Shelagh* O’Leary-Ongaro from Newmarket is swimming in cash as July’s Thunder Bay 50/50 grand prize winner, collecting $935,508!

“A very dear friend of mine is from Thunder Bay, and she was telling me about how you guys do the hospital lottery every month,” said Shelagh. “It’s always good to contribute to a hospital. It’s amazing what you’re doing with (your 50/50), so I thought I’d join in.”

To date, over $25 Million in prizes has been awarded to winners from across Ontario. In turn, millions of dollars of vital equipment has been purchased for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Hospital, including new auto-mated medication cabinets in cancer care, surgical daycare and the renal unit.

“The success of the Thunder Bay 50/50 means we are doing more, faster for better local healthcare now,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “What may have taken years to fundraise for, we can fund today thanks to our 50/50 supporters.”

(*pronounced Sheila)

Glenn Craig, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, breaking the good news to Shelagh O’Leary-Ongaro that she won the $935,508 Grand Prize in the July Thunder Bay 50/50.

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“Dog Days of Summer” August Draw Now Open

August’s draw will feature $30,000 in Early Bird draws with the biggest one for $10,000 to be drawn on August 4th!

During August’s “Dog Days of Summer” draw, we will be featuring photos of people’s furry friends on our website and social media all month.

The grand prize jackpot happens Friday, August 25, 2023. Tickets* are now available online at www.thunderbay5050.ca and in-person at the Northwest Store in the Intercity Shopping Centre. Ticket packages are as follows:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers
• $75 for 300 numbers

* Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 24, 2023 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, August 25, at 11:00 a.m.

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years old or older. The Thunder Bay 50/50 continues each month with the Grand Prize drawn on the last Friday of the month. (2023 Lottery Licence RAF1285982)

Via TBNewswatch: Officials have seen a drop in violence against emergency staff since they brought in police officers and extra security guards in July 2022.

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Increased security efforts inside the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre seem to be paying dividends.

Hospital officials brought in Thunder Bay Police Service police officers in July 2022 on the heels of an uptick in violence against staff in the emergency department.

Between April and June of 2022 there were 80 such incidents recorded. For the same time period in 2023, the number has dropped to 10.

While that represents a significant decrease, hospital president and CEO Rhonda Crocker Ellacott feels the latest data is not reason to celebrate.

“Ten is too many, one is too many,” Crocker Ellacott said.

“There has been a 90 per cent reduction but nobody comes to work expecting to be worried about being worrying about being struck, for example. We will continue on these efforts to get to zero. [We will also work] hard to change things to have staff feel comfortable and supported at work, and ensure that there is just zero tolerance for any type of violent incident in the department and in the hospital.”

The hospital is also utilizing security guards in the efforts.

Crocker Ellacott has heard from staff, and they have a strong message for her when it comes to the future of having police officers in the facility.

“The biggest thing I hear is please don’t take any of this away. We need to continue to see that support there. And we are spending a significant amount of dollars on this,” she said. 

“It’s money that I’d like to be spending in a different way on front line health care, but it’s something that you can’t apologize for in terms of trying to create a safe environment where our staff are supported, our staff are safe and patients and families are also safe.”

Crocker Ellacott confirmed more than $1 million is being spent on the initiative.

Earlier estimates indicated that it costs the hospital $2,045 per shift, or approximately $60,000 a month, if police officers fill all shifts.

The cost fluctuates depending on need, resource availability and security staffing.

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This week, members of our leadership team had the opportunity to connect with key stakeholders in our region at an informal reception hosted by Marcus Powlowski, M.P. for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.

Attendees included the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and representatives from Fort William First Nation, Muskrat Dam First Nation, Seven Generations Education Institute, Thunder Bay Police Services, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Lakehead University, Confederation College, and several local business owners.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with our federal government partners and highlight Northwestern Ontario as a unique region, based on population and geography. We were also able to network with representatives from a number of Indigenous communities and organizations to discuss potential future partnerships and collaborations.

Congratulations to our workplace champions in the Active Commute Challenge (ACC). The ACC was a month-long challenge across Thunder Bay and District that encouraged people to switch their ride and actively commute to work. Our Hospital placed 2nd in the large organization category and accumulated an impressive 669 kilometers of active commuting.

An impressive 22,281 km of active commuting were logged throughout the city.

We’d like to congratulate our colleagues and prize winners (pictured left to right): Rajesh Talpade, Jasmine Farmer, and Terry Fodë. Well done to everyone who participated in the ACC this year.

Shared on behalf of the the Regional Food Distribution Association

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Thunder Bay folks never miss an opportunity to surprise us. On Friday, July 21st, the Regional Food Distribution Association received amazing donations (approximately 470 kgs of food) in renal-friendly food drive conducted in support of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre at Real Canadian Superstore. Thank you everyone for bringing in amazing donations and making this food drive successful. Special thanks to John (in blue shirt) for such a generous donation. Each contribution received will make a significant impact in lives of many in our community.

Shared on behalf of Kevin LeFevre, Coordinator – Housekeeping, Laundry, Linen and Portering Services

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Its that time of year for our annual exterior window cleaning at our main building 980 Oliver Road. The contractor will be on site for the next few weeks to complete this work.

Note that all patient room window cleaning will be completed from the ground level but there may be a need for them to use ladders in some instances.

Please inform your staff to make your patients aware of the possibility of someone outside their window over the next few weeks so they are not startled. Lifts will be utilized for the cafeteria and lobby windows.

For those managers who have areas that require special precautions related to access, equipment etc. we will make sure to contact you in advance of their access to your spaces.

If you have any questions please forward them to housekeeping@tbh.net.

You spoke. We listened.

People enjoyed purchasing their Thunder Bay 50/50 tickets at the pop-up store in Intercity Shopping Centre last December. So much so that many requests followed through the Foundation’s social media and annual 50/50 survey to set up a permanent ticket outlet in the mall.

Good news! People can now buy Thunder Bay 50/50 tickets in-person at the Northwest store in ISC, just down the hallway from Marshalls. Tickets can be purchased with cash, debit or credit cards.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Renal Services, in collaboration with the RFDA, will be collecting kidney-friendly foods to help fill our Renal Food Cupboard. The Renal Food Cupboard provides patients in need with access to kidney-friendly foods.

How can you support the Renal Food Cupboard?

Stop by The Real Canadian Superstore (971 Carrick Street) on Friday, July 21 between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to donate, or donations are accepted all year round at Renal Services.

Kidney Friendly Food Donation List

• Oatmeal
• Cereal – Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Special K
• Unsalted/Low sodium crackers – soda or rice crackers, rice thins, rice cakes (plain)
• Unfortified Almond Milk (Tetra Pack)
• Peanut butter
• Pasta noodles
• Rice
• Mayonnaise
• Pesto
• Canned tuna or salmon (packed in water)
• Canned fruits (packed in water)
• Canned vegetables (no tomatoes)
• Applesauce