Congratulations to April’s Patient and Family Centered Care Shout Out (Volunteer Edition) Winners, Cathi McIlwain and Rosetta Brizzi!
Cathi is a dedicated volunteer with the Cancer Clinic at TBRHSC who brings compassion, warmth and a light that truly brightens the experience of our patients. Whether she’s offering a listening ear or quietly providing a coffee and a treat to someone, Cathi meets each person exactly where they are with kindness, empathy, and grace. She also provides that same care to the staff, stepping in wherever she can to lend a hand and allowing them to focus more fully on patient care. Cathi’s genuine joy and a heartfelt desire to help make a meaningful difference in the patient experience create a comforting presence for everyone she meets.
Rosetta is a long-time volunteer at TBRHSC and has received recognition from staff and patients for her dedication and compassion within the Paediatric department. Rosetta consistently goes above and beyond in her role, demonstrating a genuine commitment to supporting children and their families during what can often be challenging times. Through thoughtful actions and small gestures, Rosetta’s presence enhances the Paediatric environment and supports the emotional wellbeing of those in care, bringing joy, distraction, and reassurance to patients, and helping to create a more positive and less intimidating Hospital experience.
Hospital staff and leadership gathered to celebrate the 2025 Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE Grants, highlighting the $124,236 invested in frontline ideas to enhance patient care across the Hospital.
Frontline staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre play a critical role in shaping how care is delivered, bringing forward ideas that make a real difference for patients and families.
Through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants program, many of those ideas are able to be brought to life.
Now in its 17th year, the Family CARE Grants program continues to empower frontline healthcare workers to lead meaningful improvements across the Hospital. These staff-driven initiatives reflect real needs at the bedside and are designed to enhance care, comfort, and the overall experience for patients, their families, and the staff who support them.
This year, 100% of submitted Family CARE Grant ideas have been funded, bringing every frontline idea to life.
This was made possible through donor generosity, including a $15,000 contribution on behalf of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Volunteer Association, and represents an investment of more than $126,000 into patient care.
Over the course of my career at the Hospital, I’ve seen firsthand the level of thought and care frontline staff bring to their patients,” says Sandra Willson, Board Director with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and Co-Chair of the Family CARE Grants Selection Committee. “While larger investments often draw attention, it’s often the simplest, most thoughtful improvements that can make the greatest impact.”
“We’re proud to support the ideas coming from the Hospital’s frontline staff, who see every day where improvements can make a real difference,” says Glenn Craig, CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “We are looking forward to the fall cycle and all the great ideas that will continue to be generated from frontline staff.”
“Our deepest thanks go to our staff, who are often the first to recognize opportunities to improve the care experience for patients and their families, and who bring forward valuable perspectives and ideas,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “Our staff truly embody patient and family-centred care and play a vital role in shaping meaningful improvements”
Some of the items making a difference this year include:
Medi Teddy IV bag covers for Paediatrics will help reduce fear and anxiety for children by concealing blood or medication bags. These reusable, BPA- and latex-free covers attach to IV poles and feature an open back for easy access by caregivers.
A vibroacoustic therapy rocker for Child and Adolescent Mental Health will provide a calming sensory experience by combining gentle rocking with therapeutic sound vibrations. Designed to support relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional regulation, it will help patients self-soothe and manage distress more effectively, potentially reducing reliance on medication.
A Ring Rescue Kit for the Emergency Department will allow clinicians to quickly and safely remove rings from swollen or injured fingers, reducing complications and improving patient comfort. Made in Halifax, this innovative system can cut through modern materials like titanium and stainless steel, and has also been featured on the tv show The Pitt.
Three accessible outdoor picnic tables will provide inclusive seating in two garden areas on the ground floor, featuring a design that accommodates individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or IV poles. These durable, eco-friendly tables will create more welcoming outdoor spaces for patients, visitors, and staff, supporting comfort, connection, and overall well-being.
These projects represent just a few examples of how frontline ideas are enhancing patient care and experience. View the full list of 2025–2026 Family CARE Grants at: www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/familycare
Starting the week of April 27, the first floor main corridor and public washrooms are being painted (see map below). Painting will take place for multiple weeks.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jeff MacDonald, Facility Planning Assistant, Maintenance, at jeffrey.macdonald@tbh.net.
2. Review the attached resource titled Indigenous Child & Family Services Guidance Document. This document is intended to support and guide staff on which communities have received authority to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services and how to contact them.
Policy Changes:
Addition of the Federal legislation An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families (2020).
Addition of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Dibenjikewin Onaakonikewin (KIDO) child protection organization, representing the community of Big Trout Lake First Nation.
Process Reminders:
All staff and professional staff have a Duty to Report.
A Duty to Report is required when a child has confirmed harm, or there are reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk of harm to a child.
If you are unsure if an incident is reportable you may call a local child protection organization and provide the scenario (with patient identifying information omitted). They will provide you with direction on whether the situation warrants a Duty to Report.
A Duty to Report must be made by the individual that witnessed the event or heard the statements.
No one can make a report on your behalf as this would be considered hearsay.
Share only the information from the patient record that is directly relevant to the suspicion of abuse or neglect.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your manager. Social Workers can provide you with guidance on the process but they cannot make the report on your behalf.
Regional Cancer Care Northwest will be closed for the full day on Friday, May 8, 2026, to allow staff to participate in the Community Oncology Professional Education (COPE) Workshop.
For inquiries that day, please contact Franca Pellegrino at (807) 620-5792.
Managers to ensure that the updated policy is added to their area’s emergency codes binder and that all workers review the attached policy and safety huddle.
Policy changes:
Removal of Stage 1 Partial Exclusion and Stage 2 Full Exclusion; replaced with new single response for Code Grey – Air Exclusion to better align with building automation capabilities.
New definitions for Air Quality Health Index, Hold & Secure, Regular Hours, and After Hours.
Updated Roles & Responsibilities table to include steps for rapid onset events and prolonged air quality events.
Emphasized that a Code Grey Air Exclusion is the complete shutdown of the HVAC system with serious downstream impacts; specific instructions are captured in Code Grey – Air Exclusion – Physical Plant Response (PP-711).
Removed Appendix 2 – Forest Fire/Prolonged Air Quality Issues Response Guidelines, as actions for such situations are now covered in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Monitoring (MTC-SOP-401).
New Appendix 4 – Equipment Disruptions; this is a high level overview.
Process Reminders:
If a worker witnesses or suspects there is a situation involving an external toxic airborne substance:
Worker will immediately report the issue to the Maintenance Supervisor on Call via Switchboard at “55”.
Maintenance Supervisor on Call will assess for required immediate actions and advise Switchboard if any all-staff instructions and/or a Hold & Secure message needs to be announced.
Upon Code Grey Air Exclusion Overhead Announcement:
Close all interior doors (including fire doors).
Encourage all building occupants to remain indoors until the “All Clear” is announced; Entrance to and exit from the Hospital will be restricted.
Any area that has specialized processing equipment that requires local exhaust system will cease to process as soon as practically possible and shutdown the exhaust thereafter.
Do not start new procedures.
Standby for further instructions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net)
Join us on Thursday, May 7 at 7:15 p.m.. in Auditorium A/B (3rd Level) for an engaging Trivia Night in support of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4-8).
Teams should consist of four to six members, and at least one member must be a TBRHSC/TBRHRI employee.
Non-employees are welcome to join teams as well.
If you don’t have a team, individual registration is available, and you will be placed on a team.
Enjoy snacks and refreshments throughout the evening.
The Regional Outreach Collaborative (ROC) brings together Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) team members from a variety of programs who have regional outreach roles and are passionate about advancing education, collaboration, and health equity across Northwestern Ontario. ROC members extend their expertise beyond hospital walls to support communities throughout the region. Aligned with TBRHSC’s mission to provide quality care supported by research, innovation, and education, the ROC strengthens regional partnerships through shared learning, resource-sharing, and community outreach. Through regular collaboration, members raise awareness of their program’s activities across the region, ensuring efforts are well coordinated and duplication of work is avoided. This includes coordinating regional training, aligning travel schedules, and finding ways to support one another.
The aim of the ROC is to build regional capacity, to foster meaningful connections, and to support communities across Northwestern Ontario.
Current programs involved in ROC:
Neurosurgery Education and Outreach Network
Northwest Regional Renal Program
Prevention and Screening Clinical Services – Northwest Regional Cancer Program
Regional Cancer Care
Regional Cardiovascular Program
Regional Critical Care Education
Regional Obstetrics Program
Regional Pediatrics
Regional Stroke Network
Trauma Program
How to join:
If your role is focused on regional outreach through travel and educational opportunities, join us in making an impact across the region and help extend TBRHSC’s commitment to collaboration, compassion, and excellence in care.
