TBRHSC Board Chair Report (April 2026)

The compassion and dedication demonstrated every day by the staff, professional staff, volunteers and learners at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is second to none; which is why celebrating Employee Recognition Week is so important. We, the Board, recognize the collective commitment to the health of patients and families of Northwestern Ontario is what sets us apart. In March we set aside a week to express our appreciation through small gestures, recognizing the dedication and exceptional work of those who support patient care – both directly or indirectly.

As a part of this celebratory week, we also hold our iCare Impact Awards – a forum for staff to recognize others for their efforts and outcomes that positively impact our patients and their families. This year’s winners reflect what our people do each and every day:

• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award – Trisha Desa, Registered Nurse (RN), for her work practicing trauma informed care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and implementing culturally appropriate breast/chest feeding prenatal classes in collaboration with community partners.
• Patient Experience Award – Linda Buchan Centre Staff, as the staff consistently go above and beyond to support patients during highly stressful situations. They work collaboratively to ensure each patient feels comfortable and receives the highest quality of care possible.
• Staff Experience Award – Anne Purves, RN, Manager of 3B Surgery, for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and psychologically safe work environment.
• Research, Innovation & Learning Award – Clinical Nurse Specialists, Interprofessional Educators, and Nursing Practice Leaders, for their transformative work in the nursing on-boarding process, driving an innovative, dynamic, and continually evolving program that directly strengthens the organization’s nursing workforce.
• Sustainable Future Award – Open Doors Career Showcase Organizing Committee, for their innovative recruitment and retention initiative effort in designing an inclusive event that proactively builds our future workforce and fosters a culture of belonging.
• Vision Award – Miskwaa Biidaaban (Indigenous Collaboration department), for the work the Indigenous Care Coordinators (ICCs) do to support Indigenous patients receiving care at TBRHSC. The ICCs work tirelessly to ensure Indigenous patients feel they are supported, receiving equitable care, having their voices heard in their care plan, and ensuring Indigenous patients are receiving care in a culturally safe environment.
• Strategy In Action Award – Cook Serve Meal Program Service, for their dedication and hard work in the implementation of the Cook / Serve program, where meals are prepared in real time. This allows for a higher quality and more varied menu for patients, which has improved patient experience.

Congratulations to all our award winners and nominees for their work in advancing our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.

This month, we also celebrate the generosity of our volunteers and Patient Family Advisors, who give so freely of their time. Their contributions to our Hospital community are invaluable, enhancing the care experience for patients and families and making our organization a warm and welcoming place. If you know or see a volunteer, please take this opportunity to thank them for their incredible commitment, and the meaningful difference they make in our community.

I would also like to recognize the volunteer members of the Board of Directors. Thank you for gifting your time and talent to guide the Hospital’s priorities, provide strategic direction and oversight in order to improve the quality of care for patients and families of Northwestern Ontario.

Finally, coming up next month, surveyors from Accreditation Canada will visit our Hospital. Accreditation ensures we meet nationally endorsed standards, provides a formal process for ongoing evaluation, and allows for discussion of education and training. We look forward to sharing details from the survey with the community when they are available.