Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As summer approaches, I thought I’d reach out with a very quick blog.

This past month has reminded me — again — just how resilient and dedicated our team is.

We are deep into renovations, navigating construction impacts, and balancing summer staffing, all while continuing to deliver safe, quality care to patients who count on us. It hasn’t been easy for you. I know many of you are feeling stretched, and I want to begin by simply saying thank you. You continue to show up, adapt, and find ways to make it work. That doesn’t go unnoticed.

Despite the pressure, we’ve made real progress. Patient flow improvements are taking hold. New technologies and equipment are being introduced. And even as we manage the day-to-day demands, we’re still moving forward, enhancing care and strengthening the foundation for the future.

This month also gave us a chance to welcome Ontario Health Leadership to our Hospital. Their visit was an opportunity to demonstrate the depth of our work and our commitment to serving Northwestern Ontario. The credit for that belongs entirely to you, the teams who prepared, hosted, and continued delivering care through the visit, all while construction and upgrades were happening around you. I also want to recognize that this progress hasn’t come without disruption. Construction zones, workflow changes, and higher-than-normal workloads have added stress across the organization. If it’s felt like a lot lately, it’s because it has been. And yet, you continue to support patients, families, and each other in ways big and small, often behind the scenes. Those efforts matter.

Thank you for being part of this team, whether you work in a clinical role, research, support services, or administration. Your work is essential to everything we’re building, and it’s noticed more than you may realize.

As summer begins, I hope you get a chance to rest and recharge. For those covering shifts while others take time off, thank you. For those stepping away for a bit, enjoy it. Rest is necessary, for you and for the patients who rely on us to be at our best.

That is all for now. As always, I am always available and welcome your feedback about this blog or anything else on your mind. You can reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.