February 14, 2008

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

As we near the end of our fiscal year, members of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors are taking stock of what has been accomplished during their “watch”. The early summary is that we all have a lot to consider and be grateful for since it has been a momentous year of change.

Interestingly, a few of the members are recent additions to our Board and they are making the transition to the acute care environment well. Each is immersed in a wide range of relevant information cognizant that operating a large acute care health sciences centre is a complex undertaking. These people are community volunteers who serve on the Board for free and I applaud their commitment as they help guide us through this time of transition and restraint.

Our Board is comprised of people with varied scholastic and experience backgrounds. Some are elected at our Annual Meeting while others are appointed by virtue of their professional position such as the Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the President and Vice President of the Thunder Bay Medical Association, the TBRHSC Chief of Staff, and the TBRHSC President/CEO.

As these Directors assemble for the monthly meetings as well as the numerous “committee” meetings during the month, it is a credit to the character of each individual that they donate their time and skills as they do. Leaders in medicine, law, accounting, human resources, business, education, local and regional government, to name a few, grapple with weighty healthcare issues, and make difficult decisions. They are an extension of a larger team of administrators, managers and healthcare workers, each willing to offer counsel when requested. It is consistent with our desire to present quality patient care.

Our agenda is always full and varied. I recall at one meeting recently, the Chief of Staff took Board members through a complex maze of decisions regarding a medical case. It was a clear presentation demonstrating how accountable our healthcare workers are in terms of standards of care as they apply to each patient, family, and healthcare provider.

It was a convincing presentation showing that the regulations governing the protection of healthcare information are confidential, comprehensive and reportable. Not only do principles of Law demand it, but people need to know that we protect them during a time when they are extremely vulnerable. Confidentiality is imperative. To not go to great measures breaks a trust among patients and families, and the healthcare providers themselves. Our Board feels that it is a quality of care issue.

The members of our Board need to be applauded for their excellent work. In a small way, I am doing that now.

Thank you for your support.

Ron Nelson, Chair
Board of Directors