Shared on behalf of Medical & Academic Affairs

---

Medical Affairs is excited to announce that Dr. Elham Talachian has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a Pediatrician with the Department of Paediatrics.

Dr. Elham Talachian brings over 25 years of experience in Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterology. She completed her medical degree and pediatric training at Iran University of Medical Sciences, followed by subspecialty training in Pediatric Gastroenterology at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Her academic excellence includes ranking first in the National Pediatrics Board Examination and second in the national pediatric subspecialty exam.

Dr. Talachian served as a Professor of Medicine and faculty member at IUMS, where she also led the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department. Her leadership roles have included CEO of Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital and adviser to the Chancellor of IUMS on Women’s Affairs. She also pioneered Iran’s first subspecialty training program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

In addition to her extensive clinical expertise and experience in pediatric gastrointestinal procedures, Dr. Talachian has authored book chapters and peer-reviewed publications. She is deeply committed to child health advocacy, nutrition, and community outreach, and has volunteered extensively in pediatric health charities.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Talachian. We are excited for the expertise and compassionate care she brings to our patients and families, and we look forward to her many contributions to our community.

We are excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 iCare Impact Awards are now open!

The iCare Impact Awards are a peer-to-peer recognition program, aimed at highlighting the behaviours and initiatives that support our mission, vision, and values and strategic directions. The iCare Impact Awards recognize outcomes and impacts, and the people who made those outcomes possible. The program is open to all employees, professional staff, Patient Family Advisors, and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding efforts of your colleagues. Nominations will close on October 20, 2025.

Submit your nomination today at icare-awards.tbrhsc.net.

Reminder: The 2025 Foundation Family CARE Grant Cycle is open! Completed applications are due Friday, October 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. and should be submitted directly to Laura Andricciola.

Mandatory application requirements:

• Four (4) hard copies (including the original) with all required signatures – Applicant, Patient & Family Advisor, Program Director/Manager, and Vice President – submitted in person to Office 2232 or via interdepartmental mail.
• One (1) electronic copy via email (.doc or .pdf).
• All costs in Canadian dollars, including taxes, shipping & handling, and delivery.
• Price quotations or invoices for all requested items.
• Separate form for each request.
• Equipment, capital improvement, or furniture requests must comply with TBRHSC standards and be supported by the Centre.
• Applications must meet eligibility criteria; ineligible items include single-use/consumables, conferences, professional development, certain tech, or staff-only items.

Applications missing signatures, quotes/invoices, or required information will not be considered, so please ensure everything is complete.

Attached for reference are the application form (Word & PDF), scoring rubric, and an example of a well-written application from last year.

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Laura Andricciola at Laura.Andricciola@tbh.net for clarification or assistance.

Spirit Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. We encourage all staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers to wear purple on Thursday, October 16 to show their solidarity with 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth, and to take a stand against bullying and harassment of 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Rae-Anne Robinson, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator at: Rae-Anne.Robinson@tbh.net

National Coming Out Day is observed annually on October 11. It is a day to celebrate authenticity, acknowledge the courage of 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and reaffirm our commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all.

What is does it mean to “Come Out”?

“Coming out” refers to the process of recognizing, accepting, and sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation. This journey is deeply personal and often begins with self-acknowledgment, followed by the decision to share that identity with others if it feels safe and comfortable to do so. Because coming out can involve both risks and rewards, each 2SLGBTQQIA+ person decides for themselves if, when, and with whom to share their identity.

Why is this important to health care?

Coming out is not a one-time event — it is an ongoing process. As 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals navigate different stages of life and meet new people, they may continually face the decision of whether or not to disclose their identity, including to health care providers.

Unfortunately, experiences of stigma, discrimination, and negative attitudes within the health care system can make some 2SLGBTQQIA+ people hesitant to seek care. This can lead to delayed treatment or avoidance of health care services altogether, contributing to inequitable health outcomes.

How can we be allies to 2SLGBTQQIA+ patients?

With an estimated 1.3 million 2SLGBTQQIA+ people living in Canada, it is essential to ensure that health care spaces are inclusive, welcoming, and gender-affirming. By fostering an environment of respect and understanding, health care providers can help all patients feel safe, seen, and supported.

1. Learn. To learn more about the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, including the inequities and challenges they face when accessing health care, and how you can provide gender-affirming care, seek education opportunities!
   • Rainbow Health Ontario’s 2SLGBTQ Foundations Course is a great place to start. Check out their website at: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/
   • Egale Canada also offers tips on how to be an ally to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community: https://egale.ca/awareness/tips-on-how-to-practice-lgbtqi2s-allyship/
2. Use Inclusive Language. This includes using gender-neutral language, and affirming communication. You can learn more about inclusive language and pronoun usage here: 
   • To learn more about affirming and inclusive language on Egale Canada at: https://egale.ca/awareness/affirming-and-inclusive-language/
   • To learn more about using pronouns, Egale Canada offers a Pronoun Usage Guide: https://egale.ca/awareness/pronoun-usage-guide/
3. Participate. Join the Hospital’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

To learn more about National Coming Out Day, please go to Fenway Health: https://fenwayhealth.org/lgbtqia-history-month-national-coming-out-day-2024/

You can learn more about inclusive health care for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people on the Canadian Medical Association website at: https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/what-does-2slgbtqia-inclusive-care-mean-canada

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Rae-Anne Robinson, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator at: Rae-Anne.Robinson@tbh.net

Join us on Thursday, October 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Auditorium A/B (3rd Level) for an engaging Trivia Night in support of Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-10).

• Teams should consist of four to six members, and at least one member must be a TBRHSC/TBRHRI employee.
• Non-employees are welcome to join teams as well.
• If you don’t have a team, individual registration is available, and you will be placed on a team.
• Enjoy snacks and refreshments throughout the evening.
• Exciting prizes await the winning team!

Register now by scanning the QR code below:

Click here for details on other events and activities taking place during Mental Illness Awareness Week.