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!
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.
Photo: ECG Technicians Amelia Traer (left) and Alyssa Harju-Ogima (right).
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.
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
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.
Shared on behalf of Miranda Lesperance, Vice President Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion and Amy Carr, Director, Human Resources and Organizational Development
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.
I would like to begin my first report of 2025 by expressing gratitude to our incredible staff, professional staff, volunteers and learners for their hard work over the holidays. The holiday season is typically a very busy time for our Emergency Department and with the influx of respiratory illnesses, these past couple of months were no exception to previous years. Thank you for your dedication to providing the highest quality care to the people of Northwestern Ontario.
As mentioned, the Hospital has seen an increase of respiratory illnesses within our Inpatient Clinical Units and respiratory-related visits to our Emergency Department. As part of our commitment to keeping everyone safe, there are masking protocols in certain areas of our facilities. Masking is required by all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers, and Essential Care Partners/Care Partners (ECPs/CPs) when entering a patient room in all Inpatient Clinical Units and when in the Emergency Department. Masks are available at all of our public entrances on the sanitizing stands.
Another key component to reducing the spread of illness is hand hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water or by using hand sanitizer helps reduce the spread of disease. All patients, visitors, staff and volunteers are asked to wash their hands when entering the Hospital, or make use of the hand sanitizer dispensers available throughout the facility. We certainly appreciate your cooperation with masking and proper hand hygiene as together, both reduce the risk of spreading illness and help us keep the community safe.
The holiday season was also marked by the kindness and generosity of staff. Throughout December, departments came together to provide donations for those in need in our Hospital and community. Staff from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Informatics Team raised over $600 for our Hospital’s Patient Clothing Cupboard. The money will be used by our volunteers to purchase new socks and underwear for patients in need. The Emergency Department raised $3,700 for the Children’s Aid Society’s Holiday Hamper Program with additional cash donations to the Dew Drop Inn and the Regional Food Distribution Association. The Renal Food Cupboard, which is managed and maintained by members of the North West Regional Renal Program at our Hospital, collects kidney-friendly food items for renal patients throughout the year. This team continued their annual Christmas food drive campaign to support that collection, which was organized by the Health Care and EMS Prayer Chain and helped by donations from Renal Program staff. The willingness of staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers to contribute and support these initiatives has a significant impact on some of our most vulnerable patients, who rely on the food and clothing cupboards daily. A special thank you goes out to those who coordinated these collection drives, as their hard work and dedication in organizing such efforts not only make a difference in the lives of our patients but also inspire others to give.
December brought with it investments from the Ontario government to support sustainability and improve access to care. More than $14 million in funding was announced to support staffing and operations at our Hospital to address financial pressures while meeting the unique needs of the region’s population. This is an additional investment to the organization’s base funding, supporting both immediate needs and long-term improvements. The Province is also providing funds to build a new, state-of-the-art emergency mental health and addictions assessment and observation area, ensuring the Hospital is better equipped to deliver responsive and comprehensive care to those in crisis. Once opened, the new mental health area will include a new space designed to provide care in a safe and private setting for patients and their families, ensuring individuals in crisis have access to critical services quickly and close to home.
In addition, the month of January ended with a significant funding announcement from the Ontario government that will enable us to enhance cardiovascular surgery services at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The $93 million for infrastructure will allow us to establish a Cardiovascular Surgery Program. The overall project aims to revolutionize the landscape of cardiovascular care within our Hospital and deliver transformative impacts on the health and well-being of individuals throughout Northwestern Ontario. The addition of these critical services will hold immense significance, offering life-saving cardiovascular interventions that will improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for long-distance travel to other hospitals in our Province. The project will facilitate lasting enhancements in the quality of care, ensuring a better future for healthcare in our region
Thank you to all those who purchased tickets for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Foundation’s 50/50 lottery, resulting in December’s record-breaking grand prize of $6,436,355. Proceeds from the 50/50 have funded many projects at our Hospital including an MRI retrofit, PET/CT scanner, renovations in the Emergency Department and Cancer Centre, and many other initiatives that improve closer-to-home care for everyone in our community. This past year the Foundation through your donations contributed $6.6 million to our Hospital – we are incredibly grateful. I would also like to recognize the generosity of The Hearts at Home Campaign and the funding raised for the Cardiovascular Surgery Project that will help support the project. The Foundation’s work makes a huge impact on health care for residents in Northwestern Ontario and supports the Hospital’s vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.
Patricia Lang Chair, Board of Directors Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
New equipment is enhancing patient participation in cardio sessions, thanks to Employee Donors like you!
Meet Victoria F., Kinesiologist (left), and Janey P., Registered Nurse (right), proudly showcasing the new finger pulse oximeters and digital scale purchased thanks to generous support from the Employee Giving Fund.
The digital scale has streamlined the intake process; meanwhile, having more finger pulse oximeters means more patients can use equipment simultaneously during classes—reducing wait times, eliminating hassle, and allowing for increased participation in cardio sessions.
Your donations truly make a difference in patient care — thank you!
If you have any questions about your Employee Donations, or would like to sign up, please contact: Ryan Moore @ extension 7112 | ryan.moore@tbh.net
If you are interested in joining the Employee Giving Committee, please contact Rob Srigley at robert.srigley@tbh.net.
On April 1st, 2023, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Dibenjikewin Onaakonikewin (KIDO), also known as KI Family Law (English translation), was officially launched and became operational. This means that Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) is exercising jurisdiction over their own child, youth and family services for the community members of Big Trout Lake, wherever the residents may reside, On-KI and Off-KI, throughout Canada and internationally.
Bill C-92, an “Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families”, is the catalyst for KIDO’s official status to exercise its jurisdiction for its children, youth and families. Bill C-92 is Canada’s legal framework recognizing the inherent right of Indigenous self-government over children and family services. The inherent right to self-government is affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
KIDO, the “KI Family Law” has a vision is to create healthy self, healthy family, and healthy community. The emphasis of service is on family healing and maintaining connections within families and the community of Big Trout Lake. KIDO’s mission is that our dibenjikewinan (families) can raise our awaashishag (children) and oshkaadizag (youth) in healthy homes.
If you have concerns for the well-being of a child or youth with a parent or an elder who is a KI member please make a referral to KIDO for support. KIDO offers 24/7 services. Please call the number listed below as soon possible. If you are unsure which community the patient or family is from, any call to a child protection organization will fulfill your duty to report requirement.
1-833-982-KIDO (5436)
KIDO must respond immediately or as soon as reasonably possible. KIDO has the legal authority to ensure the well-being of KI members. KIDO employees will always wear their Staff ID badges when responding to emergency calls.
For more information, please visit: www.kido209.ca
