Physicians and all professional staff are encouraged to attend an upcoming Expanse Fair at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
This drop-in event will provide an early opportunity to explore the Meditech Expanse test environment, work through simple clinical workflow scenarios, and ask questions directly to subject matter experts and clinical members of the Bridge Northwest program team.
This is an informal opportunity to see the system in action, become more familiar with upcoming changes, and learn more about what to expect as we prepare for training and go-live.
Snacks, refreshments and door prize will be available!
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Auditorium A and B
Please drop in as your schedule allows. Your participation, questions and feedback are encouraged as we continue preparing for the transition to Expanse.
I want to close out August with a fuller update on where things stand across the organization.
First, a word about the month itself because August asked a lot of you. What I want you to know is that when we get challenged, the response I see from our teams and staff is steady and professional. I notice it, the leadership team notices it, and your work and care is impressive and not taken for granted.
Work on our next strategic plan is now underway. Engagement is happening inside and outside the organization and if you have seen the QR codes posted around the building that is your invitation to complete the confidential survey. It takes only a few minutes and the answers will help shape the next five years of this organization. Huddles with staff are in progress, along with sessions involving our leaders, the Board, physicians, community partners, and patient family advisors. As previously mentioned, the questions framing this plan are simple. What should we keep doing, what should we start doing, and what should we stop doing? The answers are now arriving, and I want yours in the mix. We expect Board approval of the new plan by December and a launch in early 2027. Click here for the survey.
The health system stabilization work I wrote about in June continues with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health. Our current focus is on conservable bed days, with action plans targeted for September, and we are reviewing sick time and overtime for opportunities to improve. Sadly, overtime is an area where we do not benchmark well against our peers and we need to do better. I know how a line like that can read from the front line, so let me be clear about the intent. High overtime usually says more about how we schedule and staff than about the people working the hours. The point of this review is to fix what drives the hours, not to blame the people working them. If you are aware of what increases overtime or sick time in your area, tell your manager or email me. The Ministry expects gains in efficiency from every hospital in this work and our commitment has not changed since June. We will find those gains without compromising quality or access to care.
Construction continues on nearly every corner of the Hospital campus. The Cardiovascular Surgery Program sits at 38 per cent completion and remains on schedule, and the renovated ECG and phlebotomy areas have been handed over for clinical use. The new Emergency Department addition is complete, including the reception, registration and security areas, and the overall triage project is at 65 per cent with completion expected this winter. Demolition has started on Level 3 for the new central scope reprocessing space. Roof replacement is finished over 3C, 2C short stay and the ED perimeter, with the ambulance bay and OR administration areas to follow soon. The millwork for our Expanse workstations is nearly complete in the pods and has started in the ICU. On Expanse itself, the build is progressing well and we expect to set a go-live date later this fall as we review the remaining milestones. Once that date is set, details on training and preparation will follow.
Finally, I want to acknowledge something everyone driving to work has noticed. Traffic within the vicinity has been difficult, with our construction activity compounded by City of Thunder Bay road work in the surrounding area. We continue to assess the impacts and project timelines to reduce the congestion where able. Thank you for your patience.
I hope your September gets off to a great start, and you feel positive and refreshed for the months ahead.
As always, I welcome any comments or questions you may have. Please feel free to email directly at: Rhonda.Ellacott@tbh.net.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff are invited to attend the upcoming Sickle Cell Awareness Event, hosted by NorWest Community Health Centres in partnership with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Davinci Centre, Thunder Bay.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells and can lead to serious health complications, including episodes of severe pain, anemia, infections, and organ damage. Although SCD can affect people from different backgrounds, it disproportionately affects people of African and Caribbean ancestry.
For TBRHSC staff, the event is an opportunity to learn more about sickle cell disease, available community resources and the experiences of individuals and families affected by the condition.
TBRHSC will also have a presence at the event as part of ongoing community engagement for the development of our Hospital’s Black Health Action Plan (BHAP). Hospital representatives will connect with members of Black communities and participating organizations, share information about the BHAP, and recruit eligible participants for upcoming focus group discussions.
We are excited to share an important milestone for our Neurosurgical team with the launch of our first-ever Neuro Simulation Education Days at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre (TBRHSC).
As we continue to advance our Neuro Observation Unit to align with Ontario Health and Critical Care Services Ontario Level 2 Critical Care standards, we have increased the education, training and clinical skill development available to our nursing team. Level 2 neurosurgical patients require enhanced neurological assessment, monitoring, early recognition of deterioration and the ability to safely manage increasingly complex patient care needs.
To support our nurses in developing these competencies, staff have participated in a neurosurgical-focused online course through Conestoga College, complemented by our newly developed Neuro Simulation Education Days. These education days were developed and facilitated by our interim Neurosurgical Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Kayla Paoliello, NEON Educator, Kim Belluz, and our Neurosurgical Physician Assistant (PA), Victoria Lemay-Stirrup which provided staff with hands-on learning and realistic simulation scenarios specific to the care of higher-acuity neurosurgical patients.
This is an exciting step forward and a great new resource for our Neurosurgical team. Providing dedicated education and simulation allows our nurses to build their knowledge, skills and confidence while helping ensure our practice continues to meet the standards expected for Level 2 Neurosurgical care.
A huge thank you to our neurosurgical nurses for embracing this opportunity and continuing to advance the care we provide and continuing to deliver on TBRHSC’s commitment to providing Exceptional Care for Every Patient, Every Time.
(L to R: Neurosurgical Registered Nurses: Kathleen Whately, Laniah Scott, Kim Belluz (NEON Educator), Zaryn Duffy, Fareedah Ahmed, Kayla Paoliello (CNS))Neuro Escape Room and Skills
Beginning September 8, 2026, the Hospital will introduce a temporary Pay-for-Results (P4R) initiative to provide dedicated support for inpatient bed moves and patient transportation within the Emergency Department (ED).
Through this initiative, Inter-facility Transport Escorts will assist with moving patients within and between inpatient units to support timely bed placement and cohorting. Completing these moves promptly will help make inpatient beds available for patients waiting in the ED and support the movement of admitted patients to the appropriate inpatient care area.
When they are not completing inpatient bed moves, team members will assist with patient transportation within the ED. This added support will allow nurses to spend more time providing direct patient care.
The initiative is intended to:
support timely inpatient bed moves and patient placement.
reduce delays in transferring admitted patients from the ED.
help free ED treatment spaces sooner.
support improved ambulance offload times.
reduce the need for clinical staff to leave their care areas to complete routine patient transfers.
Coverage will be introduced gradually as team members complete onboarding and orientation. The service is expected to provide full 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage beginning October 5, 2026.
If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact Chad Johnson, Director – Pre-hospital Program, Emergency & Critical Care Services.
Take It In Strides 2026, presented by Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology, is a community run/walk bringing people together in support of mental health and suicide prevention in Northwestern Ontario. In just three years, our community has helped Take It In Strides raise more than $150,000, supporting mental health programming and initiatives that make a difference right here at home.
While race day brings us together, the impact goes far beyond one day, funds raised help support programming and initiatives throughout the year. Every person who walks, runs, volunteers, donates, or simply shows up is helping remind someone in our community that they are not alone. It’s about creating connection, starting conversations, reducing stigma, and continuing to build a community where people feel supported when they need it most.
Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, every stride we take together is a stride toward better mental health in our community.
Anne-Marie was selected as Preceptor of the Month for the kindness, patience, knowledge, and encouragement she brings to her role as a preceptor in Diagnostic Imaging. With more than 12 years of experience, she creates a friendly and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, learning from mistakes, and building their skills.
Anne-Marie is thoughtful in the learning opportunities she provides, making sure students are exposed to unique cases and have the time, practice, and support they need. She is recognized for her ability to simplify complicated concepts, provide constructive feedback and advice, and listen openly to students’ questions and concerns.
Her adaptability, easy-going nature, and commitment to providing students with a positive learning experience are what set her apart as an exceptional preceptor.
With the move to a fully Microsoft environment, your ZENworks Application Launcher (ZAP) is going away. So, the way you access your applications is going to change! To access your applications going forward, there are four main methods:
Option 1: Desktop Icons
Core applications used throughout the organization will be located on the desktop.
1. Locate the application’s desktop icon. 2. Double-click the icon.
Option 2: Search Function
Quickly search and open your applications.
1. Click the Windows Start button. 2. Start typing the name of the application. 3. Click the application from the search results.
Tip: This is the fastest way to open any installed application, as you don’t have to go looking for it.
Option 3: Pinned Apps
Personalize your desktop! Pin your frequently used applications to the Start menu or taskbar.
1. Click the Windows Start button. 2. Click All. 3. Locate the application in the list. 4. Right-click and select Pin to Start or More > Pin to taskbar
Option 4: Browse All Apps
View all your installed applications to locate the one you need. 1. Click the Windows Start button. 2. Click All.
Application not listed? Click on the Company Portal icon located on the desktop and see what’s available for you to install.
For IT assistance or missing applications, please contact the Help Desk: Email Help.Desk@tbh.net | Phone 807-684-6411
There are limited blue STAXI or other wheelchairs in the Main Lobby for patients and others, forcing them to wait until a chair is returned before they can get to their appointments in the Hospital.
The blue Staxi wheelchairs were purchased through funds from the Hospital and the Volunteer Association for the volunteers to use for the transport of patients and others to and from the Main Lobby.
If you see any blue Staxi wheelchairs in or around your unit/department/an in-patient room, please see that they are returned to the Main Lobby as soon as possible or contact the volunteer at ext. 4304.
