Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), joined by Elder Myria Esquega, drummers, and artist Ryan Pooman from Thunder Bay, commemorated the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day).

“Today, we honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “We take our role in Truth and Reconciliation as a regional acute care provider very seriously, and have undertaken a number of initiatives to support healing and reconciliation.”

A pair of powerful symbols of the Hospital’s commitment have been unveiled today. The first, a newly raised, 20-foot tall tipi served as the backdrop as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation began with singing and drumming by local women. Elder Myria Esquega (member of Fort William First Nation) led the ceremonial opening of the tipi with prayer and smudging with the sacred medicines, tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass. “Having a tipi onsite at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is a culturally significant moment for our organization,” said Crystal Pirie, Senior Director, Indigenous Collaboration. “It symbolizes our Hospital’s commitment to supporting and enhancing Indigenous peoples’ healing journey while in our care.”

The Indigenous approach to health is to provide treatment for all aspects of oneself – the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self to be able to fully heal. The tipi will serve as a safe cultural space that will allow for gatherings, ceremony, teachings and storytelling.

A large mural at the foot of the Grand Staircase was also unveiled today. Ojibwe artist Ryan Pooman (member of Fort William First Nation) was commissioned to create the ten foot by ten foot mural that welcomes patients, families, visitors and staff to the cafeteria. The bright, colourful image showcases traditional Indigenous foods from Northern Ontario. Stephanie Rowan, Manager, Nutrition and Food Services/GM Sodexo Retail noted, “We are incredibly fortunate to have Ryan’s artwork at the entrance of the cafeteria for everyone to enjoy. The only request we had was that the art tie in food somehow, and other than that, we left it up to him. The end result is amazing, he is an exceptionally talented artist.”

“The events of today are just one step in developing the Hospital as a more culturally inclusive, safe space,” said Dr. Crocker Ellacott. “We recently launched our Strategic Plan 2026, were we identified Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a key strategic priority for our organization. Providing care that honours our patient’s identity, background and experiences will improve health outcomes and quality of care. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, quality and respectful care to Indigenous patients and all the other diverse populations we serve.”

Special thanks also goes out to the generous donors in our community who designate their donations directly to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Family CARE Grant program, which was instrumental in funding the construction of the tipi.

For more information on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation.  

If you’d like to learn more about TBRHSC’s Strategic Plan 2026, please visit https://tbrhsc.net/tbrhsc/strategic-plan-2026/.

To register for this talk, please click the following link:

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIodOGurz0pGN15Ql6toG9QIrPvUjUnlAY5

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Deconstructing the Reconciliation Conversation with Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux

Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years. Effective September 2016 she was appointed as the 1st Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University and continues to develop pathways forward to reconciliation across Canada.

Cynthia was the inaugural Nexen Chair for Indigenous Leadership at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and remains a facultymember in the Indigenous Learning program. She is the Chair of the Teach for Canada non-profit which recruits teachers for remoteFirst Nation schools. Cynthia was inducted as a “Honourary Witness” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2014, and is the Chair of the Governing Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Man

She is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding. She sees endless merit in bringing people from diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds together to engage in practical dialogue and applied research initiatives. She is deeply committed to public education and active youth engagement from all cultures and backgrounds. She co-founded a youth project out of the University of Toronto, the University of Saskatchewan and Lakehead University. More information on the Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) can be found at: www.canadianroots.ca.

Everyone is welcome.

Shared on behalf of Allan Korol, Acting Director of Capital and Facilities Services

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Please be advised that a Code Red to Code Green-STAT Evacuation drill is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 2030h. The exercise will be simulated to reflect hospital operations at 0300h, when staffing levels are at their lowest. Mock patients will be evacuated from 3C Neuro. This exercise is required by Fire Code and will be evaluated by internal observers and Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue.

Managers:

1. Circulate this memo and attached documents to staff, including employees without regular access to email, and post the attached drill poster in your unit.
2. Distribute the attached Memo to Patients/Visitors.
3. Ensure that the most up to date policy versions for Code Red (EMER-30) and Code Green (EMER-90), as well as applicable department sub plans, are in your area’s emergency binder.

All staff:

1. Know the location of the fire vest and emergency code binder in your unit.
2. Know the location of the drill/evacuation site.
3. Review the Hospital’s Code Red & Code Green policies, as well as applicable department sub plans, and be aware of any instructions specific to your role and department.

What am I expected to do?

1. Areas that normally operate at 0300h will respond as per Code Red and Code Green policies and relevant sub plans.
2. Upon hearing “Code Green + Location to Location” each unit will send one staff member to the evacuation site to assist, unless the unit’s sub plan indicates otherwise.
3. Staff are to remain in their unit until “Code Green Drill – All Clear” is announced overhead, unless they have been assigned to respond.
4. Staff are to inform patients and visitors that there is a drill in progress.
5. All participating departments are to complete a Code Red eObservation Form.

What happens if a real emergency occurs during the drill?

• To communicate a real Code Red or Code Green during the exercise, the code word (to be stated over any phone/radio/paging system) is: “NO DUFF, NO DUFF + relevant colour code announcement.”
• If the drill must be stopped due to real emergency, Switchboard will immediately announce “Code Red + Green 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)

September 21, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Event Start at 6:30 p.m.

Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
712 Macdonell St.

Join the Northwestern Ontario team for a night of meeting and engaging with other health leaders in Northwestern Ontario. Light appetizers will be provided, with a cash bar.

Fees:

CCHL Member: $25
CCHL Student Member: $25
Non Member: $35

To register, please go to https://lnkd.in/g9DSc29B

This course is designed for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies.

Please see poster for more details.

Neonatal Nurses Week (September 12-18) provides an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of neonatal nurses. The contributions of these health care heroes to the tiniest patients make a difference that lasts a lifetime for neonates and their families.

Pictured above (L-R): NICU nurses Michelle Lauzon, Giulia Pilato, Kiersten Ek, Marta Nesti, Brianne Belanger and Manager Jennifer Somera

Please join us in thanking our NICU nurses for their tremendous contributions to patient and family centred care.