Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As the snow begins to melt and people start getting outside more, I’m hopeful that we’ll soon see a decrease in influenza and respiratory illnesses. It’s been an especially challenging season — among the worst in recent years — marked by a late start and longer-lasting illnesses. As you know, this has placed significant demands on our Emergency Department and overall healthcare resources, as we continue to operate at record capacity. I want to sincerely thank each of you for your dedication, resilience, and commitment to providing exceptional care for every patient, every time, even under strenuous conditions. Please know your efforts are seen and appreciated.

On that note, we are kicking off Employee Recognition Week (ERW). This special week is dedicated to recognizing the outstanding efforts of our staff and professional team members across both the Hospital and Health Research Institute. Throughout the week, we’ll be hosting various activities and small gestures of appreciation to highlight the positive impact you have on our Hospital and research community. To learn more about ERW, please click here.

February is Black History Month, and in alignment with our Strategic Plan 2026 pillar, we’re committed to integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into all we do to foster an environment where We all Belong. Throughout the month, our EDI team shared educational resources and articles to deepen our understanding of the significance of Black History Month. We’ve also explored the diverse accomplishments of Black Canadians and look forward to continuing this journey as we build on these resources and celebrate more achievements in the future.

Speaking of accomplishments, I’m proud to highlight Dr. Alexandra Bastiany, a valued member of our Hospital community. Dr. Bastiany recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded in recognition of her significant contributions as the first Black woman to practice as an Interventional Cardiologist — right here at our Hospital. Please join me in congratulating her on this incredible and inspiring achievement.

In case you missed it, our February Town Hall covered exciting new initiatives, including updates on the Cardiovascular Surgery Project, which promises to bring advanced care closer to home. I invite you to watch the latest Town Hall recording (found here) for more information.

Please remember how much we value everything you do. Together, we’re accomplishing remarkable things while maintaining our philosophy of keeping patients at the center of everything we do. Thank you for your continued dedication and compassion.

Thank you, everyone, and have a wonderful month ahead!

As always, I welcome your feedback — about this blog or anything else on your mind. Feel free to reach out to me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.