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 Outdated language, stereotypes, and misconceptions can influence how people are treated and whether they feel safe and supported when accessing care.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 Sara Cicchitano:

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

Closing the Distance: Thunder Bay’s Pediatric Emergency Transport Team One Year In

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
TIme: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Location: Auditorium A/B or virtually

The H2H Program supports patients transitioning from hospital to the community who require enhanced, short-term clinical support, proactive care coordination, and navigation following discharge. H2H provides close follow-up after discharge to identify changes early, coordinate care, and quickly escalate clinical or community care needs.

A referral to the H2H program can be made by completing the H2H Referral Form. Patients can be referred when they are medically stable and ready or near-ready for discharge. Patients referred to H2H will be considered under one of three pathways: Standard H2H Pathway, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Pathway and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Pathway.

When a referral is received, the H2H team will assess the patient and collaborate with the discharging team to facilitate a safe transition home. The Patient Flow Coordinator will provide short-term follow-up, care coordination, and navigation, while the Nurse Practitioner can provide clinical assessment and follow-up when required. The H2H team will work with existing hospital and community services to address identified needs and escalate concerns when necessary.

The goal of H2H is not to duplicate existing community services, but to bridge gaps between hospital and home, strengthen transitions in care, and identify and address concerns early before they result in avoidable hospital utilization.

For questions, concerns, or to arrange an in-service about the H2H program, please contact Brody Blackwood, H2H Coordinator at brody.blackwood@tbh.net or extension 7871.

TBRHSC’s insurer Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) is offering a free webcast: Documentation Fundamentals and Practice Considerations for Healthcare Professionals, November 26, 2026

Clinical documentation is fundamental to the delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-informed care across the health care continuum. In response to requests from HIROC Subscribers, we are offering this session to support improved quality and consistency in clinical documentation. This interactive virtual session is designed to support documentation requirements, regulatory standards, and communication challenges encountered by frontline health care providers across all sectors.

When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (ET)
Platform – Virtual

This session combines theory bursts with practical application, drawing on lessons from HIROC’s extensive claims database. Interactive case studies will provide an opportunity to examine documentation challenges and consider practical approaches to managing risk.

Who Should Attend

The session is designed for frontline health care providers, clinical practice leaders, and patient safety professionals. To maximize the value of the interactive case discussions, participants will select the stream most relevant to their practice. 

Eligibility

Registration is complimentary (zero cost) and exclusively for HIROC Subscribers.

Register now using the link below:

Documentation Fundamentals and Practice Considerations for Healthcare Professionals, November 26, 2026

Your personal information is important to us…and yourself!

An integral part of our role in Human Resources is respecting your personal information and ensuring that your employee experience is a positive one. Your personal information ensures that you receive important communications from the Hospital. These can include calls to offer an extra shift, to inform you of an emergency affecting hospital services (fan out) or notices of important changes that you should be aware of.

You should update your personal information if:

• you have recently changed your name (professional registration should be completed first)
• you have recently moved or had a change of address and/or phone number
• change of marital status
• you would like to update your emergency contact

When was the last time you reviewed your beneficiaries?

Your benefits should be part of your estate planning for your loved ones.

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) reminds you of your beneficiary information every year on your Annual Statement or at your convenience through your HOOPP Connect portal.

If you are a regular Full-time employee you may be enrolled in Group Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and/or Voluntary Life Insurance. To update beneficiary data, a form must be signed in Human Resources.

The protection of your personal information is important to us. We recommend that you visit Human Resources to makes the necessary changes or contact us at TBRHSC.HumanResources@tbh.net through Hospital email, not a personal email address. Be prepared to show your ID and/or answer verification questions to ensure your identity.

The Mental Health Awareness Committee is a volunteer group of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre employees who are passionate about bringing awareness to mental health and substance use health. They host engaging and inclusive events throughout the year that aim to break down stigmas surrounding mental health and substance use health. Bi-annually, in May and October, they plan events to recognize Mental Health and Mental Illness Awareness Weeks with activities that include guest speaker talks, information sessions, pet therapy, and an Expo that brings together community members and resources for everyone to experience. They also host monthly Mental Health and Addictions Resource Days where community groups visit to provide information to staff and visitors about the various programs and resources available.

This week, join the Committee for a variety of events and opportunities to win prizes. For a full list of activities, please click here.

Today’s event is online trivia. By completing the trivia, you will have an opportunity to be entered into a draw to win a prize! Trivia is posted on the intranet.

The committee actively seeks out new opportunities and ideas to advocate for mental health and substance use health. If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Awareness Committee, please reach out to the chair, Giulia Daniele (Giulia.Daniele@tbh.net).

It’s Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™”

As a general reminder, please continue to ensure that your work area and departments are compliant with our internal fire safety standards. Compliance is everyone’s responsibility and fire safety requirements should always be followed.

Did you know all equipment and medical devices acquired, leased, loaned, or transferred to the Hospital have to under go acceptance testing prior to operational use? Acceptance testing ensures that equipment and medical devices operate safely, meet manufacturer specifications, comply with regulatory and Hospital requirements, and are suitable for the intended environment, whether clinical or non-clinical.

Refresh your knowledge by reviewing the following:

• All equipment purchased by or used at the Hospital will comply with Equipment & Medical Device – Acceptance Testing (PP-100) and Requirements for Certification of Medical Devices and Equipment (PP-101).
• All staff or patient owned equipment will comply with policy Patient and Staff Owned Equipment (PP-301).

The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.

Self-referral can be made to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Physician, Social Worker, Kinesiologist, Dietician, and Lactation Consultant.

To be seen by an Obstetrician, a referral is needed from your primary health care provider or midwife.

During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.

TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 110 babies born at our Hospital during the month of September. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!

Find out more about our services by visiting bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre-info.