Shared on behalf of N’doo’owe Binesi at St. Joseph’s Care Group

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Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s and Mental Health Programs

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I am pleased to announce that Jason Cooper has accepted the position of Coordinator, Mental Health Program effective October 20, 2025. 

Jason has 20 years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse working the majority of his career in acute mental health nursing. Jason has worked in a variety of settings including Thunder Bay Corrections and the Adult Mental Health Unit here at TBRHSC. Over the course of his nursing career, Jason has demonstrated passion and commitment to working with patients experiencing psychiatric illness and has certification as a Psychiatric and Mental Health nurse from the Canadian Nurses Association. 

Working as the Patient Care Coordinator on Adult Mental Health, Jason has supported the Adult Mental Health team with patient flow and daily departmental operations. In this role, he has demonstrated literacy in humanistic leadership, building strong relationships with demonstrated effective and respectful communication. Jason has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation and has been a respected and valued resource for the Mental Health team. 

In his new role, Jason will be responsible for organizing, planning and coordinating staffing across Adult Mental Health, Forensic Mental Health and Child & Adolescent Mental Health departments and will be responsible for the management of the Mental Health Resource Team. In addition to these responsibilities, Jason will participate in program and quality initiatives. 

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Jason to his new role.  Jason’s office will be located in Room 1026, in the Forensic Mental Health hallway and at phone extension 6383. I would also like to thank Michelle Davidson for managing the Mental Health Resource Team, which will transition over to Jason once he assumes his new role.

Shared on behalf of Leona Kakepetum, Director, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion

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We are pleased to announce that Cory Hoogsteen has accepted the position of Spiritual Care Coordinator, effective September 9, 2025.

Cory has served as our Spiritual Care Associate for nearly two years and has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the spiritual and emotional well-being of those in our care. He brings with him a background and continuing professional interests in philosophy, psychology, theology, and music, which inform his thoughtful and compassionate approach to his work.

His regular hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 09:00–17:00 and located in the Spiritual Care offices, Level 2, Room 2011.You can contact him by Email at Cory.Hoogsteen@tbh.net, calling ext. 6236, or by Meditech for Patient referrals.

For urgent requests when he is not in the office (Mondays and Thursdays), please call ext. 4072 and leave a detailed message.

Cory will report to the Director, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion. In this capacity, he will work collaboratively with all departments to support individuals from diverse faith backgrounds as well as those without traditional belief systems, addressing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

Please join us in congratulating Cory on this exciting advancement. We look forward to their continued contributions in fostering respectful, culturally safe, and holistic care for all patients, families, and communities.

(Originally published in Health System News, via the Ontario Hospital Association)

In today’s rapidly evolving health care landscape, effective communication between providers and patients is more critical than ever. In Northwestern Ontario, where patient communication has traditionally relied on physical mail, missed appointments, or “no-shows”, remain a persistent challenge. This leads to system inefficiencies and a waste of finite resources. To address this, hospitals across the region are preparing to launch an innovative SMS and email notification program in 2026. This direct-to-patient system will deliver real-time appointment alerts and preparation instructions, streamlining communication and improving patient engagement.

Dubbed “Opt-In,” the initiative leverages the use of technology and encourages patients to take a more active role in managing their care. Through a simple consent process shared at all hospitals across Northwestern Ontario, the Opt-In campaign aims to attract broad participation, especially from those who prioritize timely updates about their health. The program is expected to reduce missed appointments and improve coordination by sending reminders and confirmations directly to patients’ devices. At the heart of this initiative is the Central Waitlist Management (CWM) Project, designed to better allocate MRI, CT and surgical resources across regional hospitals. The integration of SMS and email functionalities enhances both patient satisfaction and system efficiency by ensuring timely and equitable access to care.

“We’re thrilled to empower patients in Northwestern Ontario like never before. This innovative system will not only enhance communication but also actively engage patients in their health care journey,” said Caroline Fanti, Director Regional Surgical Services at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). “By reducing missed appointments and ensuring timely access to care, we’re taking a significant step forward in creating a more connected and patient-centred experience.”

This work aligns closely with TBRHSC’s Strategic Plan 2026, which focuses on improving the patient experience across all levels of care. A cornerstone of this effort is the introduction of a centralized intake model for diagnostic imaging referrals, Ontario’s first fully regionalized single-entry system. By standardizing referrals, this model reduces wait times, promotes equity in access, balances demand across sites, and optimizes the use of regional resources. A fully digital, real-time workflow supports this system, providing a paperless approach that accommodates both patient and provider preferences.

The CWM Project at TBRHSC provides the critical digital infrastructure to enable our regionally integrated hub and spoke model of care across five surgical sites. The Opt In campaign will enable patients to register once for surgical and diagnostic imaging services provided at any of the 12 hospital sites across Northwestern Ontario. This work represents the first in kind for a fully regionalized approach to digital patient notifications.

The initiative also proactively addresses potential barriers to participation, including privacy concerns, technological accessibility, and fear of spam. To build trust, the messages feature hospital branding, include sample content in advance, and follow a clear, secure opt-in process. All communications will omit personal health details to safeguard patient confidentiality. With a goal of reaching an 80% opt-in rate within two years, this SMS notification campaign represents a major step forward in patient-centered care for Northwestern Ontario. By reducing no-shows, improving system efficiency, and fostering more engaged patients, it reflects a broader commitment to innovation and access. The Opt-In communication system will be leveraged through the robust Central Intake technology used by all surgical hospitals across Northwestern Ontario.

Participating hospitals include:

• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
• Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
• Dryden Regional Health Centre
• Riverside Health Care
• Lake of the Woods District Hospital​

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is currently seeking volunteers to serve on our Research Ethics Board (REB). We are seeking members for the following two positions: 

Indigenous Community Member
Must be unaffiliated with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and able to provide input regarding their knowledge about the Indigenous community of  Thunder Bay and region.

Physician Member
Must be a physician and able to contribute to the evaluation of a study on its ethical, scientific and statistical merits and standards of practice.

REB members are expected to devote up to four hours per month towards their duties which include attending monthly meetings (virtually or in-person) from September to June. Experience in research ethics is valuable but not a requirement as all necessary training will be provided.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, or would like to learn more about the positions, please contact:

Carol Pelletier, Research Ethics Officer, at TBRHSC.REO@tbh.net

Please submit your expression of interest and CV by September 30, 2025. 

Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives invites you to join the webinar “Truth and Reconciliation in an Era of Distraction – We are in a time of global shifts, fake news, media overload and growing incivility; does Truth and Reconciliation still have meaning?” with Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT (via Zoom). 

Register at the following link:

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/MzCMC73_QeGmrDBNq8OsnQ

A confirmation email will be sent after you register.

Contact Email: admin.ii@lakeheadu.ca

About the Speaker

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux was appointed as the first Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University and continues to develop pathways forward to reconciliation across Canada.

Cynthia was the inaugural Nexen Chair for Indigenous Leadership at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in 2008. She was inducted as a “Honourary Witness” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2014 and is Chair of the Governing Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.She is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding. She sees endless merit in bringing people from diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds together to engage in practical dialogue and applied research initiatives. She is deeply committed to public education and active youth engagement from all cultures and backgrounds.

Shared on behalf of Joelle Macey, Manager, Adult Mental Health and Brief Intervention Treatment Team

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We are pleased to announce that Debbie Croswell has accepted the position of Patient Care Coordinator for the Adult Mental Health Program, effective September 22, 2025.

With over 25 years of clinical experience, Debbie brings a wealth of expertise and passion for early intervention, mental health, and supporting patient autonomy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and is certified by the Canadian Nurses Association in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Canada. Additionally, she has been an active member of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Substance Use and Addictions Working Group since 2022. 

In her most recent role as Charge Nurse with the Regional Mental Health Assessment Team, she was instrumental in advancing process improvements and fostering collaboration across our services and throughout the region. Debbie is a well-respected colleague and leader, known for her fairness, deep understanding of leadership and community systems, and her commitment to improving patient care. 

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Jason Cooper, who has accepted a new position as Mental Health Coordinator for the Mental Health Programs. He has done an outstanding job as Patient Care Coordinator over the last several years, and we are grateful for his dedication and leadership. Staff will continue to work closely with him in his new role, ensuring ongoing collaboration and continuity of care.

Please join us in welcoming Debbie to her new position and in thanking Jason for his exceptional contributions and continued support.

Shared on behalf of Paula Vangel, Manager, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion

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I am pleased to announce that Dayna Foulds has accepted the Full Time Indigenous Care Coordinator (ICC) position effective September 8. 

We are thrilled to welcome Dayna as she steps into the role previously held by Carla Shawayhamaish, who is now embarking on a well-earned and exciting retirement journey! A heartfelt Miigwech to Carla for her incredible dedication and tireless efforts in advancing the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples at TBRHSC. Her impact will be felt for years to come — congratulations, Carla! 

Dayna brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience as a Registered Nurse on 1A, Public Health Nurse at Independent First Nations Alliance, Community Wellbeing Nurse at Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and Registered Nurse at Nipigon District Memorial Hospital. Working at these organizations she has developed strong advocacy skills furthering her passion for improving the health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples. 

As the ICC, Dayna will report to the Manager, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity, and Inclusion, where she will work in collaboration with the other ICCs in the Miskwaa Biidaaban – Indigenous Collaboration department to provide culturally safe care to improve health delivery and equity outcomes for Indigenous Peoples within the organization. 

Dayna will be located in the ICC administrative area inside Volunteer Services (room 2007). She can be reached via email TBRHSC.IndigenousCareCoordinators@tbh.net or dayna.foulds@tbh.net and by phone at 807-684-7363 or cell 807-630-8707. 

Please join me in congratulating Dayna on her new role.

Each year, living donor transplants save the lives of hundreds of Canadians awaiting a liver or kidney transplant. Living organ donation offers a shorter pathway to better health with a less wait time and better health outcomes than a deceased donor transplant. Yet many Canadians are not aware of living organ donation.

Living Donation Week (September 7-13) is a national awareness week focused on improving access and equity in living organ donation. This Week invites the living donor and transplant community to come together, celebrate and spread the word about this life-changing gift, and everyone who makes it possible. Launched by the Centre for Living Organ Donation at University Health Network (UHN) in 2020, Living Donation Week is now celebrated annually across Canada and beyond, starting the Sunday after Labour Day.

To learn more about living kidney donation in Northwestern Ontario, contact Tracey MacKay, MCKC/Transplant Coordinator for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre at Tel. 807-684-6165 or tracey.mackay@tbh.net.