Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) has appointed Dr. John Rissanen as its next Chief of Staff (CoS), effective September 1, 2026. Dr. Rissanen will succeed Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg, whose contract ends August 31, 2026 after serving the maximum 10-year term for the role. Dr. Tyberg will remain in his other role as Vice President, Academic and Medical Affairs, in which he will continue advancing RVH’s goal of becoming an academic health sciences centre. “Dr. Rissanen is a respected physician leader with vast experience at RVH and a strong understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with this role,” says Kimberly Matheson, Chair, RVH Board of Directors.

“Known for leading with transparency and fairness, Dr. ” The CoS plays a critical role in supporting safe, high-quality care across RVH by strengthening physician leadership, enabling the highest standards of clinical operations, and aligning medical priorities with the health centre’s strategic and financial realities. Dr. Rissanen has been an anesthesiologist in RVH’s Surgery program since 2005. Over the course of his career, he has taken on progressively senior medical leadership roles that have strengthened access, quality, innovation and the strategic use of resources.

Most recently, Dr. Rissanen has served as Medical Director for the Surgery program and as Chief Medical Innovation and Transformation Officer. Through his involvement in a range of hospital-wide initiatives related to capital equipment, major projects, surgical program operations and recruitment, Dr. Rissanen has helped improve how care is planned, delivered and supported across RVH. Having practiced and led within RVH for many years, Dr. Rissanen also brings a broad understanding of the health centre as a system where collaboration, patient-centred care and cohesive planning are essential.

All of this experience reflects the practical insight, collaborative approach and strong understanding of hospital operations that are essential to the CoS role. “RVH is an organization with exceptional people, a strong sense of purpose and an important role in the future of care across the region,” says Dr. Rissanen. ” RVH thanks Dr. Tyberg for his years of service and valuable contributions as CoS.