This week, we honour the dedication, compassion, and expertise of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s neonatal nurses, whose work touches the tiniest and most vulnerable lives every day. From providing round-the-clock care in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), to supporting families through some of their most challenging moments, neonatal nurses are truly heroes in scrubs.

Their commitment goes beyond clinical excellence. It’s the gentle touch that soothes a premature baby, the calm voice that reassures a worried parent, and the constant vigilance that helps ensure every newborn gets the best possible start in life.

As we celebrate Neonatal Nurses Week (September 13-19), we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all neonatal nurses for the vital role they play in health care. Their passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to their tiniest patients with the biggest needs do not go unnoticed.

Let’s take this week to recognize and celebrate our incredible neonatal nurses!

This event is a unique opportunity to learn and hear first-hand stories from Peter Sackaney, a Survivor of St. Anne’s Residential School.

Participants will hear about Peter’s experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Indian Residential Schools.

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Multi-Faith Room (2nd floor)

Lunch will be served. Registration is required for this event.

For more information or to register, please contact Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Coordinator at: Annette.Klement@tbh.net.

We look forward to you joining us for this important event.

Click here to find out what else is happening at our Hospital this month in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Kisselgoff Motercycle Museum is a new Affinity List Member offering staff a 10% discount on adult admission tickets, yearly memberships, and branded merchandize. 

The Kisselgoff Motorcycle Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of motorcycles and their impact on culture, innovation, and adventure. Through their collection of rare and iconic bikes, interactive exhibits, and educational programs, they inspire enthusiasts, collectors, and future generations to appreciate the artistry and engineering of motorcycling. For more information, click here.

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Throughout September, staff are invited to participate in a variety of learning opportunities, cultural activities, and opportunities to support local Indigenous vendors. Please save the dates and watch for additional details and registration information.

Wednesday, September 23
Lunch & Learn: Elder Peter Sackaney will be here to share his Indian Residential School experience. This is a unique opportunity to learn and hear first-hand stories a survivor of St. Anne’s Residential School. The event will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Multi-Faith Room. Lunch will be provided. To register, email Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Lead at Annette.Klement@tbh.net.

Friday, September 2
Indigenous Vendor: Jodi Connor from Afonso’s Creations will have a vendor table located across from the Gift Shop. Stop by to say hello and support a local Indigenous vendor.

Tuesday, September 29
Indigenous Vendor: Jodi Connor from Afonso’s Creations will have a vendor table located across from the Gift Shop. Stop by to say hello and support a local Indigenous vendor.

Wednesday, September 30
Launching: TBRHSC’s Truth and Reconciliation Report
Our Hospital is observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by releasing its third annual report detailing our ongoing responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action.

Orange Shirt Day
This Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative event honours Survivors and remembers the children who were forced into Residential Schools and never returned to their families. Staff are invited to wear an orange shirt as an outward symbol of commitment to reconciliation and hope for a better future.

Save the Dates

We encourage staff to take part in these opportunities throughout September to learn, listen, engage, and support Indigenous community members and vendors.

Please watch for further communications with event times, locations, registration links, and additional details.

Academic Affairs is pleased to share the Academic Affairs 2025–2026 Annual Report, which provides an integrated overview of academic activities, learner experiences, partnerships, and strategic initiatives at TBRHSC from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

As an academic health sciences centre, TBRHSC is committed to fostering excellence in education, supporting learners across disciplines, and strengthening the connection between education, clinical practice, research, and innovation.

This report highlights progress in advancing academic practice, enhancing learner support and engagement, and strengthening academic partnerships, while identifying key priorities for the year ahead.

Please remember that vaping and smoking is prohibited on Hospital property.

This includes the walkway connecting Turtle (I) Lot to the G (MRI) staff entrance. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management

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Quality & Risk Management has been alerted to incidents involving faxed patient referrals that were not received by the intended recipients despite appearing to have been successfully transmitted. This presents potential patient safety risk by delaying patient follow-up or diagnostic assessments and treatment planning. Information Technology (IT) has investigated potential technological causes; however, concerns have persisted.

Effective immediately, when fax is used to transmit patient-care information, particularly referrals, the following mitigation measures are required.

1. Prior to transmission:
   
   a. All faxes must be sent using the organization-approved fax cover sheet. The staff member sending the fax must include the names of both the sender and the intended recipient. The approved fax cover sheet can be found on the iNtranet: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/departments/communications-andengagement/branding,-logos-and-templates.
   
   b. Whenever possible, use the pre-programmed Address Book on the fax machine. Departments are responsible for verifying pre-programmed fax numbers at least bi-annually. If a fax number must be entered manually, the individual entering the number must verify the recipient’s fax number on the fax machine prior to starting the transmission.
   
   c. Ensure a fax confirmation report is generated. If the fax machine does not automatically produce one, select the option to print a confirmation report before sending.

2. Following transmission:

a. Document transmission of the referral using the fax stamp, including the initials of the individual who sent the fax and the date and time of transmission.

b. Where possible, notify the intended recipient/program through an established communication method that a referral has been transmitted by fax. Do not include personal health information unless using an approved secure method.

c. For urgent or critical referrals, contact the intended recipient/program directly to confirm receipt of the referral.

Important: A successful fax confirmation indicates that the transmission was completed; it should not be relied upon as confirmation that the referral was received or actioned by the intended recipient.

3. If a fax is sent to an incorrect fax number:

Follow the appropriate steps above to resend the fax to the correct recipient. Notify the Privacy Officer of the misdirected fax by emailing TBRHSC.Privacy@tbh.net.

4. When receiving faxes:

When removing documents from a fax machine, verify the documents were intended for your department.

If a misdirected fax is received:

• Notify the sender of the fax received in error.
• The sender should notify the Privacy Officer.
• Confirm with the sender whether the misdirected fax should be securely destroyed or returned to the sender by interoffice mail.
• Do not forward the fax to the intended recipient.

Thank you for your cooperation in implementing these additional safeguards to support timely
communication and reduce the risk of delays in patient care associated with misdirected or
unreceived faxes.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), in collaboration with the Miskwaa Biidaaban department, is pleased to launch the new Indigenous Health E-Learning, now available on LMS Dual Code

This enhanced learning experience provides staff with important knowledge and practical information to strengthen culturally respectful, informed, and responsive care for Indigenous patients and families.

The updated education goes beyond foundational awareness by connecting the history of Indigenous health care in Northwestern Ontario with the realities Indigenous patients continue to experience when accessing health services today.

What You Will Learn:

The Indigenous Health Education provides practical knowledge to support respectful and informed care, including:

• Indigenous Health in Northwestern Ontario: Regional history and its ongoing impact on health and health care.
• Indian Hospitals: Their history, legacy, and impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.
• One Patient, Two Systems: How Indigenous patients navigate federal and provincial health systems and associated barriers.
• TBRHSC Patient Supports: Available hospital services and supports.

Why This Learning Matters:

One patient should not have to navigate two systems alone. Understanding the history, systems, and barriers affecting Indigenous health strengthens our ability to provide respectful, equitable, and culturally safer care. This education helps staff better provide an introduction to the Indigenous patient journey, recognize barriers, and connect patients and families with appropriate supports.

Click here to take the training.