Building the Future of Cardiovascular Care: A True Team Effort
Published Monday, February 23, 2026
(L-R) TBRHSC Cardiovascular Surgery Program Construction Project Management Team: William White, Procurement Specialist; Daniel Sedano, Project Coordinator; Aaron Bruno Project Planner; Clayton MacDonald, Safety Consultant; Darin Pretto, Maintenance & Energy Lead; Stephanie Erickson, Manager, Infection Prevention and Control; and Raiili Pellizzari, Communications Specialist & Project Lead. Not pictured: Ryan Sears, Director, Capital & Facility Services; and Ted Wyant, Manager, Accounting
When it comes to a project as large as the Cardiovascular Surgery Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), it truly takes a village. With construction, safety, and communications teams, operational readiness and clinical integration leads, and partners providing essential financial support (including the provincial government and donors through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation), a broad network is working together to bring this project to life.
Northwestern Ontario has the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the province, and patients often travel long distances for specialized cardiac care. These journeys create logistical, financial, emotional, and health challenges for individuals and families. To address this gap, TBRHSC prioritized bringing cardiovascular surgery closer to home through a collaborative “Two Sites, One Program” model with University Health Network's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.
The partnership began in 2013 with a comprehensive plan to enhance patient care and improve regional cardiovascular outcomes. Phase one focused on developing and implementing a vascular surgery program. Phase two expanded on that foundation with the creation of a comprehensive Cardiovascular Surgery Program, significantly increasing available services. With expansion came the need for additional clinical and support space, triggering a multi-stage provincial capital planning and approval process.
By 2015, internal planning was well underway, with a pre-capital submission to the Ministry of Health. Over the following years, the project progressed through key planning stages, leading to Ministry approval to tender construction in June 2024. The construction contract was awarded in December 2024, officially launching the build phase.
What began more than a decade ago as a bold clinical vision is now becoming a reality. Construction is underway on 76,000 square feet of new and renovated clinical and support space dedicated to cardiovascular surgery. Behind the bricks and mortar is a highly coordinated Construction Project Management Team ensuring the project meets the highest standards for quality, safety, and fiscal accountability.
Leading the effort is Ryan Sears, Project Director, who provides oversight of timelines, budget, quality, risk management, and internal coordination. Aaron Bruno, Project Planner, oversees construction reviews, consultant coordination, scheduling, change orders, quality assurance, financial reviews, and communications. Daniel Sedano, Project Coordinator, monitors daily construction activities to ensure work meets specifications and aligns with departmental needs.
Safety and infection control remain central to the build. Clayton MacDonald oversees Occupational Health and Safety, ensuring compliance with rigorous standards. Stephanie Erickson integrates Infection Prevention and Control protocols into every stage of construction. Darin Pretto from Maintenance coordinates system shutdowns and tie-ins within the facility. William White leads procurement of all Hospital Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E), while Ted Wyant oversees financial planning and coordination with both the Foundation and the Ministry of Health. Raiili Pellizzari leads communications and engagement, ensuring staff, partners and the community remain informed throughout construction.
Key external partners further support the project. BTY Consulting Group provides project administration, construction reviews, and FF&E management. FORM Architecture, Parkin Architects, and HH Angus and Associates manage the construction contract, issue change orders, respond to contractor inquiries, and certify progress payments. CES Engineering serves as Commissioning Agent, verifying that critical building systems—such as HVAC and electrical—are installed and functioning as designed. Tom Jones Corporation, the General Contractor, manages construction and sub-trades, bringing detailed plans to life on site.
Together, this collaborative team is building more than expanded infrastructure. They are building capacity for high-quality, specialized care in Northwestern Ontario.
“This project has always been about delivering better care, closer to home,” said Sears. “Care close to home means families can remain together during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. It means safety, support, and peace of mind.”
More than steel and concrete, the Cardiovascular Surgery Program represents an assurance to the people of Northwestern Ontario – that their health and receiving care closer to home matters.