What is the one organization that touches every member of our community? At some point, we all rely on Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) to care for us or a loved one.
And it has been my immense privilege to, for the past 18 years, lead an organization that has such a profound impact on the community.
As I prepare to retire from the health centre at the end of June, I reflect on the outstanding care RVH provides and the remarkable people who deliver it.
Healthcare is a high-pressure, high-stakes sector and the past two years has been especially grueling. Yet, I have watched the bone-weary members of TEAM RVH rise to every challenge and, despite enormous sacrifice, continue to ensure people throughout our region are well-cared for. To say I am proud and inspired by RVH’s staff and physicians would be a huge understatement.
My mantra throughout 40 years in healthcare has always been “the patients entrusted to our care”. As CEO, I felt that enormous trust came with an obligation to always move the organization forward: to expand care, to make it safer, to make it more accessible, and to enhance the technology our skilled teams use every day.
Whether it was doubling the size of the health centre ten years ago, adding new beds and a regional cancer centre; launching new regional programs, such as advanced cardiac and child and youth mental health; opening a Family Medicine Teaching Unit and a Centre for Education and Research; introducing high-tech equipment, like an automated lab, interventional radiology and, soon, a PET-CT scanner, Simcoe Muskoka residents have peace-of-mind knowing they can access lifesaving care closer to home.
Impacting the lives of our patients in very real and tangible ways has been exhilarating and rewarding. But what I am most proud of is RVH’s cultural transformation. We call our strategy “MY CARE” and by embedding our values into the organizational DNA, it defined the expectation that all members of TEAM RVH will put patients first.
Since introducing it, RVH has seen safety, patient experience and TEAM RVH engagement scores soar. Most importantly, our patients feel it when they walk into our beautiful facility, where we care for our patients – and each other – with respect and compassion.
During my time at RVH, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside exceptional staff, physicians and our beloved “Blue Brigade” of volunteers. Together we have partnered with many outstanding organizations determined to create a seamless system of care. We have worked closely with dedicated elected representatives committed to improving our community. We have developed meaningful relationships with business owners, service clubs and generous donors. We have sat with countless patients and families who have shared the most intimate, heart-wrenching moments of their lives.
It is with deep gratitude and humility that I thank you for the opportunity to serve this community as RVH’s President and CEO.
Royal Vic is an outstanding organization, well-positioned for the future; a future that will see the current North Campus double in size and a South Campus built in Innisfil. Be assured, I will be cheering from the sidelines!
