Empowering Excellence: How Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is Driving Better Outcomes Through CIIP Certification
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre's dedication to innovation and excellence in health care has earned them the 2025 Excellence in Imaging Informatics Award. This accolade, awarded by the American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII),
marks the first time an employer has been honored, highlighting Royal Victoria Regional Health's notable contributions to the imaging informatics field and their support for Certified Imaging Informatics Professionals (CIIPs).
Known for their leadership in stroke and cancer care, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie, Ontario, once struggled to recruit PACS administrators, which prompted a strategic shift toward internal training and development.
By making Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) certification a central part of the plan, RVH strengthened their imaging team and improved care quality for the 500,000+ patients they serve each year.
For RVH, CIIP certification is a professional milestone and a strategic imperative. "Our organization sees CIIP certification as a cornerstone of career development," says Damian Hitchins, a PACS manager at RVH. "We urge and support staff to pursue the certification.
It's not just encouraged, it's celebrated."
That celebration is more than symbolic. CIIPs at RVH are often entrusted with more complex responsibilities, reinforcing the credential's value and embedding it into the department's culture. The result is a well-rounded team that's not only highly skilled but also deeply motivated.
From Certification to Leadership
But RVH's commitment goes beyond internal recognition. The institution actively promotes professional citizenship, encouraging CIIPs to attend national conferences like Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) and take on leadership roles in industry organizations.
This outward-facing approach has elevated RVH's visibility in the imaging informatics space, positioning it as a leader in both innovation and professional development. Internally, the path to certification is paved with support: structured peer mentoring, protected time for study,
and ongoing education ensure that CIIPs are not only prepared for the exam but equipped to thrive long after.
"Even after certification, the learning doesn't stop," Damian says. "RVH invests in our continued growth, which keeps us sharp and aligned with the latest advancements in the field."
Shaping the Future of Care
That investment is paying off in tangible ways. CIIPs at RVH are trusted leaders, routinely involved in strategic planning, system upgrades, and clinical workflow redesign. Their expertise is central to initiatives that span departments and directly influence patient outcomes.
"Turnaround times are faster," Damian notes, "Imaging accuracy is up, and staff satisfaction has improved. Clinicians and radiologists consistently tell us how much easier and more effective their work has become."
The ripple effects are clear: better tools, better processes, and ultimately, better care. RVH's approach demonstrates how strategic investment in people can drive innovation and elevate performance.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre stands out as a deserving recipient of the ABII Award for Excellence in Imaging Informatics. Their visionary leadership, commitment to certification, and unwavering support for their team exemplify what it means to lead with purpose and invest in progress.
"We're proud and grateful to receive the Excellence in Imaging Informatics Award from ABII," Damian said. "It's an honor to get recognition for the ways we've invested in strengthening our team's skills."