Message from Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC and CEO, TBRHRI
On behalf of myself, our Board and the team of hard-working doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Annabella Zawada. She was a very well-respected doctor and colleague, and her work founding the Umbrella Medical Clinic helped better the lives of so many people that needed health care services across our community. I do hope her legacy and passion for helping others will inspire others to do so as well in Thunder Bay and beyond.
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re highlighting staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who play a vital role in the breast cancer journey. From cancer screening to cancer treatment, there are hundreds of caring professionals that you will meet along the way. Today, we’re sharing a Q & A from Susie Hamilton, a Social Worker/Outpatient Counsellor at the Regional Cancer Centre.
Describe your role for us.
My role is to provide outpatient counselling to cancer patients and their caregiver/family by focusing on assisting with emotional and psychosocial needs. Patients that are going through cancer treatment often experience feelings of anxiety and depression and struggle with issues of distress related to changes that they experience through the cancer journey. The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased the mental health needs of these patients.
What does it take to be a Social Worker/Outpatient Counsellor?
In order to provide outpatient counselling, one must be a Registered Social Worker. Academic qualifications typically include a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, with experience providing clinical counselling. It is also important to be empathetic and compassionate in order to help patients and their families as they adjust to change.
What is unique about your role?
My role is constantly changing to meet the needs of patients. Along with outpatient counselling, we offer support by providing information about community resources and help patients to navigate as they make plans to attend a medical appointment out of town. Providing this type of support can help to lower feelings of anxiety.
What inspired you to work in cancer care?
I was inspired to work in cancer care due to a personal experience, having a loved one who fought and succumbed to breast cancer. This added to my desire to join a team of professionals, who passionately provide care to individuals and their families, dealing with cancer. When I joined the team, over 15 years ago, I became involved with the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Team, where I had a more focused approach with women and breast cancer. Since then, I have continued to work with women diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as other disease specific areas. I hope to be a support to those who may be struggling during their cancer journey.
How does your role impact patient care?
Within the Cancer Centre, our team utilizes an interdisciplinary approach with patients. As a team, everyone recognizes the importance of providing a holistic approach ensuring that the patient manages, both physically and emotionally, as they deal with cancer. By assuring that a patient is managing in terms of their coping, feelings of anxiety or low mood, it helps to ensure that the patient is well enough to follow through with the medical aspects of their cancer treatment.
Any final thoughts?
I am often asked “How do you do the work you do?” My answer is simple. I do this work to help others through a time that is challenging, to help them focus on coping and adjusting to change, and to set goals to work through any emotional struggles that cancer brings.
Jennifer has worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) for 6 years. In addition to her role in the Cardio-Respiratory department, Jennifer is also a Neonatal Resuscitation Instructor and a Canadore College Respiratory Therapy Program Advisory Committee member. She has a special interest in education and is actively involved with TBRHSC’s Regional Critical Care Response (RCCR) team. Jennifer participates in education through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) to help educate nurses and physicians in the region about emergency airway equipment and management and mechanical ventilation strategies.
From L-R: From L-R: Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO, TBRHSC and CEO of the Health Research Institute, Kristi Scalzo, Nursing Resource Team Coordinator, Shirley Wragg, Vice-President, Volunteer Association to the TBRHSC, Kayla Nahkala, RN, 3A Surgical Unit and Paul Shewfelt, Manager, 3A Surgery and Endoscopy.
Each year, the Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) joins us in celebrating Nursing Week by awarding an Education Bursary to a nurse who is continuing their studies at a diploma, degree or graduate level program. Pandemic restrictions made it necessary to modify the 2021 Nursing Week celebrations, especially as our volunteers could not be on-site. Thankfully, our volunteers are back and we were able to present this year’s Education Bursary to a very deserving nurse.
The 2021 Volunteer Association Nursing Education Bursary recipient is Kayla Nahkala.
Kayla is a Registered Nurse on the 3A Surgical Patient Care Unit while she also works towards completing her Masters degree in Nursing at Athabasca University. The Volunteer Association to the TBRHSC commends Kayla for her commitment to expanding her knowledge and pursuing her educational goals. Congratulations Kayla!
October is Occupational Therapy Month in Canada. Occupational Therapy is a health profession that empowers people of all ages to overcome barriers in their everyday lives so they can do more and live better. Through solutions created for each individual’s unique needs, Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people of all ages and abilities recover from an injury or illness to participate in day-to-day activities, and experience life to the fullest. An OT works with the patient, their family member, or a health care team to identify and address the problems the patient may have with everyday activities. Together, the patient and their OT find solutions that will enable the patient to maintain function, regain skills, develop new skills and much more.
Are you interested in learning more about Occupational Therapy? Visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website at https://www.caot.ca.
Thank you to all of the amazing Occupational Therapists a Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Care Group for their contributions to patient care. Happy OT Month!
Wellness Together Canada presents MindWell for Healthcare Workers.
MindWell for Healthcare Workers is an online learning experience designed to teach you the tools to feel confident and capable, remain calm amidst chaos and build resilience and well-being.
Short, simple, and effective lessons are provided in 4 weekly modules designed to give you maximum results in the least amount of time. These modules can be completed at your own pace.
Help Support Breast Cancer Care in Northwestern Ontario
The take-home jackpot is already over $535,000 for the October Thunder Bay 50/50, and there is still a few days left to purchase tickets. Ticket sales for this month’s draw will close this Thursday, October 28 at midnight, and half of October’s proceeds will go towards Breast Cancer care in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
The Thunder Bay 50/50 is a monthly raffle in support of Thunder Bay’s Hospital, with a new Grand Prize draw on the last Friday of every month. Over $5 Million has been won since the 50/50 launched in January. Proceeds go towards purchasing vital, highest priority equipment needs for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“The community support for the Thunder Bay 50/50 has been incredible,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “We are nearing the end of our ninth month and have purchased some really great equipment for our Hospital – including ICU beds, a dental x-ray machine, a BiPAP ventilator, just to name a few.”
** Must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 28 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on October 29, 2021.
Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Participants must be present in Ontario and 18 years old or older at time of purchase. Lottery licence RAF1199631.
We’re celebrating Respiratory Therapy Week from October 24-30.
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are highly-skilled health care professionals. They have specialized medical expertise and use their knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care. If you have medical problems that may be caused by cardiorespiratory or respiratory-related issues, RTs are the experts who will work with you to diagnose, treat and manage your condition.
Within our Hospital there are always RTs working hard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across all patient populations. They can be found in the Emergency Department (ED), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal ICU, Operating Room (OR), pulmonary function lab, stress lab, and are on call for all inpatients. RTs perform a number of vital roles throughout our Hospital. They are called for all high-risk deliveries including C-sections, traumas, conscious sedations, cardioversions, puffer administration and education, arterial blood gases, insertion of arterial catheters, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, (like CPAPs or BiPAPs), high flow oxygen therapy, and so much more.
Join us in thanking our RTs for their vital contributions to patient care.
