Not All Superheroes Wear Capes
Published Wednesday, June 12, 2024
We're celebrating National Nursing Week (May 6-12) by acknowledging the dedication and achievements of nursing professionals. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is taking this opportunity to celebrate and recognize the vital role nurses play in making the patient experience better by delivering exceptional care in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario. Join us as we highlight a few of our nurses and their achievements. To these and all the nurses at TBRHSC, thank you for your unwavering care and dedication to the health of the community.
Amy Binch
Amy always knew she wanted to be a nurse, but her career has evolved in ways she never could have anticipated. Amy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University in 2012. Currently, Amy is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Medicine program, where she supports units 2A and 2B. In this role, all of her work aims to improve the care provided at the hospital. Amy's role encompasses six practice competencies including research, education, direct comprehensive care, consultation and collaboration, optimizing health systems, and leadership. Amy is involved in the training of new nursing staff, analyzing health research to determine nursing best practices, writing and implementing policies and procedures, quality improvement initiatives, teaching nurses, and supporting nurses in the care they provide to patients at the bedside.
Christian Popa
Christian is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field. As part of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery team, Christian excels in providing comprehensive care from admission to discharge and follow-up in his clinic. This includes patient assessments, treatment implementation, cross-specialty consultations, procedural expertise, and patient, family, and staff education. Christian is dedicated to safe, seamless transitions of care through a multidisciplinary approach. He possesses a keen interest in advanced procedures, regularly expanding his skillset to provide the best possible care for his patients. Christian is involved in outpatient follow-up, promoting full recovery for trauma patients, as well as in research and policy development to advance the field. Christian is passionate about injury prevention, community health education, and knowledge translation.
Naomi Sinclair
Naomi Sinclair was born in Princeton, BC, to her father, who is of Cree descent, and her mother, who is of Ukrainian descent. Naomi's community is York Factory First Nation, Manitoba. At the age of 10, the family relocated to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Naomi says, “It was my compassionate heart and desire to help others that inspired me to pursue a career as a Registered Practical Nurse.” Working as an Indigenous RPN has allowed Naomi to become more aware of the difficulties that Indigenous Peoples encounter in the hospital environment. “I see the importance of providing culturally sensitive care which is essential to helping our Indigenous peoples feel safe and respected,” said Naomi.
Sara Bobyk
Sara graduated in 2016 from Confederation College. With over eight years of nursing experience across various settings, Sara has thrived in supporting patients across many areas of the healthcare system. From her time at Roseview Manor (LTC) to the OATC methadone clinic and now the last six years in acute care at TBRHSC, Sara has consistently found deep fulfillment in helping/caring for patients as they go through some of the most difficult moments of their life. Sara says, “I enjoy building connections with patients and appreciate the opportunity to learn about their unique backgrounds and stories. It is fulfilling to see patients get better and be able to provide comfort to those who might not have supported or don't have a good prognosis.”
Cyanne Sandau
Cyanne Sandau is a 23-year-old Practical Nursing student at Oshki-Wenjack. She has lived in Thunder Bay all her life, but her community is Constance Lake First Nation. Nursing isn't just a career choice for her; it's a deep calling to support others during their most vulnerable times. Cyanne has always felt drawn to healthcare, especially the personal, one-on-one patient interactions. Cyanne loves seeing patients beyond their ailments and witnessing their resilience and progress. “Nursing is about making a meaningful difference and being part of a profession that values compassion, resilience, and dedication to health. It's a challenging yet profoundly rewarding journey that reaffirms my choice every day.”
Lelo Dlamini
Lelo Dlamini, is originally from the Kingdom of Eswatini. Recently, Lelo embarked on an exciting journey to Canada, embracing new opportunities, and experiences. Lelo decided to pursue a career in nursing after being deeply moved by the exceptional care that her mother received during her struggle with diabetes, she says “the nurses who attended to her showed clinical proficiency, remarkable empathy, and kindness. Their support greatly influenced our family's journey through a challenging period. I aspire to become a nurse, so that I can offer the same compassionate care and support to others during their moment of need.”