Are you and your family ready to face an emergency such as a blizzard, wildfire, or power outage? Do you have an emergency plan and an emergency kit to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days following a disaster?

Be ready, not reactive.

If you’re unsure how to answer those questions, we’re here to help! The Emergency Preparedness department is collaborating with our local Canadian Red Cross to promote personal preparedness to our Hospital workers and community members during Fire Prevention Week (October 5 to 11).

Canadian Red Cross volunteers have generously offered to provide:

Workers who stop by the booth or attend the “Be Ready” talk will be entered into a draw for a $25 gift card!

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” Benjamin Franklin

The seasonal influenza vaccine clinic will be available to staff, physicians and volunteers starting October 6.

Date	Time	Location
October 6	10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Level 2 beside the Grand Staircase
October 7	10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Level 2 beside the Grand Staircase
October 8	10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Level 2 beside the Grand Staircase

No appointments required – please wear short sleeves

Please notify Occupational Health & Safety if you have received your flu shot from your doctor or at another facility. Please email the immunization documentation proof to TBRHSC.OccupationalHealthandSafety@tbh.net to ensure we update your chart.

Alternative Opportunities to Receive the Flu Shot

• Appointments can be made to receive your flu shot by contacting Occupational Health and Safety at TBRHSC.OccupationalHealthandSafety@tbh.net

• Drop-in option available on Thursdays in the OH&S Department from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:45p.m.

• The Roaming Flu Cart will be starting as soon as flu shot arrives

LET’S PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR PATIENTS!

Remember: Influenza immunization is recommended for all health care workers.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on the influenza vaccine.

Staff that obtain their flu shot will be entered to win a six-month free parking pass (two passes are being raffled off).   

Those staff that obtain both the flu AND COVID-19 vaccine, have a chance to win a one-year free parking pass.

Do you want to be featured in the 2026 Health & Well-Being Calendar?

Help us celebrate what brings joy to your work. We’re looking for stories from staff who help create a positive, supportive workplace — whether through small acts of kindness, lifting team morale, or finding creative ways to ease daily frustrations. If you’re making a difference, we want to hear from you!

We’re also featuring staff-submitted recipes in this year’s calendar. If you have a go-to healthy recipe, we’d love for you to share it. To participate, scan the QR code below or click here.

Franco-Ontarian Day is celebrated every year on September 25 to commemorate the anniversary of the inaugural raising of the Franco-Ontarian Flag in 1975 at the University of Sudbury.

Officially recognized by the legislative assembly in 2010, Franco-Ontarian Day is an opportunity to honour Franco-Ontarians, and their contributions to the cultural, historical, social, economic, and political life of the province. It is also a day for Franco-Ontarians to celebrate and take pride in their heritage, which spans over 400 years.

Ontario is home to more than 622,000 Francophones and 1.5 million French-speaking Ontarians—the largest Francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is committed to providing care that respects the needs of the Francophone community, including their cultural preferences, values, and linguistic needs. This year, TBRHSC is honoured to have received a French Language Supports grant from Ontario Health, to increase the accessibility of French Language services at our Hospital.

Franco-Ontarian Flag

The Franco-Ontario flag was developed by a history professor and a political science student at the University of Sudbury, Gaétan Gervais and Michel Dupuis, to stand as a symbol of Franco-Ontarian identity and community.

The Franco-Ontarian Flag has a green and white background, which represents summer and winter — the two extremes of Ontario’s climate. A white Fleur-de-lys is featured on the green band, representing French people worldwide. A green trillium on the white band presents the official flower of the province of Ontario.

In 2001, the Franco-Ontarian flag was officially recognized as the emblem of the Franco-Ontarian community.

All events are taking place in the yard outside of Sister Margaret Smith Centre, 301 Lillie St N.

Join us for a powerful short documentary by Sarain Fox.

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: ICP Main Meeting Room 2178

Light snacks will be provided, and staff are encouraged to bring their own lunch.

Trigger Warning: This film contains sensitive content about Residential Schools. Support will be available.

To register for this event, email: Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Coordinator at Annette.Klement@tbh.net.

For more information about Residential Schools, visit:

Hope, Healing and Empowerment.

Residential School History

Indian Residential Schools

Are you interested in learning more about French Language Services at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre? Please stop by our information booth on Friday, September 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Information will be available about:

• French language interpretation services for patients and healthcare providers
• French language reimbursement program for staff
• Services from L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay

Copies of L’Accueil francophone de Thunder Bay’s English-French “Interpretation Guide for Health Care Professionals” will be available for staff.

Plus, enter our prize draw!