Good news! If you have not completed your Employee and Professional Staff Engagement Survey, you still have time to do so. The closing date for the survey has been extended to December 3, 2023.
Our current survey response rate is 42% and we are looking for your help to reach our goal of 75%.
As a thank you for your participation, you will be entered into a draw for a series of prizes including several gift cards and free parking.
Please complete your survey and share your valued anonymous opinions and feedback to help make our Hospital and Health Research Institute a place where we will all want to work, grow and thrive.
If you have any questions, contact Amy Carr at extension 6106 or Kelly-Jo Gillis at extension 7221. You can also refer to the FAQs attached below and posted on the iNtranet.
Some of TBRHSC’s Physician Assistants (L-R): Carleigh Sawula (Oncology), Carly Melchers (GI), Victoria Lemay – Stirrup (Neurosurgery) and Brett Glena (ED) Not pictured: PAs Ella Besserer, Ismat Zeeshan and Kyle Stroomer
On November 27, Canadians celebrate National Physician Assistant Day, which recognizes the physician assistant (PA) profession and its contributions to health care in Canada. Working alongside physicians and other health professionals, PAs are having a positive impact on many aspects of health care from emergency room wait times, access to primary care, the quality of seniors care and access to health care in rural communities.
This year, we connected with Brett Glena, who works in the Emergency Department, to learn more about the profession.
Why did you decide to become a physician assistant?
I have wanted to help people since I was a child, but wasn’t sure the best avenue for me to do so. Once I heard about the PA profession, I knew it was perfect for me. I get to help patients and decrease the burden on our health care system, while being able to maintain a work-life balance that fits with my busy day-to-day life.
Tell us about your role in the ED.
In the Emergency Department, I work with the physicians to aid them in attending to more patients. I also work directly with nurses, clerks, support workers, and other medical professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team to help the department run smoothly, improving wait times and patient experience.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to assist patients with their medical issues. Whether it is figuring out a difficult diagnosis or coming up with a treatment plan with the patient, knowing I helped them makes coming to work everyday more than worth it!
What would you tell someone looking to pursue a career as a physician assistant?
I would tell them that physician assistants help to improve our health care system by aiding physicians in seeing more patients, and that it is a rewarding career that I could not recommend more. I would then advise that they look into which of the schools offering a physician assistant program works best for them and to apply, as the field is only growing.
Join us in celebrating our PAs and thanking them for their important and life-saving contributions. Learn more about the profession by visiting the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants website.
Rebounding from Burnout – Daily Strategies for Managing Stress, Thriving and Reviving
Thursday, November 30 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Burnout rates and compassion fatigue are higher than ever and most people want to revive, thrive and feel vibrant again. There are skills for navigating daily stressors that can be protective to our physical, mental and emotional well-being while preventing both burnout and compassion fatigue. There are also strategies for better work-life balance that can serve us well for our mood and relationships. If you are someone who finds it hard to care for yourself while taking care of others, you are not alone, and this workshop is for you. Expect to learn, reflect, try skills and build your personal toolkit with take home strategies that protect your mental health, prevent further burnout and bolster your overall well-being in all areas of life.
This workshop will be presented by Shannon Gander, a mental health and resiliency strategist, from Life Work Wellness.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) will be visiting the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
Dr. Grinspun is inviting all nurses and allied health professionals to attend a meet and great in the Executive Boardroom from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. She will be providing an update on RNAO activities, exciting initiatives and would like to acknowledge our work as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization.
About our guest speaker:
Dr. Doris Grinspun is the CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in the province of Ontario. She is the founder and visionary for RNAO’s internationally renowned Best Practice Guidelines Program and a leading figure in Canadian and international health and nursing policy. The widely influential author of 250+ articles, book chapters and a ground-breaking book about the evolution of RNAO’s BPG program has delivered 450+ presentations and keynotes, received 60+ awards and investitures, and participated in 10,000+ media interviews. Doris is a force to be reckoned with and a role model who enriches others’ lives with authenticity, evidence and courage.
What: Meet and Greet with RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun When: Wednesday, November 29, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Where: Executive Boardroom, TBRHSC
It’s drop in day! Do you still need to fill out your Employee and Professional Staff Engagement Survey? Drop by Auditorium A today, Thursday, November 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for access to a computer and refreshments. Tea, coffee and cookies will be offered during the session.
The survey is available for completion until Sunday, November 26. We have a goal of 75% participation and as of November 23, we have reached 34%! Please consider completing your survey and sharing your valued opinions and experiences as we move forward in making our Hospital a better place to work and learn.
Shared on behalf of Arnold Bylund, Coordinator – Physical Plant and Mechanical
Maintenance will be doing a necessary domestic hot water outage scheduled for Wednesday November 22 at 8:00 p.m. and will last up to three hours. At this time there will be limited to no hot water to the sinks and showers for all PATIENT ROOMS, L&D, CAMHU, OR, RECOVERY, ED, MDRD, DI, LAB areas, and the ICU.
Domestic cold water will still be on to all sinks and showers and to the toilets.
Key points to consider when planning for this shut down period:
AREAS NOT EFFECTED BY THIS OUTAGE ARE FORENSICS, AMH, CANCER CENTER, LAUNDRY and KITCHEN/CAFE
Thank you for your cooperation.
For more information, contact Arnold Bylund, Coordinator – Physical Plant and Mechanical at ext. 6356 or bylunda@tbh.net.
Drop in today, November 17, between 8:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department continues to offer the COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna XBB.1.5) for all staff, professional staff and volunteers by appointment every Friday through to December 15 (last day).
Hours of operation are 0800-1600hrs.
An appointment can be made by calling extension 6212 or emailing TBRHSC.OccupationalHealthandSafety@tbh.net.
The flu vaccine continues to be available to all. Staff can call ext 6212 or email TBRHSC.OccupationalHealthandSafety@tbh.net.
Drop in clinics for the flu vaccine continue to be held every Thursday in the OHS department. We have lots of availability in the COVID-19 clinics at this time.
Staff must bring a piece of government issued identification in order to obtain the vaccine. Your health card or driver’s license are acceptable forms of ID.
Friendly reminder that there will be drop in sessions to complete the Employee and Professional Staff Engagement Survey if you do not have access to a computer in Auditorium A (3rd Level)TODAY from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Can’t make it today? The next drop in session will be available on Thursday, November 23, 2023 in Auditorium A (3rd Level), from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
