Leading with Curiosity and Connection
Milestones Newsletter | Issue 13, Winter 2026 | Subscribe to Milestones
PCMCH Governing Council member Ru Taggar’s healthcare journey was shaped by curiosity, human connection and a desire to contribute to something larger than herself. It was inspired early on by her mother’s experience as a nurse.
“I got to see healthcare up close through my mom,” recalled Taggar, who would go on to become a registered nurse herself. “Hearing her stories made me realize how meaningful this work can be. I wanted a career where I could keep learning and connect with people.”
From the frontlines to the executive office
The desire to connect and help others carried Taggar through more than 30 years in the healthcare field. Her experience spans from frontline nursing to academic roles to her current role as an executive vice president at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a world-leading health institution that serves over 1.1 million patients each year.
What stands out most during her journey are the moments that forced her to adapt and tested her resilience, such as during the COVID‑19 pandemic when she helped lead Sunnybrook’s response.
“The uncertainty was immense,” she said about the pandemic, “but the resilience of our teams was extraordinary. It deepened my admiration for the entire healthcare system.”
Collaborating to shape system-level improvements
Taggar’s work with PCMCH Governing Council has given her a vantage point she values deeply: the ability to look across the province and help shape system‑level improvements in perinatal, neonatal and paediatric care. This included her work as Co-Chair of PCMCH’s Maternal-Newborn Committee (now Perinatal-Newborn Committee) where she contributed to the development of provincial guidance on COVID-19 for pregnant individuals.
“Everyone around the table has a shared vision and is focused on improving outcomes for Ontarians,” she said of the PCMCH Governing Council and committees. “That collective energy is powerful. To move forward, we need organizations that can listen, break down silos and bring people together. PCMCH plays that role.”
She added that having a trusted provincial convenor, such as PCMCH, is needed to address important issues in Ontario – from enhancing coordination amongst healthcare partners to improving access to care for underserved communities.
A vision grounded in shared purpose
Whether she’s discussing system challenges or reflecting on her own experiences, Taggar returns often to the idea of alignment – of people and organizations working toward a common vision.
“Whenever goals are shared, progress accelerates,” she said. “We saw that during COVID, and we see it every time leaders come together with a clear purpose.”
Outside of work, Taggar channels her curiosity into travel and exploring different cultures, drawn by a desire to understand how people live and connect with their communities. That same curiosity shapes her leadership: open, collaborative and always focused on learning.
PCMCH thanks Ru Taggar for sharing her experiences and for her contributions to PCMCH and Ontario’s healthcare sector.