For Dr. Arun Garg, improving health care begins with connection—bringing people together around a shared purpose and a willingness to think differently. It is a vision that continues to inspire others to get involved, including Abdul and Almas Allibhai, a Vancouver couple whose support of the South Asian Health Fund reflects the kind of community-driven momentum he has helped create.
A longtime physician at Royal Columbian Hospital, Dr. Garg has spent his career fostering collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and communities. Through his involvement with the Canada India Network Society, he has helped lead conversations that bridge modern medicine, cultural understanding, and innovation.
That spirit is reflected in CINI 2026, a gathering focused on integrative thinking and the future of care. Bringing together healthcare leaders, innovators, and community voices, it creates space to explore how diverse perspectives can lead to better outcomes.
For Dr. Garg, these ideas are not theoretical. They are embodied in the South Asian Health Fund, an initiative with Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation designed to engage, empower, and educate communities around health and wellness.
“Health care means different things to different people,” he says. “If we want to improve it, we have to be willing to think differently and work together in new ways.”
Created with a long-term vision, the fund supports culturally relevant health initiatives, public education, and improvements to the patient experience. Rather than acting as a traditional granting fund, it serves as a catalyst—encouraging participation, sparking ideas, and strengthening connections between communities and care teams.
Its focus may begin with South Asian communities, but its impact is broader. By identifying gaps and addressing barriers, the work contributes to knowledge that can benefit patients across the region.
As Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation continues to support initiatives that strengthen patient care and community wellbeing, efforts like the South Asian Health Fund—and the connections they foster—are helping shape a more inclusive and collaborative future for health care
Dr. Arun Garg, recipient of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, stands alongside the Foundation’s 2025 Champions of Philanthropy.