The 2025 Foundation Family CARE Grant Cycle will open on Wednesday, September 3. Completed applications must be submitted directly to Laura Andricciola by Friday, October 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Submission requirements:
4 paper copies (including the original)
1 electronic copy via email
All costs must be listed in Canadian dollars (including taxes, shipping, delivery, etc.)
Attached below you will find:
The 2025 application form (Word and PDF versions)
The scoring rubric
An example of a well-written application from last year (consent from applicant provided)
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification to Laura Andricciola at Laura.Andricciola@tbh.net.
Shared on behalf of Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff
With the current Chief of Diagnostic Imaging, Dr. Radu Rozenberg stepping down, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Christian van der Pol will be providing coverage as Department Chief effective September 1, 2025, while the formal approval and appointment process is underway.
Dr. van der Pol has been a respected member of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging since 2020, bringing a wealth of leadership, clinical and academic experience. His roles have included Site Chief at Hamilton Health Sciences, Assistant Professor at NOSM University, Associate Professor at McMaster University, Chief Resident and investigator on multiple research projects. Please join me in welcoming him to his new role.
I would like to thank Dr. Radu Rozenberg for his leadership over the past year and for his contributions to the department.
I wish Dr. Rozenberg all the best in his future endeavours.
Medical Affairs is thrilled to announce that Dr. Mohammed Kalan has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time Colorectal/General Surgeon with the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Kalan is internationally recognized for his expertise in colorectal, gastrointestinal, abdominal solid organ, surgical oncology, and advanced minimally invasive surgery. He trained extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., including a fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery at The George Washington University, and surgical residencies at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and several major U.K. institutions.
He has held senior leadership and academic positions, serving as Chief of General Surgery at Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and as Clinical Professor of Surgery at both George Washington University and Georgetown University. In addition, he has played key roles on multiple surgical committees, advancing innovation in minimally invasive and robotic surgery worldwide.
Dr. Kalan’s career reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, education, and research. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributed to book chapters on advanced surgical techniques, and presented at international conferences across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Please join us in extending a very warm welcome to Dr. Kalan as he begins his practice here at TBRHSC. His wealth of experience and global perspective will be invaluable in advancing surgical care for our patients.
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Patrick Donio has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a Rheumatologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Donio brings a strong background in clinical research, with several peer-reviewed publications in high-impact medical journals. Notably, Dr. Donio was a key author on a population-level study comparing readmission and mortality rates among cardiovascular patients in Northern versus Southern Ontario, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Additional research includes a systematic review on hypoglycemia risk with newer antihyperglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes (Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism), and a case report on thyroid varices with implications for thyroid surgery (SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine).
His clinical interests include rheumatology, northern and rural medicine, Indigenous health, remote healthcare, and telehealth. Dr. Donio is committed to advancing care delivery in underserved regions, informed by his passion for northern and rural health.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Donio enjoys a wide range of activities, including fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, camping, carpentry, travel, and is an avid reader and board game enthusiast.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Donio, whose expertise and dedication will greatly benefit our patients and the broader community.
I sincerely hope you have had an enjoyable summer whether you spent time with family, traveled or simply took a moment to relax. As always, please know that you are doing incredible work and your dedication does not go unnoticed. Looking ahead, we are excited for the new challenges and opportunities. Over the course of the summer we were pleased to welcome a number of new professional staff to our Hospital. We are delighted they have chosen to be part of our community and contribute their expertise to our shared commitment to exceptional patient care. Please join me in welcoming them all to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
As you know, over the past several months we have seen an increase in community violence in our city. Protecting our staff, professional staff, patients, families and caregivers remains one of our highest priorities. In recent years we have made significant investments in hospital security including enhanced patrols, additional safety personnel and improved monitoring systems. We are now moving forward with new measures including exploring strategies used by other hospitals that have introduced AI-powered weapons detection systems at entry points. While no single solution is perfect, this technology can support respectful and non-intrusive screening of individuals entering our hospital. Combined with our existing efforts, these steps will help us maintain a safe and secure environment while respecting the needs and comfort of our community. We will update you on this as more details come in.
Like all hospitals in Ontario, we are part of an ongoing process with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to ensure hospitals are supported as costs rise and demand for services continues to grow. This process will help identify where pressures are greatest and how resources can best be allocated across the province. While final details for this year’s funding are still being confirmed, we know that TBRHSC has a long history of delivering excellent care efficiently even under resource pressures. What will never change is our commitment to safe, high-quality care for our patients supported by the dedication of our staff and teams.
Finally, the Town Hall returns on September 17th and we encourage everyone to participate to hear updates about new initiatives and happenings around the Hospital and Health Research Institute. It is also a time where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. Your involvement is important as it helps us to be better and more responsive to the needs of staff, professional staff, patients, families and caregivers. Find out more about the Town Hall here.
As always, I welcome your feedback about this blog or anything else on your mind. You can reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), the Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion team will host cultural events throughout the month to honour Residential School Survivors and their families in recognizing the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and communities.
As we continue with our Strategic Plan 2026, we remain dedicated to providing a culturally safe experience for all staff and patients. We encourage staff to attend the events held throughout the month.
Cultural Safety Training Opportunities:
A reminder, to complete your Wake the Giant Indigenous Culture and Inclusivity Training and prioritize cultural safety within our organization! By completing this Training, you will contribute to a more inclusive environment and gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures to better support and advocate for Indigenous patients.
If you have completed your Wake the Giant Training and want to learn more, we invite all staff to take part in our new cultural safety training session titled, “Repairing the Sacred Circle: An Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Education Primer”.
The session will introduce participants to an insightful way of thinking about truth and reconciliation. It will be a reflective pathway for cross-cultural discussion and an entry point to create the necessary change for awareness and inclusiveness.
This is a free training session, there is no cost to attend. The session is 3 hours long and takes place in-person. We encourage all staff (including students, residents, volunteers, and PFAs) to participate and look forward to seeing you there.
The 2025-2026 schedule is now live. To register for a session, click HERE.
For more information, please contact: Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Coordinator Spiritual Care at Annette.Klement@tbh.net.
Internationally recognized scholar Dr. Langis Roy has been named Lakehead University’s next Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
Dr. Roy brings more than 20 years of academic and leadership experience to the position, having held academic appointments at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and most recently at Ontario Tech University, where he served terms as Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (2015–2021) and Deputy Provost (2020–2023).
“Dr. Roy’s leadership comes at a pivotal time,” expressed President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “As a vital economic anchor in the regions we serve, Lakehead is poised to expand our impact through expanding partnerships and innovative collaborations. I am confident that with Dr. Roy’s vision and experience, Lakehead will continue to drive a culture of research excellence across our campuses, create new opportunities for students to be at the forefront of real-world cutting-edge research, and drive progress that matters–for people and the betterment of society.”
As Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Dr. Roy will lead the university’s extensive research and economic development portfolio, championing industry and expert engagement, working closely with faculty to secure research funding, creating the new strategic research plan, and advancing the national and global reputation of Lakehead research and scholarship.
“Lakehead is clearly ahead of the curve in terms of sustainability mindset and community engagement, and has unique synergies in its STEM Hub and interdisciplinary programming across central and northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Roy, who has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Engineering and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University. “I look forward to joining this dynamic institution and contributing to Lakehead’s upward trajectory.”
With more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and three patents in radio-frequency system-on-package designs, Dr. Roy’s interdisciplinary research spans microwave components, wireless sensor and power harvesting technologies, and next-generation system integration with applications in 5G/6G, autonomous vehicles, biomedical monitoring, and more. His recent work focuses on AI-assisted design and control, and he co-leads the France-Canada GRACE (Generative Reconfigurable Adaptive Communications Electronics) consortium.
“With the rise of AI not only accelerating the pace of discovery but also democratizing business entrepreneurship, the possibilities for growing Lakehead’s research and innovation enterprise are limitless,” Dr. Roy added.
A globally engaged researcher, Dr. Roy has held visiting appointments at institutions in Finland and France, including the XLIM Institute at Université de Limoges in 2024. He was also involved in the Oshawa/Durham node of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), playing a vital role in research and innovation initiatives in Ontario.
As a leader, Dr. Roy is known for his collaborative spirit, approachability, and deep commitment to supporting students, faculty, and industry partners. During his time at Ontario Tech, he led the transformation of the Office of Graduate Studies into the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and contributed to expanding experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities across the institution.
“There is a strong history of research and innovation at Lakehead,” said Dr. Siddall. “Although Lakehead is a primarily undergraduate university, the impact and importance of research happening across the university places us among the top research-intensive universities in the country. I look forward to supporting Dr. Roy as we continue to build on this incredible momentum.”
Dr. Roy will begin his five-year appointment on August 24, 2025.
Behind every sparkling floor and sanitized surface is a dedicated team of Housekeeping staff who keep our Hospital safe, clean, and welcoming every single day. With cheerful attitudes and a strong sense of purpose, our housekeepers:
Help prevent infections by maintaining the highest cleaning standards
Create a calm and comfortable environment for patients and families
Offer a friendly face during stressful times
Support clinical teams by making sure every space is ready for care
Whether it’s an operating room or a waiting room, their work ensures our Hospital is a place of healing, dignity, and safety.
Whitney (left) and Nesar (right), two members of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Housekeeping team, invited us to have a peek into a day in their work life.
Whitney and Nesar start their shift by collecting their work phone and pager, vital tools to respond promptly to cleaning requests, patient discharges, and urgent sanitation needs. These communication devices allow the team to receive real-time updates on room status changes, respond swiftly to infection control protocols, support patient turnover and improve bed availability and maintain a clean and safe environment for all patients, families, and staff.
The cleaning cart is a mobile workstation that supports the Housekeeping team in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming Hospital environment. Equipped with the right tools and supplies, the cart allows staff to clean rooms thoroughly and efficiently, without unnecessary trips back and forth.
Each department has properly stocked and organized carts to prevent cross-contamination and support strict infection prevention and control standards. The carts have everything from high-touch disinfectants to PPE, everything needed for a thorough clean is ready and accessible.
Nesar and Whitney at one the Hospital’s bucket filling stations, explaining how it is carefully organized to ensure that the right chemicals are used at the correct concentrations to effectively disinfect surfaces and maintain a sanitary environment. Chemical safety is a critical part of their job and housekeepers must follow strict guidelines and training to handle cleaning agents properly.
Cleaning and sterilizing are essential to keeping the environment safe for patients and staff. Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, and organic matter from surfaces, while sterilizing goes further to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. Housekeepers use specialized chemicals and equipment to perform these tasks effectively. Their attention to detail helps prevent infections.
“My Nana was head of housekeeping at McKellar Hospital, and I grew up watching how much pride she tookin her work,” says Whitney. “Now I’m walking the same path. I have been here 15 years, and I truly enjoy what I do. No two days are the same, I’m constantly multitasking, and there is always something new. But being a part of helping patients feel safe and cared for is the best part. I take pride in knowing my work makes a difference, and I treat the cleaning like it’s my family member who is going to use [the facility] next.”
“I love my job,” says Nesar. “Being a housekeeper in the Hospital isn’t just about cleaning. We are a critical part of the patient experience and care. I’ve learned so much working here, from infection prevention and control to how to comfort someone with just a smile. I love how each day is different. And the appreciation from patients! It has all made me grow in ways I never expected.”
