Our Executive Leadership Team

Since 2017, Dr. Andy Smith has been the President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, leading over 12,000 staff, physicians, researchers and learners and an annual budget of more than $1.4 billion. Prior to his current role, Dr. Smith served as Sunnybrook’s Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Executive.

With a long-established career as a surgeon and a recognized leader in the management of colorectal cancer, Dr. Smith is intensely passionate about improving healthcare. He has been involved for many years in quality improvement initiatives in Ontario and is deeply interested in healthcare leadership, innovation, and the evolution of the healthcare system in Canada. Dr. Smith serves as the Immediate Past Chair for the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) and is on the Board of Directors for ORNGE, Public Health Ontario (PHO), HealthCareCAN, and Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP).

Dr. Smith completed medical school, including a Master of Science, and General Surgery residency at the University of Toronto. He also completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Smith is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and has served as the Bernard & Ryna Langer Chair, Division of General Surgery at the University of Toronto.

Sunnybrook is recognized as one of Canada’s largest academic health sciences centres and is home to the first trauma centre in Canada. Each year, Sunnybrook conducts more than $100 million in research, provides educational opportunities for 4,000 students and cares for over 1.2 million patients. The organization provides a broad range of tertiary regional programs and services including specialties in cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, high-risk obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic and arthritic conditions, trauma and critical care, rehabilitation, and community care. In addition, Sunnybrook is Canada’s largest facility caring for the country’s war veterans.

Dr. Cass is a dynamic and effective leader with more than 20 years of hospital executive experience, and a demonstrated commitment to quality and patient safety and large-scale change initiatives.

Before joining Sunnybrook’s leadership team, he served as Vice President, Medical at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, where he helped support the organization’s integration with St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence health care to become what is now Unity Health Toronto. Dr. Cass has also been Deputy Chief Coroner for Ontario and Chair of the Patient Safety Review Committee, and he was the former Chief of Emergency Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital.

His clinical work has focused on a variety of fields. Dr. Cass was an emergency physician at St. Michael's Hospital for 16 years, and practiced Addiction Medicine while at St. Joseph's Health Centre. He has also provided medical care to Toronto’s homeless population through his past work with the Inner City Family Health Team.

Dr. Cass completed medical school and a Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto. He also completed the Royal College Residency Program in Emergency Medicine. He is an Associate Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. His research works have been widely published, including in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Ru Taggar is a highly successful clinical and health systems executive driven to provide leadership across regulated health professions to ensure patients receive outstanding person-centered care.

She has spent the bulk of her career helping to advance Sunnybrook’s vision to invent the future of health care. Before joining Sunnybrook’s leadership team, she held various senior roles at the hospital including Director, Quality and Patient Safety and Director, Medical Affairs and Business Development. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre since 2011.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook, Ru worked as a consultant for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the College of Nurses of Ontario, and was Manager of the Emergency Department at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She also spent ten years as a clinical nurse at North York General Hospital.

Ru has a proven track record leading front-line workers while collaborating across disciplines and with internal and external partners to address health system challenges, whether health human resources or reducing patient wait times for care such as hip and knee joint replacement surgeries.

She completed a Master of Science in Nursing from D’Youville University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). Ru also holds an Advanced Health Leaders Program certificate from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and an Adjunct Clinical appointment at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.

Kristen is a highly accomplished executive leader with a distinguished track record in human resources and strategic leadership support spanning both the private and public sectors, and a passion for championing excellence, equity, and innovation.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook’s leadership team, she was Chief Human Resources Officer, People Services at Women’s College Hospital, where she provided strategic direction and ensured HR practices were aligned with the organization’s dedication to women’s health care, research, and equity in employment and patient care. Kristen has also served in human resources management roles at Toronto East General Hospital (now Michael Garron Hospital) and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Throughout her career, Kristen’s comprehensive expertise in human resources, workforce optimization, and leadership development has been instrumental in driving the success of the organizations she has been associated with. She is committed to cultivating health care environments that prioritize patient care, staff development, and organizational sustainability. Kristen’s leadership approach, characterized by emotional intelligence and forward-thinking, has earned her widespread respect within the health care industry.

Kristen holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in Leadership and Education, from Athabasca University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Communications. She also holds a post-graduate diploma in Human Resources Management. Kristen is accredited by the Canadian Human Resources Association as a ,Canadian Human Resources Executive.

Michele has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience as a financial executive within Ontario hospitals. Her expertise in financial management and strategic planning has been pivotal in enhancing fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency in top-tier health care institutions.

Michele is passionate about building and supporting strong financial teams and fostering collaboration within the health-care system. Her dedication to excellence and positive outlook continue to advance Sunnybrook's mission of delivering exceptional patient care and its vision of inventing the future of health care with innovative solutions.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook’s leadership team, Michele held the role of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Operating Officer at Hamilton Health Sciences. Before that, she served as Interim Integrated Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at William Osler Health Centre.

Michele holds a Master of Business Administration from York University; a Chartered Accountant Designation; a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor; and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph.

Lori is a Registered Physiotherapist with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in hospital, home and community care, and health system planning sectors. She has led strategic planning, clinical operations, and innovation initiatives at both system-wide and local levels. Lori has a record of propelling transformative change and is a strong advocate for patient-centred and community-based care.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook’s leadership team, Lori held the role of Senior Clinical Program Director, Seniors’ Health and Ambulatory Care at Unity Health Toronto. Before that, she spearheaded the development of Markham Stouffville Hospital’s inaugural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and she supported health system integration efforts as Director, Health System and Sub-region Planning and Integration at the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

Lori brings the multiple perspectives of a clinician, health-care administrator, and BIPOC community leader to her work. Her cross-sectoral experiences fuel her ambitions of strengthening and amplifying Sunnybrook’s community connections.

Lori holds a Master of Science degree from McMaster University; a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. She is a designated Certified Healthcare Executive and Project Management Professional. Lori also holds certificates from the Advanced Health Leaders Program and the Advanced Community Health Leaders Program at the Rotman School of Management. Finally, Lori is an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and School of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Sunnybrook’s philanthropic community of donors and volunteers is essential to advancing the Hospital’s vision to invent the future of health care through life-saving innovation, research and care. As CEO and President of the Sunnybrook Foundation, Kelly works with the Hospital’s leadership team to align fundraising strategies with Sunnybrook’s priority initiatives; she builds connection between the community and the hospital to facilitate donor investment; and she leads the Foundation team in its mission to grow financial support for Sunnybrook.

Kelly has an extensive background in academia and health-care fundraising and is recognized for her transformational leadership and success developing strong collaborative teams. As Vice-President, University Advancement, Western University, she played a lead role in the “Be Extraordinary” campaign, which surpassed its goal. Prior to Western University, Kelly was the President and CEO of West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation in Toronto.

Kelly holds a Master of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo.

Shelley has a wealth of experience and leadership in health-care communications, with a demonstrated proficiency in overseeing both internal and external communications functions. Her strategic advice has been instrumental in guiding CEOs and executive teams through major decisions in the hospital and health system landscapes.

In her role as Vice President, Shelley is responsible for overseeing all strategic internal and external communications and continuing to elevate Sunnybrook’s brand in partnership with the Sunnybrook Foundation, while also deepening engagement with a variety of stakeholders. Her deep knowledge of the health-care sector and expertise in communications are integral to Sunnybrook’s success at achieving its vision of inventing the future of health care.

Shelley's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment is evident in her collaborative leadership style and her active involvement in mentorship roles.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook, Shelley enjoyed a remarkable 17-year tenure at Michael Garron Hospital, where she held various senior roles including in communications, clinical programs and operational readiness for the hospital’s major redevelopment project.

Shelley is an adjunct lecturer in the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation program at the University of Toronto. Shelley holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Science from Western University.

Darren is an experienced executive in the health-care sector who is passionate about using data to drive improvement opportunities. In his current role, he leads teams that focus on quality improvement, patient safety, and organizational performance measurement. All have the shared goal of continuous improvement for patients, families, and clinical teams.

Prior to joining Sunnybrook in 2014, Darren held various positions at Rouge Valley Health System. He also spent more than 10 years at the Canadian Institute for Health Information, where he developed an expertise in health-system measurement.

Darren is known for being a credible relationship builder among a diverse group of stakeholders, as well as for his solutions-focused and team-oriented approach to translating complex data into actionable information.

Darren has a Master of Business Administration with a focus on health services management from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Science from Western University.

Dr. Hynynen is an experienced academic, clinical researcher, and leader in innovative image-guided therapeutics that advance the future of health care.

In addition to his role as Vice President, Research and Innovation, Dr. Hynynen leads the Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

Dr. Hynynen is a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and a Cross-Appointed Professor at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. He holds a Canada Research Chair in Imaging Systems and Image-Guided Therapy.

Dr. Hynynen previously held faculty positions at the University of Arizona and Harvard Medical School, where he founded and directed the Focused Ultrasound Laboratory. He has published more than 350 peer-reviewed papers on basic and clinical research and been extensively involved in commercializing ultrasound technology.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Hynynen has received numerous awards, including from the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Society of Thermal Medicine, and the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound.

Dr. Hynynen received his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, where he also completed his postdoctoral training in biomedical ultrasound. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and the Acoustical Society of America.

Law is a passionate educator who has received widespread recognition for his commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. Over the past 25 years, he has received numerous teaching awards including the Canadian Association of General Surgery Resident Teaching Award, the Bruce Tovee Surgical Teaching Award, the Robert Mustard Mentorship Award, and the David McCready Clinical Teaching Award. He has also served a term as an Examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Dr. Law is also an experienced health care leader who has held senior leadership roles including Chief of the Odette Cancer Program at Sunnybrook. In addition, he has held the role of Regional Vice President, Ontario Health; Regional Lead, Surgical Oncology, Cancer Care Ontario; and co-founder of the Susan Leslie Clinic for Neuroendocrine Tumours.

Dr. Law is a Full Professor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and was the inaugural holder of the university’s Sherif and Mary Lou Hanna Research Chair in Surgical Oncology. He has also served as an Affiliate Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and as an Adjunct Scientist for the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences. In addition, Dr. Law has completed a term as a Career Scientist, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of Ontario. He has authored or collaborated on more than 200 scientific publications.

Dr. Law completed medical school at the University of Toronto and the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada Residency Program in General Surgery at McMaster University. Dr. Law also completed the Advanced Health Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Rob is an accomplished Chief Information Officer (CIO) whose career has spanned more than 25 years in the field of Information Technology in health care. As Vice President of Digital Health and CIO at Sunnybrook, he has been leading the strategic development and execution of key digital transformation initiatives, most notably the implementation of a cutting-edge Hospital Information System (HIS). Rob is fostering a collaborative IT culture, managing cybersecurity, and ensuring compliance with health-care regulations, all while focusing on the long-term digital strategy for the hospital.

Rob has a strong track record of success and consistently inspires others to explore new frontiers in their roles. Rob was Vice President, Information Technology and Management, Chief Information Officer and Chief Privacy Office at Grey Bruce Health Service and the Georgian Bay Information Network. In this role, Rob oversaw a multi-disciplinary team of leaders through transformational change including advancing both the hospital and the regional priorities. Before that, Rob held IT leadership roles at Michael Garron Hospital and the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network.

Rob has extensive experience leading transformational initiatives from design to execution. He is a pragmatic leader with a strong understanding of Information Technology, Health Records, Clinical Informatics, and Business Intelligence. Rob earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from York University and has a postgraduate Advance Training Designation in Networking Technologies from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

Kunal has held progressive leadership roles at Sunnybrook since joining the organization in 2014, taking on additional levels of responsibility in the areas of corporate strategy and corporate planning.

Kunal is known for establishing strong teams in the departments he leads and an ability to expand Sunnybrook’s capacity for addressing key priorities, including strategic planning and alignment across the care programs.

During his time at Sunnybrook, Kunal has also been instrumental in the development of the North Toronto Ontario Health Team and provided ongoing leadership on many of Sunnybrook’s capital projects, most notably the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre.

Kunal has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University.