love! Wakefield Oil Change Plus is teaming up with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation for Heart Month! For every oil change in February, $1 will be donated to the Northern Cardiac Fund – helping support exceptional cardiac care right here in Northwestern Ontario.

Swing by 311 Cumberland St N during the month of February and help keep hearts (and engines) running strong!

Click here for more information.

Gusterra Game Day Platters

Hosting the BIG GAME on Feb. 8 just got a whole lot easier!

Local catering company Gusterra is serving up ready-to-heat game day appetizer platters, with proceeds supporting life-saving cardiac care right here at home through our Northern Cardiac Fund.

To owners Theo Sundell and Beckham Thompson, Gusterra’s launch fundraiser is deeply personal. Cardiac care has touched their own family, and now they’re giving back! Platters come ready to serve 6-10 people, depending on how big your game day party will be! Platter for 6 is $110, platter for 10 is $160. 

$25–$35 from every platter supports local cardiac care right here in Thunder Bay!

Pre-orders are open NOW until February 4, then you just pick up, heat, serve & enjoy. Pickup will be available at the RFDA at 570 Syndicate Ave S on February 7 and 8 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the kitchen entrance.

For more details and to order your game day platter, go to gusterra.ca/gameday

50K FOR 50K

Colin loves skiing, and for this year’s Sleeping Giant Loppet he has a lofty goal: Raise $50,000 for Exceptional local breast cancer care – that’s $1,000 for every kilometre he’s skiing!

With your help, we know he can do it!

You can support by donating – or if you’ll be in the Loppet you can fundraise, too!

Make a donation to a skiier today or start your fundraising: https://p2p.onecause.com/50k