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.

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Last week, members of the media had the opportunity to step inside the Simulation Lab at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, the beating heart of hands-on health care learning. This immersive environment gives students, physicians and other health care professionals the opportunity to practice realistic clinical scenarios, strengthen their skills and build confidence in a safe setting designed to bring health care education to life.

The event featured a simulation demonstration showcasing “Charlie,” an advanced simulation mannequin made possible through a significant investment from donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. The demonstration also highlighted a HALO (High Acuity Low Occurrence) event, illustrating how the skills developed in the Simulation Lab can translate into real-world, life-saving action.

Special thanks to Dr. Aaron Ruberto, Simulation Medical Lead and ICU Physician; Dr. Rosie North, Simulation Medical Lead and Chief of Emergency/Trauma Services; and Leanne Baird, Simulation Program Manager for leading the event and showcasing the important role simulation plays in preparing health care professionals to deliver safe, high-quality care.

We are launching a new open feedback portal called “What Matters to You?,” designed to identify fast, actionable ideas to improve your day-to-day work.

The focus is on small pebbles, the changes we can implement in the short-term.

Scan the QR code on the poster below and let us know:

• One thing that would improve your workday.
• A small change we can implement soon.
• Point out a process, tool, or practice to reduce friction.
• What we should start, stop, or continue doing for more joy and well-being.
• How you’d like to receive updates.

Suggestions will be shared with the Staff Advisor Committee.

Thank you for helping us make meaningful, quick-win improvements!

If you have questions please reach out to Human Resources or any Staff Advisory Committee member.

The Employee Giving Program is looking for enthusiastic employee donors to join its committee.

Working alongside staff from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, committee members help guide decisions on medical equipment purchases funded through employee donations. This is a great opportunity to help make a meaningful difference in patient care at our hospital and in our community.

The time commitment is minimal, with only 2-3 meetings scheduled throughout the year.

If you are interested in becoming a Committee member or would like more information, please contact:

Laura Andricciola
Executive Coordinator
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4

Tel: 807-684-7276
Email: laura.andricciola@tbh.net

Shared on behalf of Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC, and CEO, TBRHRI

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Over the past year, I have informed you about this HSSP (a multi-year plan for achieving financial and operational stability for the hospital sector, to enable continued high quality, connected and accessible care) work in my Blogs and through Town Halls. As we move forward with the next steps, I wanted to continue to keep you informed and let you know what we are about to engage in with designated supports from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health.

Through our Hospital’s balanced budget plan submission, we put forward some strategies to support budget reduction where it did not impact quality, access or care programming to patients locally and regionally. Although these plans were well accepted and we were deemed as an efficient hospital, we continue to have financial burdens because of historical funding allocations not meeting our funding needs as a tertiary academic health sciences centre, and revenue increases not keeping up with inflationary/expenditure growth.

What we do know is that TBRHSC provides quality care that is accessible to Northwestern Ontario. We also know, through our preliminary HSSP review, that we are:

• An efficient hospital when benchmarked against our peers
• A Top performer in emergency and acute care operational efficiency
• A Top performer in administrative efficiency
• The only regional tertiary and academic hospital and a central hub to foundational care in Northwestern Ontario
• A critical organization to the Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario Health sector and crucial to a strong economy
• A hospital and region with needs that are higher, as driven by geography, patient complexity, burden of disease in the North and higher operating costs

Late last week, we were made aware that the Ministry of Health has procured support with BIG Healthcare (consultants) to help support Hospitals path to further their HSSP work and help the hospital sector balance.

To that end, we will work to demonstrate our quality, efficiency, and access while informing on the North’s unique and different landscape that does not have the same supports and resources as other areas of our province.

This overall process is still being worked out, including timelines and what this will involve day to day. For now, we will maintain our commitment of quality care and access.

Thank you for all you do and for supporting beyond your responsibilities. We see the incredible care and dedication you bring day in and day out in the name of ‘Exceptional care for every patient, every time’. We thank you, for your understanding as we undertake this work, and I look forward to being able to update you on next steps as I am able.

Medical Affairs is pleased to announce that Dr. Hamed Alsagga has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as an Anesthesiologist with the Department of Anesthesia & Pain Management.

Dr. Hamed Alsagga brings extensive clinical experience and subspecialty expertise in cardiac anesthesia, complemented by broad experience across a wide range of complex surgical and clinical settings. Dr. Alsagga completed a Clinical Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, following advanced clinical fellowship training in Anesthesia at Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network. He previously completed a Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as his Saudi Board of Anesthesia training at King Fahad Medical City. He holds an MBBS from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is eligible for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Anesthesiology examination.

Throughout his career, Dr. Alsagga has developed expertise in cardiac anesthesia and the perioperative management of patients undergoing complex surgical procedures. His clinical experience spans general, regional, neuro, thoracic, vascular, obstetric, pediatric, trauma, transplant, congenital, bariatric, abdominal organ transplant, and robotic surgery. He also has expertise in ultrasound-guided regional blocks, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. In addition, Dr. Alsagga has demonstrated a strong commitment to medical education and research, contributing to simulation-based and clinical skills teaching at the University Health Network and Western University. His research includes studies examining cardiac surgery outcomes, echocardiographic assessment, perioperative complications, delirium, pain management, and critical care.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Hamed Alsagga as he joins Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. We look forward to the expertise, experience, contributions, and collaborative approach he will bring to our patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare community.

As part of the Preceptor Recognition Program, Lisa Smith has been recognized as a preceptor who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to teaching and supporting others here at the Hospital. Read their nomination below, along with their perspective on what it means to be a preceptor.

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Name: Lisa Smith

Profession: Registered Practical Nurse

Department: Adult Mental Health

Nomination:

Lisa’s hard work, growth, and achievements deserve recognition. Lisa is a kind, thoughtful nurse and exceptional mentor to future staff. Kind, driven, studious, hardworking, dedicated, approachable, humorous.

Dedicated nurse, leader, preceptor, and full-time BScN student.

Here is what Lisa has to say about being a preceptor:

I love watching students gain confidence throughout their preceptorship and learn what practice styles work best for them. It’s rewarding to see their growth and watch them become more comfortable and confident in their practice.