Conference theme: Catapulting NP Systems: The Value of NPs as Clinicians, Leaders, Scholars & Educators
Submit your abstract for a chance to present at the 2025 NPAO Annual Conference and inspire the next wave of healthcare innovation. Deadline: March 28, 2025.
The Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario Annual Conference is an important forum that brings NPs together from across Ontario. The conference runs over three days and helps facilitate meaningful dialogue about issues of importance to NP practice through the sharing of ideas, insights and research on a broad range of topic
We invite topics relevant to nurse practitioner clinical practice, leadership, regulation, policy, education, research, and quality improvement.
With this as a guiding principle, submissions are invited under the following areas:
Clinical – providing knowledge or clinical pearls on health care issues from birth to death, spanning prevention to treatment including end-of-life care, including issues fundamental to NP practice.
Innovation – exploring the innovative work of NPs. Innovative work could be research-based (qualitative/quantitative) or quality improvement initiatives and programs. (Note: only completed research is eligible for podium presentations). This topic area includes but is not limited to quality and process improvement projects, health policy, education and creative approaches to patient and system-focused initiatives.
Relevance to Practice – communicating trends and barriers to NP practice and/or strategies to explore new opportunities that benefit patients or NP practice.
Examples are program development, legislative challenges, implementation of clinical care pathways, etc.
Who should submit?
We welcome abstract submissions from all Nurse Practitioners-Primary Health Care (NP-PHC); Paediatrics (NP-Paediatrics); Adult (NP-Adult) and NP Students.
We each play a vital role in advancing our strategic priorities and achieving our vision of Exceptional care for every patient, every time. To increase awareness of the progress we are making on Strategic Plan 2026, we are sharing highlights of each strategic priority every quarter. The full list of each “Quarterly Strategic Initiative Highlights” can be found on the intranet.
EDI Physical Environment Review
This project aims to create a culturally safe environment. We plan to conduct a facility review with an EDI lens to identify gaps and determine areas for improvement. Our goal is to integrate EDI considerations into future space planning and assess the impact of current capital projects, reinforcing our commitment to an inclusive and equitable environment.
Indigenous Recruitment and Education
This initiative addresses the under-representation of Indigenous Peoples in Health Human Resources (HHR) roles at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Research Institute. We will focus on recruitment for HHR positions, evaluate current practices, implement new strategies, and monitor progress. Insights gained will also enhance recruitment for volunteers, Patient Family Advisors (PFAs), and other staff roles.
EDI Experience Sharing to Build Understanding & Respect
We are creating an EDI assessment tool for managers to evaluate and improve EDI practices within their teams. This tool will provide practical insights to support a more inclusive work environment, helping managers build a more equitable workplace.
Together, these projects help us foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for patients and staff!
For a full list of highlights from the latest quarterly update, download the document below:
After over a year of training, our Paediatric Emergency Transport Team performed their first patient transfer on December 20, 2024.
The Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) consists of one Registered Nurse and one Registered Respiratory Therapist who travel with an ORNGE aircraft to retrieve children, primarily under the age of one year, and transport them to a higher level of care (either back to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre or to a children’s hospital).
After completing extensive training and certification, team members will eventually be available 24/7 to transport children across Northwestern Ontario. This new program, the first paediatric transport team not part of a specialized children’s hospital, will significantly reduce the time it takes to transport sick children to a higher level of care. This day marks a momentous occasion for children in Northwestern Ontario.
Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law invite you to join us for a Book Launch and Signing with Dr. Chantelle Richmond on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 7:00pm to 9:00pm EST.
Shared on behalf of Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network
On December 9, 2024, Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) took a significant step forward in stroke treatment by implementing tenecteplase (TNK) as the new standard of care for eligible acute ischemic stroke patients, replacing the previously used alteplase (tPA).
This change aligns with the latest stroke best practice recommendations and marks a notable improvement in the hospital’s stroke care capabilities.
The switch from tPA to TNK brings several benefits and advantages for both patients and health care providers:
Improved Administration: TNK is administered as a single bolus injection over 5-10 seconds, compared to tPA’s one-minute bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion.
This streamlined process significantly reduces treatment time and simplifies the procedure for medical staff. It also assists in transporting the patient for possible EVT treatment faster due to our large geographical region.
Enhanced Efficacy: Multiple studies have shown that TNK provides equal or higher rates of reperfusion compared to tPA without increasing the risk of death, serious adverse events, or intracranial bleeding.
Increased Safety: TNK’s higher fibrin specificity contributes to a decreased risk of bleeding, potentially improving patient outcomes for our regional patients.
As more Telestroke sites across Northwestern Ontario make similar transitions, LWDH’s adoption of TNK places it at the forefront of stroke care.
This change enhances the hospital’s ability to treat stroke patients effectively and demonstrates its commitment to adopting evidence-based practices that improve stroke patient care and outcomes.
This transition to TNK represents a watershed moment in one of our regional sites’ stroke treatment protocols. LWDH can now deliver life-saving care more quickly and efficiently, which is crucial in stroke cases where every minute counts.
Congratulations to the entire team who made this possible, with a special acknowledgement to the hard work of Jenn Young and Dr. Tim Wehner. Without their commitment and dedication to this practice enhancement, this would not have been successful.
Our Hospital’s smallest patients are showing their holiday spirit this week! We are grateful to the parents of the newborns and staff for letting us share these wonderful photos.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre works tirelessly to ensure families are supported while separated from their babies.
A big THANK YOU to the NICU staff for taking the photos and creating this festive holiday scene. 🎄🎁
As we wrap up Holiday Cheer Week (December 16–20), we want to thank all our incredible staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers who participated in the festive events. Your energy and enthusiasm made this season truly special.
Highlights of the Week
Daily Holiday Trivia: Your holiday knowledge was tested and the trivia was a huge hit! Thank you to everyone who played along.
Showcase Your Decorations: Your creativity sparkled brightly! Workspaces were transformed into festive displays, bringing holiday cheer to every corner of the hospital.
Holiday Attire: You looked fabulous! Thank you for dressing in your best holiday outfits and sharing your festive photos.
Also, this year, we introduced a brand-new initiative to show our appreciation for all the incredible work you do. Every paid staff member at TBRHSC and RI was automatically entered into our Grocery Draw, with 50 lucky winners receiving $100 grocery gift cards. Draws were held daily throughout the week, with 10 winners announced each day.
This new initiative to Holiday Cheer Week was our way of saying “thank you” for your dedication, hard work, and the difference you make every day throughout the year. We hope it brought extra joy to your holiday season and reminded you how much you’re valued!
Take a moment to admire the creativity and festive spirit of your colleagues. From beautifully decorated workspaces to stunning holiday outfits, the submissions truly captured the joy of the season. Thank you to everyone who participated—you’ve made this holiday season extra special.
Happy Holidays!
Staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre got into the holiday spirit. Their festive outfits brought joy and smiles to patients and staff that they encountered throughout the day.
As we approach the end of 2024, I know how hard it can be to truly pause and reflect when work and life is so busy – but I encourage you to take the time to do it. Admittedly, this has been an extraordinary year, with historic levels of demand and challenges in health care. Each of you, whether at the bedside or supporting our teams behind the scenes, has risen to meet these challenges head-on. Your dedication to patient-centred care —especially at a time when the pressures are so high — is remarkable. I thank you sincerely for everything you’ve done and continue to do.
I do want to share some genuinely positive news that I hope will bring encouragement as we move forward. For many years, we’ve wrestled with financial constraints that limited our ability to invest in innovative solutions, expand our research, and strengthen our care. Today, I’m pleased to say that we have turned a significant corner. This week, we received an unprecedented level of funding support: an additional $14.9 million, on top of the $7.1 million announced earlier this year. In total, $22.1 million in operational base funding will help stabilize our finances, support staffing, and enhance our capacity to deliver the care our patients deserve.
This isn’t just about balancing budgets; it’s about creating a sustainable foundation that will enable us to plan more strategically, invest more thoughtfully, and transform the way we work. You’ll see it reflected in improved scheduling, strengthened clinical operations, and the exploration of new innovations to support our long-term vision. It’s a powerful acknowledgement of the importance of our Hospital’s role in the region.
We have other reasons to feel optimistic. Recent funding announcements will support key projects, such as the redesign of our Emergency Department’s Mental Health and Addictions Assessment and Observation Area — an essential step in responding to growing patient volumes and acuity. We’ve also secured funding for a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC), a crucial piece of equipment that will advance radiation therapy for cancer patients. This means fewer people will need to travel long distances for care and more will receive life-saving treatment here at home. We expect the new LINAC to be operational by late January 2025, and I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen.
We’re also immensely grateful to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the communities we serve for their philanthropic efforts this year, with the Foundation contributing $6.6 million this past year to support our patients and teams. This pushes us closer to our shared goal: exceptional care for every patient, every time.
As the holidays approach, I recognize not everyone will be able to take time off. Health care doesn’t stop for the festive season. For those working through the holidays, thank you for ensuring our patients and community continue to receive the very best care. Please, when you can, take a few moments to recharge in the new 3rd floor staff lounge. This space, along with the holiday cards and vouchers you’ve received (if not, please check with your Manager), is a small token of our gratitude.
Your respect, teamwork, and resilience have a direct impact not only on our patients and their families, but also on each other. I am proud and grateful to lead this organization, and I am continually inspired by the compassion and expertise you bring to your work.
As we close out 2024, I again encourage you to pause and acknowledge all you have contributed to our Hospital and Health Research Institute. May your holidays be filled with comfort, joy, and moments that remind you why your work matters so deeply. Here’s to a brighter, healthier 2025 for all of us.
As always, I welcome your feedback or any thoughts you’d like to share. Please feel free to reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.
Miigwech, merci, thank you, and warmest holiday wishes.
As Holiday Cheer Week comes to an end, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the activities, shared their holiday spirit, and helped make this week truly special. Your enthusiasm and creativity have brightened the season for all of us!
Congratulations to Today’s Prize Winners!
Grocery Draw Winners ($100 President’s Choice Gift Card)
• Hillary Stezenko • Kaylee Poulin • Cody Nygard • Katrina Smart • Jacqueline Marsh • Richard Buckley • Angel Baby • Denise Stewart • Bruno Tassone • Seth Boland
Trivia Winners
• Jessica Serson ($50 Cheese Encounters Gift Card) • Colin Koivula ($50 Fresh Air Gift Card)
Best Holiday Attire Winners
• Lindsey Hordy ($50 Serenity Salon & Spa Gift Card) • Jan Ihamaki-Morgan ($50 Gear Up Gift Card)
Showcase Your Holiday Decorations Winners
• Andrea Kromm ($50 Fresh Air Gift Card) • Patrizia Charrette ($50 Cheese Encounters Gift Card)
Thank you once again for making this week so memorable. We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with cheer and warmth!
In 2023, our Hospital became a training site for the NOSMU Undergraduate Community Clerkship (CCC) year. For a duration of eight months, third year medical students work onsite with our staff, various departments, and a local family medicine clinic. To celebrate reaching the halfway point of the year, Academic Affairs, along with the CCC students, would like to express their gratitude to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff and departments for warmly welcoming these learners.
Here is a message from our students about how supportive you have all been:
“Thank you for taking on clerkship (third-year) medical students! I have had incredible preceptors and mentors throughout this year, and you have all played a part in making this clerkship a truly wonderful experience. Wishing a lovely holiday season to those who celebrate, and a healthy and happy new year!”
Photo (L-R): Community Clerkship student is Sabyah Azhar (UGY3 NOSMU Medical Student) and preceptor Angela Heintzman (Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist)
