Celebrating Spirit of Partnership
June 20, 2021
On July 18, 2022, nearly 60 representatives from across the Rainy River District came together in the spirit of celebration around the partnership uniting Rainy River District Ontario Health Team (RRDOHT).
On the Treaty 3 land of the Naicatchewenin First Nation (Northwest Bay), the ceremony featured traditional drumming, dancing and invited speakers to share their thoughts and feelings about the important collaborative efforts to improve health care outcomes and experiences in the district through the work of the RRDOHT.
Elder Gilbert Smith of the Naicatchewenin First Nation presided over the ceremony.
We look forward to moving the partnerships forward in a good way, and seeing the positive effects of these efforts in all our communities.
June 28, 2024
Following a lengthy search, we are excited to introduce Jackie Park as our new Executive Lead at the Rainy River District Ontario Health Team (RRDOHT). Jackie joined our team on June 10th, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Jackie brings a wealth of experience from across various healthcare settings. She started her career in emergency care, working for two decades as an emergency and charge nurse, and honed her skills in high-pressure environments. She has a knack for enhancing healthcare processes and ensuring effective community engagement, developed through roles as a community liaison and process improvement coordinator. During the pandemic, she showcased her skills in leadership and navigating complex challenges as manager of pandemic community collaboration, assessment, and screening. Jackie comes to us now from her role as executive director of the Harbourview Family Health Team. She has led the team in Thunder Bay with a strong vision and dedication to improved community health and brought her voice to the Noojmawing Sookatagaing OHT Leadership Council, Governance, and Collaboration Council. On a personal level, Jackie has spent most of her life in Northwestern Ontario, growing up in the small community of Hurkett, east of Thunder Bay. Her deep roots in the region give her unique insights into the healthcare needs and challenges of our communities. She is a mother of three, with two children who have successfully launched their own careers. In her free time, Jackie enjoys the outdoors and travelling. She is a passionate advocate for healthcare equity in Northern Ontario and is excited to contribute to our vision of exceptional health care, close to home.
September 27, 2022
Working with many of its partners in the community, the RRDOHT Digital Health Committee is enabling tremendous growth in the realm of eReferrals. Several programs in Atikokan and Fort Frances are set to go online in the fall through the CMHA, with others like the Paramedicine program in the process of joining. The Atikokan General Hospital is expanding their eReferral footprint as well and while they are in different stages of progress, the goal is to be online in the fall as well with eReferral goals on track for the year. We look forward to more participants shortly. Digital Health Committee Lead: Jorge VanSlyke
September 27, 2022
Existing mental health and addictions issues have been compounded by the global pandemic and our region ranks high in risk and struggles with accessibility. In an effort to reduce ED visits while having a positive impact on outcomes, Fort Frances Family Health Team and the Canadian Mental Health Association are collaborating on a funding opportunity to implement seamless referrals to remote care management (RCM) for individuals with mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. This would allow patients to remain in community while staying appropriately connected to primary and mental health care, engaging with patients both virtually and in-person to develop necessary coping and wellness skills to prevent an escalation of symptoms and higher care needs. Leveraging the SeamlessMD application, the RCM program assists the patient to follow-up with primary care when needed, and will also provide support, referral, and advocacy for housing, income support, employment services, education, legal, food security, cultural and traditional care support. MH&A Committee Lead: Charlene Strain
© 2025
Rainy River District Ontario Health Team