Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.

As we turn the calendar to December, and as you well know, we are entering the high-risk respiratory season. In Northwestern Ontario, this doesn’t just mean busier; it means managing complex care across vast distances for patients who rely entirely on us. You face challenges your colleagues at other hospitals across southern Ontario can’t even imagine.

So, I want to start by acknowledging the weight of that responsibility. I see the work you are doing, and I value the resilience you show every day. I know it’s not nearly enough and I apologize for that. Yet, for now, as we head into December, please know that the Senior Leadership Team and I see your hard work and we thank you for it yet again. I simply don’t feel we can thank you enough for going above and beyond the call, day in – day out.

Because we know the demands on you are high, our leadership focus this month has been on two things: reinforcements and resources.

Firstly, we know our greatest strength is our people, and we know you need support. That is why we aggressively pursued initiatives to bring new, skilled professionals into our teams this month, including:

• Hosting the Open Doors Career Showcase to introduce prospective new employees to a career path in health.

• Hosting the 5th annual Indigenous Career Experience (Kinomagai Akosii-agamong Anokiiwin), engaging 60 potential new future health care leaders.

• Welcoming 44 Grade 9 students for Take Our Kids to Work Day to spark interest in health care careers.

Secondly, we are also incredibly grateful to our generous donors as announced new funding from the Health Sciences Foundation. This isn’t just money; it is the capital we need to buy the innovative tools and technology that make your jobs easier and keep care closer to home for our patients. Our donors across Northwestern Ontario are the true ongoing heroes in this story.

We also saw the results of your excellence in action. Our Renal Network was recognized by Ontario Health for significant improvements to the North West Regional Renal Program. This award belongs to the front-line staff and physicians who did the heavy lifting. Congratulations.

As we head into Tuesday, which is Giving Tuesday, I hope we can carry this spirit of partnership and giving forward. But my primary ask of you this month is simple: Look after one another. We are heading into a busy season. We are a team. Check in on your colleagues and see how they’re doing. Thank you for showing up for our community, and for each other.

As always, I 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.