Family CARE Grants Expand Access to Staff Wellness Resources
Published Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Abby Lazinski, Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, is pictured with one of two massage chairs funded through the Health Sciences Foundation's Family CARE Grants program to expand access to wellness resources for frontline staff.
New massage chairs for staff in the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are helping expand access to wellness supports at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre thanks to funding through the Health Sciences Foundation's Family CARE Grants program.
Staff working in these high-acuity areas experience some of the most physically and emotionally demanding environments in the Hospital, where opportunities to step away and recharge during a shift can be limited. While massage chairs were already available in the Hospital's wellness room and Occupational Health and Safety Department, staff identified challenges with accessibility due to travel time, wait times, and limited availability for overnight and off-shift workers.
Located directly within ED and ICU break rooms, the new massage chairs provide frontline staff with convenient access to quick restorative breaks without needing to leave their units. Hospital teams say these moments of recovery can help reduce stress, fatigue, burnout, and physical strain while supporting morale, resilience, and overall staff wellness.
Inspired by ideas brought forward by frontline staff, the Family CARE (Care Advancement Recommended by Employees) Grants program helps fund smaller but meaningful initiatives that enhance patient and family care experiences throughout the Hospital. Made possible through donor support and Thunder Bay 50/50 participants, the program also helps support the well-being of healthcare teams caring for patients every day.
Staff say supporting caregiver wellness ultimately contributes to safer, more compassionate patient care, as rested and supported healthcare workers are better able to maintain focus, empathy, communication, and high-quality decision-making throughout their shifts.
To read about other projects funded through the program and learn how you can support future grants, visit healthsciencesfoundation.ca/familycare.