Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, VP, Medical Affairs
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Megan Deck to the position of Medical Lead CV Anesthesia Consultant, Cardiovascular Surgery Project, effective July 1, 2025.
Based in Winnipeg, Dr. Deck is a respected clinician and academic in the field of cardiac anesthesiology, bringing a wealth of experience to this role.
Reporting to the Vice President, Medical Affairs, and working in close collaboration with the Joint Program Medical Director at University Health Network (UHN), Chief of Surgery at TBRHSC and the Chief of Anesthesia at TBRHSC, Dr. Deck will provide clinical and strategic leadership to advance the implementation of the Cardiovascular Surgery (CVS) program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
In this role, Dr. Deck will guide the development of anesthesia-related pathways, recruitment and orientation planning for cardiac anesthesiology, and readiness planning for clinical operations. She will also support clinical team simulation planning, and the development of evaluation strategies to assess operational readiness.
Shared on behalf of Ryan Sears, Code Grey Executive Sponsor
The Hospital has finalized two new sub-category response plan policies to provide key information regarding roles and responsibilities related to hazard specific disruptions to power and medical gas or vacuum. These sub category response plan policies directly support the overarching Code Grey – Infrastructure Disruption or Failure (EMER-10B) policy.
Code Grey – Loss and Recovery of Power (EMER-10B-4): addresses power failures in the Hospital (980 Oliver Rd) which will require back-up diesel generators to activate, resulting in reduced services and capacity, as well as instances where the Hospital experiences a total loss of power.
Actions required:
Read this memo and review the two new sub-category response plan policies to familiarize yourself with important process changes.
Managers to ensure that the new sub-category response plan policies are added to their area’s emergency binder(s) and that all workers review the attached diagram and policies.
Process Reminders:
Code Grey applies to incidents where the Hospital experiences a significant unplanned disruption or loss of essential services, such as any utility or the use of hospital facilities.
Upon discovery of a significant infrastructure disruption or failure:
Report failure to your Supervisor.
Supervisor will confirm and will notify Switchboard “55.”
Switchboard will announce: “Code Grey – Alert – [Type and Location]”.
Incident Manager or designate will advise Switchboard when to announce it is Confirmed.
Please note that additional sub-category response plan policies are currently in development to address each of the failure types recognized in the Code Grey – Infrastructure scope definition (see Sec. 3 of EMER-10B).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).
Do you have gently used or brand-new jogging or sweatpants that you’re willing to donate?
Our PatientClothing Cupboard is in urgent need of pants, especially in larger sizes, to support patients in need. If you have items to donate, please bring them to Volunteer Services (Room 2000, Level 2). Our volunteers will ensure the clothing gets to the cupboard promptly.
Every donation makes a difference and is deeply appreciated!
If you have questions, please contact Megan Valente, Coordinator, Volunteer Services by calling extension 6267 or via email at megan.valente@tbh.net.
Shared on behalf of Cassidy Takacs, Physician Retention & Relations Specialist
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Colton Kennedy has joined Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time Orthopaedic Surgeon with the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Kennedy earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at Lakehead University here in Thunder Bay, where he also completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency. He further honed his expertise through two prestigious fellowships at the University of Toronto: a Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship at Humber River Hospital, and a Complex Clinical Spine and Trauma Surgery Fellowship at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Throughout his training, Dr. Kennedy demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving as Chief Resident at NOSM and Chief Fellow in Spine Surgery at Sunnybrook. He has been actively engaged in medical education, acting as the Mock Oral Lead for the University of Toronto Spine Program and instructing in Canadian Orthopaedic Surgery Medical Education courses.
We are confident that Dr. Kennedy’s broad clinical expertise in arthroplasty, spine, and trauma surgery, combined with his leadership, teaching, research, and community dedication, will make him an invaluable asset to our hospital and the Thunder Bay community.
Let’s all extend a warm welcome to Dr. Colton Kennedy!
Take part in the Global Workforce Survey, developed by Health Standards Organization (HSO) and Accreditation Canada, to provide your valuable input on patient safety, quality care, work environment, and well-being.
The closing date for this survey is July 18, 2025.
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to reflect on the barriers that continue to impact people with disabilities, many of whom continue to face systemic ableism and discrimination in everyday life. In health care, access to safe, inclusive, and barrier-free services remains a significant challenge. Recognizing these gaps is essential to driving change and ensuring equity for all.
This month offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of disabilities as a natural part of human diversity. It also highlights the contributions that individuals with disabilities make to society. In Canada, approximately 8 million people live with disabilities—both visible and invisible—including physical, sensory, and psychiatric disabilities, and neurodivergence.
Disability Pride Month is observed annually in July to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990—a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. That same year, the first Disability Pride Parade took place in Boston. Since then, Disability Pride Month has grown into a global celebration, recognized by countries around the world.
To learn more about Disability Pride Month, please click here.
Disability Pride Flag
Flags are symbols of solidarity and pride, and can help to raise awareness and visibility. The Disability Pride Flag was originally designed by disabled writer, artist, and activist Ann Magill in 2019. The original flag featured the coloured stripes of the current flag in a zigzag formation, representing creativity when navigating obstacles.
In 2021, Magill redesigned the flag to its present configuration, after learning from members of the disability community that the zigzag created a strobe effect on computer and phone screens, potentially triggering symptoms for those who live with epileptic seizures and migraines.
The meanings and colours of the flag are as follows:
All six flag colours: The six colours are the standard colours of international flags, to represent that disability affects individuals worldwide
Charcoal Black background: Honoring the memory of individuals with disabilities who have passed away due to violence, abuse, neglect, and other injustices, while also expressing protest and anger against the mistreatment they endure
Diagonal Band: The band represents a contrast between vertical walls and horizontal ceilings that isolate people with disabilities, and cutting across societal barriers. The placement of the colours in the band is also significant, helping to reduce symptom triggers and improve contrast
Red Stripe: Physical disabilities
Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence
White Stripe: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
Blue Stripe: Psychiatric disabilities
Green Stripe: Sensory disabilities
Disability Pride Month – Reading List
For Disability Pride Month in 2022, CBC compiled a list of 12 books that illustrate the importance of accurate representation for those living with disabilities. The list contains works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, books for Young Adults, and children’s books.
For detailed descriptions of each book, please click here.
Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, VP of Medical Affairs
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Olexiy Aseyev to the position of TBRHSC Expanse (BridgeNW) Professional Staff Lead.
Reporting to Regional Chief Medical Information Officer and responsible to the Vice President Medical and Academic Affairs for operational leadership and the Chief of Staff for quality accountability, Dr. Aseyev will support and lead the engagement of TBRHSC Professional Staff throughout the implementation of the Meditech Expanse Program at TBRHSC. He will guide Professional Staff participation in system design and change management activities, ensuring alignment with clinical needs and priorities.
As the Lead, Dr. Aseyev will also oversee the work of the identified TBRHSC Professional Staff Leads and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) within the Program. His leadership will focus on integrating people, processes, and technology to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-centered care at TBRHSC.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Aseyevto his new role.
To honour Pride Month this past June, several features were presented in the Daily Informed Newsletter throughout the month. If you missed any of the features, you can check them out by accessing the links provided.
Article 1 – Significance of Pride
Provides an overview of the significance of Pride Month, the history of pride in Canada, definitions of each of the identities in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym, as well as the meaning behind each of the colours on the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag. You have view the article here.
Article 2 – Pride Flag Raising
Each year, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is proud to fly the Pride flag, and this year was no exception. The progress Pride flag was raised on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and you can read about it here.
Article 3 – Pride Month Book List
A list of books written by 2SLGBTQQIA+ authors and activists, that reflect the diverse experiences of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. You can access the book list here.
Article 5 – Caring for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Community
Contains a list of resources on how to provide safe, equitable care for members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Resources include a pronoun usage guide, tips on how to practice allyship with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, foundational courses, videos, and podcasts. You can access these resources here.
Pride Trivia
Throughout the month of June, Pride Month Trivia questions were posted weekly. You can find the questions and answers for each week of Pride Month Trivia here.
Thank you to all of those who participated in Pride Month Trivia. We are pleased to announce the winners:
Week 1: Justin Rob
Week 2: Cheryl Anderson
Week 3: Michael Uhryniuk
Week 4: Angela Murphy
If you have any questions, please contact the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Steering Committee via email at: tbrhsc.edisteeringcommittee@tbh.net
Unlock big savings on home and auto insurance. Co-Operators is offering TBRHSC employees exclusive summer savings. Go to coopgroup.ca for more information or call 1-800-387-1963 for a quote today.
