It’s National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Grace Fleming, a nursing student at Oshki-Wenjack.
Grace Fleming has worked as a ward clerk at Red Lake Hospital since 2014. Grace knew early in her employment that she wanted to become a nurse, but the opportunities to advance her career in Red Lake were limited. In 2022, she discovered a nursing program at Oshki-Wenjack. “Oshki has allowed me the ability to do most of the program from my hometown,” says Grace. “I have enjoyed the small class sizes, and the one-on-one learning. I am looking forward to starting my career in my hometown of Red Lake.”
It’s National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Mary Flaherty a Registered Nurse at our Hospital.
Mary Flaherty graduated from Lakehead University in June 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Currently, she is working as a Registered Nurse on 3B, a surgical inpatient unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre. Mary has learned a lot during the last year and a half, and she has advanced from being a new graduate to becoming a reliable member of the team. She often serves as a unit lead, managing various situations beyond the typical caseload, which makes for an exciting and ever-changing environment. Mary says that her passion for nursing has grown through the experiences she has shared with fellow staff and patients she has worked with. She credits the amazing nurses she works with on 3B for their help and guidance, which has shaped her into the nurse she is today. Mary hopes to set an example for future generations of nurses and to be a role model of patient-centred care.
This week is Emergency Preparedness Week! This year’s theme is “Be Prepared. Know your Risks”. The intent of the theme is to encourage us all to understand the risks in our area and learn what actions we can take to protect ourselves, our families, and our community.
Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC
Here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) we want to strive to continuously improve our level of organizational emergency preparedness. What can you do to help?
Ensure emergency binders have up to date policies and departmental sub plans.
Regularly inspect emergency response equipment in your area (e.g., fail safe phones), report safety concerns, and submit work orders as appropriate.
Stay up to date on safety and emergency preparedness news, such as this recent Fire Safety memo with information about what you can do to reduce fire hazards in the Hospital.
Take part in educational opportunities such as virtual and in-person training, drills, and exercises
Did You Know: grease, dust, and corrosion can all prevent fire sprinklers from working as designed? Submit cleaning work orders for dirty sprinkler heads when you see them.
Coming Soon!
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue will be onsite later this month to support two drop-in style learning sessions for alternative evacuation techniques (e.g., blanket drag). Brush up on your knowledge of evacuation methods in advance by reviewing Code Green – Evacuation (EMER-90) and watching the following patient transfer video.
Stop by for some hands on learning:
May 23rd between from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in ICP 2178 Main Meeting Room.
May 28th between 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Auditorium B (3rd level)
If you have questions, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net)
Debra Croswell has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to enhancing the experience of her fellow staff members in a truly remarkable way.
Debra’s unwavering dedication to supporting her colleagues is evident in her daily actions. She plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among our various teams, including the Mental Health Assessment Team, Consultation Liaison Team, Community Treatment Order Team, and Brief Intervention Treatment Team. Debra goes above and beyond to ensure that all staff members feel supported and valued. She readily offers assistance and guidance, creating an environment where collaboration and teamwork thrive. Her commitment to supporting the well-being of her colleagues extends beyond the workplace, as she consistently goes the extra mile to provide emotional support and encouragement to those in need.
Debra serves as a shining example of what it means to be a positive role model within our organization. Her professionalism, integrity, and dedication to excellence inspire those around her to strive for greatness. She leads by example, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for improving patient care and staff satisfaction. Her positive attitude and approachable demeanor create a supportive and uplifting atmosphere where colleagues feel empowered to excel in their roles.
Debra’s ability to navigate challenging situations with grace and resilience serves as a source of inspiration for her peers, motivating them to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. We are truly grateful to have her on my team.
It’s National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Christian Popa, a Nurse Practitioner at our Hospital.
Christian is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner specializing in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner certification, a Masters Degree, and expertise in Emergency and Trauma Nursing, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field.
Motivated by a desire for in-depth medical knowledge and a lifelong commitment to learning, Christian transitioned from a background in emergency department nursing to the Nurse Practitioner role. This position allows for both autonomy and collaborative care, ensuring the highest quality treatment for patients in Northwestern Ontario.
Championing Patient Continuity of Care: Christian’s dedication to patient well-being extends beyond the initial treatment phase. Notably, Christian spearheaded the implementation of the hospital’s Trauma Follow-up Clinic. This innovative initiative ensures comprehensive post-discharge care for trauma patients, promoting a smoother recovery journey, and avoiding readmissions to hospital.
As part of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery team, Christian excels in providing comprehensive care from admission to discharge and follow-up in his clinic. This includes patient assessments, treatment implementation, cross-specialty consultations, procedural expertise, and patient, family, and staff education. Christian is dedicated to safe, seamless transitions of care through a strong multidisciplinary approach. He possesses a keen interest in advanced procedures, regularly expanding his skillset to provide the best possible care for his patients.
A key highlight is involvement in outpatient follow-up, promoting full recovery for trauma patients, as well as in research and policy development to advance the field. Beyond direct patient care, Christian is passionate about injury prevention, community health education, and knowledge translation. Teaching students and residents is a significant and rewarding part of his role.
Click HEREto complete today’s National Nursing Week Trivia Questions.
Each submission will be entered into a draw to win prizes! Winners will be announced on the Daily Informed Newsletter during National Nursing Week (May 6-12).
Bradley Cox is someone that has embodied the values and behaviors that we want to see in our nurses. He has supported numerous student and new-hire nurses to find their footing in a challenging and ever-changing atmosphere. Bradley has supported his peers in helping to create an environment in which new nurses and students feel welcomed and supported. His colleagues have received feedback from new-hire nurses, orienteees, students and peers that Bradley is approachable, engaged and active in his approach to teaching.
A big congratulations to Bradley on receiving the preceptor award! He demonstrates hard work and dedication to the nursing profession through his efforts in supporting several nursing students as well as new hires over the past few years. His great work ethic and contribution to quality patient care on 3A is second to none. We are very lucky to have him as part of our team.
This week is Emergency Preparedness Week! This year’s theme is “Be Prepared. Know your Risks”. The intent of the theme is to encourage us all to understand the risks in our area and learn what actions we can take to protect ourselves, our families, and our community.
Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC
Here at TBRHSC we recognize the importance of running regular emergency preparedness drills and exercises to help us test and validate our response plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities. They also help us identify strengths, areas for improvement, and potential best practices.
So far this year Interprofessional Education and Emergency Preparedness have successfully completed the following drills and exercises:
4 Code Blue
4 Code Red
2 Code Black
1 Code Pink
1 Code White
1 Code Amber
1 Fan Out
Thank you to everyone who’s engaged so far! These have been great learning opportunities for the entire organization, with drill observers reporting active participation from across the hospital.
But it doesn’t stop there. Check out the list of drills and exercises we have planned so far for later this year:
7 Code Red & 1 Code Red to Code Green (Minimum Staffing)
3 Code Blue
3 Code NRP
2 Code Pink
1 Code White
1 Code Amber
1 Code Orange – Stage 1
1 Fan Out
Note: the above list doesn’t even capture upcoming exercises that include collaboration between TBRHSC and external stakeholders, such as the City of Thunder Bay’s annual emergency management exercise.
Future goals include improving our ability to capture who has attended mock codes and exercises, as well as improving our methods of capturing participant feedback. We are also dedicated to enhancing and formalizing our debriefing processes.
It’s National Nursing Week and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is highlighting a few of our nurses and their achievements. Meet Sara Bobyk, a Registered Practical Nurse at our Hospital.
Sara graduated from Confederation College in 2016. With over eight years of nursing experience across various settings, Sara has thrived in supporting patients across many areas of the healthcare system. From her time at Roseview Manor (LTC) to the OATC methadone clinic and now the last six years in acute care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Sara has consistently found deep fulfillment in helping and caring for patients as they go through some of the most difficult moments of their life.
“I enjoy building connections with patients and appreciate the opportunity to learn about their unique backgrounds and stories,” says Sara. “It is fulfilling to see patients get better and be able to provide comfort to those who might not have supported or don’t have a good prognosis.”
Every day, Brittney McLaughlin leads by example, demonstrating a tireless work ethic and an unyielding commitment to the organization and further, the Interprofessional Education team. Her ability to navigate complex challenges with grace and determination serves as a guiding light for her colleagues, instilling confidence and fostering a culture of excellence.
Beyond her clinical, education, leadership and research expertise, Brittney possesses a rare gift for uplifting, supporting and empowering those around her. She recognizes the unique strengths of each team member and works collaboratively with all to advance the health system. Even though Brittney is a nurse by background, she is committed to interprofessional advancements and takes great pride in their successes.
She goes above and beyond the call of duty, consistently investing time and effort in all she does. She approaches every challenge with tenacity, resilience, and determination to succeed. In the face of program adversities, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty, she remained steadfast and unwavering. Her unwavering resolve and optimism has served as a strength for the entire team.
In essence, Brittney is more than just a nursing leader; she is a visionary, a mentor, and a source of inspiration for us all. Her impact on our department is immeasurable.
