For Heart Month, we caught up with Stephanie Needham, Cardiovascular Data Specialist at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, to get an inside look at the work the data team does and what makes their roles truly special.

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Name: Stephanie Needham on behalf of the Cardiovascular Services Data team

Role: Specialist – Cardiovascular Services Data, Data Analyst and Vascular Data Nurse

Why did you decide to become a part of the Cardiovascular Data team?  

The team of three consists of two registered nurses and one data analyst with a background in data analytics. We each came into the health care data world a bit differently. 

For myself, I started from a cardiovascular surgery referral and procedure management aspect. I quickly saw the challenges posed when data was inconsistently collected or poorly understood, resulting in data quality issues affecting reporting outcomes.  Understanding the data (including its limitations), what it is needed for, or how it will be used, is so important. 

Tell us about your role.

We work to ensure the collection and analysis of quality data. The data is used internally for operational purposes (volumes, wait times, referral patterns, etc.) and externally to meet provincial reporting requirements (i.e. provincially mandated data collection by Ontario Health-CorHealth).  We work closely with our partners in Health Records and Decision Support to strengthen the data available as a whole. Through the work of our team, we have been able to combine clinical and operational knowledge with the vastly different skill sets of extracting, combining and manipulating large data sets to provide reporting and insight into what is happening within our programs and support service provision. 

We also participate in a quality database for the Vascular program, the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI), which is an international registry program designed to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of vascular care through benchmarking, long-term follow-up and regional quality improvement, with an overall aim of improving patient outcomes. 

What is the most challenging part of your job?  

One of the most challenging aspects of this work is taking the information out of the existing systems that staff utilize everyday (ITS/CWS, NOVARI, etc.) and making it useful for administrative and operational purposes. We work hard to streamline processes and to minimize duplication in data collection for staff. We also work to ensure that data is replicable.  The importance of understanding differences across available datasets both within the Hospital and outside is key when planning for the future.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?

There are many rewards but in particular, when the data and associated information we provide is utilized to support discussion, decision making and quality improvement, to improve Hospital services and ultimately, the care provided to patients and families.

Any advice for those considering a career in health care?  

Health care is diverse and has a great deal to offer, especially if you look beyond some of the more traditional roles. There is a great deal happening all the time behind the scenes to support the system and those on the front lines in the provision of Exceptional care for every patient, every time.

Dear Residents,

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to each of you during Resident Appreciation Week.

Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our patients make a meaningful difference every day. You provide high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Northwestern Ontario, often in complex and demanding circumstances, and your service is deeply appreciated.

I recognize that residency is an exceptionally challenging period. Balancing intense clinical responsibilities with rigorous educational requirements requires resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. Your willingness to learn, grow, and continue to place patients at the centre of your work reflects the very best of our profession.

At TBRHSC, our mission is grounded in delivering excellent, patient- and family-centred care through collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Your contributions embody these values. You are integral members of our healthcare teams, and your commitment to respect, compassion, excellence, and teamwork strengthens our organization and the care we provide.  

As you continue your training, I hope you will consider TBRHSC not only as a place where you learn, but as a place where you can envision your future practice. We are committed to supporting physicians who share our values and our dedication to serving this region, and we would welcome the opportunity to see many of you continue your careers here as members of our medical staff.

Please know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. All members of our hospital community value and appreciate your contributions and the role you play in advancing patient care, education, and our shared vision of improving health outcomes for the people we serve.

Thank you for everything you do, and best wishes as you continue your training and professional journey.

With appreciation,

Adam Exley 

Vice President, Medical Affairs

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre 

The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.

Self-referral can be made to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Physician, Social Worker, Kinesiologist, Dietician, and Lactation Consultant.

To be seen by an Obstetrician, a referral is needed from your primary health care provider or midwife.

During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.

TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 118 babies born at our Hospital during the month of January. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!

Find out more about our services by visiting https://bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre-info

This week, we are thrilled to celebrate Resident Doctors Appreciation Week and recognize the incredible contributions of our resident physicians. Residents are an important part of our teaching hospital, playing a vital role in patient care while continually learning, growing, and stepping up — especially during the busy winter months when cold, flu, and respiratory illnesses place added demands on our system.

As frontline clinicians, resident doctors are often one of the first points of contact for patients. After completing their Doctor of Medicine (MD) training, they enter an intensive period of residency ranging between two to five years depending on their specialty where they provide hands-on, compassionate care, manage complex medical conditions, and respond to the ever-changing needs of our patients. Their energy, dedication, and commitment are felt across every unit and service.

Throughout the winter surge and beyond, our residents continue to show remarkable resilience, teamwork, and professionalism. They work long hours, adapt quickly, and consistently rise to the challenge, always with patient care at the center of what they do. Their efforts truly make a difference, not only for patients and families, but for colleagues across the hospital.

Resident education and well-being are a shared responsibility in a teaching hospital. We are fortunate to have a strong interprofessional team consisting of nurses, health professionals, administrative staff, and physician mentors who help create a supportive and collaborative learning environment where residents can thrive.

This week, we invite everyone to take a moment to celebrate our resident doctors, thank them for their hard work, and acknowledge the dedication and teamwork that support their training. We are proud of the role our residents play today and excited for the independent physicians they are becoming. 

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

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I am pleased to announce that Dr. Rosie North will assume the role of Interim Chief of Emergency and Trauma Medicine for the period of February 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026. 

Dr. North has worked in our Emergency Department for the past seven years, demonstrating consistent clinical excellence, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. She was recently appointed as the Medical Lead for the Emergency Department, where she has already made meaningful contributions to departmental operations and strategic planning. 

Over the past several years, Dr. North has played an important role in the development and implementation of initiatives that have improved patient care, safety, and patient flow within the Emergency Department. Her collaborative leadership style and data-informed approach have supported measurable improvements in access and quality. 

In her interim role, Dr. North will continue to work closely with Emergency Department leadership, the interdisciplinary team, and the Chief of Staff Office to ensure stability, accountability, and continued progress during this transition period. 

We are grateful to Dr. North for accepting this leadership responsibility and stepping forward to serve in this capacity. Please join me in congratulating her and offering your full support as she assumes this important role.

Shared on behalf of Ryan Sears, Director, Capital and Facility Services

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Please be advised that the sidewalk to the Labour and Delivery Entrance will be closed on the north side from Monday, February 9th to Friday, February 27th to accommodate work for the Emergency Department Triage Area Renovation project. 

The Contractor will be utilizing a crane to move structural steel beams to the roof. Fencing will be erected closer to the doors to delineate the work area on the ground and protect persons from entering the area. Please ensure you are following all posted construction signage and access routes during this time. 

For your safety, please utilize the south sidewalk (highlight in green), and do not walk on the road as there is a lot of vehicular traffic in the area.

Thank you for your continued support with improving our Hospital!

For Heart Month, we caught up with Mikayla Sparks (📸 left) and Victoria Gerolami (📸 right), Cardiac Sonographers at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, to get an inside look at the work they do and what makes their roles truly special.

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Why did you decide to become a Cardiac Sonographer? 

We wanted a career where we could have a direct impact on patient care. As a cardiac sonographer, you capture real-time images and measurements that can immediately influence diagnoses and treatment decisions, sometimes in urgent situations. 

Tell us about your role.

A cardiac sonographer is a health care professional who specializes in using ultrasound technology to create images of the heart. These images help with early detection and ongoing monitoring. This includes obtaining high quality images, performing accurate measurements, and ensuring the study provides the information needed for effective clinical decision making. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? 

This job requires the ability to solve problems and adapt based on the complexity of the case. It can be challenging  but it is also a very rewarding part of contributing to exceptional care for every patient, every time.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession? 

The most rewarding part of being a cardiac sonographer is working directly with patients and knowing our role supports diagnosis, treatment and ultimately patient outcomes. 

Any advice for those considering a career in health care? 

If you enjoy hands-on patient care, working with technology and problem solving, cardiac sonography is an incredibly rewarding career. 

Shared on behalf of Thunder Bay Counselling and the Occupational Health and Safety Department

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Shared on behalf of Patricia Lang, Chair, TBRHSC Board of Directors

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We enter 2026 acknowledging the extraordinary commitment of our staff and physicians, volunteers and partners who continue to serve our community under significant pressure. The challenges faced over the holiday season were a record number of patient visits including an increase in acutely ill patients. In response, we adopted enhanced masking requirements. We continue to be dedicated to protecting our patients, families, and staff to ensure we have sufficient capacity during this influenza season.

The focus of this report is to celebrate our workforce and their commitment to the community. It is a testament to the culture of this organization that our teams continued to support our broader community. Staff participated in the annual food drive in support of St. Andrew’s Dew Drop Inn and the Emergency Department supported the Children’s Aid annual Christmas Wish Campaign. These are just a few of many examples of care and compassion even when stretched.

The Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) recently marked its one-year anniversary of its first paediatric transport. This highly skilled team collaborates with existing provincial transport teams and ORNGE to transport children (primarily under one year of age) to a higher level of care, either at TBRHSC or a specialized children’s hospital. This initiative drastically improves access to care and reduces wait times for these younger patients in need of critical care. Throughout last year, TBRHSC celebrated many inspiring and significant milestones that illustrated the unwavering commitment to our mission. I am deeply impressed with the ongoing advancements and the ingenuity of the dedicated teams who continually strive to elevate the care and services we provide to our communities. The collective efforts of our talented teams through innovative care delivery and community engagement enable us to go above and beyond to ensure care needs are met, while adapting to an ever changing health care environment. I invite you to learn more about these highlights of 2025 by reading HERE.

One final note, strong governance is required to navigate the challenges faced across healthcare in the North. To that end, TBRHSC’s Board of Directors is looking to fill four Board Director vacancies and two Committee vacancies. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to health care for patients and families across Northwestern Ontario. The Board and its Committees help guide how care is delivered, how resources are stewarded, and how TBRHSC lives its commitment to equity, compassion, and accountability. Learn more on these opportunities by visiting our website:

Committee Community Member Volunteer Opportunity

Board of Directors Volunteer Opportunity