Reflections From the Front Lines provides our health care professionals with an opportunity to share stories and experiences about their role in providing exceptional care for every patient, every time.

We feature these each month during our Town Hall — a virtual venue designed to keep staff, professional staff, volunteers and leaners informed about what’s happening at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

Check out our previous episodes below (or on the Hospital’s YouTube channel), and be sure to tune in to future Town Halls for more stories.

Over 60 students from school boards across Thunder Bay were on-site at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) to explore many different health care career and volunteer options.

In its fifth year, the Indigenous Career Experience is dedicated to inspiring Indigenous youth by providing essential insights into diverse health care career opportunities and by building relationships with TBRHSC. A significant aspect of the program is connecting with high school students before they make final decisions about post-secondary education. Through hands-on learning experiences, it ignites their enthusiasm for pursuing a future in health care. Additionally, the initiative supports the recruitment of Indigenous professionals within the health care sector.

A special part of this year’s event was the naming of the program with a traditional Spirit Name. Elder Aaron Therriault gifted the name ‘Kinomagai Akosii-agamong Anokiiwin’, which translates to ‘teaching hospital, career or work’. The name represents the work that our Hospital does, as it is a place for teaching and learning.

Students experienced a day filled with tours, presentations, and hands-on activities designed to provide them with an authentic feel of various health care roles. Students have the opportunity to interact with managers and staff, ask questions, and learn about the educational pathways required for various positions.

“It was a fun day. I think the hands-on activities were the best part. Using surgical tools in the operating room was super cool. I also really enjoyed learning about Indigenous traditions like drumming and smudging, which I don’t get to do often,” said a grade 10 student from Hammarskjold High School. “The ‘Amazing Race’ activity was really fun and interactive. I appreciated how the staff explained everything and answered our questions.”

The departments that participated, the Operating Room, Medical Device Reprocessing Department, Nutrition and Food Services, Maintenance, Miskwaa Biidaaban, Interprofessional Education, and Volunteer Services played a vital role in making this day a valuable and fun learning experience for the students.

“It was such a pleasure to run our Amazing Race Workshop with students from all grades and schools across Thunder Bay,” said Holly Freill, Interprofessional Educator. “Everyone jumped in with enthusiasm, making it a fun day filled with challenge, teamwork, and lots of laughter,” added Jennifer Gadioma, Interprofessional Educator.

Human Resources would like to say thank you to Elder Aaron, the planning committee, participating departments, and our Senior Leadership Council for your time, your knowledge, and your enthusiasm. The dedication to educating and inspiring the next generation of health care professionals is truly appreciated. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and inspire more young minds.

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When it comes to a project as large as the Cardiovascular Surgery Program, it truly takes a village—from the construction, safety, and communication teams, to those responsible for operational readiness and clinical integration, to other partners including the provincial government and donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, providing essential financial support. Below is a closer look at the dedicated team members and partners currently bringing the capital portion of this project to life. 

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Building the Future of Cardiovascular Care at TBRHSC: A True Team Effort

TBRHSC Cardiovascular Surgery Program Construction Project Management Team

Northwestern Ontario has the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the province. Patients often have to travel long distances for specialized cardiac care, which can create logistical, financial, emotional and health challenges. To address this, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) prioritized bringing cardiovascular care closer to home for the people of Northwestern Ontario through a collaborative “Two Sites, One Program” model with University Health Network’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.

Starting in 2013, the organizations collaborated on a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing patient care and advancing regional clinical outcomes in cardiovascular health. The first phase of the plan focused on the development and implementation of the vascular surgery program; the second phase consisted of developing a comprehensive Cardiovascular Surgery program, expanding services significantly. And with the expanded services comes the requirement for more space, which requires a multi-stage approval process set out by the provincial government.

By 2015, internal planning was well underway, and the pre-capital submission was sent to the Ministry of Health. Over the next several years, the project moved through several important planning stages—including the Functional Program, Detailed Planning and Design, and development of Construction Documents.

Then in June 2024, the project reached a major milestone: approval from the Ministry of Health to tender construction. A construction contract was awarded in December 2024, officially kicking off the next phase of bringing cardiovascular surgery closer to home.

And what started more than a decade ago as an exciting clinical vision for TBRHSC is now becoming a reality, with construction well underway on 76,000 square feet of new and renovated clinical and support spaces for the new Cardiovascular Surgery program.

Behind the bricks and mortar of this project is a dedicated group of professionals working together to bring the expansion to life. The Construction Project Management team involves a wide range of expertise, from clinical safety and communications to design, procurement, and finance—all working in harmony to ensure the project meets the highest standards.

It truly takes a village to bring a project of this scale to life—from coordinating construction to ensuring safety, communication, operational readiness, and clinical integration. Here’s a look at the dedicated team members and partners driving the capital project forward:

TBRHSC Cardiovascular Surgery Program Construction Project Management Team

• Ryan Sears, Project Director Provides overall leadership and oversight, including managing time, budget, quality, internal coordination, risk, and communication.
• Aaron Bruno, Project Planner Leads construction review, consultant coordination, project planning, and scheduling. Oversees change orders, quality assurance, financial reviews, and communication.
• Daniel Sedano, Project Coordinator Keeps a close eye on daily construction activities, ensuring quality and spec compliance. Coordinates departments, schedules, and consultant inputs.
• Clayton MacDonald, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Reviews safety plans and ensures the site meets health and safety standards.
• Stephanie Erickson, Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Ensures infection control protocols are integrated into every stage of the construction process.
• Raiili Pellizzari, Communications Leads all project-related communications—keeping internal teams and the community informed and engaged.
• Darin Pretto, Maintenance Coordinates construction activities within the existing facility, including system shutdowns and tie-ins.
• William White, Procurement Leads procurement of all hospital Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) for the expansion.
• Ted Wyant, Finance Oversees Hospital financial planning and coordination with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and Ministry of Health.

External Partners & Consultants

• BTY Consulting Group Supports with project administration, construction reviews, consultant coordination, and FF&E management.
• FORM Architecture, Parkin Architects, HH Angus & Associates Manages the construction contract, issue formal documents (like change orders), respond to contractor questions, and certify progress payments.
• CES Engineering Acts as the Commissioning Agent—ensuring building systems (like HVAC and electrical) are installed and functioning exactly as designed.
• Tom Jones Corporation The General Contractor, managing construction and sub-trades, oversees the entirety of the construction project and brings the detailed Construction Documents to life.

As construction progresses, this collaborative team remains committed to creating a facility that reflects the high standard of care TBRHSC is known for. When completed, the new cardiovascular space will not only enhance local care options but also reduce the need for patients to travel for specialized treatment.

“This project has always been about delivering better care, closer to home,” said Ryan Sears, Project Director. “Patients and families in our region face the emotional and physical burden of traveling over 1,300 kilometers by air to receive cardiac care. That’s not just a journey—it’s a separation from their family or support networks and sometimes, even a barrier to treatment.

“Care closer to home means more than convenience in a difficult time. It means safety and the peace of mind that comes from knowing expert care is just down the road. It means families can stay together during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

“To me, this project is not just steel and concrete. It is a promise that the people of our community matter, their health matters, and that they shouldn’t have to leave home to get the care they deserve,” concludes Sears.

Do you know someone in our organization who consistently demonstrates exceptional Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC)?

Someone who takes the time to truly listen, who includes patients and families in care decisions, and who ensures everyone feels respected, safe, and valued?We want to hear about them!

Each month, the PFCC team is accepting “PFCC Shout Outs”. This is a way to recognize staff across all departments who go the extra mile to make the patient and family experience better. Whether it’s a small gesture of kindness, a meaningful conversation, or an example of true collaboration and compassion, we want to celebrate those moments.

What does a PFCC Shout Out look like?

• A nurse who takes time to explain care options in a way the patient understands
• A porter who makes a patient feel comfortable and less anxious during a transfer
• A unit clerk who warmly greets families and helps them navigate the hospital
• A physician who ensures the family is included in rounds and decisions
• Any team member who prioritizes dignity, respect, and collaboration

How to nominate someone:
Anyone, staff, patients, families, or volunteers, can nominate a staff member by sending a quick email to TBRHSC.PFCC@tbh.net. Please include the staff member’s name, department, and a brief description of what they did that deserves recognition.

Monthly winners will receive a small prize, have their photo featured on the PFCC intranet page, and be highlighted in Daily Informed newsletter.

Let’s celebrate the people who make this a truly patient and family-centred organization. Start shouting out today!

On behalf of the Employee Giving Committee, Jenelle and Lindsay from the Foundation will be visiting each department on November 27, 2025 between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to welcome new Employee Givers and celebrate our amazing current ones.

Become a new Employee Giver and you’ll receive a festive holiday stocking and a candy cane to kick off the season!

Already an Employee Giver? 

Increase your giving by $1 and receive a candy cane.
Increase your giving by $5 and you’ll receive a stocking + candy cane 

Let’s start the holiday season by giving back to those who need it most. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in our community.

As part of our transition to M365, we are moving our files to the cloud with OneDrive and SharePoint.

Starting December 1, 2025, new staff will get a OneDrive account. While existing staff will be moved to OneDrive early 2026. After everyone has moved to OneDrive, the transition to SharePoint will begin.

Please continue to use your “H” Drive until you’ve transitioned.

What is OneDrive?

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage solution for personal files. OneDrive will be replacing all Home Directories (i.e. “H” Drives).

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint is a hub for communication, documentation, and collaboration for your team!
SharePoint will be replacing all of our Network Shares (i.e. “T”/“S” Drives).

Look Out for Sharing Links:

As we transition to M365, expect to see emails with Sharing Links to files from other staff asking to collaborate. To learn more about sharing files in M365, go to the M365Hub.tbh.net.

If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at Help.Desk@tbh.net.

Shared on behalf of Justin Garofalo, Vice President, Facilities, Capital Planning and Support Services & Chief Financial Officer Jeannine Verdenik, Vice President, People & Culture

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As we embrace the winter season, it is critical to prioritize pedestrian safety, especially in adverse weather conditions and times of reduced visibility. Our collective responsibility towards ensuring safe access to the Hospital is paramount. This memo is a reminder of our commitment to ensuring safety within our community. By adhering to the following safety practices, we contribute to a safer environment for everyone.

Pedestrian Safety Guidelines

Designated Sidewalks & Crossings: All pedestrians must utilize official access sidewalks and designated pedestrian crossings. These areas are designed to enhance safety and visibility and receive added snow and ice control measures.

Visibility: Pedestrians may not be immediately visible to vehicular traffic. It is important to wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop and acknowledge your presence before proceeding to cross roadways. During the winter months, when visibility may be reduced due to daylight savings or weather conditions, is it crucial to travel along designated sidewalks and crossings.

Stop for Pedestrians: When travelling by vehicle, stop for pedestrians waiting to cross a roadway. We emphasize the importance of safe driving in adverse weather conditions. Allow ample time to stop when approaching designated pedestrian crossings. Please encourage staff to reduce speed on hospital property and exercise increased caution at pedestrian crossings. The posted speed limit on TBRHSC property is 30 km/h.

Key Takeaways:

• Staff are required to travel onto and off the property only via official access routes.

• While travelling on the property, please adhere to the use of sidewalks and designated crossings.

• While travelling by vehicle, adhere to the posted speed limit and stop for pedestrians to cross a roadway.

We thank everyone who continually exercises all measures of caution when entering and exiting Hospital property.  We all share in the responsibility of keeping our workplace safe and together we can ensure that our property remains a safe zone for all staff, patients and families, and the greater community.

For more information, please refer to OHS-os-253 Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention Policy.

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

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I am pleased to announce that Martina White, Tarra Baker, Cheyenne Spence, and Phyllis Howe have accepted the Full-Time Indigenous Care Coordinator (ICC) positions, and Lexxi Saarinen and Savanna Boucher have accepted the Part-Time ICC positions.

We are thrilled to have Martina White continue in her ICC role supporting inpatient areas, now transitioning from temporary to permanent.

Tarra Baker joins the ICC team after nearly nine years as a Rehab Assistant in the Rehabilitation Services Department. With a Kinesiology Degree from Lakehead University, she brings strong experience in patient and family centered care and functional rehabilitation. Beginning January 12, 2026, Tarra will provide dedicated support to the Women & Children’s Department, contributing to the advancement of culturally safer care for Indigenous Peoples.

Cheyenne Spence will transition to the ICC team on January 12, 2026, after six years as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. Cheyenne is a strong advocate for Indigenous health equity who has championed culturally safer care and strengthened relationships with Indigenous patients and communities. She will continue to support the Emergency Department in her new role.

Phyllis Howe, a recent graduate of the Practical Nursing program at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute, brings experience in community-level Home and Community Care through Keewaytinook Okimakanak and coordination with Jordan’s Principle. Fluent in Ojibwe and dedicated to equitable healthcare access for Indigenous Peoples, Phyllis will support the Emergency Department beginning January 12, 2026.

Lexxi Saarinen joined the team on November 3, 2025. A Registered Practical Nurse currently completing her BScN at Lakehead University, she has provided both inpatient care at TBRHSC and public health nursing in remote First Nation communities through Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority. Lexxi is a strong advocate for culturally safer, equitable care and will support the Emergency Department in her ICC role.

Savanna Boucher transitioned to part-time on November 17, 2025. A dedicated advocate for Indigenous health and culturally safer care, Savanna will support the Emergency Department, strengthening relationships with Indigenous patients and families through her compassionate supports.

As ICCs, Martina, Cheyenne, Phyllis, Tarra, Lexxi, and Savanna will report to the Manager, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion, working collaboratively within the Miskwaa Biidaaban – Indigenous Collaboration department to enhance culturally safer care and improve equitable outcomes for Indigenous Peoples at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Work Locations and Contact Information

Martina and Tarra: ICC Administrative area inside Volunteer Services (Room 2007).
Phone: 807-684-7363 | Email: TBRHSC.IndigenousCareCoordinators@tbh.net

Cheyenne, Phyllis, Lexxi, and Savanna: Emergency Department Administrative area when on shift.
Phone: 807-684-6153 | Email: TBRHSC.IndigenousCareCoordinators@tbh.net

Please join me in congratulating Martina, Cheyenne, Phyllis, Tarra, Savanna, and Lexxi on their new roles.

We also share bittersweet news that Gloria Boshkaykin’s last day will be Friday, November 21st as she begins a new journey working at the First Nation community level. A heartfelt Miigwech to Gloria for her tremendous dedication and impact in advancing the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples at TBRHSC.

Updated ICC Coverage Hours:

Inpatient ICC Hours
Effective Monday, November 24, 2025:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Emergency Department ICC Hours
Effective February 2, 2026:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The ICCs priority on the weekends is providing supports to the Emergency Department and Labour & Delivery.

An updated ICC contact sheet will be available in January 2026. For the latest information, please visit the Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion section on the Intranet.

Repairs to the terrazzo stairs on the Grand Staircase will take place from November 24 to December 1. 

The following areas will be impacted:

• ACCESS FROM LEVEL 2 TO LEVEL 3: This area will be closed from Monday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m. until Friday, November 28 at 8:00 a.m.  
• ACCESS FROM LEVEL 1 TO LEVEL 2: This area will be closed from Friday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m. until Monday, December 1 at 8:00 a.m.

Patients and families can utilize the main lobby elevator (ELEV-04) or Stair-I (near A pods) during both closures.  

If you have any questions, please contact Darin Pretto, at darin.pretto@tbh.net.

Here’s a snapshot of our learner activity for November 2025. Thank you to all departments for continuing to support an exceptional learning environment.

Below are the number of learners who completed placements at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre across a variety of programs and disciplines.

• 55 Health Professions: There were a total of 55 students on site in November, representing the following programs: Child and Youth Worker, Dietetics, Echocardiography, Medical Laboratory Technologist, MRI, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Physiotherapy, Primary Care Paramedic, Psychology, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work.
• 266 Nursing Students: There were a total of 266 Nursing students on site in November, including students from Lakehead University, Confederation College, Oshki-Pimache-O Win: The Wenjack Education Institute, Nipissing University, and the National Institute of First Assisting.
• 79 Residents: NOSM U Postgraduate Medical Learners currently completing core or elective rotations in Thunder Bay.
• 48 Medical Students: In November 36 UGY1, UGY3, and UGY4 medical students were on site. UGY1s completed a half-day Foundation Interprofessional Team Based Care in the North (FIT) placement, while UGY3s and UGY4s participated in clinical rotations.
• 7 Physician Assistants: In September, the Physician Assistant students began their placements in Family Medicine clinics and are now on site for hospital rotations. The majority will remain here until December.
• 11 Visiting Electives: Visiting electives included 3 Medical Students and 8 Residents from other institutions, including Northeastern NOSM U learners.
• 3 Midwifery Students: Midwifery students are currently completing clinical placements, with some on site until April 2026.

*All learner data was taken from NirvSystem and the Learner Database.