November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we’re highlighting staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who play a vital role in diabetes care. Meet Emma Ueffing, Elizabeth Arbour and Lise Belliveau (left to right), Registered Dietitians at the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC).

What does it take to be a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

RDs have a university degree in human nutrition and dietetics from an accredited university program plus a 1-year supervised practical training (internship) program. It will take about five years to finish all education and training.

What inspired you to work in diabetes care?

Food and nutrition can have as much of an impact on diabetes outcomes, if not more than many medications. It provides the opportunity for patients to have a role in managing their diabetes through choices they make on a daily basis.

What is unique about your role?

Our role is unique for a few reasons. First, the CCDC operates as an inpatient and outpatient service. Therefore, you have opportunity to follow patients throughout their journey through health care. Second, the CCDC has a network of health professionals that work closely as an interdisciplinary team to provide patient care. Finally, in addition to being registered dieticians, we are also Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), or are working towards it, which means we can provide more than nutrition education and counselling. We can speak to our patients about anything diabetes related.

How does your role impact patient care?

It is natural for patients to have questions about what to eat and it is often the first of many questions after a new diagnosis. A dietitian is key to helping those with diabetes navigate the ever-changing diet and nutrition industry with evidenced based, practical suggestions. We work with patients to develop and individualized nutrition care plan to meet their needs

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is part of your daily messaging to patients. Do you have any personal tips on how to stay healthy?

Try to find balance. Healthy living doesn’t need to be all or nothing. Create sustainable changes that you can stick with that still allow you to enjoy special occasions. Also, try to fit movement into your day wherever possible. We always try to take the stairs and walk on our lunches – rain or shine!

Do you still have a 2020 Seasons Gift Card? Please note that the expiry date for those 2020 gift cards has been extended to December 24th, 2021.

For more information, please contact Louisa Gosgnach, Manager, Seasons Gift Shop.

It’s Diabetes Awareness Month, and we’re highlighting staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who play a vital role in diabetes care. Meet Carina Barrie and Allyson Adduono, Nurse Practitioners at the Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC).

What does it take to be a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

NPs are Registered Nurses who have additional education and clinical experience. They diagnose patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication and other treatments. To specialize in the field of diabetes, we successfully completed the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certificate exam.

What inspired you to work in diabetes care?

We both have a vast nursing background that includes critical care and cardiac care. Working in these areas, we saw how poorly controlled diabetes can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. We want to keep our patients as healthy as possible and be a part of preventing long-term complications.

What is unique about your role?

Nurse practitioners are at the forefront of diabetes management. We provide ongoing medical care to mange the complexities of this chronic illness. We have the opportunity to get to know our patients and help them in a holistic manner within our inter-professional team. Each patient’s needs and goals are unique which directs our plan of care and involvement.

How does your role impact patient care?

By supporting patients to manage their diabetes, we have an impact on their life. We help to increase their confidence, self-management skills and future health. In turn, this can have a positive impact on a family, a workplace and/or a community.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is part of your daily messaging to patients. Do you have any personal tips on how to stay healthy?

Try to focus on staying active. Exercise can reduce stress, and improve sleep and resiliency. Make lifestyle changes one step at a time. You can start by exercising daily, then make small changes to your diet, followed by practicing mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety. Staying healthy will be a lifelong process that will change and evolve.

Donna Jeanpierre, Manager of Volunteer Services at our Hospital is the recipient of the first-ever Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer Administrators (TBAVA) Leader of Volunteers Award. This award is presented to the TBAVA member who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, leadership and excellence in volunteer engagement within the Thunder Bay region. The award winner must have achieved successes in volunteer engagement and positively impacted the agency or program they work with or the profession of volunteer engagement.

Congratulations Donna!

Christmas came early for Sandra Kadolph from Thunder Bay when she received a phone call notifying her of her big win earlier today.  Sandra is the lucky winner of the November Thunder Bay 50/50 draw, and is bringing home a jackpot of $580,412.

After receiving the news about her winnings, Sandra said, “Every Thursday I tell myself ‘Oh maybe I’ll get the call tomorrow!’. But last night I told myself not to think about it… and now you’re calling me. Wow.”

This was the tenth monthly grand prize draw, and combined winnings to date are over $6M.  All proceeds go towards purchasing vital equipment for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and the Foundation recently announced over $4.1M in grant funding for various pieces of equipment and facility upgrades, which were made possible through 50/50 proceeds and community donations.

“The Thunder Bay 50/50 has allowed the Foundation to fund the purchase of many vital pieces of equipment for our Hospital, and some for regional hospitals as well.  We look forward to continuing with the draw, and have some exciting things happening in December, including a $10,000 bonus draw, and a limited time $100 ticket package for the holidays,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

December’s Raffle is Now Live

The December draw for the Thunder Bay 50/50 is now open, with exciting Early Bird Draws, a $10,000 Bonus Draw happening on December 29^th, and a BRAND NEW ticket package, exclusive to the holiday season.

Tickets are available online only at www.thunderbay5050.ca:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers
• $100 for 500 numbers  (Special Holiday Package – December Only)

** Must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 30 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, December 31, 2021.

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Participants must be present in Ontario and 18 years old or older.

VIDEO: Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation calls the Grand Prize winner to notify them their number was selected in the draw.

Access the video here:

• Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cHXAlEBBodJWJzcN9O7vJZeTlAHwxgkh/view?usp=sharing
• YouTube link: https://youtu.be/uHY3bsWQThg

Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead

Effective immediately, our Hospital has moved its Internal Pandemic Responsive Level from Green (Recover and Prevent) to Yellow (Protect). This decision was made in response to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Thunder Bay, across Northwestern Ontario and the increased frequency of travel.

Moving to Response Level Yellow signifies an emphasis on caution and no changes to protocol are required at this time; however departments should be on alert if the situation should require additional actions.  Staff may refer to the COVID-19 Pandemic Triggers and Actions document for guidance. Please note that this document continues to evolve to better reflect our current state: https://comms.tbrhsc.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/COVID-19-Pandemic-Triggers-and-Actions-Nov-26-2021.pdf

We must continue to be cautious with our COVID-19 pandemic response and aware of any potential impacts to our operations. The safety of patients, staff and the community remains our utmost priority.

Staff are reminded to complete the screening tool prior to each shift, practice hand hygiene and wear PPE appropriate for the work environment. Unvaccinated staff are encouraged to get both doses, and fully vaccinated staff are eligible for a third dose (booster shot) by appointment at our on-site clinic. It is imperative that we stay the course together. We appreciate everything you do.

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/.

Thank you for your continued efforts.

Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead

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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) recognizes that the ability to travel is an important part of a return to normalcy and supports a positive work-life balance.  As such, we will be adjusting our requirements related to travel for fully vaccinated staff and professional staff.

Our land borders are now open and the Federal Government has recently announced that fully vaccinated Canadians returning to Canada within 72 hours of leaving will no longer have to provide proof of a negative molecular test effective November 30th.

Effective immediately, staff will no longer need to adhere to the following:

• COVID-19 Travel Form submitted to Manager and OHS prior to travel.
• Requirement to request five calendar days off from work upon return to Canada.
• Requirement to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test to Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S).
• 8th day COVID-19 test through the Assessment Centre.

All staff will be required to be aware of any travel requirements as per Federal, Provincial and any local guidance.   

Staff who are fully vaccinated and travel internationally must follow the Federal guidelines upon returning to Canada and can return to work following ArriveCAN clearance. Individuals who have been selected by ArriveCAN for additional screening may return to work, unless they have been instructed to self-isolate.

Federal restrictions will not allow unvaccinated individuals to travel by air. If unvaccinated staff do travel outside of Canada, they must follow all guidelines upon return, which at present will require 14 days of isolation. Request for time-off must include this 14-day isolation period.

All staff and professional staff are reminded:

• To consider avoiding travel to areas deemed high-risk, refer to the Government of Canada travel resources at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
• To follow all public health and federal guidelines while travelling: https://www.tbdhu.com/travel
• That if detained outside of Canada, additional required time off must be taken as extended vacation time if available or as unpaid time off.
• To complete the screening tool prior to each shift, monitor for symptoms, disclose any close contacts and follow instructions from OHS for a failed screen.
• To practice hand hygiene and wear PPE appropriate for the work environment.
• That TBRHSC follows Federal, Provincial and local public health requirements and as such our guidelines and requirements are subject to change.

Thank you for your continued commitment in keeping one another and our patients and families safe.

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information.

Sent on behalf of Allyson Hoard-Mann, Manager, Renal Services

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Congratulations to Barb Wark, an RN with Renal Services who has decided its time to retire after working as a nurse since graduating from Lakehead University in 1993. Barb began her nursing career at McKellar General Hospital on 6S and then moved to Renal Services as a Pertioneal Dialysis nurse in 1996. After moving to Port Aurthur General Hospital for a short time to work on 4 East in 1998, Barb decided that she missed being a Renal Nurse and returned to Peritoneal Dialysis in 2001. Once her three kids became adults, she decided to try full time work and moved to Hemodialyisis in 2008. She became a mentor to the staff and a leader on the unit. The final move in her career was to the Multi-Care Kidney Clinic in 2019. Here, she embraced a new learning curve and became a passionate valuable team member to those people with chronic kidney disease. Barb will be missed by her patients and her colleagues. We wish her the best in her retirement.

Sent on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program

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Effective immediately, in order to support the current Senior Leadership structure, Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s Program will assume interim Clinical Director oversight of both the 2A and 2B Medical In-patient Units.

At this time, no further changes have been made to Director oversight of the remaining services within the Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program.

I take this opportunity to thank Crystal for her willingness to provide temporary leadership coverage for these areas while the organizational structure is further considered.