WITH his passion for health system transformation and innovating for the future, Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dr. Arun Garg is described as a visionary. He is an exemplary role model for physician leadership in advancing care and supporting our diverse populations.

Throughout Garg’s inspiring career, he has always focused on making better health a reality. He is known for being passionate about driving change, building partnerships and elevating the quality of care he provides.

“I’ve always wanted to be a medical doctor. In a way, it’s a calling. When you find your passion and what you really enjoy, you stay with it,” reflects Garg, program medical director for the South Asian Health Institute.

After becoming a doctor in 1979, Garg made an impressive start by building an integrated, comprehensive laboratory medicine service for the Fraser Health region. He’s since made several more notable achievements.

“Arun is a dedicated physician, advocate and coalition builder. His influence on several transformative system changes, like lab medicine, the South Asian Health Institute, South Asian population health and his leadership with Doctors of BC, cannot be overstated,” shares Dr. Ingrid Tyler, vice president of Population Health and Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer.

Garg is very active in the community, too.

“Exemplifying his visionary nature, he founded the Canada India Network Society in 2010 – an organization that builds links between Canada and India through engagement, social innovation and technology,” Tyler adds.

Garg is passionate about improving South Asian population health through his work with the South Asian Health Institute – a centre dedicated to fostering culturally appropriate health promotion and prevention activities for South Asian communities.

“For me, the biggest satisfaction has been to see Fraser Health evolve given the population we serve. If there was a place where one could have culturally sensitive, culturally effective conversations – care would be better. The South Asian Health Institute was designed to have these culturally sensitive conversations and engage people, educate people and empower them,” he explains.

Executive Medical Director and Medical Health Officer for Population and Public Health Dr. Ariella Zbar praises the profound contributions he has made to the institute.

“It is clear how dedicated Dr. Garg is to the health and well-being of South Asian populations served by Fraser Health over his many years of service. He has built up a strong network of South Asian physician leaders and connections with local community leaders to design new ways to help South Asian residents eat healthier, and he is a trusted voice on South Asian health matters,” shares Zbar.

“He has done so much and continues to have so much more that he wants to achieve,” she continues.

Clinical and Research Endocrinologist Dr. Akshay Jain agrees.

“He is a remarkable visionary with a proven track record and life-long commitment to building healthy communities in Fraser Health. He has dedicated his life to the overall improvement of health for the residents in our region. He has created a legacy that will be cherished for a long time to come,” he says.

Garg humbly attributes his success to teamwork.

“It’s always very satisfying when your peers support you and recognize you. I am grateful for this. Above all, it really is a recognition of your colleagues and your team.”

(Fraser Health)