Dr. Tajinder Kaura’s day begins long before the sun rises. By 5 a.m., he’s at Peel Memorial’s Urgent Care Centre in Brampton, ready to care for the patients who rely on this critical service. As Site Chief of Emergency Medicine and leader of one of the busiest urgent care centres in Ontario, Dr. Kaura knows that Peel Memorial often serves as the first point of contact for patients with a wide range of medical concerns—from injuries and infections, to escalating chronic conditions.

One such patient arrives early in Dr. Kaura’s shift—a man in his 60s experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. Within minutes, an ECG confirms a heart attack. Dr. Kaura’s training, calm leadership, and quick decision-making ensure the patient is stabilized and transferred swiftly to Brampton Civic Hospital for treatment.

Throughout his shift, Dr. Kaura provided care to an incredible variety of cases: a child with a high fever and suspected viral infection, a senior struggling with worsening Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms, and a young athlete with a sprained ankle. “Urgent care fills such an important gap in our health care system,” Dr. Kaura said. “We’re helping patients avoid unnecessary emergency room visits while ensuring those who need more intensive care get it quickly. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

With 300,000 annual emergency visits across Osler’s three sites, Peel Memorial’s urgent care model ensures patients receive timely care while easing pressure on Brampton Civic Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Dr. Kaura’s shift ends at noon, but the work continues—Peel Memorial’s urgent care team ensures that residents have access to high-quality care whenever they need it most.