January 9, 2008

Message from: Ron Nelson, Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

As we enter this new calendar year, our expectations are soaring. Based on the incredible successes of last year, we have optimism like never before that not only is “patient care our focus”, but that we are unwavering in our desire to help people enjoy their lives at the highest level possible.

On behalf of the members of the Board of Directors, and the many people that I speak with, we must collectively thank our physicians, staff, and volunteers for providing great healthcare to all of us living in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. When teams of skilled people work together, really good things happen. We shouldn’t take anything for granted in this regard. People entrust their lives to us. So, it is essential that we create an environment of care at the highest standard possible.

Our reality check reminds us that it is not unusual to have fewer resources than necessary to meet every request for help; however, we can be proud of the acute service we provide. Our fiscal year does not end for another four months so we continue to meet our obligations while seeking adequate funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

As you have probably heard, we are making plans to accommodate “final year” medical students, preceptors, and staff associated with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. As an academic Health Sciences Centre with teaching obligations, the presence of advanced medical students will be noticed everywhere. Renovations will be apparent throughout TBRHSC.

Since we embarked on the ambitious plan to build this new state-of-the-art acute care Health Sciences Centre, change has consistently driven us to not only do “best practice” assessment, but also carve out our own areas where we can lead healthcare everywhere. To that end, by this time next year, we will be reporting on the recruiting success of world-class researchers and some of their initial work with the new Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute. These scientists will help us take healthcare from “bench to bedside, and beyond”. Change, in that regard, will be embraced, and will impact many people needing care.

One other note: all of us are preparing for Accreditation this spring. It is a lot of work for everyone. However, I am confident that we will do very well. As we do our self-assessments, and collate all the data, we will have looked at “best practice” indicators to see how we are doing. Standards are always being elevated. In some cases, we are the ones leading everyone else. Congratulations.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you a great year.

Ron Nelson, Chair
Board of Directors