THUNDER BAY – June 10, 2025 – A transformative milestone in health care for Northwestern Ontario was marked today as construction officially began on the long-awaited Cardiovascular Surgery Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). The facility, the first of its kind in the region, will offer life-saving procedures closer to home, eliminating the need for hundreds of patients each year to travel to southern Ontario for care.
Hospital leadership, government officials, Indigenous and health care partners, and community donors gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of this critical $93 million investment. The project includes more than 76,000 square feet of new and upgraded clinical space, symbolizing a united regional commitment to improving access and outcomes in cardiac care.
“This historic investment from the Government of Ontario will help us realize a long-standing vision for cardiovascular care in the North,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “From government support and staff dedication to the generosity of community donors, this milestone is the result of tireless advocacy and collaboration across the region.”
Bringing Cardiac Care Closer to Home
Each year, approximately 300 patients from Northwestern Ontario require cardiovascular surgery services not previously available in the region. Once completed, the new program will offer both elective and urgent cardiac procedures, significantly reducing travel burdens and enhancing patient outcomes.
Funded in part through the Our Hearts at Home campaign led by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, the project also received strong provincial support. Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland praised the groundbreaking as a “game-changer” for local health care.
“This over $93 million investment marks a historic moment for our region,” said Holland. “It brings critical, lifesaving cardiac surgery to our doorstep, fulfilling a promise to deliver high-quality health care in the North. Since 2022, our government has invested more than $200 million into health infrastructure across Thunder Bay, and this project is a cornerstone of that commitment.”
National Partnerships to Elevate Care
To ensure world-class standards, TBRHSC has partnered with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at University Health Network (UHN). UHN’s Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director of the Centre, said the collaboration is part of a national push to extend advanced cardiac care to underserved regions.
“We’re proud to help bring the same level of cardiac care to Thunder Bay that patients receive in Toronto,” Dr. Rubin said. “This partnership represents a shared commitment to equitable, integrated care for all Canadians, regardless of geography.”
Project Highlights
When construction is completed in 2027, the Cardiovascular Surgery Program will feature:
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14 new inpatient beds dedicated to cardiovascular surgery
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6 new Coronary Care Unit beds
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A state-of-the-art surgical suite with C-arm imaging and recovery area
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An expanded pre-admission clinic and ambulatory care space
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A modern vascular lab
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Renovations to biomedical and medical device reprocessing departments
