The Health Care / EMS Regional Prayer Chain, in collaboration with the Clothing Cupboard and Renal Food Hamper are collecting items for those in need. Hospital staff are invited to visit the display next to the Christmas tree in the main hallway on Monday, December 13th, from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm to drop off your donations. Please ensure you are wearing a mask and maintain physical distance.

The items that are needed the most are:

• Track pants for the Clothing Cupboard
• Almond/rice milk (Tetra Pak)
• Pesto
• Oatmeal
• Cream of wheat
• Rice krispies
• Corn flakes
• Peanut butter
• Rice
• Mayo
• Canned tuna or salmon
• Canned fruits or vegetables (no tomatoes)
• Applesauce
• Animal cookies
• Shortbread cookies

Fill out a ballot for a chance to win a gift basket for your area with each donation. For more information, please contact Michelle Shonosky at shonoskm@tbh.net.

Fully vaccinated health care workers (including staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers) at our Hospital who have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 168 days (24 weeks) ago are eligible to book an appointment for a third dose (or “booster shot”).

Still not sure if you’re eligible? The chart below offers some guidance on timing for health care workers who received their second dose in June and July:

Date of Second Vaccine Dose	Eligible Date for Third Dose
June 7th	November 22nd
June 14th	November 29th
June 21st	December 6th
June 28th	December 13th
July 5th	December 20th
July 12th	December 27th
July 19th	January 3rd

This third dose will be administered at our on-site clinic, located on the 3rd floor foyer, outside of the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab from now until January 14th. Appointments may be booked online at https://tbdhu.canadaehs.com/tbdhu/hospital/.

Health care workers who do not have regular access to a computer can use one in the Hospital’s library, access the scheduling system online via their smart phone, or call 684-6000 (extension 4585) to book their appointment by speaking with a clerk during regular clinic hours or by leaving a voicemail. Please note that drop-ins for a third dose will not be accepted. It is by appointment only.

The Pfizer vaccine will be administered to all recipients, regardless of which type of mRNA vaccine they received in their first series. We recommend that those who receive their third dose wait for 15 minutes immediately afterwards for safety monitoring, but must stay for a minimum of five minutes if you are remaining onsite for your scheduled shift.

All health care workers coming to the clinic for their appointment are reminded to:

• wear a mask and bring eye protection as there may not be enough space to maintain physical distance in the recovery area.
• bring a government-issued photo ID.
• wear attire that allows for easy access to your upper arm.

We also encourage any unvaccinated health care workers at our Hospital to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine using the above link.

Be sure to send your vaccination receipt to Occupational Health and Safety (ohs@tbh.net) as soon as possible, whether you have received your third dose from the Hospital’s clinic or an external source such as your primary health care provider or the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

For previously communicated details, visit https://comms.tbrhsc.net/informed/appointments-for-third-doses-now-available/.

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/.

Thank you for your continued efforts in our COVID-19 response.

The December Dash runs from December 1st to December 12th and is open to all individuals who create or join a team within the ParticipACTION App.

Each team can have up to eight team members so invite your family and friends to participate, or create a team with your co-workers and compete as a department.

Dash your way to cool prices! Each team needs to reach 12 milestones to complete the challenge. To collect each milestone, the team must track a specific amount of move minutes. The more you move, the more chances you’ll have to win awesome prizes, like a $250 Visa gift for every member of the winning team.

• Grand Prize: 1 team will win a $250 Visa gift card for each team member.
• Secondary Prize: 1 team will win a $75 President’s Choice gift card for each team member.
• Team Prize: 1 team will win a $50 ParticipACTION Shop gift card for each team member.

If you haven’t already done so, download the free ParticipACTION app in Google Play or App Store to get started. Don’t miss out on your chance to get moving and winning.

Shared on behalf of Joelle Macey, Manager, Adult Mental Health, the Mental Health Assessment Team (MHAT) and Community Treatment Order (CTO)

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It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lance Lindstrom. Lance worked within the Adult Mental Health Programs and was very proud to be a nurse. Please keep Lance’s family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time.

The flags at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre will be lowered on Lance’s birthday (December 1st) in his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MS Society, Diabetes Canada, or the Sister Margaret Smith Centre – Adult Addictions Program (St. Joseph’s Care Group).

It’s Giving Tuesday, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation has a goal to raise $48,000 to purchase two Panda Infant Warmers for the Hospital’s Labour & Delivery ward and NICU.  Giving Tuesday is a 24-hour fundraising day that marks the kickoff of giving season, right after the wild sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

All donations will be matched dollar for dollar, by generous community partners:

• Rainbow Printers, $5,000
• Gary & Leslie Savitsky, $5,000
• Alex & Vince Mirabelli – RE/MAX First Choice Realty, $1000

Donations for Giving Tuesday are gratefully accepted until midnight tonight.  You can donate:

• Online: healthsciencesfoundation.ca/gt
• In Person: Visit the Foundation Table by the Christmas tree (near the grand staircase) between 9 AM – 5 PM
• By Phone: 807-345-4673 (Between 9 AM – 5 PM)
• Text: Vital to 20222 ($10 donation)

Follow the Foundation’s social media channels for fundraising updates throughout the day:

• Facebook.com/healthsciencesfoundation
• Twitter @tbrhsf
• Instagram @tbrhsf
• Or visit our website at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/gt

Shared on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program

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It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Meaghan Sharp, Director, Cardiovascular (CVS) Sciences Program has resigned from her position at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Her final day will be December 10, 2021.

Meaghan joined TBRHSC in 2017, as Director, Medicine, Cardiovascular and Stroke Program. During her time at the Hospital, Meaghan has been integral in the development of the cardiovascular surgery program with a focus on bringing enhanced cardiovascular services closer to home for residents of Northwestern Ontario. Meaghan also served as the Hospital’s Chief Nursing Executive from March 30, 2020 – August 6, 2021.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Meaghan for her contributions over the last 4 years. Please join me in congratulating Meaghan and wishing her well as she continues her career as Senior Director, Clinical Programs with Ontario Health-CorHealth.

To support the CVS Sciences Program and team, Wayne Taylor will assume the role of Interim Director effective December 13, 2021.

Giving Tuesday happens each year and is an international day of giving, taking place after the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  It’s a day where people rally behind and support their favorite causes.  The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation uses Giving Tuesday to help kick off the season of giving, which is taking place this year on Tuesday, November 30th.

“For the past few years, our community has been so incredibly generous on Giving Tuesday,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “The day is all about philanthropy – more donations come in during the 24 hours of Giving Tuesday than any other day of the year, Plus, we have some generous gift-matching partners this year which will help double our community donations!”

This year’s matching gift donors include:

• Rainbow Printers, $5,000
• Gary & Leslie Sivitsky, $5,000
• Alex & Vince Mirabelli – RE/MAX First Choice Realty, $1000

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation has a goal to raise $48,000 this Giving Tuesday, and funds raised will be used to purchase two Panda Infant Warmers for the Labour & Delivery ward and NICU.   The Hospital currently has one of these machines, but two more are needed to replace aging equipment.  The units are used to keep babies warm at birth, and provide a comfortable environment for newborn assessments to take place in. They will help ensure the highest levels of safety and comfort for the Hospital’s tiniest patients.

“We currently have one Panda Infant Warmer at our Hospital, and we are so grateful that funds raised on Giving Tuesday will be used to purchase two more,” says Vanessa Mihaljevic, Registered Nurse, Labour & Delivery. “These warmers have features like an integrated scale and hands-free alarm silence, which allows caregivers to focus on the most critical aspects of their jobs.”

Donations for Giving Tuesday are gratefully accepted all day on Tuesday, November 30th:

• Online: healthsciencesfoundation.ca/gt
• Phone: 807-345-4673 (Between 9 AM – 5 PM)
• Text: Vital to 20222 ($10 donation)

It’s the last day to enter the November Thunder Bay 50/50 draw, and the jackpot is already over $500,000. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thunderbay5050.ca until 11:59 pm tonight.

The Thunder Bay 50/50 is a monthly raffle in support of Thunder Bay’s Hospital, with a new Grand Prize draw on the last Friday of every month. Over $5.5 Million has been awarded in prizes since the 50/50 launched in January. Proceeds go towards purchasing vital, highest priority equipment needs for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

“The success of Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw has helped us purchase so much vital equipment for our hospital since we launched in January,” says Glenn Craig, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “Funds have helped all areas of the hospital, from the Cancer Centre, to the Emergency Room, Urology Department, and Adult Mental Health, just to name a few. Plus, we have also helped purchase equipment for some of the smaller regional hospitals in Dryden, Kenora, Fort Frances, Terrace Bay and Marathon!”

Tickets are available online only at www.thunderbay5050.ca:

• $10 for 5 numbers
• $20 for 30 numbers
• $50 for 150 numbers
• $75 for 300 numbers (Best Value)

** Must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 25 to be eligible for the Grand Prize draw on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Participants must be present in Ontario and 18 years old or older at time of purchase. Lottery licence RAF1199631.