Shared on behalf of Jennifer Fawcett, Director, Academic and Medical Affairs; and Melissa Enmore, Director, Strategy and Performance Management
We are pleased to announce that Cortney Ibey has accepted the full-time role of Administrative Assistant, Medical Affairs & Strategy and Performance Management effective May 11, 2026.
Cortney is new to our organization and joins us with a background in corporate and social services administrative roles with excellent experience in records management and meeting support.
Cortney will report to Jennifer Fawcett and provide administrative support to the Medical Affairs Team with a matrix support to Strategy and Performance Management led by Melissa Enmore.
Please join us in welcoming Cortney to her new role.
Congratulations David Safronyck, RN (3B), winner of this year’s Preceptor Award.
David was selected for this award for his exceptional contributions as a preceptor and the positive impact he has on learners and newly hired nurses.
David consistently supports his mentees by thoroughly reviewing policies and procedures and ensuring they know where to find essential resources. He creates a supportive learning environment where questions are encouraged, and he uses every moment as an opportunity to teach. His patient and caring demeanor helps learners feel comfortable and confident as they develop their skills. He is highly professional in all interactions and demonstrates a strong commitment to each individual’s success.
David thoughtfully adapts his teaching methods to match each learner’s needs and style, enhancing their understanding and promoting confidence in their practice. His ability to individualize instruction makes a meaningful difference in the learning experience.
David is also a trusted resource on the unit, nurses consistently rely on his expertise and seek his advice when complex situations arise. His willingness to support others extends beyond his assigned mentees, contributing to a culture of teamwork and continuous learning.
Key strengths in David’s preceptering approach include his patience, compassion, and strong commitment to teaching. He excels at reinforcing skills, reviewing knowledge, and ensuring that learner’s feel supported every step of the way. His dedication and professionalism make him an outstanding preceptor and a valued member of the team.
Thank you, David, for your commitment to mentoring the next generation of nurses.
Adam Vinet, Vice President, Patient Experience and Chief Nursing Executive and Regional Vice President, Regional Cancer Care (far right), presents the National Nursing Week Preceptor Award to David Safronyck, RN, from 3B.David Safronyck, RN on 3B (centre) is the winner of this year’s Preceptor Award.
It is National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Chunyan Qu, a Nurse Practitioner at our Hospital.
Before Chunyan became a nurse practitioner (NP), she worked as a bedside registered nurse on Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Surgical unit for approximately four years. During that time, she became more comfortable and felt great satisfaction with her career.
“I was the care partner for my patients and their family; I was their cheer leader, coach/educator, and much more,” says Chunyan. “I was there when they needed support during a difficult part of their lives.”
Chunyan started thinking about what would come next in her career. She wanted to advance her skill set while staying in nursing and became interested in becoming a nurse practitioner. After figuring out the logistics of balancing work, family and school, she determined becoming an NP was achievable.
As an NP, Chunyan has the autonomy to assess patients at an advanced nursing level – ordering necessary diagnostic testing/lab work, interpret results and creating treatment plans for patients who are medically stable independently. She can also refer them to the appropriate physician or specialist when needed.
“Being a nurse is rewarding; being an NP is extra rewarding,” says Chunyan. “I feel my care and effort in trying to make a positive change in other’s lives is recognized by my patients and their families. I’m considered as someone who is reliable and can be depended on.”
Shared on behalf of Meghan Hill, Administrative Manager, Surgical Inpatient Units
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Carrie Vita as Patient Care Manager for 3C Surgery/Neurosurgery, effective Monday, May 18, 2026.
Carrie is an accomplished healthcare leader with more than 26 years of nursing experience, including 9 years of management experience in Ambulatory Care, Fracture Clinic, Rehabilitation Services and most recently 3C Surgery/Neurosurgery.
Carrie has a proven record of leading multidisciplinary teams and optimizing outpatient operations to improve patient flow, quality, and outcomes. She excels at driving evidence‑based practice, strengthening service delivery, and aligning clinical and operational priorities. Committed to advancing Patient and Family Centered Care, she fosters an inclusive, culturally safe workplace where staff can thrive. She is recognized for developing leaders, building high‑performing teams, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Carrie has been Acting Manager of 3C Surgery/Neurosurgery since February 2025 and we are happy to have her join the team permanently.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Carrie to her permanent role.
It is National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Nandaram Dat, a nurse at our Hospital.
Nandaram Dat’s health care journey began in Guyana, South America, where he started working as a Patient Care Assistant in the Emergency Department while awaiting his high school results. It was during this time that Nandaram discovered a deep passion for patient care. Being awarded a hospital scholarship to pursue three years of Registered Nurse training marked the beginning of his professional nursing career.
After qualifying as a Registered Nurse, Nandaram spent five years working on the Medical-Surgical Unit, gaining valuable clinical experience before returning to the Emergency Department. There, he served for two years and was appointed Clinical Shift Leader, and developed strong leadership and critical decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.
Nandaram’s passion for emergency medicine led him to play a key role in the development of Guyana’s first Emergency Medical Services system. In 2016, he was appointed Quality Improvement Officer, and focused on enhancing patient care standards and operational efficiency. In 2017, he was further honored with the role of Chief EMT, providing leadership in pre-hospital emergency care and helping to strengthen emergency response services in the country.
As a father of two amazing boys, Nandaram’s desire to provide greater opportunities for his family inspired him to migrate to Canada in 2023. While continuing his professional development at Confederation College, Nandaram worked as a Unit Care Aide at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. He currently serves on the Cardiac Stroke Unit (2C), where he remains committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care.
Contemplating his career, Nandaram says, “My journey reflects resilience, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving health care and supporting patients and families through some of their most critical moments.”
Encounters in Bioethics 2025-2026 offers a free webinar “Palliative Care Ethics: Exploring Conscious Dying” on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (ET).
Presenter: Catherine Aquino-Russell, BScN, MN, PhD, CCDC (Caritas Conscious Dying Coach), Professor (retired), Faculty of Nursing, Moncton Campus, University of New Brunswick, Moncton, NB
From May 11 to 14, 2026, four surveyors from Accreditation Canada will be on site as part of TBRHSC’s regular accreditation process. Hospitals across Canada participate in accreditation every four years, measuring their programs and services against national standards for quality and patient safety.
Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit Canadian organization that works with health care experts to develop standards aimed at improving the quality and safety of care. The process helps hospitals recognize what they are doing well while identifying opportunities to continue improving care for patients and families.
During the upcoming visit, surveyors will spend time in different areas of TBRHSC speaking with staff, physicians, volunteers, and patient and family advisors. They may also observe care areas and, if patients or families are comfortable, ask about their experiences receiving care.
“Accreditation is an important opportunity for us to reflect on the care we provide and continue improving for the patients and families we serve,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC, and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “Our teams are deeply committed to delivering safe, compassionate, high-quality care every day. This visit gives us the chance to highlight that work, while continuing to learn how we can do even better for the communities we serve across Northwestern Ontario.”
Patients and visitors should know that care will continue as usual during the week. Surveyors will simply be learning more about how teams across TBRHSC work together to support safe, high-quality care.
Providing care to patients from across Northwestern Ontario, leaders say the visit is an opportunity to highlight the dedication of the people who care for patients every day and look forward to continuing to strengthen TBRHSC’s commitment to exceptional care for every patient, every time.
