Shared on behalf of Medical & Academic Affairs
Medical Affairs is delighted to announce that Dr. Barbara Gunka has joined Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a Hematologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Gunka holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University, where she graduated as the Dean Braun Scholar. She has also completed residency training in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Hematology from McMaster University.
Dr. Gunka brings a strong background in clinical medicine, research, and academic leadership, with particular interests in thrombosis, hematologic malignancies, and patient-centered care in Northern and rural communities. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications, presented at international conferences, and contributed to national-level hematology education and clinical resources. Her work includes studies on direct oral anticoagulants, CAR-T therapy, and patient outcomes post-bariatric surgery, with her research featured in Thrombosis Research, CLOT Conversations, and international hematology forums.
In addition to her academic and clinical excellence, Dr. Gunka has demonstrated a deep commitment to advocacy, community outreach, and medical education. Her leadership roles have included serving as Chief Resident in Hematology, Co-Chair of McMaster’s Patient Safety Committee, and founding organizer of multiple global health and Indigenous health education initiatives. She has also mentored students through NOSM and McMaster, helping to guide future generations of medical professionals.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Gunka as she embarks on this next stage of her medical journey. We’re thrilled to have her expertise, passion, and Northern roots back in Thunder Bay, and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will make within our hospital and across the region.