For more information, please contact, Janet D. Sharun, Coordinator Transfusion Services at 6901 or janet.sharun@tbh.net.

This World Cancer Day (February 4), we recognize the diverse experiences of individuals affected by cancer and reaffirm our commitment to patient-centred care. 

The 2025-2027 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique”, emphasizes the importance of cancer care that considers the whole person, not just the diagnosis. By focusing on the individual, we can improve cancer treatment and support for better health outcomes and reduced health disparity. 

To learn more about World Cancer Day, visit worldcancerday.org.

Afonso Creations is excited to bring some extra love this February with their Pocket Hug Fundraiser!

Each Pocket Hug is just $5, and succulents are $20, with a portion of all proceeds going towards the Northern Cardiac Fund. It’s the perfect way to show someone you care while supporting a great cause. Whether you’re looking for a little gift or something to brighten someone’s day, these thoughtful items are sure to bring a smile.

You can find them at the following locations:

TBRHSC Lobby: February 14, 19, 20 & 27 (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Bay Village Coffee: Regular business hours throughout February
Heritage Building: March 1 (8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health and an opportunity to focus on what we can do to improve our heart health. Heart disease impacts almost all of us at some point in our lives, either indirectly or directly. It is the second leading cause of death for both men and women in Canada.

Prevention is key in reducing the risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. Adopting healthy habits such as staying physically active, maintaining a balanced diet, limiting highly processed foods, avoiding smoking, prioritizing quality sleep and managing stress can significantly support heart health and overall well-being.

This month is an excellent time to reflect and take steps to making positive and healthy choices for today and into the future. These choices can include taking small steps laid out in the 24-hour movement guidelines: Move more, reduce sedentary time and sleep well. Prioritizing daily movement, like a walk outside, is a great example. Eating a variety of healthy foods each day and scheduling regular appointments with a health care provider are also important for maintaining heart health. Healthy lifestyle choices combined with early detection and management of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can help you reduce your risk of heart disease.

Together, we can make healthy living a priority and work towards improving our cardiovascular health.

Throughout the month, we will be 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.

Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As we exit out of this first month of 2025, I have a profound sense of optimism. The past year has undoubtedly presented its challenges, and together, we have demonstrated our resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care for every patient, every time.

To begin, let me say how exciting it is to bring you an update on the evolution of the Cardiovascular Surgery Program (CVS). The CVS program is a monumental step forward in providing comprehensive healthcare to our community – the final link to a full clinical acute care service for our community and region. CVS will require significant investment in both state-of-the-art technology and people. This includes advanced imaging systems, catheterization labs, and minimally invasive surgical equipment. These advancements will ensure we can support and advance cardiovascular care. More importantly, patients will benefit in so many ways, including improving early diagnosis, enhancing treatment options, and providing better overall management of cardiovascular diseases.

Congratulations to the Cardiovascular Surgery Project team and leadership for bringing us closer to getting the CVS Program project readied for the next steps. In case you missed it, the funding for capital implementation (construction) was announced this week – $ 98.9 million towards the estimated $122.2 million cost to complete the project – another major milestone for our Hospital. I would like to thank the Foundation, the Hearts at Home Campaign Cabinet and our community who have raised funds to support this project.

Over the coming weeks or so, you will begin to see some initial activity around the Hospital as we begin this extensive initiative. Next steps will also include working with our partners and stakeholders to finalize our funding and operational needs.

As you may be aware, politically, we are currently in a holding pattern in Ontario. Throughout the coming months until the election concludes, the government will operate under the caretaker convention, a principle ensuring that ministers and officials avoid making major policy decisions, appointments, or commitments that could bind future governments. The caretaker period typically begins with the dissolution of the legislature and continues until the new government is sworn in, ensuring a smooth and democratic transition of power. This convention maintains political neutrality and ensures that newly elected officials can make their own decisions without being constrained by the actions of the outgoing administration.

So what does this all mean for us? It means that routine operations will continue, but any major policy decisions, funding announcements, or appointments that are not urgent or in the public interest will be deferred until after the election. This is necessary and helps ensure that public resources are not used for partisan advantage and that the democratic process is respected. Until then, we will move forward with our current projects and operational initiatives.

Next week is Teaching and Learning Week with many events planned including another opportunity to hear from our dedicated staff who are constantly engaged in research and innovation to enhance the quality of care services we provide. Their commitment to continuous learning and development ensures that we remain leaders in the healthcare industry, always striving to deliver the best possible care to our patients. I hope to see you at the events as we showcase our talents and cutting-edge solutions. 

As we forge ahead, I am confident that this year will be marked by significant achievements and milestones. Our collective efforts will not only enhance the quality of care we provide but also strengthen the bonds within our community.

I hope you will embrace this new year with optimism, determination, and a shared vision for a healthier and brighter future where we will together deliver Exceptional care for every patient, every time. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

As always, I welcome your feedback on these blogs or on any other matter. You can contact me at: rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I enjoy hearing from you.

Work on the terrazzo floor in front of Volunteer Services will complete this weekend.

The next area of terrazzo floor repair will be in front of Seasons Gift Shop and Robins (see map below).

Robins will remain open, while Seasons Gift Shop will be closed this weekend, starting Saturday February 1, and will open up again later in the week.

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.

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Researcher Staffing and Recruitment

Key initiatives underway include:

Joint Nurse Researcher Appointment with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. This appointment is one full-time, tenure track faculty appointment in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences/School of Nursing. The successful candidate(s) will work towards expanding the current state of nursing research, build capacity, and enhance community and other partnerships.

Lakehead University/Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (LU/TBRHRI) Chair in the School of Nursing at Lakehead University and at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre/Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. One full-time, tenure track faculty appointment in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences/School of Nursing. This is a 5-year renewable appointment; the successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, research and service duties.

The review of applications will start September 2024 and will continue until the positions are filled. Please visit www.lakeheadu.ca for further details.