This Halloween, staff and community members can help bring comfort and joy to children receiving care at our Hospital through a new partnership between Spirit Halloween and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. From now until October 31, donations made at the Spirit Halloween store in the Memorial Ave Walmart parking lot will go directly to Child Life Services, helping children and families navigate the stress of hospital visits through play, education, and coping strategies. With the support of our Child Life Specialists, children can feel safe, comforted, and most importantly, still like kids even during medical procedures.

You can get involved by donating at checkout, rounding up your purchase or giving $1, $2, $5 or more. Donations also come with fun recognition opportunities like writing your name on a star, receiving a bracelet, or being entered to win your costume. You can also use the coupon attached below to save 10% on your purchase, and Spirit Halloween will donate that same 10% back to the Foundation.

Let’s come together as a community this Halloween to make a difference for the children and families at TBRHSC.

The Roaming Education for Staff (R.E.F.S.) program is back this September after a summer break! This month’s focus will be on pressure injuries — don’t miss out on valuable insights and best practices.

Shared on behalf of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

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Hey all you Hospital friends! Get ready for an unforgettable and moving experience with the one and only Jeanne Beker! Join us October 17 at the Superior Inn Hotel for the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope, right in the heart of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Jeanne Beker, the ICONIC Canadian fashion and lifestyle journalist, will be taking the stage to share her powerful journey of resilience with a keynote speech, followed by an intimate fireside chat. And here’s the best part, if you grab your ticket, you get a chance to submit a question and be part of this meaningful conversation.

From rocking the screen on Fashion Television for 27 years (seen in 130 countries!) to being a trailblazer in arts and culture, Jeanne’s story is one you won’t want to miss. She’s a breast cancer survivor, bestselling author, style editor at The Shopping Channel, and even has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Talk about a powerhouse!

The event promises to be a hit and will feature Travel Blitz sponsored by Westjet and a Bling Blitz sponsored by Vince Mirabelli plus the incredible penny auction and vendor show. Crush Coffee will be on-site this year doing a pop-up coffee bar and the Breastie Bags will be available once again! Visit the event’s Facebook page or the Foundation’s website for more information and to get your tickets.

Shared on behalf of Information Technology

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We’re thrilled to announce that the Executive Boardroom is now equipped with brand new technology.

These upgrades are designed to make your hybrid meetings smoother, more efficient, and more engaging than ever before. Plus, you’ll enjoy a variety of viewing options for in-person gatherings.

To ensure that you have the opportunity to get oriented to the equipment before any of your upcoming meetings in the Boardroom, please join the Information Technology Team for special orientation sessions in Room 3043 on the following dates:

• Monday, September 8:  9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Drop by to explore the equipment, watch a live demo, and pick up an instructional handout.

If you anticipate that you will require IT assistance for an upcoming meeting, please submit a Presentations and Video Conferencing  request in Help Desk – Self Service.

In the case you need support with the equipment in real-time, please contact the IT help desk at 807-684-6411

Don’t miss this chance to experience the future of meetings — see you there!

To enhance your experience at hospitals in Northwestern Ontario, we are asking patients to Opt In to receiving text messages and emails.

Starting in Fall 2025, hospitals in Northwestern Ontario will begin sending appointment reminders and confirmations by SMS (text message) or email for patients aged 16 and over to those who Opt In.

Please note: No personal health information (PHI) or any sensitive or confidential details will be shared through these messages.

This service is part of a phased initiative to enhance regional communication and technology. Participation is voluntary, and you may unsubscribe or withdraw your consent at any time without affecting your care. To unsubscribe, visit the provided link or your local hospital’s website.

By submitting the enrollment form, you consent to receive SMS or email appointment reminders and confirmations from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Dryden Regional Health Centre, Riverside Health Care, and Lake of the Woods District Hospital for departments including Diagnostic Imaging, Surgical Consults, and Specialty Clinics. As this is a phased-in approach, communication will be extended to all other partnering hospital organizations in the Northwest (NW) region. This may include, but not be limited to, appointment reminders and other communications from health care providers in the future.

If you DO NOT consent to receive SMS or email appointment reminders and confirmations, do not complete the questions and existing methods of contact (phone and mail) will remain.To sign up and get more information, visit https://nwo-sms.ca/

FAQS for Patients about Opting In to SMS Notifications

Transitioning from Hospital to home can be challenging, especially for older adults who may face barriers to discharge. That’s where Canadian Red Cross’ PATH (Priority Assistance to Transition Home) program steps in. The PATH program helps support patients with the transition from Hospital to home. A trained worker will escort the patient home and ensure, upon arrival, that they are settled in, comfortable, and safe at home. PATH Transitional Care Assistants (TCAs) provide support to patients two weeks post-discharge from Hospital.

They can assist with:

• Escorted transportation home
• Assistance obtaining prescriptions, medical supplies and or assistive devices
• Settling in at home (up to two hours)
• Providing a meal/snack or assistance with preparing a meal
• Assistance obtaining groceries
• Follow up day after discharge by Coordinator to see how you are doing
• Links to community support services
• Transportation to follow up medical appointment(s) if part of discharge

Eligibility for PATH includes:

• Age 55 or older
• Medically stable and able to be left unattended
• Able to direct their own care
• Independently mobile (or has a caregiver who can assist)
• Recently admitted or discharged from an inpatient unit, or seen in the Emergency Department
• Not live in a long-term care home

With PATH, patients and their families can feel confident knowing they have the support needed to make home a safe and sustainable place to heal.

Access to the PATH program is by referral only. Fax referral forms are being handed out to departments today, or email paththunderbay@redcross.ca to obtain an electronic copy.

Email any questions to paththunderbay@redcross.ca.

Shared on behalf of Justin Garofalo, Vice President, Facilities, Capital Planning and Support Services & CFO

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We have recently observed an increase in the use of the East Entrance (Cafeteria), and Labour and Delivery Entrance for patient pick-up and drop-off.

As a reminder, the East Entrance is not designated for patient or public access. This entrance is not appropriate for patients to use as there are limited patient facing resources and longer distances to travel for clinical areas. The Labour and Delivery Entrance is reserved exclusively for patients and families accessing labour and delivery services.

To ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with our site protocols, please review the following important points:

• The road in front of the East Entrance is a designated fire lane and must remain clear at all times. Therefore it should not be used by patients for pick-up and drop-off.
• The East Entrance doors are accessible only by swiping your employee ID card and are intended for staff use only.
• A public bus stop, along with Lift+ and taxi service, is conveniently located just across from the Fish Lot (A3) for public transportation access.
• All patient and family resources — including the Information Desk, Security, staxi chairs, seating, and parking pay stations — are available at the West Entrance.

Staff are reminded not to escort patients to the East Entrance for pick-up or drop-off. Instead, Units and porters are asked to direct all patient movement through the West Entrance, where there is convenient access to the designated patient pick-up and drop-off area in the Fish Lot (A3). Additionally, staff should ensure patients use the entrance appropriate to the service they are receiving. For example, labour and delivery patients should be directed to use the Labour and Delivery Entrance for both pick-up and drop-off.

Managers are encouraged to share this information with their teams and with staff who have limited computer access.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Get ready for the new school year with exclusive back-to-school savings from Perkopolis. TBRHSC staff can enjoy special discounts on a variety of items to help start the year off right.

Check out the poster below for easy access to these great offers: