Dear Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers, Researchers, and Board members

Greetings, Boozhoo and Bonjour,

As June wraps up, I wanted to send a quick blog out and reconnect before many of you take time off to recharge. As well, I know many of you are working through the summer, enabling others to take holidays; I would like to acknowledge and thank you on behalf of the entire organization – working together, supporting one another… we are stronger.

This has been a year like none other. As we reflect back on the past year, there is so much to think about. A year of accomplishment and a year of pride, while also a year of suffering, emotion and loss.
We have much to be proud of in terms of our many accomplishments and I encourage you to reflect on the strength of our team and view the highlights in our annual reports: TBRHSC Annual Report 2020/21 & TBRHRI Annual Report 2020/21.

I know many of you are approaching Canada Day differently this year by reflecting on the horrific news we have recently heard about undocumented residential school deaths and unmarked graves. These revelations have caused intense grief and sadness for so many and have brought these truths into awareness for those who have not been educated.

Please know that TBRHSC is committed to actions to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Flags at our Hospital are being flown at half-mast until July 26th, one hour for each of the 751 lives that were lost, and in memory of the thousands of children who were sent to residential schools, for those who never returned home, and in honour of the families whose lives were irreversibly changed. Please take some time to honour those who never made it home from residential schools, as well as the survivors and their families who continue to live with and experience trauma across generations. A 24/7 national crisis line is available for survivors of residential schools and their families at 1-866-925-4419.

Whatever it is you choose to do this Canada Day and throughout the summer, I want to strongly encourage you to do it safely by continuing to follow provincial and public health directives on distancing, gatherings, and mask-wearing. While we have a come a long way with cases down and vaccinations rolling out, there is much we still don’t know in terms of variants and how they impact people, including those who have been vaccinated.

On behalf of myself and the entire Senior Team, thank you again for all your hard work, compassion, and endurance the past 16 months during the pandemic. Your constant willingness to go above and beyond has not gone unnoticed.  I am proud of our entire team for taking on the challenges. I hope each one of you will be able to safely enjoy time this summer with your family and friends – doing what it is that helps you to relax and recharge. 

As always, I welcome comments on this blog or any other matter. You can reach me at: crockerelr@tbh.net.

Rhonda

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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I am pleased to share that effective August 9^th, Adam Vinet will be returning to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as our Executive Vice President (EVP), Patient Experience and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE).

Many of you are already familiar with Adam as he previously served at TBRHSC as Director of Surgery and the Manager of Emergency / Trauma. In fact, he began his career here as a frontline nurse, a Charge Nurse in our Emergency Department and later as a Quality Practice Coordinator. Adam is currently the Vice President, Home and Community Care at Home and Community Support Services, a position he has held since 2018. Adam has also been the Senior Director of Home and Community Care at the North West LHIN.

In the EVP Patient Experience/CNE role, Adam will report to the President & CEO with accountability for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of the delivery of Patient Centred Care across the following assigned programs at TBRHSC:

• Surgical and Ambulatory Services
• Regional Surgical Services
• Trauma Program, Critical Care, Emergency, Respiratory Services, and Nurse Led Outreach Team
• Nursing Practice

As a dyad leader, the EVP, In-Patient Care Programs (Dr. Peter Voros) will share patient care leadership and will oversee the following programs:

• Adult and Forensic Mental Health Program
• Women and Children’s Program
• Renal and Clinical Services
• Cardiovascular Sciences Program        
• Regional Cancer Program and Prevention and Screening Services
• Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program
• Medicine, Patient Flow, and Partnerships
• Health Professions and Collaborative Practice

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Meaghan Sharp who has been the Chief Nursing Executive for the past year, and Amanda Björn and Dr. Peter Voros for providing interim executive leadership across patient care portfolios.

Please join me in welcoming Adam to this role and back to TBRHSC.

This year posed challenges in the areas of research and science. At Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, our team persevered and pushed through several key and important projects that will not only advance patient care but play a significant part in the ongoing efforts for the medical and scientific community to learn more as a whole.

Read more in the Health Research Institute’s 2020/21 Annual Report Summary: https://bit.ly/2020-2021-TBRHRI-AR

Following an unprecedented year, it is important to reflect on the many accomplishments at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Despite the many challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff, professional staff and volunteers displayed tremendous perseverance. Their efforts were vital to our Hospital’s pandemic response. Thanks to their dedication, patients and families in our community and across the region continued to receive quality care.

Read more in our Hospital’s 2020/21 Annual Report Summary: https://bit.ly/2020-2021-TBRHSC-AnnualReport

The Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network (NWORSN) is pleased to announce the 2021 Stroke Month prize winners!

Stroke Month  Intranet Trivia

            Grand Prize (3 Floats at Afloat): Andrea Doman

            Prize (Robins Gift Care): Matt Shonosky

Educational Huddle Winners

Each winner listed below won a $10-$15 gift card to a local business such as Lovely Body and Growing Seasons.

            Yao X. (1A)

            Mackenzie M. (2A)

            Dolores M. (ED)

            Victoria M. (3B)

            Laura J. (2B)

            Yasir A. (2C)

            Sandra J. (3A)

            Alyssa C. (3C)

            Kate M. (Renal)

            Tracy O. (ICU)

If you have any questions or concerns relating to Code Stroke or Stroke Care at TBRHSC, please contact Kristina Visser at extension 6706 or by email at visserk@tbh.net. She is available from Monday to Friday 0800-1600.

Thank you to Rollin’ Thunder and Fresh Air for donating their time to provide bike tune-ups for staff last week. During a four hour span, they tuned 24 bikes! Bike tune-ups are important to ensure that your bike is in good condition and safe to ride. If you’re a Hospital staff member who missed this event or someone in our community who enjoys biking, please consider making an appointment at one of our local bike shops to get your bike ready to ride.

Sent on behalf of St. Joseph’s Care Group

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St. Joseph’s Care Group’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelli O’Brien as the next President & Chief Executive Officer, effective September 7, 2021.

“The executive search process was comprehensive, and we were impressed with the breadth of talented candidates,” said Bishop Fred Colli, Chair of St. Joseph’s Care Group’s Board of Directors and selection committee member. “Kelli’s extensive senior leadership experience and clinical background, combined with her values of respect, kindness and service to others made her a natural fit with St. Joseph’s Care Group’s culture and service offerings.”

Kelli has held senior executive roles in healthcare since 2005, and is currently the Vice President People, Quality and Safety at Western Health in Newfoundland. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation from Queens University, and is a PhD candidate with the School of Medicine at Memorial University.

Kelli is in the process of relocating to Thunder Bay, and is looking forward to beginning her new role. “Leadership is an honour, and I am humbled to be entrusted with the leadership of an organization with such deep roots and a reputation for excellence, where people and partnerships are valued and respected. It’s a truly exceptional opportunity.”

Tracy Buckler will continue as St. Joseph’s Care Group’s President & Chief Executive Officer until the transition occurs in early September. 

What is stroke rehabilitation?

It is a progressive, dynamic, goal-orientated process aimed at enabling a person with impairment to reach their optimal physical, cognitive, emotional, communicative, and social functional level.

Why does stroke rehabilitation work?

The brain is able to make up for functions lost in areas that were damaged by the stroke. It does this by reorganizing and rewiring itself. This ability is called neuroplasticity.

Did you know? >> Stroke rehabilitation is a process not a place.

Rehab can take place in many settings such as hospitals (inpatient or outpatient departments), community clinics, or directly in one’s home.  Rehab includes homework that people with stroke complete independently or often with the help of family, friends or community supports.  In some cases, virtual care (connecting by phone or computer video-conferencing) can be used to deliver stroke rehabilitation.

Did you know? >> Stroke rehabilitation starts as soon as people with stroke are stabilized.

Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke state that people with stroke should be seen by rehabilitation clinicians for initial assessment within 48 hours of admission to hospital. Acute stroke rehab clinicians treat people on the Regional Stroke Unit, Intensive Care Unit and occasionally even in the Emergency Department.

Did you know? >> Recovery after stroke is a long-term process.

It is important for patients with stroke to keep at it in order to continue to improve and maintain the gains made during the course of rehabilitation. Everyone’s recovery from stroke is different and there is no set schedule for stroke recovery. Rehabilitation has been shown to be most beneficial when started early; however, recovery of impairments is still possible months and even years after stroke. 

For more information, please visit:

https://tbrhsc.net/programs-services/stroke-program/nwostroke/rehabilitation/

https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/recovery-and-support/stroke-care/rehabilitation

June’s Thunder Bay 50/50 was certainly a regional draw! Each of the four prizes was won by ticket holders from regional communities in Northwestern Ontario – including all three Early Birds, and the Grand Prize which was won this morning by Dryden’s Vic Zajarny.

“We’ve seen support for the Thunder Bay 50/50 from across Ontario,” said Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, “Of course a huge percentage of that support comes from Northwestern Ontario, and we’re grateful that people recognize that our Hospital is regional.

“We call it the Thunder Bay 50/50, but it’s not all about Thunder Bay,” Craig continues, “People from across Northwestern Ontario come to our Hospital for healthcare they cannot get at home. When people buy tickets in the Thunder Bay 50/50 they’re truly helping people from communities all across the Northwest.”

Winning Phone Call Almost Didn’t Go Through

Every month Glenn Craig has the pleasure of calling the Grand Prize winner and letting them know they’ve won the Thunder Bay 50/50 jackpot. This month’s call, however, did not go to plan. Vic Zajarny was a difficult man to get a hold of, and it soon became apparent why.

“I’m at work, in a mine three quarters of a mile underground.” said Vic, when he called Glenn back after finally contacting him via text, “Cell phones don’t work down here. Luckily we have Internet so I was able to see your text, otherwise I wouldn’t have known!”

The news shocked Vic, who has a personal reason for supporting the draw.

“About 10 years ago my wife was flown to Thunder Bay’s ICU. I have only good things to say about your Hospital. You’re top notch.” Vic said, “You saved my wife’s life, and I will always be grateful for that.”

Vic has been a supporter of the Thunder Bay 50/50 for months, and says he will continue to support into the future.

“I just like to buy tickets to support a good cause. I didn’t expect to win. Not in a million years!”

Vic says he’ll use his jackpot to pay off some debts, then save the rest for retirement.

July’s Raffle is Live

The raffle continues with a new Grand Prize draw on the last Friday of every month. The July draw is now open, with some exciting changes! There is a new limited-time $75 price point, and three $2,154 Early Birds to be won throughout July.

Tickets are available online only at thunderbay5050.ca:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers
• $75 for 304 numbers (best value) *LIMITED TIME*

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase. Lottery licence RAF1199631.