At the heart of patient and family centred care are the people who make it happen. From the front line to the behind-the-scenes teams, everyone has a role in supporting Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC)‘s vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time. The Communications and Engagement team’s role is to highlight this important work, ensuring that the voices, stories, and successes across our organization are seen and celebrated. 

Telling the Stories That Matter 

Every department has a story, including the essential teams moving the day-to-day Hospital operations forward. Throughout a recent campaign, with staff spotlights, feature stories and social media content, Communications and Engagement worked to highlight how teams across the organization (including Maintenance, Portering, Housekeeping, and Simulation Lab) are living TBRHSC values and advancing care. 

Building Connections Through Recognition 

Recognizing the efforts of our colleagues fosters a culture of pride, collaboration, and shared purpose. Highlighting the work of different teams and individuals reinforces our collective commitment to quality care and continuous improvement and while helping staff feel valued.

Collaborating Across Departments

The Communications and Engagement team regularly connects with clinical and non-clinical departments to uncover stories that reflect the diversity of experiences in our health care and research environments. Whether it is a new initiative to support patient and family input, a staff-led wellness program, or an innovative approach to communication with patients, our goal is to shine a light on meaningful work that supports healing and connection. 

Meet the Team

This small but mighty team includes Communications Specialist and Project Lead, Raiili Pellizzari, who develops engaging communications that support patient care, staff engagement, and organizational priorities by collaborating across departments to share stories and promote initiatives. 

Cultural Communications Specialist, Gina Fata, supports effective communications that promote the strategic priority of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, using her knowledge and experience in cultural awareness to ensure communication materials, activities, and initiatives are meaningful to and reflective of diverse cultural audiences within the organization and throughout Northwestern Ontario. 

Senior Graphic Designer, Steve Coghill, brings communications materials to life by creating clear, accessible, and engaging visual assets that support patient care, staff communication, and community outreach. 

The team is led by Manager of Communications and Engagement, Marcello Bernardo, who guides strategic communication efforts that inform, engage, and connect staff, patients, and the community in alignment with the Hospital’s values. 

Engaging Our Staff and Community 

Through various media, including a daily electronic newsletter, video storytelling, digital signage, and social media outreach, the Communications and Engagement team bring stories to life for both internal and external audiences. The goal is to inform and inspire; to show how each person's contributions matter and how, together, we make a difference.