Looking Back on 2025: Inspiring Stories in Patient and Family-Centred Care

The past year brought another series of remarkable stories and accomplishments in patient and family-centred care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). As we look back on 2025, we are revisiting some of the most impactful and widely read stories of the year. Together, they highlight the incredible work happening across our health sciences community and the unwavering dedication of our care teams to delivering exceptional care for every patient, every time.

Building Care Closer to Home: Construction Officially Underway for Hospital’s Cardiovascular Surgery Program

TBRHSC broke ground on its new Cardiovascular Surgery Program, a first for Northwestern Ontario. The $93 million initiative will bring urgent and elective heart surgeries closer to home, sparing around 300 patients annually from traveling to southern Ontario. Developed in partnership with the University Health Network’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, the program will feature 14 new inpatient beds, a six-bed coronary care unit, a state-of-the-art surgical suite, and expanded outpatient services. Construction on over 76,000 square feet of new and renovated space is expected to be completed in 2027, marking a major milestone in improving cardiac care across the region.

Read more HERE.

Paediatric Emergency Transport Team in motion across Northwestern Ontario

TBRHSC launched a dedicated Paediatric Emergency Transport Team (PETT) to provide specialized transport for critically ill newborns and infants across Northwestern Ontario. In partnership with provincial transport teams and ORNGE, PETT is improving access to urgent care and significantly reducing wait times for patients in remote and Indigenous communities. Previously, infants often had to wait for transport teams from southern Ontario or Manitoba, delaying critical care. The team, which includes a registered nurse, a respiratory therapist, and support from a paediatrician, will eventually operate 24/7, ensuring infants receive timely care at tertiary centres. Supported by new equipment funded by the generosity of donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and a matching contribution from the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, PETT represents a major step forward in harmonizing pediatric care across the region, with plans to expand services to older children in the future.

Read more HERE.

Exploring Careers in Health Care: Thunder Bay’s Open Doors Career Showcase

On October 8, TBRHSC hosted its Open Doors Career Showcase, welcoming over 300 attendees ranging from high school students to individuals exploring new career paths. The event offered a hands-on look at the wide variety of careers available in health care, including clinical, technical, and administrative roles. Over 30 hospital departments participated, providing information, answering questions, and leading guided tours of areas such as Diagnostic Imaging, Rehabilitation Services, and Medical Device Reprocessing, as well as interactive simulations in the Hospital’s Simulation Lab. Attendees gained firsthand experience of the health care environment and discovered opportunities they may never have considered. Praised for its organization and impact, the event showcased TBRHSC’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of health care professionals, with plans to make the Career Showcase an annual event.

Read more HERE.

Enhancing Patient Communication in Northwestern Ontario

In 2026, hospitals across Northwestern Ontario will roll out a first-of-its-kind SMS and email patient notification system, aimed at improving communication and reducing missed appointments. The “Opt-In” program, part of the Central Waitlist Management Project, will send real-time reminders and preparation instructions for surgical and diagnostic imaging appointments across 12 regional hospitals, including TBRHSC, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, and Lake of the Woods District Hospital. By streamlining communication, reducing no-shows, and encouraging patients to take an active role in managing their care, the initiative is designed to improve system efficiency and equity in access to services. Integrated with a fully-digital, regionalized intake system, the campaign represents a major step forward in patient-centered care, enabling seamless coordination across surgical sites and diagnostic services while safeguarding privacy. With a goal of reaching an 80% opt-in rate within two years, this innovative program reflects a broader commitment to modernization, accessibility, and innovation in Northwestern Ontario’s health care system.

Read more HERE.

Indigenous Students Attend Hospital Career Experience

Over 60 students from school boards across Thunder Bay were on-site at TBRHSC on November 19 to explore many different health care career and volunteer options. In its fifth year, the Indigenous Career Experience is dedicated to inspiring Indigenous youth by providing essential insights into diverse health care career opportunities and by building relationships with TBRHSC. A significant aspect of the program is connecting with high school students before they make final decisions about post-secondary education. Through hands-on learning experiences, it ignites their enthusiasm for pursuing a future in health care. Additionally, the initiative supports the recruitment of Indigenous professionals within the health care sector. The departments that participated — the Operating Room, Medical Device Reprocessing Department, Nutrition and Food Services, Maintenance, Miskwaa Biidaaban, Interprofessional Education, and Volunteer Services — played a vital role in making this day a valuable and fun learning experience for the students.

Read more HERE.

TBRHSC Unveils State-of-the-Art Robotic Platform: The da Vinci Surgical System

On April 23, TBRHSC hosted a media preview of one of the Hospital’s most advanced technological additions. The da Vinci Surgical System is a cutting-edge robotic platform that enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with exceptional precision and control. By allowing complex operations through small incisions, it reduces recovery time and enhances patient outcomes. This milestone represents a major advancement for TBRHSC, equipping residents and faculty with state-of-the-art tools for safe, efficient, and precise surgery. Notably, the da Vinci robot is the first of its kind in Northwestern Ontario, giving patients access to world-class care right here at home.

Read more HERE.

TBRHSC Releases Second Annual Report on Progress in Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

TBRHSC marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by releasing its second annual report on progress toward the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The report highlights initiatives focused on cultural safety, Indigenous health, and staff training, with particular emphasis on Call to Action #24, which calls for cultural training for professional staff. TBRHSC showcased collaborative projects across departments, Indigenous-led initiatives, and partnerships that enhance spiritual, healing, and culturally safe practices. TBRHSC’s Miskwaa Biidaaban department organized events throughout September, including community panels, beading sessions, and educational sessions with Elders and Residential School Survivors, honoring both survivors and those who never returned home. TBRHSC leadership reaffirmed their commitment to equity, inclusivity, and compassionate care, underscoring reconciliation as an ongoing effort to build a healthier, culturally responsive future for all patients.

Read more HERE.

AI-Powered App Revolutionizes Stroke Care

Stroke care in Northwestern Ontario faces unique challenges, including vast geographic distances, limited stroke specialist access, and variable transport infrastructure. Addressing these barriers demands breakthrough innovations that harness technology and data to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency. The Northwestern Ontario (NWO) Navigate Stroke application is a cutting-edge technological innovation developed to assist health care providers in Northwestern Ontario with efficient navigation of stroke patients to the most appropriate levels of care. This interactive digital tool integrates geomapping technology and machine learning algorithms to provide real-time decision support in navigating patients through the complex, geographically dispersed stroke care network of Northwestern Ontario.

Read more HERE.

New Program Launch – Complex Care for Kids Ontario

A new program dedicated to supporting children and youth with complex medical needs has launched at TBRHSC. Complex Care for Kids Ontario (CCKO) at TBRHSC is an outpatient program that aims to improve the care experience for children with medical complexity and their families by enhancing care coordination, continuity of care and effective communication between families and health care providers. Led by a nurse practitioner working in collaboration with a paediatrician, the program helps establish clear goals of care for patients and families and develops comprehensive medical care plans to facilitate the sharing of critical patient information. Additionally, the nurse practitioner works closely with tertiary children’s hospitals to maintain continuity of care.

Read more HERE.

Childhood Cancer Care Expanded to Northwestern Ontario

On June 4, childhood cancer care closer to home became a reality for families living in Northwestern Ontario with the launch of two new Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) programs at TBRHSC. Expansion of the POGO Satellite and Interlink Nursing programs at TBRHSC was made possible thanks to funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health. For childhood cancer patients and their families in the Northwest, much of their care is provided at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). The establishment of the POGO programs at TBRHSC means fewer trips to London and more time at home with their support network of family and friends and less disruption to school and work.

Read more HERE.