Board Chair Message - February 2005

One year ago, as I watched our first patient enter the new Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, I realized how significant an event I was witnessing. It was riveting. When the stretcher carrying 77 year old Doris Sparks came through the door and the applause broke out, it confirmed how much we care for our patients. She represented so many people. That moment also spoke of the unfailing resolve of our citizens to enable great change in the way we present acute healthcare.

On February 22nd, 2004, we witnessed the seamless delivery of acutely ill patients from the Port Arthur site of Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. On February 23rd, patients from the McKellar site were brought to their new patient rooms. The move captured the attention of everyone.

Over this last year, I have often thought about what we’ve achieved. For me, a sentinel signal has been sent to our city, region and beyond that a new standard of care is in place. New methodologies, such as Telehealth demonstrate that specialists and patients can meet face to face even though large distances may separate them, possibly hundreds of kilometers. In addition, the Electronic Medical Record permits instant recording and retrieval of essential information for physicians, healthcare workers regarding patients. We are working continuously to expand access to this service. Furthermore, all Diagnostic images are now digitized and stored in a film-less Picture Archival Communications System allowing for quick turn-around of assessment and treatment for patients.

Over this last year, the pace of change has been relentless. TBRHSC now presents an integrated program of Cancer Care, greater resources for Renal Dialysis, enhanced Emergency Department Trauma Rooms, Operating Rooms, and Intensive Care Rooms with articulating arms to assist the delivery of care. We also have implemented Infection Control strategies that make us the envy of other institutions. When healthcare officials from all over the world visit us to learn from our experience, they leave in awe. Representatives from one very large healthcare organization in Georgia recently came to the site. After seeing our film-less “digitized” Diagnostic Imaging Department, one of their physicians commented, “it has been a huge accomplishment considering the scope of the project. It is amazing. What could be next”?

People ask how we strategically marshalled the resources to build the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Centre. They ask how “we got so much for the investment”? Well, it took a community of people who believed we deserve the best care possible. It took a community of people who sacrificed to make it happen. It took a commitment from our contractors and workers to see the project through in the shortest period of time possible. It took good fortune, too. Just by expediting the construction, we saved millions of dollars in steel costs alone because steel has more than tripled in price since we completed that phase of our project. By completing our project in an efficient and timely manner, we have succeeded in providing our community and region with a great facility at a fair cost.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, congratulations on your first anniversary and I thank you for your continued support. As well, I commend members and volunteers with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the Northern Cancer Research Foundation. Well done.

Sincerely,

Ron Nelson, Chair
Board of Governors

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