TBRHSC Board Chair Report (February 2026)

Shared on behalf of Patricia Lang, Chair, TBRHSC Board of Directors


We enter 2026 acknowledging the extraordinary commitment of our staff and physicians, volunteers and partners who continue to serve our community under significant pressure. The challenges faced over the holiday season were a record number of patient visits including an increase in acutely ill patients. In response, we adopted enhanced masking requirements. We continue to be dedicated to protecting our patients, families, and staff to ensure we have sufficient capacity during this influenza season.

The focus of this report is to celebrate our workforce and their commitment to the community. It is a testament to the culture of this organization that our teams continued to support our broader community. Staff participated in the annual food drive in support of St. Andrew’s Dew Drop Inn and the Emergency Department supported the Children’s Aid annual Christmas Wish Campaign. These are just a few of many examples of care and compassion even when stretched.

The Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) recently marked its one-year anniversary of its first paediatric transport. This highly skilled team collaborates with existing provincial transport teams and ORNGE to transport children (primarily under one year of age) to a higher level of care, either at TBRHSC or a specialized children’s hospital. This initiative drastically improves access to care and reduces wait times for these younger patients in need of critical care. Throughout last year, TBRHSC celebrated many inspiring and significant milestones that illustrated the unwavering commitment to our mission. I am deeply impressed with the ongoing advancements and the ingenuity of the dedicated teams who continually strive to elevate the care and services we provide to our communities. The collective efforts of our talented teams through innovative care delivery and community engagement enable us to go above and beyond to ensure care needs are met, while adapting to an ever changing health care environment. I invite you to learn more about these highlights of 2025 by reading HERE.

One final note, strong governance is required to navigate the challenges faced across healthcare in the North. To that end, TBRHSC’s Board of Directors is looking to fill four Board Director vacancies and two Committee vacancies. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to health care for patients and families across Northwestern Ontario. The Board and its Committees help guide how care is delivered, how resources are stewarded, and how TBRHSC lives its commitment to equity, compassion, and accountability. Learn more on these opportunities by visiting our website:

Committee Community Member Volunteer Opportunity

Board of Directors Volunteer Opportunity

Sodexo – Super Bowl Special (February 6)

On February 6, come down to the Deli Bar in the Cafeteria and get in on this pop-up Super Bowl Special.

For one day only, Sodexo is offering a “create your own” hot dog stand with a side of nacho chips and a drink for $13.

Choose up to four specialty toppings, standard condiments do not apply. Drinks will be water or pop, this special excludes any energy drinks or specialty beverages.

In Memoriam – Cheyenne Valliant

Shared on behalf of Georgia Carr, Technical Director, Laboratory Sciences


It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of our colleague, Cheyenne Vaillant, a valued member of the Laboratory team. She was a dedicated professional whose work, kindness, and commitment to patient care was evident. Cheyenne left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of working alongside her.

Our thoughts are with her spouse, family and friends during this difficult time. Please follow this link to her obituary to learn more about her life, reflect and pay your respects as you wish.

In honour of her memory, the Hospital will be lowering its flags to half-mast as a mark of respect.

Cheyenne will be greatly missed.

Obituary via Chronicle Journal

World Cancer Day (February 4)

Today, in honour of World Cancer Day, we recognize the incredible work done by Regional Cancer Care Northwest at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

From our clinical teams in the Cancer Clinic, Radiation Therapy, 1A Oncology, Paediatric Oncology, and on the Screen for Life Coach, to Prevention and Screening and Genetics staff, your dedication makes a real difference in cancer prevention, early detection, and care.

This World Cancer Day reminds us of the power of working together. We are proud to highlight the people behind the departments, whose commitment helps patients and communities access screening, resources, and support every day. Thank you for your ongoing work to improve outcomes and inspire hope across the region.

For more information about World Cancer Day, including a full listing of webinars and events, visit worldcancerday.org.

For more information about Regional Cancer Care Northwest, visit tbrhsc.net/cancercare.

The Anishinaabe Celestial Sphere (February 23)

Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives invites you to join us for Anishinaabe Celestial Sphere with Vicki M. R. Monague on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

The Anishinaabe Celestial Sphere program, developed in partnership with McMaster University William McCallum Planetarium, is an educational program that is grounded in Anishinaabe ethnoastronomy, language and cosmology. The program brings together Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary astronomical science to support place-based, land-informed learning that reflects Anishinaabe relationships to the sky and constellations, the seasons, and the natural world. Through immersive, story-based and experiential pedagogical approaches, participants engage with Anishinaabe star knowledge as a living system of teachings that conveys moral responsibility, ecological stewardship, and collective memory.

About the Speaker

Vicki M. R. Monague, M.Ed, Mzhakdokwe is an Boodewadami-Ojibwe educator, activist, entrepreneur and mother of three from Beausoleil First Nation.


Event Date: Monday, February 23, 2026 -from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m  EST
Event Location: Via Zoom

Register at the following link:

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/iJTSZZPTTKSLrFsIRZ7JLA

A confirmation email will be sent after you register.

Executive Boardroom Access Outside Regular Business Hours

Sent on behalf of Jessica Nehrebecky, Office Manager and Senior Executive Assistant to Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO


Effective immediately, meetings or events scheduled in the Executive Boardroom (Room 3043) before 8:00 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. require advance coordination with the Security Department.

To ensure timely access to and from the Boardroom outside of regular business hours, please contact Mohammed AseemKhan (Mohammed.AseemKhan@tbh.net) and copy Nicole Moffett (Nicole.Moffett@tbh.net) and Christian Nielsen (Christian.Nielsen@tbh.net) from Security prior to your scheduled meeting.

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