October, 2011

Message from: Angèle Brunelle, Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

When I think about the mounting healthcare challenges that we face in Northwestern Ontario, I reflect on what has been accomplished in recent years by our dedicated healthcare teams and supporters. By remembering our journey together, I am encouraged to believe that we can continue to rise above the challenges to sustain our growing reputation as a leader in healthcare. In fact, I believe we have the desire and skilled people to improve upon it.

The TBRHSC Board of Directors has approved a new Strategic Plan that has high achievable expectations. The Plan is doable, realistic, and sustainable. We want to reach out to the people around us in a way that is innovative. We know that all our healthcare stakeholders have engaged with us to confirm their support to go forward. Collectively, we are aligning our resources for the “greater good”.

I know that alignment can work. Take, for example, Telemedicine. Starting with limited resources, we worked with similarly-minded people to establish what Accreditation Canada now recognizes as the “leading practice” in the country. We have achieved the same thing with Patient and Family Centred Care. It is rewarding. The thousands of hours that our Patient and Family Advisors, and others, continue to freely contribute, is among the reasons why I feel positive about our future. I like to celebrate people with great ideas. For example, a couple of years ago, who would have thought that we would be making plans for a Cyclotron. We now expect that the project should be completed by 2013. This project demonstrates that there is a lot going on behind the scenes as our leaders and planners seek the best possible healthcare for everyone that we serve. The future looks promising.

Among other challenges, TBRHSC is addressing resource issues, especially human resource. Intellectual capital is not easily renewed because of the significant amount of education that our people require to enable them to do their jobs. The availability of credentialed talent with appropriate skills is being monitored as never before as we prepare for the retirement of many workers. In light of this, as everyone knows, education is only part of a person’s value to an organization. Experience is also a significant indicator to success. So, as we replace our workforce, we are cognizant that renewal often brings change. The change is usually welcomed when we embrace the alignment of resources with our Strategic Plan. We go forward together. Successful teams work that way.

Finally, I am looking forward to our “Walk the Talk” celebration at TBRHSC. It is a special time for a lot of people as they are recognized for leading in special ways. All these people have been nominated because they generate so much goodwill through their daily activities, acting as ambassadors, while demonstrating their commitment to healthcare. It is gratifying to know that their peers want them to be formally recognized. I am reminded of a medical leader at the Mayo Clinic who phrased his thoughts regarding valued healthcare workers there by saying, “part of our culture is that our people are motivated by two basic things: excellence and humility”. I feel the “Walk the Talk Awards” speak to that. They make us proud to be a part of this great organization. Our future looks bright.

Respectfully,

Angèle Brunelle, Chair
Board of Directors