Reminder: COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna XBB.1.5) available through Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

The last day of the COVID-19 vaccine clinic is this Friday, December 15.

Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Appointments can be booked by calling the OHS department at 807-684-6212. There are many spaces available. Drop in will also be accepted.

To be eligible for the vaccine, you must be a health care worker 18 yrs of age and a minimum of 6 months (168 days) since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection (whichever is later).

A confirmed COVID-19 infection is one that has been confirmed by molecular (i.e. PCR) or a rapid antigen test, or where you experienced symptoms after contact with a household member who had a positive test.

Staff must bring a piece of government issued Identification in order to obtain the vaccine. Your health card or driver’s license is acceptable.

Today’s Holiday Cheer Week Feature Event is ‘Don’t ‘Should’ on Yourself’ presented by Katelyn Filice. It is being held in in ICP Main Meeting Room 2178 – don’t miss out!

Don’t ‘Should’ on Yourself – Tips and Tricks to Help set Boundaries

Exploring your own individual values to help support establishing personal, emotional and physical boundaries with others as well as yourself. Explore and obtain therapeutic strategies to build the confidence to communicate and maintain your set boundaries as you near the holiday season that can also be applied in your everyday practices. Learn to say no and not feel guilty for prioritizing yourself and your mental health needs.

Katelyn Filice, MACP, RP (Qualifying)

Katelyn is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with two years of clinical psychotherapy experience. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lakehead University and a Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Katelyn has experience providing supportive Person Centered therapy as well as providing structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program and St. Joseph’s Care Group Behavioral Sciences Center. She has experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, addictions, stress, relationships, employment, and workplace issues. She focuses on supporting each individual from where they are to achieve their unique goals. She values empathy, acceptance and respect for each person. She strives to provide a non-judgmental, safe, collaborative, and empowering environment that honors each person’s strengths and autonomy.

Two sessions – December 12 at 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This week’s feature event is the Holiday Market from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11 in Auditorium A & B on the third floor. 27 local vendors will be selling local handmade goods and products for staff, learners and volunteers.

Do you need to find a local handmade gift for that special someone? Look no further! Come by for a visit and get a head start on your holiday shopping, right at here in our Hospital.

There are still a few days left to complete your Employee and Professional Staff Engagement Survey. The deadline to complete the Survey is December 10, 2023.

As of December 8, 2023, we have reached a participation rate of 53%! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete the survey and get us closer to our goal completion rate of 75%.

The virtual Health Research Speaker Series has returned! December’s presenter, Rabail Siddiqui, Research Development Coordinator at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI), has more than five years of experience in research including clinical and translational research. Join us for her presentation on December 7 (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) via Webex.

Clickable links in poster here.

Wednesday, December 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Are you on dialysis and hoping for a kidney transplant? Are you interested in becoming a living kidney donor? Receive practical advice from kidney transplant patients and donors who’ve been through this journey.

Please register to join by ZOOM or phone in. Call 1-833-274-3740

RSVP to webinarregistration@transplantambassadors.ca.

The annual NOSM University Holiday Charity Concert will be held on December 7, at 7:00 p.m., at the Urban Abbey. This year’s proceeds will be going towards Compass North, a local student-led healthcare organization.

Physicians, Pharmacists and Health Care Professionals are invited to gain appreciation and an understanding of Indigenous Traditional Medicines and Healing and become a collaborator with the Indigenous Health Teams at SJCG and TBRHSC. By doing so, honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action:

“We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.”

Join Elder Ron Linklater on Wednesday, December 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to learn about Traditional Medicine and Healing.

Learners will be able to identify:

• The importance and scope of Indigenous medicines and culturally safe practices as a key component of their health care experience
• Means to access Indigenous Healing knowledge and work with the Indigenous team to best incorporate it into patient centered care plans and improve communication among team members
• Ways to increase frequency and effectiveness of referrals to N’Doo’Owe Binesi (Indigenous Health Team) at SJCG

To RSVP, email Carly McInrue at carly.mcinrue@tbh.net.

Shared on behalf of Phil Thompson, Code Brown Executive Sponsor

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The Hospital’s Code Brown (EMER-100) policy is due to be exercised. A Code Brown drill has therefore been scheduled for Tuesday December 5, 2023 at 1400 hr. The purpose of this drill is to practice the actions to be taken when a potentially unknown and/or unmanageable substance is found within the Hospital (980 Oliver Rd).

Managers: Circulate this memo to staff, including employees without regular access to email, and post the attached drill poster in your unit.

What am I expected to do?

Upon overhead drill announcement:

All staff

• Remain off all elevators for 5 minutes following initial announcement.
• Do not travel to or through the area where the Code Brown is located.
• Communicate with patients and visitors during the drill that this activity is part of the Hospital’s emergency preparedness training and patient care services are continuing as normal.

Code Brown Response Team

• Predesignated responders (includes Housekeeping, Security, Maintenance, and Nuclear Medicine) will report to the incident site.

What happens if a real emergency occurs during the drill? If the drill must be stopped due to a real emergency, Switchboard will immediately announce “Code Brown Drill – All Clear” overhead, followed by “NO DUFF, NO DUFF + relevant colour code announcement”.

Thank you for your participation and cooperation. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).

Deadline extended to December 3rd

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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.