September 26 is Human Resources Professionals Day, an opportunity to recognize the dedication and expertise of our Human Resources (HR) team. From recruitment and onboarding to employee wellness, benefits, training, and workplace support, HR plays an important role in supporting our people and helping make our Hospital a place of compassion, excellence, and collaboration.

Human Resource Professional Day, is a moment to recognize the often behind-the-scenes efforts of those who keep our organization thriving. HR professionals are not only stewards of policy and process, they are champions of people, helping to shape a workplace culture that is positive, inclusive, and resilient. To our HR team: Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your ability to navigate complex challenges, and your support of every employee at our Hospital. Your work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.

Every September, communities across Canada recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

About 1,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year. The month raises awareness of childhood cancer, honours children and families affected by paediatric cancer, and highlights the ongoing need for research, care, support, and advocacy.

As a Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) Satellite Clinic, we are proud to build a link in honour of Linked for Life. Linked for Life is a powerful symbol of connection, compassion, and community for children and families affected by childhood cancer across Ontario. These paper chains will hang in our Paediatric Unit to show our united commitment to childhood cancer care in our community.

This week, staff across our Hospital wore yellow or gold T-shirts to help create awareness and show support for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

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Sent on behalf of Justin Garofalo, Vice President, Facilities, Capital Planning and Support Service & CFO and Ryan Sears, Director, Capital & Facility Services

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The Facilities team is pleased to announce plans to establish a new designated paved leisure path, connecting the east sidewalk (near the cafeteria entrance) to the Cancer Centre sidewalk along Ron Saddington Way.

This initiative supports campus improvements, aligned with our integrated Master Plan and staff feedback, to create a more connected and welcoming campus environment. The path will provide a convenient link that is separated from vehicle traffic to support opportunities for walking, fresh air and wellbeing throughout the workday.

Further details on the construction timeline and next steps will be announced soon.

Every person has a story, and listening to those stories can help change the way we understand substance use and addiction.

In a new series of educational videos, individuals share their personal experiences and perspectives on stigma, substance use, addiction, and health care. Their stories offer an important opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how our words, actions, and assumptions can affect those seeking care.

These videos also honour those who have been lost to substance use and addiction-related harms and acknowledge the grief experienced by their families, friends, and loved ones. By sharing these experiences and perspectives, we can deepen our understanding of the impact of stigma and recognize the importance of approaching every person with compassion, dignity, and respect.

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, we recognize that stigma can create real barriers for patients and families. Outdated language, stereotypes, and misconceptions can influence how people are treated and whether they feel safe and supported when accessing care. By listening to and learning from people with lived and living experience, we can challenge these assumptions and help create a more compassionate, inclusive, and welcoming environment.

Developed as part of the Patient Experience pillar of Strategic Plan 2026 and our ongoing work to reduce stigma associated with substance use and addiction, these videos reflect our collective resolve to do better and to move forward with greater compassion, understanding, and respect for those seeking care.

We invite you to watch, listen to the stories and perspectives being shared, and reflect on how each of us can help reduce stigma and make a positive difference.

This week, we hear from Dr. Naana Jumah:

For more stories visit bit.ly/confronting-stigma-TBRHSC

This month’s Town Hall took place on Wednesday, September 16. See below for a video recording of the session and a copy of the presentation slides.

If you have questions you would like answered, please send them to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net and we will do our best to address them at a future Town Hall.

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

Thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged.

Shared on behalf of Volunteer Services

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Do you have a few spare hours in the evening? Do you have a teenager 16 years or older who needs a few extra volunteer hours? We’re looking for additional volunteers to help with our Minimum Staffing Drill on Wednesday, October 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Volunteers will act as mock patients during a simulated Code Red to Code Green evacuation drill. It’s a great opportunity for teens to earn volunteer hours while helping our team prepare for an emergency situation.

If you or your teen is interested in volunteering, please email Megan at Megan.Valente@tbh.net to sign up.

We’d love your help!

We’re excited to welcome three NOSM University Year 3 medical students to TBRHSC: Kyle Stroomer, Lisa Winslow, and Kyra Tassone, who joined us onsite in early September and will be with us through the end of March.

Throughout the year, Kyle, Lisa and Kyra will gain experience in local family medicine clinics as well as across several clinical services at TBRHSC. We’re looking forward to supporting their learning and helping them make the most of their time in Thunder Bay.

We’re also pleased to welcome Dr. Joe Del Paggio as our new Site Liaison Clinician. Dr. Del Paggio has stepped into the role with this year’s UGY3 class, helping to support their clinical learning and connection with our site.

A huge thank you to our staff, faculty, students and residents who continue to welcome our learners, share their knowledge and create meaningful learning opportunities. Your time, teaching and support are what make these experiences possible!

Welcome, Kyle, Lisa, Kyra and Dr. Del Paggio! We’re happy to have you with us!

Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, Vice President, Medical Affairs

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We are pleased to announce that Dr. Samantha Bruzzese has been appointed to the roles of Medical Lead, Bariatric Clinic and Medical Lead, Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC) for a one-year term.

In these roles, Dr. Bruzzese provides medical leadership across the Bariatric Clinic and the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care, supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient- and family-centred care for patients with complex obesity and diabetes. Her leadership spans outpatient and associated regional satellite settings, as applicable to each program. Working within a program management model, she will collaborate closely with the program manager, administrative and medical leaders, physicians, and interprofessional care providers to support coordinated and effective care.

Dr. Bruzzese provides leadership in the ongoing development, implementation, evaluation, and advancement of both programs. Her responsibilities include supporting evidence-based policies, procedures, and clinical practices; quality improvement initiatives; strategic planning; and the effective use of clinical resources. Through these leadership roles, Dr. Bruzzese contributes to the continued growth and advancement of bariatric and complex diabetes services, helping to strengthen the quality, coordination, and accessibility of care for patients throughout the region.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Samantha Bruzzese on her appointments as Medical Lead, Bariatric Clinic and Medical Lead, CCDC.

Do you need a French interpreter for your patient? Not sure what your options are? Here you will find information for several services that offer French Language interpretation. 

French Language Interpretation Services

Interpretation services are available to patients in all clinical units and departments at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) through several options. TBRHSC encourages the use of free, local interpretation options before using paid phone and video options. Below you will find interpretations services that connect French-speaking patients to their healthcare providers.

French-English Interpretation by TBRHSC staff members

The Hospital maintains a list of staff who are able to provide French-English interpretation services, in order to enhance the quality and accessibility of health services for the Francophone population, and ensure timely communication between patients and their healthcare providers.

To request translation services from a French-speaking staff member, you can download the “List of Hospital staff who interpret for patients in English/French” from the Intranet at: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/french-language-services

* Please note that staff availability varies

L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay

L’Accueil francophone’s main focus is to offer interpretation services between French-speaking clients and healthcare professionals. They provide quality interpretation services in a confidential and professional manner.

L’Accueil francophone’s interpretation services are available onsite, virtually, or by telephone, and are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and are therefore offered free of charge.

To arrange French interpretation services, please contact L’Accueil francophone as soon as possible in advance of your patient’s appointment in order to guarantee availability:

Phone: 807-684-1940

Toll-free: 1-844-202-2370

Email: interpretation@accueilfrancophone.com

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

To learn more about L’Accueil francophone’s services, please see the attached brochure (available in French and English). The brochure can be found here: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/french-language-services/documents/accueil-francophone-brochure

L’Accueil francophone via the Ontario Telehealth Network

L’Accueil francophone also offers French Language interpretation in real time via the Ontario Telehealth Network, connecting regional patients with their healthcare providers. Services can be accessed in the community by phone, at a hospital using the OTN system, and from home using a computer or tablet. 

Instructions on how to schedule French Language Interpretation Services via OTN can be found here in French: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/french-language-services/documents/otn-french-interpretation-services-fr  and in English: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/french-language-services/documents/otn-french-interpretation-services

InSight Video Interpreting by LanguageLine

InSight Video interpreting offers interpretation services by medically trained interpreters, in 140 languages.

Availability varies, but is generally Monday – Friday, early morning to late evening hours, with the most common languages available on weekends.

To access InSight interpreting services, please use your unit/department iPad, and follow the instructions posted in the InSight Video Interpreting quick reference guide. The guide can be found here: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/interpretation-services/resource-documents/insight-quick-reference-guide

Remember to have your unit-specific Secured Access Code prior to initiating services, as the interpreter will ask you for this information. If you do not have your unit’s Secured Access Code, please request this from your Manager.

*Please note that there is a fee for service

Over the phone interpretation

Phone interpretation services provided by medically trained interpreters are available in 140 languages. Most languages are available 24/7.

To access phone interpretation services, please follow the instructions outlined in the Over the Phone Interpretation quick reference guide. The guide can be found here: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/interpretation-services/resource-documents/signage-for-client-id-and-access-code-tbrhsc

Remember to state the language you require for interpreting services, and have the Hospital client ID number and unit-specific Secured Access Code prior to initiating services, as the interpreter will ask you for this information. If you do not have your unit’s Secured Access Code, please request this from your Manager.

*Please note that there is a fee for service

Multicultural Association

Face-to-face interpretation services are offered by the Multicultural Association. A limited number of languages are available, and hours of service are typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Pre-booking is preferred.

*Please note that there is a fee for service

To learn more about interpretation services at TBRHSC, please access the Interpretation Overview on the Intranet: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/corporate-info/interpretation-services/resource-documents/interpretation-overview

If you have any questions about French Language Services, please contact Rae-Anne Robinson, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator at: 807-684-6396.