After much anticipation, work on the creation of the new 3rd Floor Lounge space, outside the Auditoriums and Sim Lab, will occur throughout the month of November. Please see the schedule below the work that will be completed.
In summary, the space will see:
the removal of the large, round millwork desk
the carpet replaced with sheet vinyl flooring
the installation of brand-new lounge furniture
Access to the Auditoriums is available throughout the month, however, when flooring work is being completed during weekdays, an alternate route (via the Decision Support and PFCC hallways) will need to be used to access both Auditorium A and B. See the map showing the alternative routes from the top of the Grand Staircase.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact Kristi Judge in Capital Planning, at kristi.judge@tbh.net or 807-684-7031.
Shared on behalf of Daniel Horne, Manager Clinical Research Services Department
I am pleased to announce that Rabail Siddiqui has accepted the position of Development Coordinator, Clinical Research Services Department at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) effective November 4, 2024.
Rabail first joined TBRHRI in 2017 as a research assistant. Since then, she has spent time as the Orthopaedic Research Development Officer, and most recently as the acting Development Coordinator.
Rabail holds a Master of Health Science in Translational Research from University of Toronto, and a Master of Public Health with Specialization in Epidemiology from Lakehead University. Rabail has also obtained her Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) designation from the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
Rabail’s primary role will be to collaborate with researchers and their teams to develop and implement health research projects at TBRHRI and TBRHSC.
Please join me in welcoming Rabail to her new role.
On World Stroke Day (October 29), members of our dedicated Stroke Team took proactive steps to raise public awareness about the critical importance of recognizing stroke symptoms. Members of the team walked around the hospital, engaging with the community and distributing essential stroke awareness items. With the World Stroke Day Greater Than Active Challenge, the team took to the walkways to get in 30 minutes of physical activity at the same time.
Why Stroke Awareness Matters
Stroke is a medical emergency that can affect anyone, regardless of age. Quick recognition and response are vital for improving outcomes. The FAST acronym—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call 9-1-1—is a crucial tool for the public to identify stroke symptoms quickly. By promoting awareness of these signs, we aimed to empower individuals to act swiftly when they suspect a stroke, potentially saving lives and minimizing long-term effects.
Understanding stroke symptoms can make a significant difference in emergency situations. Together, we can work towards being #GreaterThanStroke by ensuring that more people are informed and ready to act when it matters most. To learn more about stroke awareness visit www.nwostroke.ca.
The Stroke Team took raising public awareness about the critical importance of recognizing stroke symptoms.
Another year, another successful Minimum Staffing Drill by Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) staff and volunteers.
Coordinated by TBRHSC’s Emergency Preparedness and Interprofessional Education teams, and in partnership with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR), this annual Hospital-wide drill is mandated by the Ontario Fire Code. Also known as our Code Red to Green Drill, it tests the Hospital’s ability to safely evacuate an in-patient unit during hours with minimum staffing levels. Every year the drill focuses on a different area of the Hospital to enhance these capabilities.
“Practicing our emergency response in this realistic way is one important piece in our organization’s ability to maintain a state of readiness,” states Mēsha Richard, Emergency Preparedness Lead at TBRHSC.
This year, the drill was conducted on 1B (Paediatrics), with conditions adjusted to replicate times of minimum staffing. More than twenty volunteers acted as mock patients and their family members, with cribs and baby dolls used to simulate moving the smallest patients on that unit. A pre-determined fire alarm in a patient room was activated using simulated smoke, prompting a hospital-wide Code Red (Fire) response. The drill scenario ultimately escalated to a Code Green-Stat (Evacuation). Designated responders quickly arrived from across the Hospital as soon as the overhead announcement was made. The team’s drill response was evaluated and timed by TBFR.
“Thank you for asking Volunteers to participate in this event!” shares one volunteer. “This was an interesting learning experience and I certainly see the value in requiring these drills. They help staff feel more knowledgeable and confident in an actual occurrence. I appreciate being involved and hope to participate again in the future.”
“This exercise is really about teamwork and preparing for unexpected but possible events,” explains Richard. “A big thank you to our staff and volunteers, as well as our partner TBFR, for their continued participation and commitment to emergency preparedness at TBRHSC. 2024 marks the ten year anniversary of this requirement and we’ve been successful in completing it every year. That’s something to be proud of!”
Shared on behalf of Tarja Heiskanen, Manager, Prevention and Screening Clinical Services
I am please to announce that Caitlund Davidson has accepted the Prevention and Screening Coordinator position, previously the Mobile Coach Coordinator.
Caitlund has been with Prevention and Screening Clinical Services since 2020 where she started off as the Project Assistant and quickly transitioned to the Health Promotion and Communication Planner during COVID. During this time, she has also chaired the Cancer Program Patient Education Steering Committee, sits at the provincial patient education table as the Patient Education Lead for our region, is a member of the Cancer Program Patient and Family Cancer Partnership and helps coordinate the yearly COPE conference.
With an Honours BSc Degree and Masters Degrees in Science in Biology and Business Administration, Cailtund is well prepared to step into the coordinator role.
In her new role, Caitlund will be responsible for day-to-day operations within Prevention and Screening Services which includes the mobile coach and associated staff, screening and assessment services, the Clinical Genetics Program, and the Diagnostic Assessment Programs.
Please join me in welcoming Caitlund who will begin her role on November 4, 2024.
