Thank you to all those who participated in week 3 of Pride Trivia!

Below you will find the answers to last week’s questions. Click here for the final week of trivia, and a chance to win prizes.

Question 1: What does 2S stand for in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym?

Answer: 2S in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym stands for Two-Spirit. The term Two Spirit is a culturally specific identity describing Indigenous individuals whose gender, spiritual, or sexual identity includes both male and female spirits. The term honors gender and sexual diversity and emphasizes the ability of Two-Spirits to navigate both worlds and hold male and female responsibilities in their communities. While the concept of Two-Spirit individuals has existed among Indigenous Peoples for generations, the term niizh manidoowag, meaning “two spirits,” was first proposed in 1990 by Elder Myra Laramee.

Question 2: True or False: The Stonewall Uprising was a gay rights protest that started on June 28, 1969?

Answer: TRUE. The Stonewall Uprising, also known as the Stonewall Rebellion, or the Stonewall Riots, was a gay rights protest that began on June 28, 1969 and lasted approximately 6 days. It was named for the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City, and the site of the uprising. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the bar, leading to several days of violent protests. It was considered a turning point for the gay rights movement, and the first gay liberation march took place the following year on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.  

Question 3: The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is observed annually on May 17. What is the significance of this date?

Answer: On May 17, 1990, The World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, marking a significant step toward greater equity for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is therefore observed annually on May 17 to honour this significant event.

Question 4: Why is Pride Month celebrated in June?

Answer: Pride Month is celebrated in June each year to honour the Stonewall Uprising—which took place in June of 1969—and its contributions to advancing 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights.

We would like to inform you that piling activities related to the cardiovascular surgery (CVS) construction project are scheduled to resume on Thursday, June 26, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., with work anticipated to last ten (10) days barring no unforeseen circumstances.

During this phase, steel piles will be driven into the ground using heavy machinery.

What to Expect:

• Noise: Pile driving will generate noise due to the use of impact equipment. This can be expected throughout the workday.
• Vibration: Vibrations may be noticeable, particularly in close proximity to the construction site. While the most significant effects will occur near the pile-driving area, surrounding zones may also experience some degree of vibration. The project team has worked closely with key departments and will continue to monitor conditions to minimize any disruption to clinical operations.

We kindly ask that you communicate this information to your staff, patients, and visitors so they are aware of the upcoming work and potential impacts.

If noise or vibrations begin to significantly affect critical clinical functions, please contact the TBRHSC CVS Project Management Team:

• Aaron Bruno 
• Daniel Sedano 

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this essential phase of construction. Thank you for your continued support.

It is Stroke Awareness Month and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 10 years of Code Stroke. We are highlighting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide timely and effective care for stroke patients. Meet the Switchboard team.

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What is your position at the hospital?

Switchboard communications

What role does your team play in Code Stroke?

During Code Stroke, Switchboard will page physicians, answer pre-alerts, complete the overhead page and checklist.

What is unique about your team’s role?

Switchboard’s role is unique as we are the first point of contact during a Code Stroke.

How does your team impact stroke patient care?

Switchboard is the first point of contact in Code Stroke when the Hospital response is initiated.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession as it relates to Code Stroke/stroke care?

It is rewarding knowing that we are helping to save lives. We can feel a sense of pride in our jobs and see the visible impact of our role.

Congratulations on your retirement Bill!

Bill Dyer started at Port Arthur General in September 1980 as a dishwasher. Around 1993, he transferred from Port Arthur General to McKellar Hospital as a porter for five years. Then eventually made the move into Sterile Processing department transferring over to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre when it opened, and ending his career into retirement July 2025.

He plans on enjoying life to the fullest and stress free. He would like to say thank you to all supervisors, managers, and his co-workers over his 45-year career, along with all the supports from various departments.

We wish Bill the best in his new chapter of retirement. Job well done Bill!

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) are pleased to present this progress report on the third year of our Strategic Plan 2026, showcasing our achievements and dedication to advancing care, health research, and innovation in the region.

Strategic Plan 2026 focuses on five strategic pillars: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Patient Experience; Staff Experience; Research, Innovation and Learning, and Sustainable Future. 

Each year, a strategic priority is highlighted through video showcasing impactful initiatives that align with our vision. This year, we focus on Patient Experience—demonstrating our ongoing commitment to compassionate, patient-centred quality care that meets the unique needs of patients and families throughout Northwestern Ontario.

“The third year of our Strategic Plan 2026 can be summarized by our philosophy — patients at the centre of everything we do,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO at TBRHSC and CEO at TBRHRI. “Ultimately, health care is about people — the people we care for, the people who work on the front lines and behind the scenes, helping people day in and day out.”

As we build our organizations to further advance patient experience, we are enhancing patient feedback approaches; implementing technology to support patient autonomy; building research infrastructure to expand cancer trials and exploring how embedding research within health care teams can support system-wide improvement. These are just a few examples of initiatives that will make certain we are providing a positive experience for patients and their families.

“Together, efforts support a positive experience for patients and families, cultivating an environment where there is empathy, compassion and respect in every encounter and supporting our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time,” said Patricia Lang, Board Chair for TBRHSC.

As we move on to the fourth year of the plan, both TBRHSC and TBRHRI will continue to accomplish the 26 initiatives aligned to the five Strategic Directions, and build on the successes to date. Through steady progress, our goals will be reached across all strategic pillars to ensure quality care is provided to patients and families. Care that is supported and advanced through research, innovation, and education.

“At Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, our work is shaped by the specific needs of patients and families in Northwestern Ontario,” comments Dr. Andrew Dean, Board Chair for TBRHRI. “By focusing on local challenges and integrating patient perspectives into our research, we remain committed to advancing health research that is locally grounded, clinically relevant and responsive to the communities we serve.”

View our Year Three progress for Strategic Plan 2026 by exploring the latest annual reports for 2024-2025:

• TBRHSC Annual Report
• TBRHRI Annual Report

To view the Patient Experience video, click here.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a time to celebrate the incredible heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, who have called this land home since time immemorial. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island presents a valuable opportunity to embrace their culture and take pride in their identity while challenging stereotypes and gaining a deeper understanding of their rich culture.

It’s also crucial to acknowledge Canada’s past and the ongoing impact of colonization, racism, and stereotypes on the health of Indigenous Peoples within the health care system. By observing this day, we have the opportunity to stand in solidarity and raise awareness about the challenges and triumphs facing Indigenous communities. We encourage everyone to use this occasion to deepen our understanding, challenge misconceptions, and foster a more inclusive and compassionate community. We invite everyone to take part in the cultural activities and celebrations planned across the city to learn more about Indigenous peoples who have helped shape this country.

Fort William First Nation will be hosting a free Pow Wow on June 21. See poster below for more details:

To learn more, click here.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Indigenous History and Human Rights
The Canadian Encyclopedia: The Indian Act – A Summary
Historica Canada: Residential Schools in Canada
Indigenous Corporate Training: Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
CBC Books: 25 books that highlight beauty of Indigenous literature

Shared on behalf of Leanne Baird, Manager, Simulation Program, Dr. Rosie North, Dr. Sonja Lubbers, and Dr. Aaron Ruberto, Medical Leads for Simulation

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We are excited to announce that Brittany Scholz has accepted the position of Simulation Technician. She will work a 0.5 FTE, with her hours varying based on the needs of the simulation lab.

Brittany is not new to TBRHSC. She is an RPN and you may recognize her friendly face from 1A and the Cancer Centre where she will continue to work on a casual basis. Brittany also works at Confederation College as part of their Nursing Lab. In her role at Confederation College, Brittany serves as both a Clinical Instructor and Lab Instructor in the simulation department.

With Brittany joining our team, we are excited to expand our capacity to provide simulation support across the hospital. Her clinical background, teaching experience, and enthusiasm for simulation will allow us to offer more opportunities for hands-on training, education, and skill development. Brittany is eager to contribute to simulation initiatives throughout the hospital and looks forward to collaborating with staff and learners to enhance patient care and clinical excellence.

Please join us in welcoming Brittany to her new role!

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 153 babies born at our Hospital during the month of May. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!

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

As construction on the cardiovascular surgery program advances, we would like to remind drivers to drive slowly and be aware of pedestrians on our Hospital grounds.

Drivers — you must stop for pedestrians. When travelling by vehicle, you must stop for pedestrians waiting to cross a roadway. Allow ample time to stop when approaching designated pedestrian crossings.

Pedestrians — please use official access sidewalks and designated pedestrian crossings. These areas are designed to enhance safety and visibility. You may not be immediately visible to vehicular traffic. It is important to wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop and acknowledge your presence before proceeding to cross roadways.

We thank everyone who continually exercises all measures of caution when entering and exiting Hospital property. We all share in the responsibility of keeping the Hospital campus safe and together we can ensure that it remains a safe zone for all staff, patients and families, and the greater community.

As a reminder, a portion of Ron Saddington Way (main roadway through the front of the Hospital) and the roadway to the Medical Centre front entrance is closed. There will be no thoroughfare along the front (west side) of the Hospital until further notice.

The new pick-up and drop-off area is located in the Fish (A3) parking lot: https://tbrhsc.net/home/information-services/parking/.