March is Kidney Health Month, and we want to raise awareness about kidney disease and its impact on the people of Northwestern Ontario. Throughout the month, we will be featuring members of the Renal Team, and highlight the incredible care they provide for renal patients across our region.

For more information on Renal Services at TBRHSC, and to view educational videos for renal patients and their families, please visit https://tbrhsc.net/programs-services/renal-services/.

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TBRHSC In-Centre Hemodialysis

“The Hemodialysis unit in Thunder Bay consists of a manager, coordinator, dialysis aides, registered nurses, nephrologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, pharmacist assistant, clerks, Indigenous Patient Navigators, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Vascular Access Coordinator. The unit operates three shifts and provides dialysis treatments for over 140 patients daily. The program supports patients from the Thunder Bay and surrounding area, covering the region from the Manitoba border to English River.”
– Ramsey Broennle, Registered Nurse (RN), Regional Renal CKD Lead, TBRHSC

“Registered dietitians (RD) are essential members of the interdisciplinary Renal team, working closely with patients, their families and other health care providers, to support those living with chronic kidney disease. Registered dietitians help simplify the science of kidney nutrition into practical, individualized advice, helping patients manage their condition and optimize their health at every stage of kidney disease.” 
– Marisa Tamasi, RD, Renal Services, TBRHSC

“As a charge nurse in dialysis, Karen and I coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Hemodialysis unit. We organize patient schedules, staff assignments, adjust for dialysis in the intensive care unit when needed, and work closely with team members to provide comprehensive care for our dialysis patients. We work directly in the Hemodialysis unit and engage with patients, families and staff everyday, which makes our job very rewarding.”
– Barb Appel, Charge RN (Hemodialysis), TBRHSC

“As a Hemodialysis clerk in the Renal Department, our responsibilities are to assist the entire team in the day-to-day operations in the unit in order to facilitate the best care for our patients. Some of the duties include ensuring the patients schedule and attendance are is up-to date, and processing doctors’ orders which may include patient bloodwork or diagnostic test requisitions. This in turn frees up the nurses’ time and allows them to deliver direct patient care. Often the first point of contact, we communicate information to patients or other staff members throughout the renal department in a timely manner to assist in the best patient care.”
– Holly Hebert, Hemodialysis Clerk, TBRHSC

Renal Indigenous Patient Navigators

“The Renal Indigenous Patient Navigators are an essential part of the Renal team. They provide Indigenous patients and their families with interpretation services and offer support to help navigate the health care system. They advocate for patients and their families to assure cultural and linguistic diversities are acknowledged, and that the needs of patients are heard and understood by health care providers.

The Renal Indigenous Navigators work primarily with three diverse groups of First Nations peoples – Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibway. There are be many differences between these groups that must be considered including different customs, traditions, beliefs, dress and dialect.”
– Susan Anderson and Lorraine McKay, Indigenous Patient Navigators, TBRHSC Renal Services

Shared on behalf of Andrea Raynak, Director, Nursing Practice & Learning

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As you are aware, each year the hospital recognizes the exceptional work of the nurses employed at our organization through the celebration of National Nursing week. This year, national nursing week will be celebrated May 12 to 18th. Please take the time to acknowledge a colleague or peer that you admire.

Below are a few suggestions for peer recognition, in addition, awards and bursaries that staff can be can nominated for. These individuals will be individually recognized during national nursing week.

Peer Recognition

Item of Recognition	Details	Due Date	Submission Process
Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness (F.R.O.G.)	If you notice a nurse doing something that deserves acknowledgment, do not lose that opportunity… recognize them!	April 14, 2025	Staff submit name of staff and reason for recognition through the survey monkey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BNKDNV2 . The staff who are recognized will receive the message with a bag of candy.
Social Media Recognition	To recognize nurses on our social media platforms and intranet	April 14, 2025	Communications and the professional practice department will roam units to film the peer recognitions.   Contact Julie Vinet in professional practice for more information: Julie.vinet@tbh.net 807-684-6764

Awards & Bursaries: Due Date April 7, 2025

Award	Details
Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) Award	Leadership award selected by the CNE
Patient Experience Award	Submit a nomination for a nurse that has touched the lives of patients and families in a remarkable way and has enhanced the patient experience. Describe how the nurse (500 words or less): – advocate for patients and the nursing profession how they work with patients to improve their care experience – how they show respect, dignity, caring and compassion – how they integrate the pillars of patient and family centered care *All staff are welcome to submit nominations
Staff Experience Award	Submit a nomination for a nurse who has enhanced a fellow staff member’s experience. In a remarkable way describe how the nurse (500 words or less): – has demonstrated commitment and support for  the community of coworkers – how they act as a positive role model   *All staff are welcome to submit nominations
Preceptor Award	Submit a nomination for a preceptor that has enhanced the experience of the learner and/or new nursing hire. Describe the nurse (500 words or less): – support of the mentee – key areas of strength in their preceptoring approach   *All staff are welcome to submit nominations
Volunteer Association Education Bursary	Submit a nomination for an exceptional nurse. Describe the nurse (500 words or less): – how they pursue advancement of nursing practice through continuing education – their involvement in organizational collaboration council, participation or other working groups that benefit the advancement of nursing – evidence of patient and family centered care – how they are a role model for nursing   *All staff are welcome to submit nominations
Unit Leader Award	Submit a nomination for a nurse with enhanced leadership and exceptional unit leadership skills. In a remarkable way describe how the nurse (500 words or less): – has demonstrated commitment and support for  the unit leader role – how they act as a positive role model   *All staff are welcome to submit nominations

If you have any questions, please reach out to the professional practice department for further
direction.

Thank you.

We would like to inform you that construction work will start outside the Main Entrance (at the revolving doors) on March 24th. During this time, please be aware of the following activities:

• Construction fencing will be placed around the work area outside the Main Entrance, between the West Entrance and the Renal Entrance Doors, to ensure the safety of staff, patients, and visitors.

• The contractors will be constructing a covered walkway for the Stairwell ‘E’ Emergency Exit, to prepare for future construction phasing – This will be an exit only pathway when finished.

• West Entrance and Renal Entrances will remain open.

As a reminder until the interior flooring work is completed:

• Regional Cancer Care patients only can continue to enter through the West Entrance, to access Regional Cancer Care reception
• All other patients and visitors can still access the facility via the Renal Entrance Doors (adjacent to the main entrance) and utilize the A-Corridor back to the main corridor and then back to the Main Lobby.

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/baby-friendly-initiative-20-hour-breastfeeding-course-tickets-1297325207619?aff=oddtdtcreator

Shared on behalf of Dr. Bradley Jacobson, Chief of Staff TBRHSC, Associated Professor, NOSM

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We are excited to announce that Michelle Addison has accepted the position of Director, Chief of Staff’s Office.

Michelle brings a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, professional practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Since 2014, she has served as Director of Health Professions & Collaborative Practice, where she oversees professional practice for 29 healthcare professions, advances best practices, and leads collaborative initiatives. She previously supported Medical Affairs as the Interim Director, providing strategic leadership for the department, including the Hospitalist Program.

Michelle is highly regarded for her expertise in quality improvement and change management, having designed and facilitated over 150 workshops, retreats, and improvement events focused on enhancing health care team collaboration and patient care outcomes. She has been a Project Lead for multiple collaborative leadership initiatives, taking an evidence-based approach to advancing interprofessional practice. Her contributions in this area were recognized with the OHA Health Achieve Leading Practices Award for her work in leading change collaboratively to strengthen interprofessional practice.

In addition to her leadership in hospital settings, Michelle is an Assistant Professor at NOSM University, Registered Corporate Coach™ and Past-Chair of the Inquiries, Reports and Complaints Committee at the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Her deep knowledge of health care policy, governance, and performance management will be invaluable in her new role.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Michelle to our team!

Steve is a licenced electrician at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. In his role, Steve maintains and repairs our Hospital’s electrical systems, ensuring the safety and functionality of equipment and lighting, and following protocols for patient and staff safety. From the smallest switches to the enormous generators, Steve is ready to tackle it all.

“My priority is always the patients,” says Steve. “Fixing beds, overbed lighting, the things that impact the patient’s care directly always comes first.”

Steve and the Maintenance team facilitates our Hospital’s strategic priorities of Patient Experience and Staff Experience by carefully planning their projects, and often coming in early or staying late. This is to support a positive experience for patients and ensure staff can work with minimal interruption. They collaborate internally and with contractors to ensure essential Hospital equipment is ready to go.
Check out these photos to see Steve in action.

In our Hospital, the clocks are all connected to a master time clock, to ensure accuracy and synchronicity. Steve is responsible for maintaining the universal clocks – a system that is crucial for accurate timekeeping, which is vital for coordinating patient care, administering medications, and recording medical events, ultimately minimizing errors and improving efficiency.

Our Hospital has an extensive fire alarm system, which Steve inspects daily. He ensures the system is in working order, handles any alarms, and troubleshoots any issues. When there is construction work being done in rooms, he is responsible for disabling the associated smoke detectors, to mitigate any false alarms.

A pneumatic tube system is used for sending materials throughout Hospital. This system allows for efficient and safe transport of materials, reducing contamination risk, saving staff time, and improving workflow, ultimately enhancing patient care. Steve handles the electrical components (including power and control systems), performs routine maintenance and resolves any issues to ensure the tube system is functioning safely and efficiently.

When accessing the industrial-sized power grid at our Hospital, safety is first! Steve is wearing a suit that protects against arc flashes, and must work in a pair. Here he is collaborating with a contractor, preparing to “rack” out a main breakers for routine maintenance.