The “Walk The Talk” Awards program is open to all employees, professional staff and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to provide a forum for staff to recognize other staff, peer-to-peer, for their exemplary efforts.

With the intention of placing a greater focus on our organization’s core values, the Walk The Talk Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Patients First Award: We are respectful of and responsive to the needs and values of our patients, families and communities. Patient values guide all decisions and actions to achieve the vision of Healthy Together.

• Accountability Award: We are responsible to advance a quality patient experience. We commit to social and fiscal accountability to internal and external stakeholders and for the delivery of services to our patients.
  
• Respect Award: We honour the uniqueness of each individual their experiences and views by being considerate and kind towards others.

• Excellence Award: We foster an environment of innovation and learning to understand and advance a quality patient experience to not only meet, but also exceed, patient expectations.

• Indigenous Cultural Safety Award: We celebrate inclusion of Indigenous culture, philosophy and/or health approaches in the workplace, addresses power imbalances inherent in the healthcare system, and fosters an environment of cultural differences by creating a climate for change and a safe place for all patients and families.
  

In addition to the categories above, the following awards remain part of the program:

• President’s Award
• Board of Director’s Award
• Professional Staff Award of Excellence
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Award
• Volunteer Award

In order to broaden the peer–to-peer recognition beyond a selection committee, redacted nominations will be reviewed at the first level by our Patient & Family Advisors, shortlisted, and then shared with the organization, which reinforces and celebrates the values demonstrated by our staff. We will implement an organization-wide voting system, so that the program ensures that recipients are truly selected by their peers.

SUBMMISSION INTAKE IS DECEMBER 1, 2021 to JANUARY 6, 2022

For further details, please refer to Walk The Talk Fact Sheet. You can find this, along with the nomination form on the Hospital’s Corporate Intranet. https://wtt.tbrhsc.net/

Nominators will be eligible to win gift cards, which are to be randomly drawn throughout December and January.

The deadline for submission of nominations is January 6, 2022.

Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead

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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 receive their third dose by drop in or appointment at the Hospital’s onsite vaccination clinic.

The intent of the third dose is to increase protection that may have decreased over time and will provide added protection against new variants of COVID-19. Third doses will be administered at our on-site clinic, located on the 3rd floor foyer, outside of the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm until January 14^th (with the exception of some holidays between Christmas and New Year’s). An appointment may be booked online at https://tbdhu.canadaehs.com/tbdhu/hospital/ or by calling 684-6000 (extension 4585) and speaking with a clerk during regular clinic hours. Our clinic does have capacity this week to accommodate drop ins for those individuals who would like to receive their third dose prior to the holiday season.

A first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is also available to unvaccinated health care workers at our Hospital. Appointments may also be booked using the above link. If there are Hospital health care workers who are hesitant to be vaccinated due to severe allergies or health concerns, they may be referred to our high-risk vaccination clinic through their primary care provider or a physician at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU)’s CLE mass vaccination clinic if they meet the eligibility criteria. Instructions for referral have been provided to all primary care practitioners as well as the TBDHU, along with the referral form. Health care workers who are looking for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine from experts and trusted sources may visit https://comms.tbrhsc.net/informed/learn-more-covid-19-vaccine/.

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, and wear attire that allows for easy access to your upper arm. We recommend that those who receive their shot 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. Please note that the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to all recipients. 

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

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

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)