April, 2009

Message from: Ingrid Parkes, Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Congratulations to everyone involved in the events that lead to the launching our new Patient and Family Centred Care strategy. The “buzz” around the Health Sciences Centre reflects tremendous interest in the program. Healthcare is changing and the fact that we have identified new and better ways to care for patients and families, is good news.

I have grown to appreciate a quotation that I heard recently regarding the philosophy of care at a leading hospital: “Our goal is to be the best at getting better”. I think that reflects our corporate attitude, as well. Our physicians, staff, and volunteers are striving to be ‘the best at getting better’ and it is a tribute to everyone fulfilling their roles as we form partnerships with patients and families at TBRHSC. You will be hearing more in the coming days regarding Patient and Family Centred Care.

We have completed our fiscal year in great shape. That says a lot when we consider our accomplishments and related challenges over this last year. We know that there is a lot more to do, so we have set a series of corporate action plans that will help us achieve our Teaching and Research goals, continue with Organizational change, provide support to our Regional Integration initiatives, while maintaining our focus on providing the highest Quality care possible.

Associated with all the change and innovation that is taking place, a great amount of work is going into ensuring that patients and families are involved in our care plans. Physicians, staff, volunteers, patients, and family members are coming forward with ideas on how we can organize our resources to meet the care needs in a timely way. It is a complex melding of our shared needs.

One other thing: I was thrilled to hear that TBRHSC was singled out for praise in a recently released 300 page book - full colour - that is distributed around the world. We are featured on the front cover of “Masterpieces: Hospital Architecture and Design”. It is exciting to know that we are an esteemed acute care facility. Healthcare leaders, around the world, are becoming convinced that design can help achieve great healthcare outcomes. As TBRHSC embraces Patient and Family Centred Care, we should be extremely pleased with what we have achieved as an organization, community, and region.

By the way, congratulations to the Operating Room staff who are preparing to use our recently commissioned Minimally Invasive OR suites to conduct surgery through Telementoring. The Ontario Telehealth Network team soon will connect TBRHSC’s Dr. Mapeso with Dr. Anvari from Hamilton to perform laparoscopic procedures. Highly successful, telementoring will enable us to essentially attract medical specialists from around the world to care for our patients. In the spirit of great healthcare, teaching and cooperation, how good is that!

Finally, I toured the new offices and workspace area for our Northern Ontario School of Medicine students and support staff. It looks great. With the Office of the Chief of Staff moving into the area as well, it sets the stage for even better collaboration among all our healthcare partners. This initiative is the fulfillment of another part of our vision for TBRHSC. Thanks again to everyone who has played a role in getting us here.

We have so much to be thankful for.

Ingrid Parkes, Chair
Board of Directors