About
Dr. Aaron Jedediah Ruberto is an experienced Emergency Room Doctor, committed to delivering high-quality acute medical care to patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Practicing at Grand River Hospital in Thunder Bay, ON, he is a key member of the frontline medical team serving the community. He adheres to the standards and practices outlined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Dr. Ruberto is skilled in the rapid assessment, diagnosis, and stabilization of a broad spectrum of urgent and emergent medical, surgical, and traumatic conditions in patients of all ages. This includes managing time-sensitive situations, performing necessary emergency procedures, and coordinating care effectively within the fast-paced ER environment. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 to provide care for urgent and life-threatening conditions. Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition, as determined by a triage process.
He graduated with a Medical Degree from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Canada and has accumulated over six years of experience working as an Emergency Room Doctor since 2018. Dr. Ruberto is recognized as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). His training and certifications enable him to deliver comprehensive emergency care tailored to the needs of his patients in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities.
Dr. Ruberto’s professional philosophy emphasizes rapid and accurate assessment in critical situations, providing compassionate care under pressure, and ensuring effective teamwork and communication within the multidisciplinary ER team. He is dedicated to adhering to evidence-based emergency medicine protocols, prioritizing patient safety, and advocating for patient needs in acute settings. His commitment is to deliver high-quality, patient-centered emergency care in English, ensuring that every patient receives timely and effective treatment in the community of Thunder Bay.
Dr. Aaron Ruberto is experienced in assessing and managing a wide array of acute medical and surgical emergencies, including (but not limited to):
Acute Cardiovascular Conditions
Dr. Ruberto manages encompassing life-threatening heart and circulatory problems frequently encountered and managed within the emergency department setting.
- Aortic Dissection / Aneurysm (Suspected): Maintaining a high index of suspicion for these conditions in patients presenting with severe, tearing chest, back, or abdominal pain, or unexplained syncope.
- Hypertensive Emergencies: Controlled and judicious reduction of blood pressure using intravenous antihypertensive agents to prevent further complications while avoiding hypoperfusion.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
Dr. Ruberto manages evaluating and treating sudden onset or severe worsening of breathing difficulties from various causes.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Risk stratification of PE to guide treatment intensity and disposition.
- Pneumonia (Severe or Complicated): Selection of appropriate empiric and targeted antibiotic therapy based on severity, risk factors, and local pathogen susceptibility patterns, along with supportive care.
- Pneumothorax (Spontaneous or Traumatic): Interventions may include observation for small pneumothoraces, needle aspiration for symptomatic relief, or chest tube (thoracostomy) insertion for larger or tension pneumothoraces.
Trauma and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Dr. Ruberto manages offering immediate assessment, pain management, and stabilization for various physical injuries encountered in the emergency department setting.
- Fractures, Dislocations, and Sprains/Strains: Providing clear instructions for cast/splint care, weight-bearing status, and orthopedic follow-up.
- Multiple Trauma / Polytrauma (Initial Stabilization and Resuscitation): Systematic and prioritized trauma assessment following Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols to rapidly identify and address immediate life-threatening conditions (e.g., airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, massive hemorrhage).
This list is not exhaustive. The Emergency Department is equipped to handle a broad spectrum of urgent health issues. If you believe you have a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest ER or call emergency services.
- Central Venous Access and Arterial Line Placement: Maintaining sterility and adhering to best practices for central and arterial line insertion and care.
- Management of Head Injuries and Concussions: Rapidly recognizing and stabilizing patients with more severe traumatic brain injuries, including management of increased intracranial pressure and coordination with neurosurgical services.
- Treatment of Acute Infections and Sepsis: Early recognition and aggressive, protocol-driven management of sepsis and septic shock to improve survival rates.
- Management of Acute Pain and Symptom Relief: Prompt and effective symptom control for distressing conditions such as severe nausea, vomiting, acute shortness of breath, or systemic allergic reactions.
- Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Emergencies: Applying advanced diagnostic reasoning to quickly pinpoint life-threatening conditions amidst complex clinical pictures.
- Wound Care and Laceration Repair: Educating patients on proper wound care and signs of infection following repair.
Note: This list outlines key areas of emergency medical care. The services provided by Dr. Ruberto are tailored to the immediate needs of patients in acute situations.
All emergency medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and relevant acute care guidelines. Emergency care is prioritized based on medical urgency.
Grand River Hospital is situated in Thunder Bay's Port Arthur Central (Downtown North Core, Waterfront area) neighborhood. The hospital is easily accessible from the Commercial Corridor, with convenient access via Thunder Bay Transit. The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients, located within the hospital complex. Ample hospital parking is available, including designated spots for emergency access. Patients are advised to follow hospital signage directing to ER patient drop-off and parking areas. The ER serves as a critical access point for urgent medical care within the community, integrating seamlessly with comprehensive hospital services to provide timely and effective emergency treatment.
- What is the primary role of an Emergency Room Doctor like Dr. Ruberto?
- Dr. Ruberto, as a an Emergency Room Doctor trained to provide immediate medical care for a wide range of acute illnesses and injuries., specializes in emergency medicine. This field focuses on the immediate decision-making and action necessary to prevent death or further disability both in the pre-hospital setting (by directing emergency medical services) and in the emergency department. Their primary focus is on diagnosing undifferentiated acute conditions, resuscitating and stabilizing patients who are critically ill or injured, providing pain relief and symptom control, and coordinating comprehensive care for a diverse patient population presenting with urgent medical needs.
- When should I see Dr. Ruberto in the ER versus my family doctor for a health issue?
- The Emergency Room, where Dr. Ruberto practices, is designed for urgent and emergency situations—conditions that require immediate medical intervention to prevent serious harm or death. Your family doctor, on the other hand, provides comprehensive primary care, including treatment for common illnesses, management of long-term health conditions, immunizations, and preventative screening. For problems that are not immediate emergencies, your family doctor can provide more personalized and continuous care. If you have a non-urgent issue, the ER may involve a long wait.
- What should I bring with me if I need to go to the Emergency Room where Dr. Ruberto works?
- If you need to visit the ER, it's very helpful to bring your provincial health card and any other relevant insurance information. A complete list of your current medications (including name, dosage, and how often you take them), any known drug allergies, and a brief summary of your significant medical history (like major illnesses, past surgeries, or chronic conditions) can greatly assist Dr. Ruberto and the ER team. If possible, also bring contact information for your family doctor. For children, their immunization record can be useful if it's readily available.
- Why are wait times in the Emergency Room sometimes long?
- The length of your wait in the ER is determined by a medical sorting process called triage, which Dr. Ruberto and the team follow. This system ensures that the sickest patients receive care first. Factors like the number of patients currently in the ER, the severity of their conditions, and the availability of treatment rooms and staff can all impact wait times. While it can be difficult to wait, please know that the emergency team is working hard to attend to every patient based on medical priority.
- When should I go to the Emergency Room (ER) where Dr. Ruberto works, versus seeing my family doctor or going to a walk-in clinic?
- You should visit the ER for conditions that you believe could be life-threatening, limb-threatening, or could cause serious harm if not treated quickly. This includes symptoms like sudden severe pain (especially chest, abdominal, or head), difficulty breathing, suspected broken bones from a significant injury, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden changes in vision or neurological function, or if you've been advised to go by another healthcare provider. For less urgent concerns like mild colds, chronic pain management, or routine follow-ups, your family physician or a local urgent care/walk-in clinic is the better choice. ERs prioritize the most critical patients, meaning wait times for non-urgent issues can be considerable. The team, including Dr. Ruberto, is focused on providing immediate care for emergencies.
- Will my family doctor be informed about my visit to the ER with Dr. Ruberto?
- Maintaining communication with your family doctor is crucial for your ongoing health management. After your assessment and treatment by Dr. Ruberto in the Emergency Room, a report of your visit is generally forwarded to your primary care physician, especially if follow-up care or medication adjustments are necessary. To facilitate this, please make sure the ER registration staff have the correct contact details for your family doctor.
- What is the role of the triage nurse when I arrive at the ER?
- The triage nurse in the ER performs a crucial initial assessment to rapidly evaluate how serious your condition is. They will ask about your symptoms, check your vital signs (like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature), and assign you a triage level. This level dictates how quickly you need to be seen by an Emergency Room Doctor such as Dr. Ruberto, ensuring that patients with life-threatening conditions receive immediate care. They are a key part of the ER team that ensures patient safety and efficient flow.
Grand River Hospital
980 Oliver Road, PO box 9056 Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4
Hospital Main Line: (807) 684-6000
The hospital Emergency Department is fully accessible to all patients.
Dr. Ruberto is a licensed Emergency Room Doctor regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. Emergency Room services are typically accessed by presenting directly to the Emergency Department or via ambulance (e.g., by calling 911) for urgent medical conditions. No direct referral is usually required to be seen in the ER by Dr. Ruberto or the on-duty emergency team.
Verify Dr. Ruberto's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Ruberto-Aaron-Jedediah/0288486-100828