Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Director, Women & Children’s & Mental Health Programs, and
Dr. Justin Jagger, Medical Lead, Regional Paediatrics & Transport

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We are pleased to announce that Janessa Grootenboer has accepted the position of Coordinator, Regional Paediatrics & Transport. 

Janessa has worked in the Women & Children’s program for the entirety of her career, most recently as the Coordinator for the Women & Children’s program. Last fall Janessa stepped into the Transport Coordinator role to provide temporary coverage.  While in the role, Janessa was quick to learn the uniqueness and complexities of transport medicine and she built strong relationships with the team. 

Janessa has recently completed the Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice program at Lakehead University, among other courses and certifications, demonstrating her passion for continuing education. Janessa has been building her leadership skills for many years, at first through various volunteer roles and more formally over her last few years in her Coordinator roles. 

Throughout the course of her career, Janessa has passionately provided and advocated for quality healthcare to women and children. She is passionate about advancing her knowledge and skills and working with others to deliver outstanding care to our patients and families and is committed to ongoing learning and education.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Janessa into her new role commencing October 20th, 2025. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Kroker for his leadership in developing the Transport team and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 

For more than 15 years, Angela’s days at the Northwest Regional Cancer Centre were filled with compassion. As a cancer nurse, she supported patients through the hardest moments of their lives.

“I’d tell them to take it one step at a time, and remember they’re not alone,” she says.

Like many others, Angela kept up with cancer screening and tried to live a healthy lifestyle. When she got a letter in the mail reminding her she was due for a routine mammogram with the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), she booked her appointment with a colleague. Shortly after, Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I didn’t have any risk factors. I always thought ‘I’m such a healthy person, I don’t have a family history – there’s no way I’m going to get cancer,’” she explains, “And then I did.”

Her experience as a patient was both humbling and transformative. “I knew the treatments, the side effects, the medical side of things. I had never truly understood the emotional weight until I lived it,” she recalls. “I felt very vulnerable.”

Throughout her treatment, Angela stayed active and leaned on the same support systems she once encouraged her patients to rely on. Her family and friends carried her through the hardest days. Her colleagues at the Cancer Centre became her champions.

“I’m used to being independent, so learning to accept help was difficult,” she says. “It also showed me how powerful community can be.”

Today, Angela is cancer-free. She’s back to enjoying travel, with her most recent trip taking her to Europe with friends including nurses from the Cancer Centre. She’s also heading into her fourth year as a nurse on the Screen for Life Coach, a mobile screening bus that brings breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening services to communities across Northwestern Ontario.

“My breast cancer was found early because I stayed on top of my mammograms,” Angela shares. “It feels good to be part of bringing that same opportunity to others, especially in communities where accessing these services can be challenging.”

On the Coach, Angela meets people where they are: in their own communities, surrounded by their own support systems. For her, it feels deeply personal.

“I understand now that the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference,” says Angela. “Kindness goes a long way especially when people are feeling anxious. Creating a connection is important, and now I can look someone in the eye and say, ‘I’ve been where you are.’”

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, speak to your primary care provider to see if breast cancer screening is right for you. The OBSP recommends that most eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people ages 40 to 74 get screened with mammography every two years. A referral from a primary care provider is not required for individuals at average risk.

For more information about breast cancer screening, visit tbrhsc.net/breast-cancer-screening. 

Shared on behalf of Blake Rathje, Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Distribution

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On October 11, 2025, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) transitioned from a nation-wide strike to rotating strikes and Canada Post has resumed commercial pickups and drop-offs as of October 15, 2025. 

Rotating strike activity may be isolated to specific locations, affecting those areas for a specified period of time. During a rotating strike, Canada Post will accept, process and deliver parcels in unaffected areas, but delays are still expected. Once Canada Post processes an item, it will be secure but cannot be retrieved if that facility is affected by a rotating strike. Items will be delivered as quickly as possible after a disruption is over and operations resume. 

Effective immediately, the TBRHSC Mailroom will resume normal operations. However, departments may consider sending urgent items by Purolator via our standard process (note –Purolator does not ship to PO boxes) or a local Courier. Both alternative options have an estimated delivery time of 2-3 days. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jennifer Svane at jennifer.svane@tbh.net or at ext. 6202.

When we think of a hospital, our minds may go to those providing front line care. But there’s an essential service working around the clock behind the scenes: the Laundry and Linen team.

Every day, hundreds of kilograms of linens are processed at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to ensure a safe, clean environment for patients and staff alike. From bed sheets and pillowcases to gowns, scrubs, and surgical drapes, this department plays a critical role in infection control and patient comfort.

Clean linens may not be the most visible part of patient care, but they’re a crucial part of the healing environment. Fresh sheets and properly sanitized gowns contribute to patient dignity, comfort, and safety. So, the next time you see a neatly made hospital bed or change into a clean gown, remember the dedicated laundry and linen team working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Photo 1: This small but mighty team holds the highest standards for cleanliness. Every load of linens must meet strict hygiene requirements. Linens are washed, dried, and sanitized using industrial-grade equipment and high-temperature cycles that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Photo 2: Each step is monitored closely to comply with health care regulations and infection prevention protocols. Special attention is given to handling soiled items safely and ensuring clean linens are stored and transported properly. In this photo, Chris can be seen carefully loading the washer, ensuring all soiled linens are handled with gloves and without overfilling, in strict adherence to infection prevention protocols. He closes the machine securely and initiates the high-temperature disinfection cycle to prevent cross-contamination.

Photo 3, 4, 5: Laundry services require a dedicated team working efficiently and meticulously. Their job includes sorting, washing, folding, inspecting for damage, and ensuring timely delivery to every department. During high-demand periods—like flu season or during large-scale procedures—this team works even harder to keep everything running smoothly.  The team are shown feeding large linens through the blanket folder (photo 3), hand folding area folding facecloths (photo 4), and standing in front of a small piece folder, where gowns are folded (photo 5).

Photo 6: Did you know that our Hospital has a seamstress? Tannis is responsible for the repair, alteration, and sometimes fabrication of textiles used throughout the Hospital. These can include uniforms, bed linens, patient gowns, surgical drapes, privacy curtains, and other fabric-based materials. Her skilled hands help keep our facility running smoothly and with every stitch supports the comfort, dignity, and safety of our patients and staff.

This month’s Town Hall took place on Wednesday, October 15. See below for a video recording of the session and a copy of the presentation slides.

If you have questions you would like answered, please send them to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net and we will do our best to address them at a future Town Hall.

If you’d like to access a recording or presentation from a previous Town Hall, visit the archive.

Thank you for your commitment to staying informed and engaged.

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One in nine women in Ontario will face breast cancer in their lifetime, with many diagnosed before turning 50. Now, thanks to a recent expansion of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), people in their 40s no longer have to wait to be screened. The province’s decision to lower the self-referral age from 50 to 40 gives approximately one million additional women, trans, and non-binary people across Ontario the chance to be screened earlier.

“Breast cancer can and does occur in people in their 40s,” says Dr. Nicole Zavagnin, Regional Primary Care Lead for Cancer Care Ontario at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “Having the option to begin screening earlier means more people can be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective.”

Through the OBSP, eligible individuals aged 40 to 74 who are at average risk can book a mammogram every two years at no cost with a valid OHIP card – no doctor’s referral needed. Those at higher risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer, may need to start screening earlier or be screened more often based on advice from their healthcare provider.

Mammograms remain the most reliable tool for breast cancer screening, able to detect changes in breast tissue before symptoms appear. The benefits are clear: the five-year survival rate for breast cancer found at stage 1 is nearly 100%, but drops to less than 30% when diagnosed at stage 4.

“Cancer screening is for people who feel well and haven’t noticed any changes,” days Dr. Zavagnin. “By expanding eligibility, more patients can benefit from early detection and the wider range of treatment options it allows.”

While mammograms are key to early detection, breast health also involves knowing your body, reporting changes promptly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to reflect on your personal risk factors and talk with your healthcare provider about whether screening is right for you,” notes Dr. Zavagnin.

Where to Get Screened in Northwestern Ontario

Thunder Bay

Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening and Assessment, TBRHSC
980 Oliver Road
(807) 684-7777

Thunder Bay Diagnostics
63 Algoma St. N, Suite 100
(807) 683-4411

Screen for Life Coach (serving Thunder Bay and regional communities)
(807) 684-7777

Fort Frances

Riverside Health Care Facilities
110 Victoria Avenue
(807) 274-4808

Kenora

Lake of the Woods District Hospital
21 West Sylvan Street
(807) 684-7777

Sioux Lookout

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1 Meno Ya Win Way
(807) 737-6579

To learn more about breast cancer screening, visit tbrhsc.net/breast-cancer-screening.

The Communications and Engagement Department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is dedicated to supporting you in achieving your communications, messaging, and promotional objectives. All staff, professional staff, volunteers and learners are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the following Communications and Engagement policies:

Media and Promotional Communication — Authorization and Process (COMM-01)

As a public institution, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recognizes the public’s right to be informed about their Hospital’s policies and the issues surrounding the care of patients in the institution. As well, the Hospital recognizes that the release of information concerning patients and health care practitioners has both legal and ethical considerations. Confidentiality is important. Therefore, media inquiries for audio and video recordings, interview requests, and photo or video recording within the Hospital must have prior approval from the Communications and Engagement Department.

➡️ Media and Promotional Communication – Authorization and Process (COMM-01)

Production of Publicly Distributed TBRHSC Promotional Materials (COMM-03)

This policy ensures that all publications and other materials and information of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre intended for public consumption, appropriately reflect the mission and vision of the Hospital and maintain current branding standards, are patient and family centred, include key messages where appropriate, and reflect the professional standards of the Hospital.

➡️ Production of Publicly Distributed TBRHSC Promotional Materials (COMM-03)

Social Media (COMM-05)

This policy provides direction on the management of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s presence on social media and ensures that guidelines and behavioural expectations when using social media are met. The Hospital recognizes the value of social media sites as vital resources to positively promote its mission and values, strategic plan, prevention and screening initiatives, recruitment activities, successes and initiatives, as well as a forum for engagement and the exchange of general information and feedback.

➡️ Social Media (COMM-05)

The second full week of each October (12-18) is dedicated to celebrating the important role of medical device reprocessing departments (MDRD) across the country, just like the one at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The MDRD staff is made up of certified technicians that wash, inspect, assemble, wrap, sterilize and distribute instruments to the Operating Room and clinics throughout our Hospital. With a focus on patient safety and quality assurance, the proper reprocessing of reusable patient care items is more important than it ever has been.

Staff in the MDRD work almost 24/7 to make sure physicians, nurses and surgeons have the clean, sterile instruments they need to provide exceptional care for every patient, every time.

Interested in joining this fantastic team? Apply today ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nMQVJH

(Via TBNewswatch.com / TBT News)