October, 2009

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

A recent event in our Emergency Department (ED) makes me want to applaud members of our healthcare teams for providing acute care to our family and friends in their time of need. As was reported in the news, a sprinkler head in an ED Examination Room was disengaged causing flooding in the Department and to other areas in near proximity. The professional spontaneity with which our teams responded was exemplary. At the time of the event, the area was overwhelmed with activity, yet patients were moved to safety and not one life was lost even though a number of trauma cases were being attended to. If people would just appreciate what our Physicians, Staff, and Volunteers do on a daily basis to overcome protracted crisis events, the expression of gratitude would be unending.

In addition, I want to commend everyone for achieving our Accreditation Canada Certification. This is a tremendous feat based on how well we did in comparison to other acute care providers in the country. We are envied. Members of our Board of Directors deeply appreciate the professional excellence of our healthcare teams. Our Patient and Family Centred Care initiatives are confirming our Vision. “Caring Together” is a fabulous way to state what we do.

All of this excellence must be gratifying to Ron Saddington, our President and CEO, who has announced that he is retiring next year. Ron is finishing a career with us being recognized as a world leader in healthcare. The members of our Board are highly satisfied with his performance. He has lead us during difficult times accomplishing things that others in similar circumstance have failed at. He has humbly made great personal sacrifices to lead us through a maze of change.

With Ron’s announcement, I am reminded that the former Thunder Bay Regional Hospital journey began over a decade ago as we operated an acute care facility on two sites. It was a huge challenge to “separate” certain services and then coordinate them for everyone. Patients, Families, Physicians, Staff and Volunteers travelled back and forth from one site to the other. It was not the best of times. However, we did it. On top of it all, when you add the challenges of those years to the planning, building, and moving to a new state-of-the-art Health Sciences Centre on Oliver Road as well, it took a special kind of leader. Ron has proved himself time and again.

Since February 2004, we have taken on the role of an Academic Teaching Centre, a Research Centre and a world leader in Telemedicine. Our medical applications are on the cusp of the “future” of medicine including Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Image-Guided High Intensity Ultrasound that eliminates the need for Surgery in certain applications. Again, thank you Ron for leading your teams into uncharted territory!

One more thing: We have begun another round of preparing our Annual Budget submissions. These are difficult times for everyone. When you consider how unique TBRHSC is – in fact, we are a one-of-a-kind acute care site in Canada – it is hoped that the voice of reason prevails by those making funding allocation decisions. We know that these are challenging times for everyone.

Thank you for your support.

Ingrid Parkes, Chair
Board of Directors