Dr. Rupinder Toor
BScHon, MD, CCFP, FCFP.
Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Rupinder Toor is a medical doctor leading a life of purpose and passion. She has proven to be a champion, innovator, and thought leader in the areas of women’s health, birth control, IUDs, and culturally appropriate health care.
Dr. Toor has received numerous national recognitions and awards for her work, including the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal, College of Family Physicians of Canada Recognition of Excellence, the University Of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Alumni of Distinction, the Legacy Award from the Calgary Board of Education, and the Global Calgary Woman of Vision award.
She completed her training at the University of Calgary and the University of Western Ontario. She is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary and Medical Director & Founder of The IUD & Women’s Clinic that has served close to 100,000 women. She is fluent in English and Punjabi. In her spare time, she enjoys focusing on fitness, plant-based food, fashion and fun!
Isabelle Tahmazian
BHScHons, MSc Global Health
Free Contraceptives Campaign Co-Manager
Isabelle completed her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of Calgary before pursuing an MSc in Global Health at McMaster University, where she concentrated in ‘Implementing Health Innovations on a Global Scale’. She is currently working with Project EmpowHER on a federal campaign for contraceptives in Canada.
Throughout her studies, Isabelle gained a deeper understanding of the importance of ensuring equitable access to reproductive healthcare as a means of promoting greater intersectional gender equity in society. As Isabelle says “Being a part of an initiative like this has been such an incredible opportunity. It is one thing to learn about these health disparities, but a whole other to be given the opportunity to help lessen them.”
In her free time, Isabelle enjoys getting out to the mountains to hike, climb, and bike.
Ria Mangat
BHScHons
Youth Ambassador Coordinator
Ria graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences. She joined Project EmpowHer in 2020 as the Youth Ambassador Coordinator.
Her passion for women’s and children’s health is reflected through her work with the All Our Families (AOF) Study and as a clinical aid at the IUD & NE Women’s Clinic. Ria also volunteers with the Women’s Centre of Calgary and the Children’s Cottage Society. Ria has a strong understanding of how empowering women promotes family and community well-being, and how this empowerment can help break the cycle of poverty.
In her spare time, Ria enjoys trying new restaurants, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Lauren McGruthers
BScHon, MDCM, CCFP
Executive Medical Director, Vulnerable Populations
Dr. Lauren McGruthers has dedicated her career and life-long learning to women’s health, with a particular focus on vulnerable and high risk populations. After completing her training at McGill University, Dr. McGruthers moved to Calgary to settle down with her young family and pursue her career.
She is an Associate Physician at The IUD Women’s Clinic, and also works with low-income and vulnerable women and children at the CUPS Women’s Clinic. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. McGruthers has served on the planning committee for Women’s Health in Primary Care conferences, which focuses on expanding physicians’ and other practitioners’ understanding of women’s health.
Having been raised by a fiercely independent single mother and a strong-willed grandmother, Dr. McGruthers has always been acutely aware of how powerful women are. Accordingly, Project EmpowHER’s goals are very closely aligned with her own. Giving women the power to choose when to become pregnant dramatically increases their ability to pursue and achieve educational or employment goals. Approximately half of Canadian pregnancies are unplanned. Together, through contraceptive education and access, we can work to improve this statistic.
Dr. Christine Yurkowski
Executive Medical Director, Health Equity
Dr. Christine Yurkowski received her medical training in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After specializing in Family Medicine in Toronto, she made the move to Calgary where she completed a fellowship focusing in the areas of Women’s Health, Global Medicine, and Health Equity. Her current practice centers around women’s and sexual health. She has also contributed in international projects, many in East Africa, focusing in the same areas. She is passionate about the opportunity to provide education surrounding sexual health. Dr. Yurkowski is excited to be an active member of Project EmpowHER, which upholds principles in line of her own: raising awareness of sexual health issues, and providing equitable access to general women’s health care, screening and contraception.
Dr. Harjot Atwal
BSc MD
Associate Medical Director
Dr. Harjot Atwal obtained her medical degree at the University of Calgary and completed family medicine residency at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. She is very passionate about women's health and began extra training in fertility medicine shortly following residency. She currently works at Hannam Fertility Centre in the Natural Conception Program, supporting individuals and couples with a minimal intervention approach on their fertility journey. In addition, she works at Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinics, women’s health clinics in the GTA and regularly works with medical learners.
Dr. Atwal had exceptional mentors throughout her medical training, including Dr. Toor, which has pushed her to pursue opportunities for health promotion and education in women’s health. She believes that contraception empowers women by giving them the freedom of choice. She is excited to be a part of the Project EmpowHER team to further work in this field.
