Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As we leap into March from a bustling February, I want to pause and hope that amidst your busy and somewhat chilly days, you found moments of joy with loved ones on Family Day and Valentine’s Day.

Here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, we celebrated a significant milestone this month, marking two decades since we opened the doors of our state-of-the-art facility. Looking back and reflecting on February 22, 2004, the excitement of that day is so vivid, with memories of the incredible efforts that made it all so successful. 

As I reflect on those vibrant beginnings, I am filled with admiration for the exceptional individuals – you, our staff, and our extended Hospital family – whose dedication shapes the care we provide. Whether your role is in direct patient care or behind the scenes, your expertise and influence are the driving forces of our progress.

As we step into the next chapter, the reality of time asks for renewal – in equipment and determination. In that spirit, with immense gratitude to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, we’ve welcomed a refresh of our Cardiac Cath Labs with leading-edge technology, reinforcing our commitment to cardiac excellence in Northwestern Ontario.

February also gave us the opportunity to honour Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich contributions of Black Canadians. Within our community, Dr. Naana Jumah stands out as a beacon of advocacy and clinical excellence, and we are privileged to learn from and with her. Her story, and the breadth of her impact, is a source of great pride for our Hospital and health research community.

March not only brings Spring, but also Employee Recognition Week, a time when we celebrate our people – you – the heart and soul of our vision for exceptional care. This is a week dedicated to you for your contribution to our vision of Exceptional Care for every patient, every time. I look forward to connecting with you and taking part in the festivities that honour you, your professionalism, compassion and commitment.

At our recent Town Hall, we highlighted the key areas for our collective focus from the 2023 Engagement Survey. They are: addressing workload and staffing concerns, fostering deeper engagement and information sharing, and reinforcing accountability. These areas will shape our action plans, drawn from your valuable insights. It’s reassuring to know that results show that many of you experience positive work-life balance, teamwork, respect, and diversity – these are the cornerstones we will build upon. Thank you, once again, for sharing your thoughts and perspectives as we look to improve our workplace. 

Finally, I encourage you to connect with our Health Research Speaker Series. With Dr. Travis E. Marion’s upcoming presentation, it’s a perfect opportunity to engage with groundbreaking research and expand our collective knowledge. Join us on March 21 for an insightful session.

Your feedback is important and I welcome your thoughts on these blogs or any matter that’s on your mind. Reach out to me anytime at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.