Shared on behalf of Justin Garofalo, Interim Vice President, Corporate Services & CFO and Jeannine Verdenik, Vice President, People & Culture

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As we continue through the winter season with reduced daylight hours, it is critical to prioritize pedestrian safety. Especially in adverse weather conditions and times of reduced visibility. Our collective responsibility towards ensuring safe access to the Hospital is paramount. This memo is a reminder of our commitment to ensuring safety within our community. By adhering to travel practices, we contribute to a safer environment for everyone.

Pedestrian Safety Guidelines

Designated Sidewalks & Crossings All pedestrians are to utilize official access sidewalks and designated pedestrian crossings. These areas are designed to enhance safety and visibility and receive added snow and ice control measures.

Visibility You may not be immediately visible to vehicular traffic. It is important to wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop and acknowledge your presence before proceeding to cross roadways. During the winter months, when visibility may be reduced due to daylight savings or weather conditions, is it crucial to travel along designated sidewalks and crossings.

Stop for Pedestrians When travelling by vehicle, stop for pedestrians waiting to cross a roadway. We emphasize the importance of safe driving in adverse weather conditions. Allow ample time to stop when approaching designated pedestrian crossings. Please encourage staff to reduce speed on hospital property and exercise increased caution at pedestrian crossings.

Key Takeaways:

· Staff are required to travel onto and off the property only via official access routes.

· While travelling on the property, please adhere to the use of sidewalks and designated crossings.

· While travelling by vehicle, stop for pedestrians to cross a roadway.

We thank everyone who continually exercises all measures of caution when entering and exiting Hospital property. We all share in the responsibility of keeping our workplace safe and together we can ensure that our property remains a safe zone for all staff, patients and families, and the greater community.

For more information, please refer to OHS-os-253 Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention Policy.

cc: Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC)

Each year on February 11, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.

This year, we connected with Dr. Dominique Cava, Research Associate in Data Science and AI-North Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity, NOSM University for an informal Q&A.

Dr. Cava’s research focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) in health care systems to enhance decision-making and improve patient care.

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Why did you decide to get into science?

I’ve always been curious about how things work—like piecing together a puzzle. This curiosity led me to ask questions, and science became the perfect way to find answers. I’ve followed this path because I truly enjoy learning and discovering. Now, I’m lucky enough to use my research to make a difference in my community’s health care system, which makes the work even more meaningful.

Tell us about your research — what are you currently working on?

My research focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare systems to enhance decision-making and improve patient care. I’m also pursuing community outreach initiatives to improve AI literacy, foster transparency, and build trust in AI. My efforts aim to ensure that advancements in AI benefit everyone equitably.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is conducting detailed and precise research within healthcare systems that have their limits. It’s about balancing research rigor with real-world realities. Another challenge is ensuring that AI tools are developed and implemented in ethical, equitable, and inclusive ways so that they serve all communities fairly.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is the potential to support healthcare providers in their critical work and improve the lives of people within the community. Knowing that my research could make a difference is incredibly fulfilling. I also enjoy collaborating with other teams as I have the opportunity to learn from professionals with a variety of backgrounds and combine expertise to create patient-centred solutions with meaningful impact.

Any advice for other women/girls considering a career in science?

Always believe in yourself. Internal motivation is the most powerful. Stay curious and follow your passion even if it leads you down a less traditional path. There are countless paths you can take in science, and when you wake up each day and commit to pursuing your dreams, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

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Learn more about the International Day of Women and Girls in Science at un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day.

This week, we celebrate the incredible contributions of our resident physicians, who are essential to the functioning of our Hospital and the well-being of our patients. As integral members of our health care team, residents serve as the initial point of contact for many patients in teaching hospitals like ours. After completing their Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program, they enter a rigorous residency period where they provide direct patient care, including diagnosing, managing, and treating a wide range of health conditions and injuries. In simple terms, residents are not just part of our team—they are the future of our Hospital.

Resident physicians work tirelessly, providing round-the-clock care, often under challenging conditions. Their commitment to learning, growing, and providing compassionate, high-quality patient care is truly admirable. It’s important to recognize that the responsibility for supporting residents extends beyond senior physicians. In a teaching hospital, it’s a collective effort. Nurses, allied health professionals like respiratory therapists, radiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers all play an essential role in shaping the learning environment and supporting residents as they gain valuable experience.

This week, let’s take a moment to appreciate the dedication and hard work of our resident physicians and acknowledge the entire healthcare team that supports their development and ensures the best possible care for our patients.

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Message to Residents from the Chief of Staff

Dear Residents,

As we celebrate Resident Doctor Appreciation Week I would like to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for all of your incredible contributions to research, education, and patient care within our region and at TBRHSC. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed, and you are truly making a difference in the lives of those we care for.

The impact you have on our community is immeasurable, and we are so grateful for the passion and enthusiasm you bring to every aspect of your work. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you and are hopeful that you will consider continuing your career with us in the future.

Thank you once again for all that you do. Your efforts are valued, and we are proud to have you as part of our team.

Warmest regards,
Bradley.

Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff
TBRHSC

The Maternity Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) provides prenatal care for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding region. Our team is committed to providing evidence-based maternity care that is safe, respectful and culturally sensitive.

No referrals are necessary to access care at the Maternity Centre.

During pregnancy, you are welcome to call the Maternity Centre to schedule an appointment with one of our prenatal care providers. All of our programs are accessible with your Ontario health card.

TBRHSC’s Maternity Centre welcomes the 124 babies born at our Hospital during the month of January. Congratulations on the new bundles of joy!

Find out more about our services by visiting bit.ly/TBRHSC-Maternity-Centre.

Throughout the month of February, we are featuring our cardiac program teams at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, in recognition of their incredible work helping cardiac patients from across Northwestern Ontario.

ECG (Electrocardiogram) Technicians play a vital role as members of our health care team. An ECG is a tracing of the heart’s electrical activity and is used to diagnose and guide treatment for patients of all ages. ECGs are unique in that they are a mobile cardiac diagnostic test—the technicians come to the patient with the equipment and perform the procedure at the bedside.

ECG Technicians work in every area of our Hospital, alongside physicians, nurses, Registered Cardiology Technologists (RCTs), and a larger multidisciplinary team to provide the best care to the patients at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

This Heart Month, we want to recognize the impact and importance of ECG Technicians. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the patients and families of Northwestern Ontario. 

For more information, visit the ASP intranet page https://informed.tbrhsc.net/departments/human-resources/programs/attendance-support-program.

The Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair (NWORSF)’s mission is to promote scientific inquiry and support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Northwestern Ontario. The NWORSF team is comprised of several employees and trainees from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute who have a passion for science and health research. They work closely with schools and teachers to support the development of the next generation of scientific talent.

Shared on behalf of Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff and Dr. Bill Harris, Vice President, Medical and Academic Affairs

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We are pleased to announce Lori Siver has accepted the position of Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, and the Vice President, Medical and Academic Affairs. Lori will begin to transition to this role effective March 10, while her current role is being recruited.

Lori has been with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for the last 19 years and has held numerous roles across the organization. She is currently the Administrative Assistant to the Cardiovascular and Medicine Program, and has been a Performance Improvement Consultant, where she supported projects such as the Cardiovascular Surgery (CVS), and UKG Staffing Project. 

While Lori has extensive knowledge and experience in her previous roles, she also holds a Diploma in Health Record Technician and Office Administration, from Confederation College.

Lori will be located in Medical & Academic Affairs – 3rd level and can be reached by phone at (807) 684-6564.

Please join us in welcoming Lori to her new role!

Shared on behalf of Miranda Lesperance, Vice President Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion and Amy Carr, Director, Human Resources and Organizational Development

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As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and equity outlined in our 2026 Strategic Plan, we are excited to invite you to participate in an important survey focused on enhancing Indigenous representation in health human resources at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Our goal is to create a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable workplace that values the contributions of Indigenous staff, and enhances our recruitment, retention, and overall career pathways for Indigenous individuals in healthcare roles.

Why Your Input Matters:

Your feedback will directly guide strategies to improve recruitment, job satisfaction, and retention for Indigenous staff, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

How You Can Help:

Complete the Survey: Your participation will provide invaluable feedback helping us better understand how to improve our organizational practices and enhance support networks for Indigenous staff.

Encourage Your Colleagues: Share the importance of this survey with others and encourage them to take part as well.

Together, we can make TBRHSC a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensure we are providing the best possible support for our Indigenous colleagues. Your feedback is essential in helping us build a stronger, more inclusive healthcare environment for everyone.

Thank you for your time and contribution to this important initiative. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

For the survey link, click here. The survey closes February 16, 2025.