Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

On behalf of the Board of Directors at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), I am pleased to provide this community update.

As we approach the two-year mark of this pandemic and cases regionally are surging, it is important to take a moment and let that statistic sink in — this has been going on almost two full years. In that time, people have lost loved ones. The survivors have carried on, often in isolation, missing their families and friends to protect them and themselves from COVID-19. Parents have struggled with the anxiety of supporting both their children and perhaps aging parents. Others have been impacted financially. And many have been and continue to struggle with mental health issues associated with everything I have just laid out. Now I want you to consider for a moment that our front-line health care workers, doctors, and leadership at TBRHSC have been coping with everything I have just listed just like you have – while also having to go to work each day to treat and support our communities through all of this as it continues. And, what an incredible job they have done and continue to do under the most trying circumstances in recent history.

Through all this struggle, there is much to celebrate and give confidence.

For example, the Board is proud that our internal vaccination efforts have been nothing short of amazing. I am proud to note that 100 percent of our active health care workers are now compliant with first dose or fully vaccinated. This includes professional staff and volunteers. As well, the availability of third doses have provided many staff that extra layer of precaution.

We were also proud earlier this month to see the Indigenous Pharmacist Discharge Navigator project begin. This pilot project will provide pharmacy services that are culturally sensitive and respectful of Indigenous traditions and knowledge. This service is an important step to support the smooth transition of patients back to their homes throughout Northwestern Ontario.

And the Board is so proud and grateful for all of you and your support of TBRHSC through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. The Foundation team has done an amazing job and last month’s 50/50 draw was a jaw-dropping $2.3 million dollars. In the past year, we have seen millions of dollars raised for equipment purchases and infrastructure upgrades, and the Board is truly in awe and immensely grateful for the efforts of the staff and for the Foundation’s success.

Finally, despite the current challenges we face, it has been imperative as a Board and Hospital leadership that we plan for the recovery and the next few years of operations. A great deal of hard work has been going on in the background with regards to Strategic Plan 2026. This is going to be the critical road map for TBRHSC and its priorities over the next few years, so please keep an eye open for news related to this in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you, again to all our front-line staff, leadership, and the communities we serve for your ongoing efforts. Please stay safe and continue to be kind and compassionate with one another.

Created in 2000, World Cancer Day (February 4) has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.

Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organizations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, places of worship – in the streets and online – acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.

While we live in a time of awe-inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many who require cancer care face barriers. Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect an individual’s care during their cancer journey.

This year’s theme for World Cancer Day, “Close the Care Gap”, is all about raising awareness of the equity gap that affects almost everyone.

The goal of World Cancer Day is to raise worldwide awareness, improve education and encourage personal, collective and government action against cancer. We are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of cancer deaths are prevented and access to cancer treatment and care is equitable for all – no matter who you are or where you live.

Adam Vinet, Executive Vice President, Patient Experience & Chief Nursing Executive and Regional Vice President, Cancer Services, North West, Ontario Health

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I am pleased to announce that Dr. Walid Shahrour has accepted the role of Regional Surgical Oncology Medical Lead, effective immediately.

Dr. Shahrour is an Urologist and has been a well-respected member of the Department of Surgery since January 2016. Dr. Shahrour currently holds the position of President for the Professional Staff Association. In addition, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Shahrour to his new role!

I would also like to thank Dr. Kenneth Gehman for his leadership since 2009, as Regional Surgical Oncology Lead. Dr. Gehman championed regional quality and promoted surgical oncology guidelines across the Northwest Region. Dr. Gehman was also instrumental in establishing the Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences for the Northwest Region. I wish him well on his future endeavours!

Cancer screening sees what you can’t. In fact, cancer screening is for eligible individuals who don’t have any symptoms, allowing you the chance to be proactive with your health. The earlier you detect cancer, the more treatable it can be.

There are three cancer screening programs available to residents in Northwestern Ontario: breast, cervical and colon cancer screening.

1. Breast: Women aged 50 to 74 years should have a mammogram every two years. A mammogram is the recommended method for detecting breast cancer.
2. Cervical: Anyone with a cervix, aged 25 to 69 years, who has ever been sexually active, should complete a Pap test every three years to screen for cervical cancer.
3. Colon: Anyone aged 50 to 74 years with no family history of colon cancer should complete a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit every two years to screen for colon cancer.

Cancer screening can be done through your primary care provider but there is also a second option for those living in Northwestern Ontario: the Screen for Life Coach. Vanessa Masters, Mobile Coach Coordinator at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, provided us with more information about this service. 

What is the Screen for Life Coach?

The Screen for Life Coach is a mobile cancer screening service offering breast, cervical and colon cancer screening in one convenient location.

Where does the Coach park?

Each year, the Coach travels to more than 75 different locations across Northwestern Ontario bringing cancer screening services closer to home. From April to October, the Coach travels to communities between Chapleau and the Manitoba border. Throughout the winter months, the Coach parks in various locations around Thunder Bay.

How do you determine which communities the Screen for Life Coach will visit each year?

The Screen for Life Coach schedule is created based on the number of eligible individuals in a community. We use previous community appointment numbers and other tools to make the travel schedule each year. It is important to call and book your cancer screening appointment when you receive your reminder letter so you don’t miss the bus when we are in your community!

What can you expect when you arrive for your appointment on the Coach?

When you arrive to your appointment, please wear a clean mask, have your health card ready and knock on the door. Our staff will greet you and invite you in at the time of your appointment. These protocols help limit wait times for appointments and ensures the health and safety of both patients and staff.

Who works on the Screen for Life Coach?

The staff on the Coach work in teams of two. There is one Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) and one Registered Nurse (RN) who work together at the same time. The MRT perform the breast screening mammogram and the RN provides the cervical screening through a Pap test and also coordinates colon screening with a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit requisition.

How can you make an appointment on the Coach?

If you are eligible for breast, cervical and colon cancer screening, you can book all three appointments back to back. It is a one-stop shop to get all your screening done at once! All appointments can be booked by calling (807) 684-7777. We have morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend appointment times available to best accommodate your schedule.

Although the world may seem a little uncertain right now, one thing that you can be sure about is that cancer screening is good for your health. Take the time to talk to your primary care provider about your cancer screening options or visit www.tbrhsc.net/cancerscreening to learn more about how to book your cancer screening appointment today for a healthy tomorrow.

For a second year, Bay Village is selling heart shaped cookies to raise money for the Our Hearts at Home campaign – Northern Cardiac Fund.

Sugar cookies with buttercream frosting are available for $6 plus tax ($6.80), with $3 going directly to the Our Hearts at Home – Northern Cardiac Fund. Their goal is to raise $25,000 this year.

Cookies are available at Bay Village coffee shop during the month of February, and will be available Thursdays and Fridays at Seasons Gift Shop at the Hospital. Cash only at Seasons.

Throughout the month of January, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff had the opportunity to access a free trial of Wellbeats™, an online program that hosts fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes.

Did you take advantage of this free trial? We want to hear from you!

Share your thoughts with us to help determine if Wellbeats™ is a program that we would like to continue utilizing. Please complete the following survey by Monday, February 14.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Wellbeats

February is Heart Month, a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health, and what we can to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults, and is the second leading cause of death in Canada. We can all reduce our risk of heart disease by making healthy lifestyle choices, including quitting smoking, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Heart Month is also an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary team of health care workers at our Hospital who provide world-class cardiovascular care to patients and their families across Northwestern Ontario.

Shared on behalf of Jessica Logozzo, Executive Vice President, Regional Transformation and Integration

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I am pleased to announce that Amanda Walberg has accepted the position of temporary Executive Assistant, replacing Kaleigh Demeo who is on parental leave effective immediately.

Amanda comes to the Regional Transformation and Integration portfolio from the TBRHSC COVID-19 Incident Management Team where she has been working as the Scribe/Project Assistant since October 2020. Previous to this, she worked as an Intern in Prevention and Screening Clinical Services from August 2019 to October 2020. Amanda is a graduate of Lakehead University with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology.

In this position, Amanda will be responsible for supporting the coordination of administrative duties within the Regional Transformation and Integration portfolio, in support of the regional hospitals in the North West. With her coordination experience, along with her strong organizational and communication skills, Amanda will be an asset to the team.

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Amanda to her new role.

Amanda will continue to support the TBRHSC COVID-19 Incident Management Team in a part time capacity, as she transitions into this role. A huge thank you to Sheila Brown for her continued support in this transition.