Calling all staff who have an innovative idea that could enhance their everyday work, come and pitch it at the Good Morning Innovation Pitch Event!
This event takes place on June 17 at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Auditoriums A & B.
Event Concept
One representative will have 3 minutes to pitch the idea to a panel of innovation experts, who then will provide some feedback on what steps to take next to make that innovation idea a reality!
You will be supported every step of the way by the Innovation Team to put your ideas into a visual slide display.
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase creativity and potentially implement new solutions that benefit us all. Please encourage your team to brainstorm and submit their ideas. Feedback will be given on the following areas:
Value to the Hospital
Originality/Innovativeness
Impact on Organization/System
Clarity and Presentation
Alignment to TBRHSC/RI Strategic Goals and Vision
Looking forward to seeing the sparks of innovation!
Submit your overarching pitch idea in 3 sentences in an email to tbrhsc.innovation@tbh.net
High school co-op student Carrie (right) pictured with staff member Rosemarie Harding (left) while on placement in Diagnostic Imaging at TBRHSC.
Did you know that Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) participates in the co-operative education placement program?
Co-operative education (also known as high school co-op) provides secondary school students with an immersive learning experience in a safe, culturally responsive environment. The co-operative education program aligns with our mission as an academic health sciences centre and our strategic priority Staff Experience, allowing students to learn about TBRHSC and to apply their skills and interests in different areas of the Hospital. Placements have been offered in various departments including Medical Device Reprocessing, Intensive Care Unit, Cancer Center, Cafeteria, Professional Practice, Nutrition and Food Services, Surgical Inpatient and Neurosurgery, Hemodialysis, Patient Portering, Housekeeping and Operating Room. Students are able to engage in unique learning opportunities that are not only memorable, but allow them to gain practical, hands on work experience that enhances their resume. In addition, the program can help students decide on a post-secondary career path, and may find themselves working at TBRHSC in the future!
Each student has a direct supervisor in their placement area, available to support them and answer any questions.
Here is what our supervisors have to say about the co-operative education experience:
Kerry Posselwhite, Manager, Base Hospital/Regional Trauma Program/NLOT/Upsala Nursing Station
“The Northwest Region Prehospital Care Program, Trauma program and Nurse Lead Outreach Team all had the privilege of having Preston, a grade 12 student from St. Patrick’s High School. In the short months Preston had with this placement, he was able to widen his knowledge in the Paramedic field, office environment, experience a routine workday with the Nurse Practitioners and gain knowledge while assisting in tasks with the Trauma program. While each day brought a new challenge, Preston never missed an opportunity to learn and gain new skills, and demonstrated that he was a team player and was always positive and willing to help. It was a pleasure having Preston and we wish him all the best in his future education.”
Laura Jurimae, Manager, 3A Surgery
“Having Kali on 3A Surgery was an absolute pleasure. This was the first time 3A had a co-op student on the unit. Kali consistently approached her work with a positive attitude, always arriving with a smile that set a positive tone for the day. Kali was proactive in seeking out tasks and projects beyond her assigned responsibilities. She demonstrated eagerness to learn and grow, consistently taking on new challenges. Kali’s tenure as a co-op student was marked by her outstanding work ethic, proactive approach, friendly demeanor, and commitment to continuous improvement. We appreciated having her as a part of our team, and we wish her luck in the future.”
Ron Garon, Manager, Perioperative Services
“Cameron came to the Operating Room (OR) knowing she wanted a career in health care, but was undecided on the path she wished to take; after her experience in the OR she has chosen nursing as her entry point into the healthcare industry. Cameron came prepared daily and researched the procedures she was going to be observing. The patients were extremely receptive to having a co-op student observe their procedure. Having a co-op student is rewarding for all parties involved and offers insight into areas most students would never be able to see.”
Katherine Tuomi, Manager, Diagnostic Imaging
“We had Carrie in Diagnostic Imaging for a co-op placement and she was definitely an asset. From day one, she was an enthusiastic learner and eager to help out in any area that she was needed. As Diagnostic Imaging encompasses many imaging modalities and specialties, we wanted to rotate her through and give her exposure to as many as possible so that she could make an informed future career decision. Carrie approached her tasks and our patients with a high work ethic, a positive attitude and a friendly “patient-first” demeanour which supported the TBRHSC vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time. We were truly pleased to have Carrie as part of our Diagnostic Imaging team, and we wish her well in all her future endeavours.”
Edith Hart, Manager, Critical Care and Respiratory Services
“Ray and Nadia were awesome additions to the Intensive Care Unit team. They had many opportunities to learn all about critical care nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy and physiotherapy. It was a pleasure to have them on our team.”
Participating in a co-op placement at TBRHSC can help students see the possibilities that the future can bring and it assists us in developing our future workforce. Students create community connections while observing the value of education, and of being engaged, and compassionate members of the community.
Each semester the high schools receive a list of the available co-operative education placements. To learn more about future high school co-op placement opportunities contact our Human Resources Department at tbrhsc.humanresources@tbh.net..
Administrative Professionals Day (April 23) recognizes and celebrates the work of executive assistants, administrative assistants, clerks and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace.
We’re calling on all administrative professionals in the Hospital and Health Research Institute to submit a high resolutionphoto of you or your team to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net by Tuesday, April 22at 4:00 p.m. These photos will be shared on the Daily Informed Newsletter and the Hospital’s socials to help celebrate this year’s edition of Administrative Professionals Day.
Shared on behalf of Dr. William Harris, VP, Medical and Academic Affairs
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Frank Potestio to the position of Medical Lead, Surgical Quality, effective April 1, 2025.
Reporting to the Department Chief of Surgery and working collaboratively with Administration, the Medical Lead is accountable for leading Surgical Quality initiatives delivered by the Surgery program.
The Medical Lead is responsible for establishing quality frameworks and processes across surgical programs and will ensure the viability of quality improvement initiatives. Dr. Potestio has held several leadership roles with NOSM University and Ontario Health and we welcome his ongoing leadership at TBRHSC.
I wish to also extend my appreciation to Dr. Andrew Smith who previously held this role and recognize the contributions he has made to advancing surgical quality initiatives.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Potestio to his new role.
In partnership with NOSM U, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) conducted the second annual Health Professions Preceptor Workshop on April 1. The purpose of this workshop was to support preceptorship and ensure that health professionals feel prepared to support students throughout the organization.
NOSMU presented two topics from their preceptor development series. Topics ranged from Precepting with Purpose: Building Strong Foundations through Orientation and Relationship-Building to The Art of Precepting: Strategies for Communication, Feedback, and Learner Evaluation.
More than 10 disciplines attended the day’s sessions with thirty attendees. Though the material is available for viewing online at anytime, (see link below) the workshop gave another opportunity to have various disciplines network with peers, and contribute to the advancement of preceptorship in health care education.
Today, we are celebrating Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture – Canada’s first Indigenous nurse.
Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture (often known simply as Edith Monture), Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) First World War veteran, registered nurse, was born on April 10, 1890 on Six Nations reserve near Brantford, ON, and passed away on April 3, 1996 in Ohsweken, ON.
Edith Monture was the first Indigenous woman to become a registered nurse in Canada and to gain the right to vote in a Canadian federal election. She was also the first Indigenous woman from Canada to serve in the United States military.
In her early twenties, Monture had no luck applying to Ontario nursing schools. Most Canadian nursing programs excluded Indigenous women; the federal Indian Act was a barrier to higher education for Indigenous people. Consequently, Monture looked to the United States, where she was accepted into New York’s New Rochelle Nursing School. She graduated first in her class and became the first Indigenous registered nurse in Canada in 1914.
Until the United States entered the First World War in 1917, Edith Monture worked as a nurse at a private school in New Rochelle, New York. Afterward, she volunteered, at age 27, with the United States Army Nurse Corps, along with 14 other Canadian nurses. She is one of a few Indigenous women who served overseas with this Corps.
Edith Monture became the first female Status Indian and registered band member to gain the right to vote in a Canadian federal election. The Military Service Act (1917) had given wartime nurses the right to vote. However, Indigenous women as a whole could not legally vote federally until 1960.
Edith broke barriers for Indigenous women in the armed forces and with regards to federal voting rights. A street (Edith Monture Avenue) and park (Edith Monture Park) are named after her in Brantford, Ontario.
Submitted by Physiotherapy Professional Practice, SJCG
It is with both gratitude and admiration that we announce the recent retirements of three incredible physiotherapists: Maureen Dillon, Fiona MacLean, and Kelly Bergagnini. Together, they have devoted an astonishing 102 years to the Physiotherapy profession, and now as they lay down their goniometers and reflex hammers we want to wish them well in this next chapter of life. Their contributions to TBRHSC and the physiotherapy community have been immeasurable, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate their careers and reflect on the profound impact they’ve made.
Kelly Bergagnini: A Role Model in Joint Replacement Care
Kelly began her career with St. Joseph’s Care Group in July of 1992 on the 3N Neurology unit before moving to the Rheumatic Diseases Program (RDU) on the 4th floor. From there, Kelly’s journey took her to the 3rd floor, where she specialized in working with joint replacement patients. She rounded out her career by working 12 years at TBRHSC, where she worked in 3A Surgical Daycare primarily caring for post-operative joint replacement clients.
One of Kelly’s most notable reflections on her career was, “When I started working with joint replacements at SJH many years ago, the pathway length of stay was 8 days. By the end of my career, we were sending joint replacement patients home the same day!”
Her dedication to the evolving needs of her patients and her ability to adapt to new approaches in healthcare make her an outstanding example of growth and innovation in the field.
Maureen Dillon: A Career Focused on Orthopedics and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Maureen started her physiotherapy career at Port Arthur General Hospital in 1990, before joining St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1997. Throughout her career, Maureen specialized in orthopedics and pulmonary rehabilitation, and she eventually became an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist at the Rapid Access Centre at TBRHSC where she finished her career.
Maureen fondly recalls one of her favorite workplace traditions: “One of my fondest memories was ‘month-end coffee,’ where rotating groups of rehab staff would provide special treats. It was a wonderful opportunity to socialize and promote camaraderie and friendship among colleagues.”
Her contributions to both patient care and team dynamics have left a lasting impact, and we thank her for her years of commitment to the profession, St. Joseph’s Care Group and TBRHSC.
Fiona MacLean: From Scotland to Thunder Bay, a Career Dedicated to Stroke Rehabilitation
Fiona began her career in physiotherapy in Inverness, Scotland, before moving to Thunder Bay in 1991 to work at McKellar Hospital. After McKellar closed, Fiona transitioned to TBRHSC, where she made significant contributions to the Acute Stroke Program.
Fiona reflected on the importance of professional connections and continuing education, saying, “I find the QPC retreats and courses that I have attended are really important events to connect with physios across the continuum and appreciate how dedicated they all are in providing the best care for our patients . These personal interactions and communications in person are so important in these times of emailing and WebEx meetings where the personal connections are not there.”
Fiona’s commitment to her patients and to strengthening professional ties within the physiotherapy community has made her an invaluable member of the team.
A Well-Deserved Farewell
As Maureen, Fiona, and Kelly step into retirement, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for their incredible contributions to both TBRHSC and St. Joseph’s Care Group. Together, they have improved the lives of countless patients over the years. While their presence will be greatly missed, we wish them all the best in their retirement and hope they enjoy this new chapter to the fullest.
Thank you, Maureen, Fiona, and Kelly, for your passion, dedication, and years of service. Enjoy your retirement—you’ve truly earned it!
Please join us in celebrating these three remarkable professionals and the lasting legacy they leave behind!
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Screen for Life Coach.
The coach’s mammogram unit for breast screening.
The coach’s nursing station for cervical screening and requisitions for colon cancer screening.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre’s mobile cancer screening bus is hitting the road.
The Screen for Life Coach departs Thunder Bay on Thursday and spend most of the next seven months on the road, vising communities across Northwestern Ontario “anywhere between Manitouwadge and the Manitoba border,” said Caitlund Davidson, the hospital’s coordinator of prevention and screening.
“We are going on a seven-month tour so we won’t be back in Thunder Bay until November,” she said.” We will be circling through periodically for maintenance and for a couple of screening days here and there in town, but otherwise we’ll be out touring the region for seven months.”
The coach offers breast, cervical and colon cancer screening services to more than 75 locations in the region. Davidson said mammograms are available for people between the ages of 40 and 74 every two years, cervical screenings are available for those with a cervix between 25 and 69 if one has been sexually active, and colon cancer screenings are for those between 50 and 74 “if you are at average risk and have no family history of colon cancer.”
“Early detection is most important because we can treat cancers earlier when they’re found earlier,” Davidson said. “Cancer screening is for patients that have no symptoms, so if you do have symptoms, you would be referred to go to a walk-in clinic or to the emergency department nearest you.”
The screening coach’s first stop is in Dryden on Thursday afternoon in the community’s hospital’s parking lot, Davidson said, followed by Vermilion Bay and then on to Rainy River.
Dates and locations can be found on the health sciences centre’s website. Appointments can be booked by calling 807-684-7777, she said.
“I think we’re excited to be hitting the road,” Davidson said. “It’s going to be a great tour and just know that this is a comfortable, welcoming space, and we do have the same equipment that you would find in a hospital, so don’t be scared to give us a call.”
