Across generations, Canadians have dedicated their lives to preserve peace. Today on Remembrance Day, we thank all veterans, members of the armed forces, and those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Throughout NP Week, we will be spotlighting NPs to highlight the important roles they play at our Hospital. Today’s spotlight feature Jacqueline Marsh, NP-PHC, MSN.

Education and Training

I graduated from Lakehead University with my Master’s of Nursing, PHC-Nurse practitioner in 2024.

Why did you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner?
My experience as a COVID-19 nurse during the pandemic inspired me to become a Nurse Practitioner. That challenging time in healthcare made me realize the importance of health care providers and their role in patient care and education. I decided that I wanted to further my knowledge and education and expand my scope of practice. 

Tell us about your role in your program.
In my program, my role is to triage endoscopy referrals, consult with patients prior to endoscopy procedures, and manage primary care gastrointestinal conditions for patients who do not have a primary care provider. I also work in collaboration with the general surgeons in surgery clinics for hernia repairs and cholecystectomies. 

What is the most challenging part of your profession?
As a new graduate, one of the most challenging aspects is building confidence within my expanded scope of practice. Transitioning from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner brings a new level of responsibility in diagnosing, prescribing, and managing care independently, which can feel overwhelming at times. Additionally, staying current with medical knowledge is essential, as new research, guidelines, and treatment approaches are constantly emerging. Balancing the demands of patient care with the commitment to continuous learning requires dedication and resilience. However, I view these challenges as opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my profession is working with patients without a primary care provider, managing their conditions and seeing their health improve over time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to build a therapeutic relationship with these patients and to play a role in helping them achieve better health outcomes. Additionally, I appreciate the diversity of my patient population, as it allows me to work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives that enrich my practice. 

Do you have any advice for those considering a career as a Nurse Practitioner?
If you’re passionate about expanding your scope of practice, enjoy a wide range of career opportunities, and have a strong interest in primary care, becoming an NP can be incredibly rewarding. NPs can work independently and provide comprehensive care, building long-term relationships with patients and managing a variety of conditions. This role is particularly impactful in regions like Northwestern Ontario, where access to healthcare can be limited.

TBRHSC’s EFAP provider, Thunder Bay Counselling, will be on site November 8 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for staff to learn more about their services. 

They will have a booth set up at the bottom of the grand stair case.

Staff are encouraged to attend the upcoming Lunch and Learn, on November 7 & 8, in recognition of Treaty Recognition Week 2024 (November 3-9, 2024).

We will be viewing a series of short videos, where we will hear Indigenous speakers share their knowledge about the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and rights in Ontario.

There will be two sessions, each session will show different videos from the series, Indigenous Voices on Treaties. Both events will take place in ICP Main from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Session 1 (November 7, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.):

1. Chad Solomon (and Rabbit) on what is a promise
2. Maurice Switzer on what is a treaty anyway
3. Brenda Collins on what is a Wampum belt
4. Robert Greene on how treaties affect all aspects of life
5. Bentley Cheechoo on becoming a treaty Knowledge Keeper
6. Darrell Boissoneau on pre-Confederation treaties
7. Bentley Cheechoo on treaties’ impact on his family

Session 2 (November 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.):

1. Gerry Duquette Jr. on treaty responsibilities
2. Ange Loft on the importance of gift giving
3. Sylvia Maracle on how the treaty process has changed
4. Cora-Lee McGuire-Cyrette on oral history and women’s role in treaty signing
5. Maurice Switzer on reconciliation and treaty recognition
6. Anne Taylor on Treaty 20 and land stewardship
7. Doug Williams on treaties’ impact on First Nations languages and cultures

Raffle Alert: Each session attended will quality you for 1 ballot entry for a prize basket.  Draw to be done on Monday, November 11.

Please register for each session by clicking on the links below:
Session 1: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1058842599719?aff=oddtdtcreator
Session 1: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1058758789039?aff=oddtdtcreator

Lunch to be provided. Please bring your own beverage.

Happy Ethics Week!

As part of our Ethics Week celebration, we’re excited to highlight the role ethics plays in various areas across the organization with a feature called “Faces of Ethics.” Ethics is for everyone, and together, we can make decisions that matter.

Indigenous Care Coordinators

What does your department do?

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), in collaboration with Anishnawbe Mushkiki and Grand Council Treaty #3, has established Indigenous Care Coordinators (ICCs) to support Indigenous inpatients through culturally sensitive care and Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC). ICCs help Indigenous patients navigate health and mental health services, act as liaisons with local organizations, and advocate for patients’ needs.

ICCs work in collaboration with all TBRHSC support staff such as social workers, patient flow coordinators, nurses and physicians to ensure culturally safe care and discharge enhancing patient satisfaction and experience through comprehensive, culturally respectful care.

Their services include:

• Language support in Cree, Oji-Cree, and Ojibwe
• Culturally sensitive education and information
• Coordination of discharge planning and connection to community resources
• Arranging traditional care, spiritual support, and iPad lending for virtual connections
• Assisting with health benefits, assisted living arrangements, and equipment needs

Learn more by watching this video or reading this information sheet.

What ethical questions arise in your area?

Indigenous family structures go beyond the nuclear families living under one roof. Their views are interconnected to the land and have strong ties to relationships from families, communities, and Nations. Each community has unique values and beliefs based on their Indigenous teachings of health, illness, birth, and death and will differ across our region. Suffering from Canada’s past histories of residential schools, Indian hospitals, and lack of basic care have made Indigenous populations vulnerable, with many unmet basic health needs and medical equipment in their communities.

Ethical questions that arise include:

• Having to mediate who the family decision maker will be
• Refusal of traditional items or requests
• Refusing medications based on discrimination
• Ensuring traditional end of life ceremonial requests are approved

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Ethics Affects Us All. If you’re facing an ethical dilemma or have questions, reach out to the Bioethicist, or a member of the ethics committee for support.

Bioethicist: Michelle Allain – michelle.allain@tbh.net | 807-630-0406

Happy Ethics Week!

As part of our Ethics Week celebration, we’re excited to highlight the role ethics plays in various areas across the organization with a feature called “Faces of Ethics.” Ethics is for everyone, and together, we can make decisions that matter.

Northwest Regional Renal Program

1) What does your department do?

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre North West Regional Renal Program provides a wide range of services to people living in Northwestern Ontario with kidney disease. This includes education, decision making support and treatment provided in the Multi-Care Kidney Clinic, in the dialysis units (TBRHSC & satellite units in Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout and Kenora), to our patients utilizing home modalities of dialysis across the Northwest, as well as pre and post transplant, and living kidney donation care. The goal is to provide the right care at the right time for our patients, knowing that their needs will change at the different stages of kidney disease. For that reason, our services are customized to each person’s needs.

2) What kind of ethical issues come up in your area?

Throughout a persons experience with kidney disease there are a number of decisions or experiences that can happen which bring up ethical dilemmas for staff, patients and families. Some areas have included: Respect of autonomy (eg. Consent/capacity, withdrawal of care); Non-maleficence/beneficence (eg. balancing risks/benefits for vulnerable groups, impact of comorbidities); Moral/Religious and Spiritual dilemmas; and Justice (eg. equity of access to care based on social determinants of health).

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Ethics Affects Us All. If you’re facing an ethical dilemma or have questions, reach out to the Bioethicist, or a member of the ethics committee for support.

Bioethicist: Michelle Allain – michelle.allain@tbh.net | 807-630-0406

Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Confederation College Negahneewin Office invite you to join us for our virtual Treaty Week Event with Mike Restoule on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Please share widely.

Event Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – 11:30am to 1:00pm EST

Event Location: Via Zoom (live-streamed in the Shuniah Lounge at Confederation College and to the Public)

Register in advance

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEofuChpj8rGtB2OJEcF8srC0Ynow28pcTJ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Everyone Welcome!

Insulin Pens will now be dispensed at the hospital. Look to your MAR to guide administration changes from vial and syringe to insulin pens.