To improve patient care for the region, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) has been working with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) at the University Health Network (UHN) to co-develop a cardiovascular surgery (CVS) program at TBRHSC. 

We want to hear from you!

We are in an exciting stage of the project, where 76,000 square feet of space will be renovated and expanded to accommodate a new comprehensive Cardiovascular Surgery Program that will allow our Hospital to complete vital cardiac procedures, reduce wait times for urgent and elective procedures and ensure timely access to essential services in the region. We are asking patients, families, staff and the public:  What does care closer to home mean to you?

The Communications and Engagement team will have a table where you can write your response to the question “What does care closer to home mean to you?”.

The team will be collecting responses in person:

• Monday, May 26 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the bottom of the Grand Staircase
• Wednesday, May 28 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the bottom of the Grand Staircase

Alternatively, email tbrhsc.groupnews@tbh.net and let us know what this incredible addition to our Hospital means to you. 

Send in your response by Friday, June 6 at 12:00 p.m. to have it written on a heart and displayed in the Hospital. 

Share your thoughts as we bring care closer to home for the people of Northwestern Ontario, and work towards our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time. 

May 27th is recognized as Emergency Medicine Day. On this day, we celebrate the dedication and expertise of Emergency Medicine professionals who provide life-saving care.

We want to thank all the amazing people that work in our Emergency Department, and those across the world.

To the dedicated health care professionals who are always there to provide emergency care for us no matter the circumstances, thank you for your commitment to caring for patients, their families, and the community.

Congratulations to Taylor Dewal, Emily Bernie and Alison Lester – our winners of the quarterly ‘Good Catch’ Awards!  

Good Catch Awards highlight individuals, groups or departments who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by reporting a near miss. A ‘good catch’ (or near miss) is an event or situation that co Good Catch Awards highlight individuals, groups or departments who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by reporting a near miss. A ‘good catch’ (or near miss) is an event or situation that could have resulted in harm, but did not reach the patient because of chance or timely intervention. Reporting these events can help to identify gaps in order to prevent future adverse events from happening.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Taylor was working in Critical Care when a student Respiratory Therapist notified her of a patient who had his non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) removed.  Taylor reviewed the chart and did not see an order for removal of the NIMV.  She confirmed with the physician that the code status had not changed and there was no order to remove it.  Taylor advocated for the patient to remain on the NIMV as the patient was displaying signs of respiratory distress with each assessment and agreed he was more comfortable on the machine. The physician then wrote orders for the patient to remain on the NIMV overnight.  Excellent patient advocacy!

While working on 2B, Emily notified Nutrition & Food Services that the patient had not received extra sauce with her meal, which was required with the minced and moist diet due to choke and aspiration risk. Good catch!

Alison was working as the pharmacist on 2C and while checking order sheets, noticed that the wrong patient label was attached to an order for a different patient.  Both patients had admission orders for the same unit and were assessed by the same physician around the same time.  The error was caught and corrected before any medications were administered to either patient. Great catch!

Thank you to all for your diligence and dedication to safety!  Each recipient has been awarded a certificate and gift cards to local businesses to enjoy this summer.

New winners will be selected every quarter. Continue submitting your near misses for a chance to win! Near miss reports are submitted through the Incident Learning System (patient safety incidents). Click on the ‘safety reporting’ icon from your Novell home page, or go to the iNtranet and choose ‘Safety Reporting’ under ‘Informational’.

For more information, contact Terry Fodë, Patient Safety Improvement Specialist (terry.fode@tbh.net).

In May, we recognize and celebrate the essential role Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play in Ontario’s health care system.

In Ontario, SLPs hold a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. As of April 1, 2021 individuals must also pass a National Canadian Entry-To-Practice Exam prior to receiving their practice license.

SLPs are highly trained professionals who screen, assess, and treat a wide range of adult disorders, including:

• Swallowing disorders
• Communication and cognitive impairments
• Voice and fluency disorders

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, our SLPs are essential members of our interdisciplinary teams. They provide expert care and consultation across a broad spectrum of hospital services, including medical, surgical (orthopedic, neurosurgical, and cardiac), acute stroke, Emergency, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), oncology, renal, acute mental health, and outpatient oncology.

As we celebrate this month, and throughout the entire year—we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible SLPs. Your expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication empower patients on their journey toward recovery, independence, and improved well-being. Whether within our hospital walls or out in the community, your impact is deeply felt.

Thank you for all that you do!

It’s time to register for the Active Commute Challenge! Anyone who registers before June 1 and logs an active commute during the first week of the challenge will be entered into a draw to win one of five early bird prizes, including a bike tune-up or a $100 gift card to a local bike shop. Check out TBayOnTheMove’s FAQs page for more info on prizes.

Register now and start planning your sustainable commutes!

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To enter the raffle, print off the ticket below and fill out the information. At each event, find Annette Klement and get your ticket signed. At the end of the month, submit all your signed tickets to Annette via email at tbrhsc.culturalsafetyeducator@tbh.net or interoffice mail. The draw will take place at the beginning of July. Good luck!

Spring is here, and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s (TBRHSC)’s grounds are looking much cleaner, greener, and beautiful thanks to the efforts of this fantastic group!

On May 22, 2025, our Hospital’s Green Team partnered with staff from various departments at TBRHSC to participate in EcoSuperior’s annual Spring Up to Clean Up challenge.

This team was successful in collecting 228kg (equivalent to 501lbs) of litter from the Hospital grounds.

Great team work out there!

May is National Physiotherapy Month — a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role physiotherapy plays in Ontario’s health care system. Physiotherapists are essential in helping patients improve movement, recover from injury or surgery, manage chronic conditions, and enhance overall quality of life through evidence-based physical interventions.

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, physiotherapists are valued members of our interdisciplinary teams. They provide care across a wide range of Hospital areas, including medical and surgical units, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), neurosurgery, the Regional Stroke Unit, Emergency Department, outpatient rehabilitation, hand clinic, Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC), paediatrics, the lymphedema clinic, hemophilia clinic, and the Rapid Access Clinic.

This month—and every month—we extend our heartfelt thanks to our physiotherapy team for their skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication to supporting recovery, independence, and well-being for patients across our Hospital and community!