Stroke is a sudden and life-altering event that may require an extended recovery period. More than 400,000 Canadians are living with the effects of stroke.  Family members and caregivers can also be impacted, often taking on supportive roles in the stroke survivor’s recovery.

Support is essential after stroke. Programs are available throughout Northwestern Ontario to keep people affected by stroke and their caregivers connected and engaged as COVID-19 continues in the community.

March of Dimes Canada’s (MODC) After Stroke program provides support to those impacted by stroke. After Stroke connects stroke survivors and their families with personalized stroke recovery and support services, addressing needs and concerns from the time spent in hospital, through the transition home, and back into the community. In Thunder Bay and surrounding area, MODC has a dedicated, local, After Stroke Coordinator, Leanne Johnson. Johnson’s role is vital throughout the recovery journey, supporting navigation, networking, and referrals.

New with the After Stroke program:

• Living with Stroke Program – An eight-week program developed for people who have had a stroke and their caregivers. This program will be lead by two trained facilitators to focus on setting individualized goals, sharing experiences, building skills and supporting one another.
• In-Person Group Sessions – An opportunity to connect with other stroke survivors through small group sessions offered at Thunder Bay’s MODC site. Upcoming groups scheduled for June 9, 2022 and June 23, 2022. Space is limited.
• Virtual Community Conversation – Every Tuesday 1:00 p.m-2:30 p.m. EST, survivors and caregivers from all over Canada meet, share knowledge and resources.
• Virtual Aphasia Peer Connect Program – An opportunity for people living with aphasia and other communication disorders to come together, meet new people and stay connected in a peer group setting.
• Tech for Good Program – Provides professional assistance to support independent use of a mobile phone and tablet.

There are other programs available, including a variety of options for online support programs, information programs, exercise and movement programs, and social programs. Learn more at www.afterstroke.ca. For more information on After Stroke programs, services, or events, or to register for a program, call Leanne Johnson at (807) 355-5969 or email at ljohnson@marchofdimes.ca.

Other programs supporting stroke survivors and their families in Northwestern Ontario are the Moving on After Stroke (MOST) and the Keep Moving with Stroke programs delivered by St. Joseph’s Care Group. MOST is a Self-Management group that provides 18 sessions of exercise and education over nine weeks.  People with stroke who have completed active stroke rehabilitation as well as their caregivers are encouraged to attend. MOST is available in person in Thunder Bay or via telemedicine technology in Northwestern Ontario. Judy Mostow, MOST Volunteer with 16 years lived experience with stroke, enthusiastically endorses the program, “I want to encourage stroke survivors to have HOPE.  If you are willing to do the hard work, you can and will see improvements in your abilities to move forward.  Also, be patient and when you stop and look back at where you were when the stroke first occurred compared to now, you’ll see that WOW those baby steps really paid off!”

Keep Moving with Stroke (KMWS) is an exercise program running twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday morning at the Canada Games Complex in Thunder Bay.  Everyone participating in the class is a stroke survivor and is required to have an assessment prior to participating to ensure safety.  The instructors for the class, Karen Gorst-Vigliarolo and Derek Ortgiese, have been trained to provide exercise instruction to those who are living with stroke and are very dedicated to making the class fun and effective for all. Diane Chase, a long time participant encourages other stroke survivors to join and said “Attending the Keep Moving with Stroke Class motivates me to keep believing I can move forward. Especially this winter it was particularly difficult to motivate myself to get out of the house, and every time I attend the class I feel better.” For more information or to register for these programs, call St. Joseph’s Care group at (807) 343-2431 extension 2537.

For more information on stroke services in Northwestern Ontario, please contact the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network located at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center, nwostroke@tbh.net or (807) 684-6703.

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Stroke is a medical emergency. This video highlights a patient and family member’s stroke journey while simultaneously demonstrating the delays while self-transporting (split screen left) and the benefits of time savings when accessing EMS (split screen right) to the emergency department.

Northwestern Ontario residents drive to the hospital instead of accessing emergency medical services (EMS) when suspecting stroke. The importance of accessing EMS in stroke care is imperative in our Northwestern Ontario region due to the vast geography.

“We need to be aware of the benefits of calling 911 or your local emergency number and the expertise that first responders and paramedics bring to stroke care,” states Dr. Hassan, Medical Lead for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network. “They are trained to recognize the signs of stroke and mobilize the patient quickly, remotely notifying the emergency department, resulting in saving time.”

Do not delay access to stroke care. Recognize FAST: Face-Is it drooping? Arms-Can you raise both? Speech-Is it slurred or jumbled? And Time, to call 911 or your local emergency number.

To learn more about stroke, visit the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network website: http://nwostroke.ca

In 2018, the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network (NWORSN) team embarked on a bedside research project called “Why 911”. They collected data from patients and families on the Regional Stroke Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center to determine how patients came into the emergency department upon the onset of stroke symptoms. The project was intended to gather information directly from patients and families to help understand why they arrived via EMS or self-transport to the hospital. The NWORSN team utilized the patients’ journeys to drive system change.

The goal of this video is to have an increase in the number of NWO residents who recognize stroke and call 911 or their local emergency number. Minutes matter!

Special thank you to our cast, crew and production team:

• Keli Cristofaro, Creator / Director, NWORSN, TBRHSC
• Jessica McAnulty, Co-Creator / Social Worker, Regional Stroke Unit, TBRHSC
• Bryan Popowich, Executive Producer, Westfort Productions
• Matt Popowich, Creative Director, Westfort Productions
• Patrick Chondon, Photographer, Westfort Productions
• Jordan Wiberg, Audio Engineer / Sound Designer, OK Mixing Studio
• Leanne Baird, Simulation Technologist / Stroke Patient, Medical Affairs, TBRHSC
• Justin BeauParlant, Actor / Spouse, Westfort Productions
• Jessica MacRae, Paramedic, Superior North EMS
• Kevin Bragnalo, Paramedic, Superior North EMS
• Peter Hayes, Clinical Nurse Specialist, ED, TBRHSC
• Kristina Visser, Regional Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist, NWORSN, TBRHSC
• Dr. Ayman Hassan, Neurologist / Stroke Medical Lead, NWORSN, TBRHSC
• Trina Diner, Manager, NWORSN, TBRHSC

Westfort Productions: https://www.westfortproductions.com
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC): https://www.tbrhsc.net
Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network: http://nwostroke.ca

The Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network, part of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), collects and reviews data on the stroke system of care, including how patients arrive at the hospital, rehabilitation, and follow up services, to help drive the delivery of quality care for the people of Northwestern Ontario. Data from 2020-21 shows that stroke care in the region is keeping pace with the province for most reported indicators. Northwestern Ontario is performing well, with almost 70 per cent of people diagnosed with stroke receiving access to Designated Stroke Unit care.

TBRHSC is one of 41 hospitals in Ontario with a specialized stroke unit. Established in 2015, the Regional Stroke Unit is dedicated to caring for patients with stroke and staffed by a specialized team of health care professionals. Stroke unit care has been proven to saves lives and improve outcomes. People who receive stroke unit care are also more likely to return home, and regain independence compared to patients who receive less organized forms of care.

The region has the opportunity to improve referral rates to secondary stroke prevention services after discharge from the Emergency Departments. Data reveals that 30 per cent of people presenting to Emergency Departments in Northwestern Ontario with a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were not referred to stroke prevention services. The Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic at TBRHSC addresses stroke prevention in a coordinated and interprofessional manner, based on best practices. Care includes investigations to determine possible causes of the stroke or TIA as well as providing patient and family education. Patients referred to the clinic are seen by a neurologist, nurse practitioner and a dietitian. Regional patients are linked in Northwestern Ontario to either one of four Community Stroke Prevention Clinics (Kenora, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout and Marathon), or the Family Health Team in Dryden. Patients are assisted to monitor risk factors and assist with lifestyle strategies to prevent reoccurrence.

“By reviewing our annual stroke data we are able to drive improvements,” said Trina Diner, Manager of Regional Stroke Network and Neurology Services. “The Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network continues to look for ways to address unique regional challenges and build on successes to achieve the ultimate fewer strokes and better outcomes for the residents of Northwestern Ontario.”

One important indicator for the public to remember is to call 9-1-1 when experiencing stroke symptoms. Dr. Ayman Hassan, Neurologist and Medical Lead said, “The Stroke Network encourages patients and their families learn the signs of stroke (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) and act FAST. If the signs of stroke are suspected, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away.  The quicker you act, the greater likelihood of accessing brain saving treatment.”

To learn more about stroke care in Northwestern Ontario, please visit www.tbrhsc.net/nwostroke/.

Shared on behalf of Georgia Carr, Manager of Laboratory Services

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Debbie Anderson, Laboratory Administrative Assistant & Office Supervisor, will be retiring on June 30, 2022.

Debbie obtained her Honours Diploma in the Medical Office Assistant program at the Toronto School of Business Career Canada College in 2002. In addition throughout the years, she has also obtained specialized learning in the areas of office suite computer software systems, medical terminology, transcription, chemistry, biology and phlebotomy.

Debbie began her healthcare career at McKellar General Hospital in 2003 in Health Records, which involved dedicated service throughout the amalgamation. Following this, Debbie transitioned through many roles, including Dictation Typist at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, Secretary at the TBRHSC’s CCDC & Maternity Centre, Secretary with the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Clerk III in the Laboratory Services Pathology Office & lastly, becoming the Laboratory Administrative Assistant and Office Supervisor.

This distinctive background has provided Debbie with a unique knowledge base which is beneficial to the lab, overall. Debbie is a key member of the team, with a myriad of duties which includes facilitating varied requests for key stakeholders such as physicians including pathologists, programs and servicing clients both internal and external, lab professionals, etc.

Please come and say goodbye to Debbie between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on June 30 (lab lunch room #1706). Treats will be available. Lastly, Debbie is known for her good sense of humor, kind demeanor and dedication. She will be greatly missed. We wish Debbie the best of luck.

National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

On the morning of June 21, we invited staff to join a Sunrise Ceremony in the Hospital’s Cafeteria courtyard to celebrate the start of National Indigenous Peoples Day. At noon we shared bannock with staff for a midday snack which included a brief teaching about the sixth moon (also known as the strawberry moon). We hope others in the community had the opportunity to participate in similar festivities today to acknowledge the significance of this important day.

Shared on behalf of Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC, and CEO, TBRHRI

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On behalf of the Hospital, Health Research Institute and Health Sciences Foundation, I am excited to invite all staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers to a Staff Appreciation BBQ on June 15.

The BBQ will also coincide with the kick-off of our Strategic Plan 2026. Join us from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the courtyard, outside of the Cafeteria.. The BBQ will include burgers (including a vegetarian option), salad, ice cream and some give-aways as a thank you for all that you do. All staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers are invited to attend. Snack boxes will be offered for staff on the evening shift of June 15.

The Kindness Carts will also be roaming throughout the Hospital during the week of June 13 to all departments providing snacks and small tokens of appreciation.

Please note that PPE will still need to be worn when attending the staff BBQ. Please utilize the designated eating spaces to enjoy your lunch, including some picnic tables that will be available outside.

We look forward to seeing many of you on June 15, to show our appreciation for your tremendous dedication to exceptional patient care, and to celebrate the launch of Strategic Plan 2026.