The first Anti-Stigma, Substance Use and Addictions, Thought Leader Session was held on May 16th. Andrea Raynak, Director of Nursing at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences, presented on nurses’ attitudes towards patients who use substances in the hospital setting. If you missed last week’s session, please see below for the full presentation.
This week, the Falls Prevention Committee will have a campaign to educate staff on their role to play in falls prevention. Check out the information below to see how you can help prevent falls.
Shared on behalf of Arnold Bylund, Coordinator, Physical Plant and Mechanical Maintenace
Please be aware that Maintenance will be conducting repairs in the courtyard by the 1A Unit starting Monday, May 27 and lasting until Monday, June 10.
During this time, the courtyard will be closed to staff, visitors and patients.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Employee Giving Committee, dedicated to supporting Hospital staff who choose to make donations via payroll deduction, celebrated on Monday, May 21st, by hosting its first appreciation luncheon since 2019.
The luncheon was a heartwarming event, filled with camaraderie and gratitude. Tbaytel, our corporate sponsor, spoke on their commitment and brought an array of goodies, adding a special touch to the gathering. This event not only recognized the generosity of our staff but also highlighted the impact of their contributions.
In recent months, the committee has approved over $58,000 in grants, supporting more than a dozen applications for equipment that will improve care. This highlights the importance of the Employee Giving Program and its role in enhancing our hospital’s services.
If you are interested in joining the committee or becoming one of the hundreds of staff members who proudly say “I’m In” and donate, please reach out to Ryan Moore at ryan.moore@tbh.net.
Together, we can continue to make a difference in our Hospital.
Thank you, Employee Giving Committee:
Shared on behalf of Peter Myllymaa, Vice President, Operations, Clinical & Support Services & CFO
Please be advised that Craig Willson, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging – CT, Mammography, General & Interventional Radiology & X-Ray Safety Officer, and Sandra Willson, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging – MRI, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine & Clerical & Radiation Safety Officer, have both advised me of their upcoming retirements from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (the Hospital), with their last days of work being June 28, 2024.
Sandra was first hired as a Nuclear Medicine Registered Technologist at the Hospital in August 2001. Prior to this, she worked as a Registered Technologist, Senior Technologist and Charge Technologist in Nuclear Medicine at Hamilton Health Sciences. Sandra moved into a Senior Technologist role at the Hospital in November 2004, then into a Charge Technologist role in June 2005 until becoming permanent Manager is Diagnostic Imaging in August 2015.
Sandra leads with a coaching mindset, instilling learning and positive change in her staff. She became a Certified Coach for the Hospital in 2018, furthering her passion and strength in mentoring others and helping them to grow personally and professionally. Sandra is especially proud of her staff and the multiple committees and projects she has collaborated on, always offering her knowledge and expertise. Sandra has been nominated for multiple “Walk the Talk” awards (now iCare awards) throughout her career at the Hospital.
Craig began his career as a Clerk in Diagnostic Imaging at McKellar Hospital in September 1987. He moved into a Registered Technologist role in February 1988, holding various positions until moving into a full-time position. He became the Charge Technologist in CT in September 2005 until becoming permanent Manager in Diagnostic Imaging in August 2015.
Craig leads by example, focusing on collaboration, teamwork and safety, and always ensuring that the patient is first. Craig is especially proud of his staff for their dedication and determination in positive patient experiences. Craig has been instrumental in numerous committees and projects, providing his knowledge and experience with a joke and a smile.
Craig and Sandra’s dedication, enthusiasm and leadership will be missed. We wish them all the best in their retirements. I want to personally thank both Craig and Sandra for the knowledge they bring to the job and for their ongoing dedication to quality patient care.
Further communication on an interim plan for Diagnostic Imaging leadership will follow.
We’re celebrating 20 years of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Throughout the year, we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of our most significant milestones.
Thank you to our dedicated staff, donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, community members and partners in health who have played a vital role in building exceptional healthcare for patients and families in Northwestern Ontario.
This week, we’re remembering 📅 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟯 (📸)
1) The first ever Internal French Language Working Group was formed to improve services for francophone patients and their families.
2) TBRHSC strengthened its commitment to providing smoke-free grounds.
3) TBRHSC’s Regional Cancer Care Northwest implemented the MOSAIQ oncology information system to ensure coordination of patient information.
4) The new state-of-the-art Screen for Life Coach offers breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening throughout the region.
Visit www.tbrhsc.net/20years for more milestones.
As part of our year-long 20th anniversary celebration, we asked the leaders in our Hospital to share their stories and highlight the growth and evolution of their team, program and the services they provide.
This week’s feature: Patient Billing
Submitted by: Nathalie Dube, Manager, Patient Billing
1. Briefly describe your program/service.
Our department takes care of all patient related billing whether to OHIP, out of province billing, out of country billing, WSIB or private insurance companies. We also take in any payments made to the Hospital.
2. How has your program/service grown or evolved over the past 20 years?
Over time, different methods of submitting claims have evolved. Payment methods have also evolved with technology. The process of obtaining all the information required remains the same.
3. What is your most cherished accomplishment, milestone or memory?
During the last year, my team has had to deal with working short-staffed due to illnesses or employees moving on to new challenges. We have also dealt with the unexpected death of one of our team members. This team has bonded together and worked together to keep things afloat. I have had employees who are just casuals work full time for months and regular employees put in extra hours to help keep the office going. Even though it has been challenging to keep things moving forward, everyone has helped each other whenever they could. They have been there for each other, not just on a professional level, but also on a personal level. Losing someone you have worked with for over 10 years is difficult and everyone felt the grief. They have faced the challenges with smiles on their faces and have kept up each other’s spirits. They have been able to surpass my expectations and continue to do so. Each and every one of them have gone above and beyond what has been expected of them and continue to do so. I am very proud of what they have done and I’m very proud to be a part of this team.
Shared on behalf of Dawna Perry, Sr. Director Nursing, Academics & Practice Excellence
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kristie Scalzo as the Manager – Nursing Resource Team and Maria Talarico as the Coordinator – Nursing Resource Team. Both changes will take effect on May 20, 2024.
Kristie has worked as a Registered Nurse at the Hospital since 2002. She began her nursing career on 1A before moving to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While working in ICU her roles included charge nurse, Medical Emergency Team (MET) RN and Regional Critical Care Response (RCCR) RN. In 2021 Kristie transitioned to a formal leadership role as the coordinator of the NRT. While in this position she has demonstrated an extensive knowledge of patient care and has been integral in supporting our new hires as they transition from academics to practice.
Maria is a Registered Nurse who began her career with the Hospital in 2012 on 3B. Over the following years Maria focused on building her knowledge and skills related to nephrology working in both the Peritoneal and Hemodialysis Units at our Hospital as well as spending a year working at the Toronto General Hospital in the Hemodialysis Unit. In 2019 Maria transitioned to the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Renal Program where she has influenced positive practice changes and lead quality improvement initiatives.
Kristie and Maria, along with Breanne Breton, are responsible for planning and coordinating the day‑to‑day operational activities related to quality and safety within the NRT and provide clinical and professional leadership to facilitate a safe and effective work environment that embraces both efficiency and professional accountability amongst all NRT staff members.
We would like to acknowledge Jordan Stokes as he transitions from Manager – NRT to his new role. His leadership, vision and dedication to the success of not only the NRT but the staff that make up the NRT has been invaluable.
Shared on behalf of Help Desk
Please note that the projector and audio components are not working in Auditorium B (3rd level). We are
working on a permanent solution to fix the issue.
In the meantime:
If you require audio, please book the follow resource from IT.
TBRHSC-EQUIP-HelpDesk_Video-Conf-Cart
If you require a projector, please book the following resource from Interprofessional Education:
TBRHSC-EQUIP-Laptop_Projector#1
Feel free to contact the Help Desk if you have any questions, we are always happy to help