Shared on behalf of Human Resources
We are excited to share with you this month’s edition of the Healthy Benefits Newsletter, written by Selectpath’s Education Specialist, Emily Simpson. Each edition is packed with valuable insights and information designed to enrich your understanding and engagement with topics that matter to you.
Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management
On Sunday, November 2nd at 2:00 a.m., clocks and watches fall back one hour to 1:00 a.m. to local Standard Time.
The accuracy of time is very important to ensuring safety at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. It is of importance not only for scheduling procedures and staffing, but also for charting accuracy and medication dispensing.
At 2:00 a.m. all electronic clocks that are controlled by the system (NICU, ICU, etc.) will be moved back to Standard Time automatically. Any final adjustments will be completed by 5:00 a.m. If any of these system clocks are not updated by 8:00 a.m., please contact the Maintenance Department (ext. 6344).
All departments will be responsible for changing the time on any battery operated clocks in their area. Computers will automatically change to Standard Time.
Please ensure that your personal watches/devices are updated and that any clocks in your area are adjusted in a timely manner.
Shared on behalf of Medical & Academic Affairs
Medical Affairs is excited to announce that Dr. Mohamed Elkoushy has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full time Urologist with the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Elkoushy brings over 25 years of international experience in Urology, specializing in Endourology and Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery. He completed his medical degree, Master’s, and PhD in Urology at Suez Canal University in Egypt.
He completed an Endourology Clinical Research Fellowship and Virtual Reality Simulation in Urology and Management of Infravesical Obstruction Using Different Laser Techniques Fellowship at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
An accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Elkoushy has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in landmark urology texts including Campbell-Walsh Urology and Smith’s Textbook of Endourology. His academic excellence has been recognized through numerous international awards for research and clinical innovation.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Elkoushy to our Hospital. We look forward to the expertise, academic leadership, and compassionate care he brings to our patients and families.
Shared on behalf of NOSM University
Health equity is central to the mission of NOSM University and its partners. Through community-engaged, evidence-informed research, faculty and collaborators are addressing real-world challenges that affect the accessibility, quality, and fairness of health care—particularly in rural, remote, and Northern communities.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has awarded a research group affiliated with NOSM University a Project Grant totaling $803,251, reflecting the strength of collaboration and the impact of research rooted in local realities. Dr. Erin Cameron, Professor and Director of the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre of Health Equity at NOSM University, in partnership with Ottawa’s Bruyère Health Research Institute, received the grant for the project A Place-based Framework for Equitable Health Service Delivery.
The project explores how geographic, health, and social data can improve the equity and effectiveness of the delivery of health services. By drawing on an existing place-based approach and incorporating community voices, the team aims to create a new framework that can guide more equitable service delivery in diverse settings.
This new framework will be refined through a pilot implementation in Thunder Bay, where it will be shaped by local data and lived experience. The goal is to build a model that can be adapted and scaled to improve equity in health-care systems across Canada. The project also highlights the strength of NOSM University’s research partnerships with community organizations, which bring together clinical care and education in ways that directly benefit Northern Ontarians.
Drs. Cameron and Claire Kendall are co-principal investigators on the project, with co-investigators including partners from the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and numerous health providers and educational institutions across Northern Ontario. This project represents the ongoing commitment of NOSM University’s research community to foster collaboration with regional partners to address the unique health-care needs and experiences of Canadians.
“This CIHR-funded project exemplifies how collaboration, innovation, and social accountability can lead to transformative change in health care,” says Dr. David Marsh, Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies. “By working together across institutions, disciplines, and communities, NOSM University and its partners are advancing research excellence and helping to build a more equitable health system for all Northerners.”
October 29 is World Stroke Day. Every year, 12 million people in the world experience a stroke, which equates to one every two seconds. Stroke cuts off the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. Every minute that strokes goes untreated, millions of cells die. Death by a stroke will result in every 1 in 2 people. For the stroke survivors, two thirds are left facing complications and long-term disabilities.
This years theme for World Stroke Day is every minute counts, with the goal of educating the public about the importance of time and when to Act FAST. The F.A.S.T. method (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency) is an effective tool for identifying stroke signs. Knowing how to spot the signs of stroke is an essential first step that can help make sure people get the treatment they need, fast. Acting fast doesn’t just save lives, it reduces the risk of life-long complications that can arise from having a stroke.
Today, the Northernwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network will be at St. Joseph’s Care Group for an in-person education session. The team will present on stroke screening tools, acute stroke treatments, and virtual stroke resources. By educating the public about the importance of time, the goal is to raise awareness to create a chain response for reaction time.
Every Minute Counts
In honour of World Stroke Day 2025, we encourage everyone to:
To learn more about stroke and World Stroke Day, visit the World Stroke Organization.
At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, quality and safety are not limited to a single department. From the frontlines to leadership, clinical to non-clinical spaces, and inpatient to outpatient settings, each staff member plays a vital role in delivering safe, high quality care.
Quality Huddles are departmental, leader and staff-led touch-points that provide a consistent platform for sharing innovative ideas related to safety and quality trends. What started with just seven clinical departments in 2023, has expanded to over 60 departments (including non-clinical and outpatient areas), with further plans for expansion underway. To date, over 1,575 huddles have been held, with more than 14,480 staff engagements. These gatherings have generated over 2,001 change ideas, with an impressive 1,283 already implemented.
This milestone is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of TBRHSC staff. In alignment with our strategic goal to “focus relentlessly on quality”, the momentum behind the Quality Huddles initiative reflects how deeply a culture of quality and safety is embedded throughout our Hospital.
Congratulations to all of the award winners (below) who shared their innovative change ideas at this year’s Quality Huddle Excellence Awards. Each presentation highlighted original ideas generated from Quality Huddles that occurred in 2024.
| Presenter | Department | Quality Improvement Idea |
| Tracy Peltier | Labour and Delivery | Operating Room Standardization |
| Jennifer Pearson | Radiology | MIS Recording Update |
| Rachel Lyon | IA Medicine/Oncology | Potassium Shifting PPDO |
| Taylor MacKenizie | 2A Medicine | Acute Withdrawal Desk Revamp |
| Meghan Hill | 3C Surgery/Neuro | Magnetic Butterflies |
| Joelle Macey | Adult Mental Health | New WPV Risk Assessments |
| Tara Posselwhite | Transitional Care Unit | Laminated Seating Tags |
| Jennifer Svane | Materials Management | Vendor Shipment Amalgamation |
| Nancy Baker | Medical Device Reprocessing | New Sharps Cards |
| Victoria Marks and Megan Valente | Patient and Family Centred Care | Afternoon Snack Cart |
| Ashley Dell | Portering | Teletracker Mandatory Isolation |
| Nicole Moffet and Christian Nielsen | Security | Emergency Department Improved Accessibility |
A heartfelt thank you to the Quality Resource Management (QRM) team for their unwavering support in facilitating these huddles and guiding teams through the quality improvement journey. Together, we’re working towards our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Shared on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department
This year’s COVID-19 vaccine program aims to ensure Ontarians are protected against COVID-19 disease including severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended individuals receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine annually. The mechanism of increased protection from an updated COVID-19 vaccine is likely a combination of both providing a recent vaccination that boosts the immune response and providing a vaccine that is more closely related to the circulating strain.
The 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine program, in alignment with the Universal Influenza Immunization Program, has transitioned to an annual program, with guidance issued each year for the September to August respiratory season and immunization provided at the specified schedules and timing
The COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time with other vaccines, or at any time before or after other non-COVID-19 vaccines (live or non-live vaccines), including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and/or the RSV monoclonal antibody.
The Occupational Health and Safety Department is pleased to be offering the Moderna Spikevax to all staff, professional staff and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre by appointment only.
The COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held every Friday starting October 31 until Dec 13, 2025.
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Appointments can be booked by calling the OHS department at 684-6212.
To be eligible for the vaccine, you must be a health care worker 18 years of age. Six months (168 days) must have passed since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Staff must bring a piece of government issued Identification in order to obtain the vaccine. Your Health Card or Driver’s License is acceptable.
This week, we join health care organizations across Canada in recognizing Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW)—a national campaign led by Healthcare Excellence Canada that encourages everyone working in health care to speak up, share ideas, and take action to improve patient safety.
Test your knowledge with a daily question. Each submission will be entered into a draw to win prizes! Winners will be announced next week in Your Daily Informed Newsletter.
October 27 trivia question: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HS2MLC6
October 28 trivia question : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSXHSMF
Don’t forget to look at the Schedule of Events for other events that highlight the importance of safety in health care.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ontario, yet almost 50% of those who are eligible for breast screening in Northwestern Ontario don’t get checked regularly. For some, it’s the fear of the unknown. For others, it’s not knowing when to start, how often to go, or whether their personal circumstances affect their eligibility.
To makes things easier, here are answers to some of the most common questions about breast cancer screening.
Who is eligible for breast screening in Ontario?
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) recommends that most eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people ages 40 to 74 get a mammogram every two years.
You may qualify if you:
If you are considered high risk, talk to your health care provider about your screening options.
What if I’m under 40 or over 74?
If you’re outside the OBSP age range, speak with your health care provider about your risk factors and whether screening is right for you.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for a mammogram?
If you’re between 40 and 74 and at average risk, you can book your own OBSP appointment without a referral.
How much does breast screening cost?
There is no cost for eligible individuals with a valid OHIP card.
How often should I be screened?
For those at average risk, a mammogram every two years is recommended. If you are high risk, you may need to be screened more often – your health care provider can provide you with more information.
How do I know if I’m due for a mammogram?
If you’ve screened before, you’ll receive a letter reminding you that it’s time to book again. If you think you might be due, you can call your nearest OBSP location to find out.
Where can I get a mammogram in Northwestern Ontario?
There are OBSP screening sites in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout. The Screen for Life Coach, a mobile cancer screening bus, also visits rural, remote, and Indigenous communities throughout the region.
Can I get a mammogram if I have breast implants?
Yes. Technologists are trained to work with implants and use special techniques to ensure clear images.
What should I do to prepare for a mammogram?
Wear a loose-fitting top that buttons in the front. Avoid deodorants, antiperspirants, lotions, or powders on your chest or underarms the day of your mammogram, as they can interfere with imaging.
What happens if my mammogram shows something abnormal?
You may be called back for more tests, such as another mammogram, an ultrasound, or a biopsy, to get a clearer picture.
If you still have questions, your health care provider or nearest OBSP location can help. If you’re eligible, take that next step and book your mammogram. To learn more about where and how to book a mammogram nearest you, visit tbrhsc.net/breast-cancer-screening.