Family CARE Grants

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

The Health Sciences Foundation Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants are here to support you — the healthcare providers who make the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre exceptional.

Family CARE Grants can enhance the care you provide daily. The Family CARE Grant program is like a workplace suggestion box but with funding to bring ideas to life! This process encourages front-line staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to propose improvements in patient care and provides up to $4,000 to implement their ideas. This program honors and empowers employees to make a difference.

Are you a Health Sciences Centre staff member with an idea that can improve patient care? Submit a grant today!

Submit a Grant

Application Deadline: October 18th, 2024

Why Submit a Family CARE Grant?

Replace a high-use item in your area, such as thermometers or IV pumps
Purchase small equipment that patients or their families have suggested would improve care
Provide comfort, relief, or an increased quality of life for patients during their stay with things like blankets, stuffed animals, or blanket warmers.

For more information about Family CARE Grants, please contact Laura Andricciola:

Email Laura

or call 807-684-7276

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 14^th 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)