Photo caption: Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg, Chief of Staff, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
With a tenure spanning some of the most complex and complicated times in health care history, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) has had the privilege of Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg serving as its Chief of Staff (CoS) for nearly a decade. This coming August marks a significant milestone as Dr. Tyberg concludes the maximum 10-year term for the role. While his time as CoS ends, his commitment to RVH and the broader health system continues. Dr. Tyberg will remain as Vice President of Academic and Medical Affairs (AMA), advancing RVH’s vision of becoming an Academic Health Sciences Centre.
Recruited in 2016, Dr. Tyberg was the first external CoS in RVH’s history. Upon joining the organization from Sunnybrook, he also worked as a physician in the Emergency department, where he quickly became accustomed to the fast pace of a high-volume large community hospital. At that time, RVH’s professional staff contingent was 376, and has since grown to over 500 – a testament to Dr. Tyberg’s commitment to retention and strategic recruitment over the years, bringing in specialists to offer new services and increasing existing department staffing based on growing demands for care.
Throughout, Dr. Tyberg’s leadership has been defined by a calm, steady approach and an ability to navigate complexity with clarity. Over the past decade, he has steered RVH’s professional staff through transformative moments, including the challenging yet successful, launch of a new EMR system, as well as the ever-changing situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, both internally and as a regional representative on the Central/Toronto incident management system.
“This was a very challenging time for health care. I was so proud to be part of a team at RVH that not only supported its own community and region, but also accepted patients from overburdened sites across Ontario and even from other provinces,” recounts Dr. Tyberg.
Dr. Tyberg’s influence extends beyond crises; it is embedded in the structural and cultural evolution of medical leadership at RVH. Among his many accomplishments, he oversaw significant improvements to the Medical Advisory Committee and championed departmental reorganization, introducing new divisions such as Neurology, Midwifery, and Palliative Care. He also supported regional collaboration as interim CoS at Georgian Bay General Hospital in 2019.
“Dr. Tyberg’s contributions to RVH over the years have been vast and meaningful,” says Gail Hunt, President and CEO, RVH. “His medical leadership, characterized by his steady demeanour, patient-centred approach and ability to adeptly analyze different perspectives within a situation, will be missed as CoS. I am grateful we will still have his thoughtful insights and physician perspective in academic and medical affairs. I have no doubt RVH will continue to benefit greatly from Dr. Tyberg’s ongoing efforts and dedication.”
Through his efforts as VP, AMA, as well as his upstanding reputation as a physician leader as CoS, Dr. Tyberg has advanced RVH’s academic mission by introducing new medical education programs, deepening partnerships with the University of Toronto. Reflecting his dedication to cultivating leaders, continuous quality improvement and best practices, Dr. Tyberg has developed physician mentorship programs and expanded leadership roles.
“From my colleagues on the Senior Leadership Team and physician leaders, to the directors, managers and teams within my portfolio, to RVH’s professional staff, frontline leaders, and staff, I have been so fortunate to work with dedicated and talented people,” says Dr. Tyberg. “They set the example for creating a supportive and collegial work environment that is charting the future of health care in the region while delivering high-quality clinical care and exceptional patient experiences.”
Dr. Tyberg has elevated the health centre’s profile nationally through his work on the Board of Canada’s Drug Agency and as an adviser to the Ministry of Health during negotiations of a Physician Services Agreement with the Ontario Medical Association.
As RVH begins recruitment for a new CoS, Dr. Tyberg’s legacy of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment to patient care will continue to inspire. As VP of AMA, his vision for academic excellence including both education and research advancement remains central to RVH’s future.
Reflecting on his time as CoS, Dr. Tyberg shared, “There have been challenges in the last nine years but, without a doubt, being the Chief of Staff at RVH has been the highlight of my professional career. I am grateful for the opportunity, appreciative of all those with whom I have worked and proud of what we have accomplished together. The future looks bright, and I am delighted to continue working at RVH.”