Every day, staff across TBRHSC make decisions that matter — decisions about care, teamwork, safety, and respect. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about “what’s the right thing to do here?” — we’d love to hear from you!
Who We’re Looking For We’re inviting staff from all areas of the organization — clinical and non-clinical, frontline and behind-the-scenes — to consider joining the TBRHSC Ethics Committee. Diverse perspectives and experiences help us understand and respond to the many ways ethics shows up across our work.
What the Committee Does The Ethics Committee provides guidance on complex ethical issues, supports staff and teams facing tough choices, and helps foster a culture where ethical reflection is part of everyday practice. Members meet once a month (September–June) for one hour to share insights, learn together, and strengthen ethical decision-making across the organization.
Why Join? It’s a chance to: • Be part of meaningful discussions that shape compassionate, ethical care. • Build knowledge and confidence in navigating ethical challenges. • Contribute to a culture where values guide our actions — every day, in every role.
Interested? Email Bioethicist, Michelle Allain at michelle.allain@tbh.net to express your interest or learn more. Because ethics isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we do, together
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) celebrated 16 years of Sharing and Caring Together. This event highlighted the collaboration between our Patient Family Advisors (PFAs) and Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) department.
Throughout the week there were celebrations of the hard work and dedication to advancing the patient experience at TBRHSC. A special thank you to our Patient Family Advisors and Patient and Family Centred Care team for all the planning and work they put into this event.
Thank you to all those who participated in the exhibition that closed out the week. This exhibition showcased the work of departments from across the Hospital, and how they bring the principles of patient and family centred care to life. Your participation is what made this event such a success!
Congratulations to the grand prize winners, Heather Albanese (won an iPad) and Alysha Placken (won an air fryer)!
Treaties Recognition Week highlights the importance of Treaties and the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Ontario. Treaties are agreements established between Indigenous groups and the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments.
They outline the ongoing rights and responsibilities of all parties involved and are central to the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Treaties may seem like historical documents, yet the obligations and commitments within them remain just as relevant today. The land we live and gather on is Treaty land, and everyone in Canada shares the rights and responsibilities related to upholding Treaties. We are all Treaty People.
Treaties promised access to health and wellness. Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre’s Traditional Wellness Coordinator supports Indigenous patients, families, and staff by ensuring access to traditional and spiritual care within the Hospital. Working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and health care teams, the Coordinator helps create a culturally safe environment that supports the whole person, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. Traditional wellness is about caring for the whole person, mind, body, spirit, and community. It is more than just cultural; it is a Treaty right. As health care providers, it is part of our responsibility to honour these commitments. For Indigenous Peoples, traditional healing is a part of that promise.
For more information about Treaty Recognition Week, click here.
Check out INformed throughout the week to participate in Treaty Recognition Week trivia, for your chance to win one of two $50 gift cards to Mamakeesic Roots.
In recognition of Medical Radiation Sciences Week, check out this trivia.
Medical Radiation Sciences Week is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of our Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) who play a vital role in patient care at our Hospital. Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting the different imaging modalities that make up this diverse and essential profession.
Today we begin with the radiological technologist who aids in the diagnosis of disease and injury by producing permanent images, using radiation, which are read by a radiologist. These images are captured on X-Ray cassettes and other imaging devices such as video monitors, video tape and electronic digital imaging devices.
The technologist may also be required to do procedures with mobile X-Ray equipment in the operating room, emergency departments, at the patient’s bedside or in the special care units. Some MRT(R)s are trained in Computed Tomography (CT), Mammography and Interventional Radiology. They are the expert in the operation of such complex medical radiation equipment, while providing comprehensive, compassionate care to each patient.
This week, we’re celebrating our incredible Portering Team for keeping Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre moving. Every day, our Porters ensure patients are safely and comfortably transported wherever they need to be – whether it’s to a test, procedure, or are being admitted.
Beyond getting patients from place to place, our Porters create meaningful, positive interactions that help improve the overall patient experience. Their dedication, care, and professionalism make a real difference in our hospital’s daily operations.
Please join us in recognizing and thanking these essential members of our health care team for the vital role they play in keeping our Hospital in motion.
It’s National Health Ethics Week, and we’re celebrating here at TBRHSC. Ethics Week is a chance to pause and reflect on how ethical decision-making supports compassionate, high-quality care — in every role, every day.
Did You Know?
The Ethics Service is here to help staff, physicians, patients, and families navigate tough situations where values may conflict or the “right thing to do” isn’t clear.
Support is available for clinical, organizational, and research ethics issues.
You don’t have to face ethical challenges alone — consultation is confidential, non-punitive, and collaborative.
Keep an eye on the INformed throughout the week as we spotlight different facets of the Ethics Service as well as our Faces of Ethics profiles — stories highlighting staff across the organization who bring ethics to life in their everyday work.
Learn More
Visit the Intranet:QRM –> Ethics for resources, decision-making tools, and more.
October was a month marked by opportunity and appreciation. While we have begun our shift into the challenges that fall brings and the pressures facing health care across Ontario, I would like to take a moment to take pause to appreciate, reflect and recognize the dedication you show day in day out, to creating a supportive environment that supports and aligns with our vision, and our values and overall commitment we make to one another.
Our month began with an Open Doors Career Showcase that was attended by over 300 people. The event featured more than 30 Hospital departments where attendees learned about health care roles and requirements. Guided tours highlighted clinical, technical, and administrative career paths and allowed participants to engage and take a deep dive into professions. Local schools and educational partners also provided information on relevant courses. The event showcased our talent and positively influenced many that we hope to attract to our Hospital and Health Research Institute in the future.
This month we also celebrated 16 years of Sharing and Caring Together; a collaboration between our Patient Family Advisors and Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) department which celebrates the hard work and dedication to advancing the patient experience at our Hospital. The week served as a reminder for all of us to recognize the impact of our philosophy of patient-centred care on everything we do. As we celebrate our accomplishments we strengthen our commitment to enhancing the patient experience, in line with our vision. Bringing us back to the central core of PFCC “nothing about me without me,” ensuring an environment where all voices are heard.
At the same time, our ongoing facility upgrades are driven by the need for a better work environment. This month, work continued on modernizing patient rooms and common areas. Just as significantly, these improvements are specifically designed to promote collaboration, well-being and efficiency for our teams. By investing in the infrastructure around us all, we reinforce our commitment to a positive and productive workplace for everyone and elevate the overall experience of care.
Along the theme of investing and upgrading, we are in the midst of our Electronic Health Record upgrade – the move to Meditech Expanse. This project is not simply a technology change – but rather a critical investment designed to enable safer and more efficient care by improving the integration, access and management to patient information and communication. The recent Device Discovery Fair on October 17th was a necessary step in this process, allowing staff to test and provide direct feedback on the new devices. That feedback will immediately shape future workflows and help maximize the efficiency we urgently need.
The fact is that these systemic improvements are only possible because of the operational discipline you display daily. I continue to value the opportunity to join Quality Huddles across the Hospital and witness the incredible engagement firsthand. These huddles are the mechanism for identifying and implementing improvements in safety and quality care; they are the engine for building stronger, data-driven teams. Congratulations to the recipients of this month’s Quality Huddle Excellence Awards and to the more than 60 departments that actively participate. Your commitment is truly impressive and reflects our strategic priority of relentlessly focusing on quality.
As our seasons change, I want to take the time again to recognize and reflect on you. While the challenges facing health care, here and across Ontario, are real – our path forward is clear. We will meet these challenges by investing in our infrastructure, optimizing our systems, and, most critically, supporting the people who staff this institution, day in and day out. Your dedication and input inspire many, but more importantly, creates the confidence that we are using to drive real operational change. That work continues every day.
As always, I welcome your feedback about this blog or anything else on your mind. You can reach me directly at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.
It’s cuteness overload in the NICU this Halloween! Our tiniest patients are all dressed up and showing off their festive spirit. A heartfelt thank you to the proud parents and our amazing staff for allowing us to share these precious moments.
