Family CARE Grants

Helping fund the 'little' things that make a big difference to patient care

Imagine you work with children who are about to undergo the scary prospect of surgery. You'd probably think of ways of making the experience easier for them. Maybe a little stuffed animal friend to help calm them in the OR? But how would you make that happen?

We're all familiar with the concept of a workplace suggestion box: you have an idea for making things better, fill out a form, and put it through the slot. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE Grant is like that suggestion box except that it provides the funding needed to bring the idea to life.

“CARE” stands for “Care Advancements Recommended by Employees” – it's a way to encourage ideas from front-line staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for improving patient care, and then provide them with up to $4,000 in funding to put their plans into action. The program honours the role employees play in patient care and empowers them to make a difference.

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To date, there have been a wide variety of projects funded through Family CARE Grants including:

  • A portable dental x-ray unit to take x-rays at the patient's bedside
  • Cubii seated ellipticals for cardiac/stroke patients
  • A cell phone/device charging station in the Emergency Department for patients' and family members' phones
  • And yes, also stuffed animals to comfort children prior to an operation.

The only stipulations for the Family CARE Grant are that it has to improve patient care or the patient care environment at the Health Sciences Centre in some way, and that funding cannot exceed $4,000 (although larger requests are sometimes considered).

Each year, the program provides tens of thousands of dollars in funding, with preference going to those projects that demonstrate the greatest patient need and benefit. These funds come directly from our generous donors, many of whom designate their donations directly to the Family CARE Grant program.

These Little Things Mean A Lot to Patient Care … and You Can Help

For more information about the Family CARE Grants program or to donate to the program, please call the Health Sciences Foundation at (807) 345-4673. You can also donate online. Please specify that you'd like to donate to this program.

Donate

Apply for a Family CARE Grant

Employees who wish to make an application for a Family CARE Grant should download the form below, come by the Health Sciences Foundation office, or contact us at (807) 345-4673.

Download Application

2023 Family CARE Grants

Marking its 15th year, frontline staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre have once again pursued grants to support the ‘little things' that can profoundly make a difference to patient care. Thanks to funding provided by donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, $123,417.60 was awarded to fund 66 Family CARE Grants.

Here's a list of the funded 2023 grants!

1A Medical/Oncology Inpatient Unit

  • Blood Warmer ($2,434.77)

2A & 2B Medical Impatient Unit

  • Venoscope II Vein Finder X 2 ($1,294.92)
  • Elite Otoscope with Plug-in Charger X 2 ($2,392.00)

2C Cardiology/Stroke

  • Recliner Chair ($3,275.87)

Adult Mental Health

  • Sensory Items and Books ($922.99)

Cancer Centre - Outpatient Clinic

  • Blood Pressure Units ($1,821.00)

Cardiac Rehab - Stress Lab

  • Wheelchair ($2884.58)

Cardio Diagnostics - EEG

  • Blanket Warmer ($4,000.00)

Chronic Complex Diabetes Clinic

  • Bariatric Chairs X 3 ($2,200.00)

Dental Department/Surgery

  • Digital Intra Oral Sensor ($4,000.00)

Diagnostic Imaging

  • Leg Rest with Knee Cutouts ($303.91)
  • Ankle, Foot, Leg Immobilizer ($588.00)

Emergency Department

  • Suicide Prevention Gowns ($2,910.48)
  • Over Bed Table - Latch to Stretcher X 10 ($3,964.00)
  • Thermometers ($2,452.00)
  • Doppler ($378.00)
  • Over Bed Table - Bedside X 4 ($3,020.00)

Emergency/Sexual Assault Domestic

  • Disposable Speculums ($224.40)
  • Kleenspec Cordless Illumination System ($474.43)
  • Clinical White Noise Machine X 2 ($158.00)

Hemodialysis

  • Lumex Patient Chair for Hemodialysis Treatment ($3,097.05)
  • Lumex Recliner Chair for Home Dialysis Training ($1,750.00)
  • Wide Platform Digital Scales X 10 ($677.89)
  • Digital Wheelchair Ramp Scale ($4,344.00)

ICU

  • Venous Dopplar handheld ($2,128.00)
  • Patient Slider Board X 4 ($732.00)

Indigenous Collaboration

  • Backless Quarter Benches ($3,427.00)

Laboratory Services

  • Turbidity Metre ($2,617.00)
  • Drying Oven - Microbiology ($1,559.00)

Labour and Delivery

  • Backpack for CODE OB ($192.00)
  • Fans X 7 ($1,276.72)
  • Maternal Newborn Bed for Parenting Room on 1C ($1,470.00)
  • Manual Breast Pump X 75 ($1,750.00)

Women and Children/NICU

  • The Zaky Hug X 10 ($2,076.00)
  • Small Tube Positioners ($2079.20)
  • Joey Brand Pro X 25 ($1271.00)

MRI Department – DI

  • Armboard for Injections ($1696.86)
  • MRI Safe Hearing Protective Earmuffs ($120.00)
  • Lockers for Patients Belongings ($650.00)

Neonatal Transport Team

  • Stuffed Animals with TBRHSC Logo ($5,000)

Occupational Therapy/Rehab

  • Manual Wheelchairs each Varying in their Functions X 4 ($12,586.80)

Operating Room

  • Stuffed animals for children (Part of Neonatal Transport Team)
  • Lonestar Articulated Retractor ($2,329.83)

Pediatrics/Pediatrics Outpatient

  • Diaper Scale X 2 ($384.00)
  • Mounted Axillary Thermometer X 2 ($508.00)
  • Sound Machine X 2 ($79.98)
  • Push Car & Replacement Parts ($192.48)

Peritoneal Dialysis

  • Utility Carts X 7 ($1,900.00)
  • Personal Blood Pressure Cuffs X 35 ($3,954.60)
  • Digital Weight Scale X 22 ($1,000.00)

Quality & Risk Management

  • Care Communication Cards ($1,885.00)

Rehabilitation Services

  • Atos Provox Larrybutton Sizing Kit and Larytube Sizing Kit ($1,400.00)

Renal/Renal - Multi Care Kidney Clinic

  • Cycler Travel Cases X 9 ($3,745.44)
  • Pivot Disc with Handle ($1,365.00)
  • Blood Pressure Machines X 10 ($1,100.00)

Respiratory Services

  • Walking Pulse Oximeter X 6 ($2,700.00)

Tamarack House

  • Primacare Recliner ($4,053.00)

Transitional Care Unit

  • Wheelchair ($2,900.00)
  • Pocket Talker ($366.40)

Ultrasound

  • Step Stool for Venous Reflux Studies ($3,354.00)

2022 Family CARE Grants

For the 14th year in a row, staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre applied for Family CARE grants for the ‘little things' that can make a significant difference to patient care. Thanks to funding provided by donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, $74,773 was provided to fund 46 Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees) Grants.

Here's a list of the funded 2022 grants!

2A Medical Unit

  • Global High Back Patient Chairs x3 ($3,179.16)

2C Cardiology/Stroke

  • Two-Wheeler Walkers x 10 ($650.70)

3A Endoscopy

  • Two-Wheeler Walkers x 10 ($650.70)

3C Neurosurgery

  • Pneumatic Platform Walker with Oxygen Tank Holder ($2,105.00)

Cardiac Diagnostics

  • Holter Monitors x 2 ($3,975.34)

Cancer Centre - Outpatient Clinic

  • Onyx Oximeters x 5 ($1,514.85)

Diagnostic Imaging - MRI

  • Grab Bars for Change Rooms x 2 ($100.00)

Emergency Department

  • Walkers x 5 ($325.35)

  • Vein Finder Probe for Children ($473.61)

  • Patient Tablet ($474.57)

  • Geriatric Chair ($1,700.00)

  • Wheel Chair with Leg Rest ($279.00)

  • Commode Chairs x 4 ($336.00)

  • Hands Free Water Station ($2,090.00)

  • Sound Amplifier ($200.00)

  • Triage Desk Speaker x 6 ($460.97)

  • Visitor Chairs x 30 ($2,700.00)

  • Cell phone/device charging station ($5,972.05)

Hemodialysis

  • Hemodialysis Chair ($2,247.54)

Labour & Delivery

  • Sitting Chair with Arms x 7 ($4,487.28)
  • Peanut Delivery Balls x 4 ($618.12)

Maternal Newborn

  • Rocking Chair x 2 ($591.07)

NICU

  • Recliner Chair for Kangaroo Care ($1,788.33)

OR

  • Stuffed Comfort Animals for Children ($678.38)
  • Laparoscopic Forceps ($1,875.00)
  • Laparoscopic Needle Drivers ($1,533.69)
  • Jordan-Simpson Retractor ($5,101.18)
  • Pillows/Pillow Cases x 480 ($3,585.60)

Paediatrics

  • Neo Veinlite vein finder ($341.13)
  • Portable Standing Scale ($678.15)
  • Paediatric Wheelchair ($657.90)
  • Adapted & Special Needs Wedges and Rolls ($2,864.00)
  • Cosco Life Stroll Plus Travel System x 2 ($451.93)
  • Child Size Table & Seats for Courtyard Outside ($2,074.99)
  • Medela Waterless Milk Warmers x 2 + case of liners ($2,244.99)

Paediatrics Outpatient

  • Neonatal Transilluminator vein finder ($725.00)
  • Thermometer - Axilla ($225.00)
  • Wide Clinical Care Recliner ($1,403.13)

Radiation Therapy

  • Music Compact Disc (CD) Collection ($250.00)

Renal Program

  • Blood Pressure Machines x20 ($1,999.80)
  • Portable Oxygen Saturation Probe x 5 ($375.00)
  • Scale (20), Blood Pressure Monitor x 20, Digital Thermometer x 20, Peritoneal Dialysis Belt x 30 ($4,016.80)
  • Dumbbells x 6 sets and Resistance Bands x 10 sets ($711.70)

Stroke Prevention Clinic

  • TV ($960.49)

Surgical Day Care

  • Overbed Table x 5 ($2,500.00)
  • Thermometers x 4 ($2,600.00)

Total Funding: $74,773.50

2021 Family CARE Grants

For the 13th year in a row, staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre applied for Family CARE grants for the ‘little things' that can make a significant difference to patient care. Thanks to funding provided by donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation along with the Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, this year over $71,000 was provided to fund Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees) Grants.

Here's a list of the funded 2021 grants!

1A

  • Posey Sitter Alarms x 5 ($1,877.89)
  • Desktop Fans x 50 ($2,259.44)
  • Tympanic Thermometers x 18 ($3,620.52)
  • Infrared Thermometers x 10 ($3,066.26)
  • Platform Walker with Oxygen Holder ($2,075.00)

2A Medical Unit

  • High Back Patient Chairs x 4 ($3,788.17)

2B Medical

  • Wander Bracelets x 10 ($2,257.51)

2C Cardiology/Stroke

  • Cubii x 2 ($682.84)

Adult Mental Health

  • Kitchen Fridge, Kitchen Aid and Food Processor for Patients' Kitchen ($3,904.00)

Chemotherapy Department

  • Raised Toilet Seats x 6 ($1,100.00)

Internal Medicine Unit

  • MTC Pocket Talker x 2 ($361.58)

Maternal Newborn

  • Double Breast Pump Kit x 50 ($1,864.50)
  • Silicone Breast Pump x 50 ($1,130.00)

Medical Transitions Clinic

  • MTC-Thigh Cuffs x 4 ($97.92)

Nursing Practice

  • EHOB Inflated Waffle Boot x 70 ($3,965.50)

Hemodialysis

  • Hemodialysis Chair ($2,247.54)

OR

  • Handheld Dental X-Ray Unit ($4,000.00)
  • Pelvic Instrument Set – Trocar Guides x 2 ($2,620.01)
  • DeVilbiss Vaginal Speculums x 12 ($3,222.53)

PACU

  • Bumper Pads for Standard Stretcher ($170.20)

Paediatrics - Child Life

  • Therapeutic Distraction items for infants and children ($1,036.06)

Prevention and Screening Clinical Services

  • Heart Rate Monitor, tablet, non-touch thermometer, pulse oxiodometer and dynamometer ($3,040.13)

Rehab

  • Spirit Fitness Recumbent Stepper ($4,000)
  • Pediatric Walker ($303.00)
  • Cubii Jr x 2 ($585.34)

Renal Program

  • Personal Blood Pressure Monitor x 30 and Utility Cart ($3,683.10)

Respiratory Therapy

  • Wearable Pulse & Oxygen Level Monitor ($3,955.00)

Surgical Day Care

  • Over bed table x 6 ($2,610.30)

Telemedicine

  • Bariatric Scale with height rod and grab bars ($2,810.90)

Vascular/Wound Care

  • Bidop 3 Pocket Doppler with PPG Probe and PAD Smart Kit ($3,267.00)

Wound Care Program

  • Oculus Quest VR Headset x 4, Oculus Quest carry cases x 4, VR Cover Facial Interface and Foam replacement set x 4, Initial purchase of 20 relaxing & tranquil experiences for patients to select from ($3,688.00)

Total Funding: $71,032.70

2020 Family CARE Grants

For the 12th year in a row, staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre applied for Family CARE grants for the ‘little things' that can make a significant difference to patient care. Thanks to funding provided by donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation along with the Volunteer Association to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, this year over $61,000 was provided to fund 24 Family CARE (Care Advancements Recommended by Employees) Grants.

Here's a list of the funded 2020 grants!

1A Medical Oncology Unit

  • Tympanic Thermometers x 14 ($3,500.00)
  • High Back Chairs x 4 ($3683.80)

2C Stroke Unit

  • E-Z Type II Transfer Disk ($988.75)
  • Platform Walker with Accessories ($2,085.00)

3A

  • Commode Chairs x 4 ($3,718.32)

Chemotherapy

  • Patient Room side chairs x 16 ($3,600.00)

Child Life - Paediatrics

  • Children's Push Vehicles ($2,030.55)

Maternal Newborn

  • Newborn Cotton Baby Hats ($4,045.50)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Sounds Ear Noize Activated Warning Signs ($1,539.00)

NWO Regional Stroke Network

  • Creation of Video for Stroke Patients ($4,000.00)

Operating Room

  • High Definition Sinuscope (0 Degree) ($3,500.00)
  • Applied Scope Warmer Bottles and Bases x 8 ($3,984.29)
  • Compact Sized Blanket Warmer ($3,559.50)

Palliative Care

  • Williams Sound Pocket Talker and Amplifier x 4 ($800.00)

Regional Cancer Program Outpatient Clinics

  • Tympanic Thermometers & Berrcom IR Thermometers x 5 ($1,774.10)

Rehabilitation

  • EVA Platform Walker with Accessories x 3 ($6,255.00)
  • E-Z Type II Transfer Disk ($988.75)
  • Physio Trainer Pro UBE Chair Bike/Utility Cart ($2,699.43)
  • Small Bariatric Staircase ($1,237.35)
  • Bowflex Extreme 2 Total Gym with Attachments & Accessories ($3,766.18)

Renal Services

  • Miscellaneous Items for Home treatment option ($2,688.92)

Women & Children's Program

  • Oculus GO VR System ($1,148.07)

 

2019 Family CARE Grants

Here's a list of the funded 2019 grants!

1A Medical Oncology Unit

  • Chemotherapy Chairs x 2 ($3,981.22)
  • Commodes x 3 ($525.85)
  • High Back Chairs x 5 ($3,351.85)
  • Tympanic Thermometers x 10 ($2,011.40)
  • Motion Activated Bedside Lights x 49 ($2,324.99)
  • 3-in-1 Commode & Footrest ($1,050.43)

2A Medical/Renal Unit

  • Fall Mat with Sensor x 10 ($2,398.90)
  • Bedside Lamps x 10 ($386.40)

2B Medical Impatient Unit

  • Seat Belt Alarms x 10 ($1,714.00)
  • Inflatable Shampoo Basins x 6 ($511.00)

3C Surgical Unit

  • Pneumatic Support Walker with Oxygen Tank Holder ($2,527.63)

Adult Mental Health Unit

  • Anti Suicide Blankets x 5 and Smocks x 5 ($4,025.06)
  • Kitchen Stove, Sink, Dishwasher, and Sink Garbage Disposal ($3,226.15)
  • Guitar and Musical Instruments ($744.52)
  • Safehouse Nightstand ($1,369.04)

Cancer Program/Outpatient Clinic

  • Blood Pressure Unit, Anderoid Dial, obile Stand with Adult Cuff x 10 ($3,275.00)

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Unit

  • Interactive Panel Device ($3,785.00)

Emergency Department

  • Fetal Doppler ($536.75)
  • Speculum Light for Exams ($603.00)
  • Portable Cardiac & Oxygen Monitor ($3,950.00)
  • Toilet Safety Rail ($695.00)

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)

  • Alzheimer's/Dementia Activity Blankets x 5 and Pillows x 5 ($696.45)

Indigenous Collaboration

  • 20 ft Tipi with Storage Shed, Birch Firewood, and Swiss Army Blankets x 20 ($3,997.00)

Intensive Care Unit

  • Overbed Tables x 11 ($2,685.38)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

  • Breast Pump with Trolly x 2 ($5,000.00)

Operating Room

  • Vac-Pac Surgical Positioning System ($881.00)
  • Armboards for Spine Bed ($4,517.74)

Perioperative Services

  • Bulkamid Scope & Sterilization Containers ($3,450.00)

Rehab Services

  • Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablets x 5 ($226.00)

Renal/Kidney Clinic

  • Folding Metal Patient Walker ($89.99)

Surgical Day Care

  • Free-Standing Bar Fridge ($451.99)