Starting the week of April 20, 2026 the public washrooms on the second and third floors will be getting painted. One washroom in each area will remain open for use during the painting.

Any questions or concerns please contact Jeff MacDonald. jeffrey.macdonald@tbh.net.

Second Floor Public Washrooms

Third Floor Public Washrooms

Reflections From the Front Lines provides our health care professionals with an opportunity to share stories and experiences about their role in providing exceptional care for every patient, every time.

We feature these each month during our Town Hall — a virtual venue designed to keep staff, professional staff, volunteers and leaners informed about what’s happening at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

Check out our previous episodes below (or on the Hospital’s YouTube channel), and be sure to tune in to future Town Halls for more stories.

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A significant behind-the-scenes transformation is underway at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), with a major renovation and expansion of the Medical Device Reprocessing Department (MDRD).

MDRD is a vital service that underpins every sterile medical procedure. The project aims to strengthen patient safety, improve care quality, and increase capacity as surgical volumes and complexity continue to rise.

MDRD is being redeveloped into a modern, purpose-built space designed to meet today’s rigorous health care standards. Planned upgrades include expanded and reconfigured work areas to streamline the flow of instruments from decontamination to sterilization, as well as the installation of advanced washers, sterilizers, and automated cart systems.

New technologies will also be introduced, such as real-time instrument tracking, barcode scanning, and digital documentation. In addition, upgraded air handling systems will enhance ventilation, pressure control, and infection prevention.

Despite the scale of the project, the department will remain fully operational throughout construction. Work is being carried out in carefully planned phases within the existing Hospital to ensure uninterrupted service.

“The upgrade is necessary to keep pace with evolving sterilization standards and increasing surgical demand,” says Phil Thompson, Director, Support Services. “Since the facility first opened, requirements for cleaning and reprocessing medical equipment have advanced significantly. The need for expansion is further driven by the introduction of new cardiovascular surgical services, which will require highly specialized instruments to be processed quickly and in strict compliance with national standards.”

The enhanced MDRD will enable the Hospital to handle higher patient volumes while meeting or exceeding current regulatory requirements.

Once complete, the new MDRD will operate as a highly organized, 24/7 environment with a clear, one-directional workflow. Instruments will move seamlessly through each stage, from decontamination and inspection to sterilization and storage.

Key features will include a closed-loop system connecting directly to surgical suites via dedicated elevators for clean and soiled equipment, as well as clearly separated zones to prevent cross-contamination. Negative air pressure will be maintained in soiled areas, with positive pressure in clean zones.

Automated systems for washing carts and instruments, improved storage solutions, and flexible design elements will support both current operations and future growth.

Cardiovascular surgery is among the most complex and resource-intensive areas of care, requiring large volumes of specialized instruments that must be meticulously processed within tight timeframes.

The expanded MDRD will increase processing capacity, maintain reliable turnaround times, and support the specialized equipment needed for cardiac and vascular surgeries. The upgrade is essential to ensuring the long-term success and safety of the cardiovascular surgery program.

As part of the project, the department will grow from approximately 7,750 square feet to 11,060 square feet—an increase of more than 40 percent. The added space will allow for improved workflow, additional equipment, and future expansion.

Renovations are being carried out in multiple stages to avoid disruptions to patient care. Initial renovations to surrounding support areas are already underway and are expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Following that, portions of the MDRD will be temporarily relocated to allow for phased upgrades within the department itself. Full completion of the project is anticipated in early 2028.

While much of this work happens out of public view, its impact is felt in every sterile procedure. This expansion ensures that TBRHSC teams have the tools, space, and systems they need to provide safe, efficient, and high-quality care, now and into the future.

Employee Donors are Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff who donate through payroll deductions, helping to fund Hospital equipment & upgrades in the area that means the most to them. We’ll be featuring some of the incredible Employee Givers in the Employee Donor Spotlight!

Today: Barbara Leblanc from the Laboratory. When asked why she gave, she answered:

“I am a lab technician, and I have worked in the lab for over 27 years and have started giving back at McKellar Hospital. I feel pride in where I work. Contributing financially feels like I am investing in my own team, patients, and community. Also, it is a great tax break come tax time.”

Thank you to Tbaytel, who matches annual Employee Donor contributions up to $7,500!

If you’re a Hospital employee, you can sign up, too! Learn more at www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/imin

Are you already an Employee Donor and want to be featured in the Spotlight? Let us know, and you’ll receive a coffee card donated by Robin’s and a gift card donated by Sleeping Giant Biscotti!

Administrative Professionals Day (April 22) recognizes and celebrates the work of executive assistants, administrative assistants, clerks and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace.

We’re calling on all administrative professionals in the Hospital and Health Research Institute to submit a high resolution photo of you or your team to TBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net by Tuesday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. These photos will be shared on the Daily Informed Newsletter and the Hospital’s socials to help celebrate this year’s edition of Administrative Professionals Day. Please include a caption with your name(s), title(s) and department.

This April marks one year since the launch of the Bridge Northwest Program — a significant milestone in our shared journey to bring Meditech Expanse to Partner Organizations across Northwestern Ontario.

Since our regional kickoff in April 2025, the Program has steadily progressed from a planning and design stage into the system build – which is underway across all Expanse modules with hundreds of dictionaries and thousands of individual pieces of clinical content being reviewed.

A Regional Effort

At the center of all this work are the people making it possible. Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), working group members, and local teams continue to be the driving force behind this transformation. Representing every organization, discipline, and care setting, they bring invaluable knowledge, experience, and perspective to ensure that what we are building reflects the realities of healthcare across Northwestern Ontario. Their contributions — alongside the engagement of front-line staff, professional staff, and leaders — are what make this a truly regional effort.

Participation by the Numbers

• 850+ individuals from the 12 Partnering Organizations have been involved to date – including 80+ professional staff and 100+ executives.

• 40+ Working Groups & governing bodies are currently standing.

• 250+ Events /Meetings have been attended by Bridge Northwest’s Change Management Team.

Technical Readiness

Device selections and infrastructure walkthroughs were completed across the 12 Partner Organization’s hospitals and care facilities.

These sessions brought Bridge Northwest teams directly into care environments to engage with frontline staff, professional staff, and leaders. By walking through real workflows and care spaces together, teams gathered practical insights that are shaping how devices will support care delivery in a way that is efficient in day-to-day realities.

• 5000+ device items are being ordered and configured over the summer.  
• Deployment of devices will begin later this Fall.

Keeping Momentum

As we mark this one-year milestone, we can also think about the year ahead of us. In the coming months, the Program will be focused on completing the system build, and carrying out testing, training, and preparation activities for Go-Live.

Together, we’ve built strong momentum in our first year. Together, we will continue building a connected future for care across Northwestern Ontario.

The RNAO Lakehead Chapter is hosting an in-person and collaborative Best Practice Champion workshop for all nurses, nursing students, and other health care professionals in Region 12, who want to drive evidence-based practice, improve patient outcomes and foster a culture of excellence in their organization.

Staff and students from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre are encouraged to register for the workshop and become Best Practice Champions.

Event details:

• FREE registration
• Lunch and refreshments provided
• Who: Open to all health care staff and students in Region 12
• What: In person & collaborative Best Practice Champion workshop
• Where: St. Joseph’s Heritage Building, Georgian Room (113), 63 Carrie St. Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• When: April 27, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Why: Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. – The Lorax 

Register here

Please note: To register, participants will have to log in/create a free myRNAO account. Participants will receive a certificate of completion, and there are additional free education/professional development opportunities.

On April 13, we welcomed NOSM University’s fourth-year medical students to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).

Over the coming year, Hospital staff may see — and even have the opportunity to work alongside — the next generation of physicians. These students can be identified by their red lanyards.

Throughout the year, our fourth-year medical students will complete six core rotations: Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. In addition, they will undertake five elective rotations in areas of their choosing, allowing them to explore potential specialties.

We’re excited to have them join our team and contribute to the learning environment at TBRHSC. A sincere thank you to all staff who support their education. We truly couldn’t be a teaching hospital without your dedication.

Please join us in welcoming them and supporting them throughout this exciting journey!

This past weekend in Thunder Bay, a multidisciplinary team from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre hit the ice for the 2026 Woodlands Hockey League Tournament.

Led by Coach Vanessa, the “Medical Mighty Ducks” skated their way all the way to the finals. While they came up just short, bringing home silver, their teamwork, dedication, and camaraderie made the experience truly unforgettable.

Way to go, Medical Mighty Ducks!