Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Thunder Bay, ON

With all installations to date being concentrated in Southern Ontario, we wanted to ensure that Northern parts of the province knew we recognized their frontline workers. With that in mind, we installed our fifth site at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The hub of Northern Ontario, Thunder Bay is the largest city centre and services a large geographical area the size of France with over 250,000 residents. This area includes many remote First Nation communities with fly-in only access year-round, and ice road access during the coldest winter months. The next largest cities are often eight hours away by car, in Sault Ste. Marie and Winnipeg.

The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is affiliated with both Lakehead University and Confederation College, and is also a training facility and teaching hospital for students of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Research is also conducted at the hospital, under the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

Situated on a landscaped site of nearly 70 acres or 28 hectares, the hospital was designed to provide a more inviting and less stressful atmosphere for patients, visitors, and staff. At One Bench One Tree, we are proud to add to this landscape with our installation, which was completed on September 23, 2021. A small ceremony with hospital staff took place as well.

Beyond the continued support from our partners, this project in particular was made possible by the contribution of GreatLand Enterprises who donated their labour for the installation! Being based in Southern Ontario, your contribution made our first long-distance installation possible.

Thank you, Frontline-Heroes of Thunder Bay for your tireless efforts throughout the pandemic. Your service is appreciated and not forgotten!