Update Spring 2022

Vascular Surgery Already a Success!

A message from Dr. Mary MacDonald

Vascular surgeons assess and treat disorders of the blood vessels throughout the body, with the exception of blood vessels in the brain (the domain of our colleagues in neurosurgery), or the heart (the realm of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons). We manage a wide range of clinical situations. We may be called to the Operating Room to repair a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm one day and spend the next providing surgical care of wounds in an outpatient clinic.

Our patients are diverse. Many are facing the effects of chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”) and need assistance to preserve their ability to walk and pursue an independent lifestyle in their retirement years. Others enjoy good health and have no idea what a vascular surgeon does, until they meet one of us in the Emergency Department following an accident or injury requiring vascular repair.

We strive to provide evidence-based, modern surgical expertise which includes endovascular (minimally invasive) approaches to repair aneurysms, narrowing (stenosis) or blockages of the arteries in the arms, legs or abdomen. We welcome patients from across Northwestern Ontario and have developed a Rapid Access to Vascular Evaluation clinic at TBRHSC as well as satellite vascular surgery clinics at Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout and Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste Marie. With the support of our colleagues locally and across Ontario, we provide safe, effective procedures and surgeries at home in Thunder Bay whenever possible, while maintaining the ability to transfer patients who need more complex, specialized care to our world-class partners at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto.Vascular Surgery falls under the umbrella of Cardiovascular Sciences, and the team is much larger than the nurses, doctors and technologists you might meet while receiving treatment. There are hardworking people making sure the administration, finances, research, medical supply, information technology and building services are ready to support the patients and clinical staff every day.

We are very grateful for all of the volunteers, students and donors who give time, effort and money to keep Cardiovascular Sciences at TBRHSC working, learning and expanding for the people of Northwestern Ontario. 

$1 Million From Thunder Bay 50/50 Will Help Bring Cardiovascular Surgery to Thunder Bay

The Thunder Bay 50/50 has been an extremely successful fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation since it started in early 2021. Nearly $10M in prizes has been awarded to Early Bird and Jackpot winners, and millions of dollars in proceeds have gone towards purchasing equipment and making infrastructure upgrades at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The Foundation is excited to announce that $1M in proceeds from the Thunder Bay 50/50 is going to the Our Hearts at Home campaign.

“I know how difficult it can be to travel outside the region for care. It’s difficult for the patients, their families, and the healthcare system to coordinate care. While many of the Foundation’s fundraising activities were put on hold during the pandemic, the success of the 50/50 draw has allowed us to give $1M towards the Our Hearts at Home campaign. This will help fund a full cardiac program here in Thunder Bay, which includes cardiovascular surgery, in addition to the existing services we already have, like angioplasty and cardiology,” says Parker Jones, Chair, Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

To purchase tickets for this month’s draw, visit www.thunderbay5050.ca. Lottery Licence: RAF1222518. 

$5.2 Million Invested by Province of Ontario

"It was great to have the Premier and Minister Rickford visit our Hospital and recognize the momentum we have and the needs of our communities. They personally gave me their commitment to our Cardiovascular Surgery program and the people of Northwestern Ontario. Many people within our organization have been working hard on this for a number of years. So, this is fantastic news for us at a time when we are finishing up our Strategic Plan."

- Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

Thank You

As we enter our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, I cannot express how thankful I am for the generosity of our donors as well as the tireless efforts of our cabinet members. We are proud to announce that we’ve currently raised over $16.1M for the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign!

At this time, the Hospital is still working with the Ministry of Health on the planning and design of the program. With the pandemic came inflation, and increased building costs, so we are currently still in the process of re-evaluating our final goal.

- Paul Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Campaign