The next phase of terrazzo repairs will begin on Thursday, September 4^th and will impact the cafeteria servery. 

There is no impact to access to/within the cafeteria seating area.  Please see attached map.
The servery will be open on Thursday, September 4th until 3:00 p.m., however, after 2:00 p.m. there will be a limited menu. It will re-open on Monday morning for normal operating hours.  Notification will be issued should this change.  Apologies for the inconvenience.

Per previous, work will be occurring overnight from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and fencing will be placed around the work area for the duration of the timeframe to protect the area and equipment, and to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.  

IMPACTS

• Closure of the Cafeteria Servery 

If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Judge is Capital Planning, at x.7031 or kristi.judge@tbh.net or Darin Pretto at x.6205 or darin.pretto@tbh.net.

Medical Affairs is excited to announce that Dr. Karim Taha has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time Interventional Cardiologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Taha completed his Interventional Cardiology Fellowship in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, after Adult Cardiology and Internal Medicine training at the University of Toronto. He earned his MD from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) from McMaster University.

He brings extensive experience as an Interventional and Clinical Cardiologist, with prior work across Ontario and Newfoundland. His clinical and academic focus includes advanced coronary interventions, cardiac diagnostics, and the use of predictive analytics to improve cardiovascular care. Dr. Taha has presented nationally and internationally on Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology, predictive modelling, and digital health innovations.

Beyond clinical care, he is the founder of MTIMA, a Canadian non-profit that established the first dedicated cardiac services department in Malawi. He is also an active educator and mentor, committed to training the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Taha’s many honours include the Department of Medicine Outstanding Housestaff Award, the Ursula Bangs Research Competition Award, and the Canada Millennium Excellence Award.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Taha. His expertise, leadership, and dedication to patient-centred care will be invaluable to our hospital and community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in HSO Global Workforce Survey. A big congratulations to the winner of six months free parking:

Heather, Adult Mental Health

The HSO Global Workforce Survey is now closed.

Join us on September 10, for Orange Shirt Beading, an hour of beading, learning, and community connection.

Where: ICP Main, Room 2178

Date: September 10

Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and create beautiful beaded pins. All beading supplies will be made available, or bring a beading project you’ve already started.

We can’t wait to see you there. Seats are limited. Register by emailing Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Coordinator at Annette.Klement@tbh.net.

To check out the rest of the events happening this month, see the poster below!

Medical Affairs is thrilled to announce that Dr. Laura Kerr has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time Surgical Oncology/General Surgeon with the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Kerr completed her General Surgery Residency at NOSM in Thunder Bay, where she served as Chief Resident and earned her FRCSC in 2023. She has completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Ottawa, with a focus on complex cancer and minimally invasive surgical care.

Her clinical practice includes colorectal, gastrointestinal, breast, melanoma/skin, and abdominal solid organ cancers, supported by specialized training in advanced minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Kerr earned her MD from Dalhousie University in Saint John, New Brunswick, graduating with distinction and receiving the Robert C. Dickson Prize for highest academic standing. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a Biomedical Engineering Diploma from the University of New Brunswick.

Dr. Kerr has presented nationally, published research in surgical oncology, and received awards for teaching and academic excellence, including the CAGS Resident Teaching Award. She is also dedicated to medical education and has been a valued lecturer and mentor at NOSM.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Kerr. Her surgical expertise, academic achievements, and commitment to patient care will be invaluable to our hospital and community.

Shared on behalf of Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff

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With the current Chief of Diagnostic Imaging, Dr. Radu Rozenberg stepping down, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Christian van der Pol will be providing coverage as Department Chief effective September 1, 2025, while the formal approval and appointment process is underway.

Dr. van der Pol has been a respected member of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging since 2020, bringing a wealth of leadership, clinical and academic experience. His roles have included Site Chief at Hamilton Health Sciences, Assistant Professor at NOSM University, Associate Professor at McMaster University, Chief Resident and investigator on multiple research projects. Please join me in welcoming him to his new role.

I would like to thank Dr. Radu Rozenberg for his leadership over the past year and for his contributions to the department.

I wish Dr. Rozenberg all the best in his future endeavours.

Medical Affairs is thrilled to announce that Dr. Mohammed Kalan has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time Colorectal/General Surgeon with the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Kalan is internationally recognized for his expertise in colorectal, gastrointestinal, abdominal solid organ, surgical oncology, and advanced minimally invasive surgery. He trained extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., including a fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery at The George Washington University, and surgical residencies at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and several major U.K. institutions.

He has held senior leadership and academic positions, serving as Chief of General Surgery at Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and as Clinical Professor of Surgery at both George Washington University and Georgetown University. In addition, he has played key roles on multiple surgical committees, advancing innovation in minimally invasive and robotic surgery worldwide.

Dr. Kalan’s career reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, education, and research. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributed to book chapters on advanced surgical techniques, and presented at international conferences across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Please join us in extending a very warm welcome to Dr. Kalan as he begins his practice here at TBRHSC. His wealth of experience and global perspective will be invaluable in advancing surgical care for our patients.

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Patrick Donio has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a Rheumatologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Donio brings a strong background in clinical research, with several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact medical journals. Notably, Dr. Donio was a key author on a population-level study comparing readmission and mortality rates among cardiovascular patients in Northern versus Southern Ontario, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Additional research includes a systematic review on hypoglycemia risk with newer antihyperglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes (Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism), and a case report on thyroid varices with implications for thyroid surgery (SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine).

His clinical interests include rheumatology, northern and rural medicine, Indigenous health, remote healthcare, and telehealth. Dr. Donio is committed to advancing care delivery in underserved regions, informed by his passion for northern and rural health.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Donio enjoys a wide range of activities, including fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, camping, carpentry, travel, and is an avid reader and board game enthusiast.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Donio, whose expertise and dedication will greatly benefit our patients and the broader community.