Visit https://wrwcanada.com/en or https://www.ecosuperior.org/ for more information.

Sent on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control

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Please be advised that as of 1200 hours today a non-COVID respiratory outbreak has been declared at Pioneer Ridge Long Term Care Home located at 750 Tungsten Street. The outbreak is only affecting Plaza 1 at this time. Rhinovirus has been identified as the causative agent.

• Immediately place any symptomatic patients from this outbreak area on Contact and Droplet Precautions
• Discontinue Contact and Droplet Precautions only under consultation with Infection Prevention and Control

Patient safety is a priority and it is our responsibility to eliminate hospital acquired transmission. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.

For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at Ext. 6094

Emergency Nurses Week (October 10-16) is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the passion, persistence and dedication to patient care that our Emergency Department and trauma nurses display every single day. These health care professionals focus on the immediate care of patients who require medical attention to avoid long-term disability or death. It is a complex role, treating the trigger event for the emergency visit as well as communicating with the patient, the families, and the care team. This front-line role is very people-centered, not only physically but emotionally too. People in emergency situations often feel distraught and upset. So, the emergency nurse must treat the emotions as well as the emergency medical issue. It can be chaotic, especially if the cause of the visit is a violent incident. Please join us in thanking our emergency nurses for their tremendous contributions to patient care.

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 Michelle Opaski, a Mammographer on the Screen For Life Coach.

Describe your role for us.

I am a Mammographer on the Screen For Life coach where my role is to take high quality breast images for cancer screening.

What does it take to be a Mammographer?

To be a Mammographer you would need to have a degree or diploma in Medical Radiologic Technology as well as specialty certificate in Breast Imaging.

What is unique about your role?

I travel throughout Northwestern Ontario to bring cancer screening services to remote, rural and Indigenous communities. In this position, I have an amazing opportunity to educate people in our region about the importance of cancer screening. I am fortunate to have a career that is rewarding both professionally and personally.

What inspired you to work in cancer care?

I have always been inspired to help others. Working in cancer care gives me a chance to make a difference in someone else’s life, whether it is to perform a high quality cancer screening exam or to make someone smile when they are having a tough day.

How does your role impact patient care?

Many women come to our coach and are nervous or anxious about their mammogram. I like to take the time to chat with them about their concerns and answer any questions they may have. I try to provide a friendly, calm, and comfortable environment for all of my clients.

Sent on behalf of Kendra Walt, Acting Director Academics & Interprofessional Education

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It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that Tracey Hill will be retiring effective, October 29, 2021.

Tracey graduated from Princess Margaret Hospital/Thunder Bay Cancer Clinic in 1984 as a Radiation Therapist. She moved to Newfoundland and practiced at the Newfoundland Cancer Clinic for 3 years and then returned back to Thunder Bay in 1989.

From 1994–2014, Tracey took on the role of Clinical Coordinator for Radiation Therapy students in collaboration with the Michener Institute and University of Toronto / Laurentian University. Within these years of working closing with the students, she developed a passion for teaching and learning and completed her Masters of Education through Memorial University.

Throughout these last almost 8 years, Tracey has practiced as an Interprofessional Educator where she has lead and supported exceptional work to optimize education delivery, enhance patient care and experience, and tackle large scale change. Tracey has been an invaluable member of the IPE department and I would be remiss to not include her vital role in implementing simulation-based education to the Hospital as well as her innovative work in the success of the Respect Project.

It has been an absolute privilege to work beside her and to learn with and from her over these past few years. She has made a huge impact to the organization both professionally and personally and we will miss her dearly. We wish her nothing but success and happiness as she endeavours into this next chapter.

The Volunteer Association/Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants are here to help you- the family of health care providers that make the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre the excellent facility it is. Family CARE grants can be used to improve the care you give every day. Listen for patient and family suggestions when brainstorming ideas. Initiatives that improve the care we can provide benefit us all!

Visit https://bit.ly/FamilyCAREGrants-2021 (or see below) and submit your completed application to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation (Foundation President’s Office, Room 2232) by Friday, October 22nd, 2021 at 4:00pm. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Miniaci, Executive Coordinator at extension 7276 or visit Room 2232.

Sent on behalf of Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre; CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute

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It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Amanda Björn will be leaving Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as our Executive Vice President People Culture & Strategy. Her final day will be November 12th, 2021.

I say mixed emotions because on one hand, we are happy for Amanda and excited for her next chapter – yet on the other, we will miss her human approach to leadership and her strong ability to build a culture that focuses on people, strengths, vulnerability and personal development.

Amanda has served at TBRHSC since August 2016 and has led several crucial projects in her role – implementing concepts that have changed how we think, work with and engage with each other. Some examples include:

• The ME to WE to ALL Framework for organizational development;
• Design Events that engage staff in process improvements;
• The TBRHSC Leadership Academy;
• The Coaching Program that builds coaches and offers growth and development through coaching to all interested staff and physicians;
• The Human Side of Leading Through COVID support group;
• The Leadership Enhancement and Performance Leadership (LEAP) Learning Sessions.

Amanda’s inspirational messages at LEAP and Town Halls have provided comfort and hope to us during the challenges presented by working in health care during COVID-19.

We want to thank Amanda for all the unique contributions she has made for staff and the teams at TBRHSC. Please join me in wishing her well moving forward.

A transition coverage plan is currently being developed. More details will be shared as soon as possible.