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Dr. Tara
My passion is to inspire and empower others to experience the joy and richness of life. I embrace a holistic definition of health and wellness—one that integrates lifestyle, nourishment, movement, rest, and connection. Time and again, I’ve witnessed the profound impact that nutritious food, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, and positive social and environmental connections can have on overall well-being.
Dr. Tara’s Sunshine—my website and coaching platform—is the culmination of my unique and diverse training and life experiences. I bring to this work nearly two decades of experience as a medical physician and psychotherapist, combined with my lifelong interests as a traveller, fitness enthusiast, music lover, and passionate home cook. I deeply understand our human need for supportive community and recognize the importance of nourishing both body and mind to meet the demands of modern life.
Raised in a small town in Southwestern Ontario, I attended Queen’s University, where I completed concurrent BA (Psychology) and BScH (Life Sciences) degrees, receiving multiple honours and awards. An early interest in nutrition and preventive health inspired me to take courses such as Leadership in Health Agencies and Nutrition & Health Promotion.
After Queen’s, I attended the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, where I was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Gladwin Ridings Memorial Scholarship for excellence in academic performance, practicality, modesty, sensitivity, and reverence for human life. I graduated at the top of my class in 2000 as the Governor General’s Gold Medalist.
I began residency training in internal medicine, later transitioning into family practice to focus on preventive medicine, psychotherapy, and the mind-body-gut connection. In 2020, I took a leave from traditional medical practice to pursue broader wellness work, including nutrition, recipe development, and health education. This led me to complete the Foundations of Professional Coaching program through Adler/OISE and to begin formal studies in Holistic Nutrition through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. I am on track to complete certification in early 2026 and graduate in the spring, which will allow me to provide an even more integrative and meaningful scope of care.
My clinical and professional interests include:
Midlife women’s health, particularly perimenopause and menopause—supporting physical, mental, social, and sexual well-being through evidence-based menopause hormone therapy (MHT), lifestyle medicine, and individualized care
Nutrition, metabolic health, and weight management—using a biopsychosocial approach that integrates nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, and psychological and emotional relationships with food, along with medications when appropriate
The gut microbiome and its impact on overall health and vitality
Healthspan optimization, encompassing lifestyle and other modifiable risk factors including, but not limited to, lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure, sleep, stress resilience, cognitive function, emotional regulation, social connection, and sense of purpose. My approach integrates both biomedical and behavioural science to support longevity not merely in years, but in quality of life, vitality, and fulfillment.
To stay current and provide evidence-based guidance, I am an active member of the Menopause Society and continually engage in ongoing education through seminars, podcasts, medical conferences, and clinical observerships—including at Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Menopause Clinic.
Through my website and social media platforms (@drtarasunshine), I share my love of healthy living and simple, nourishing food. As a content creator and recipe developer, I’ve collaborated with several Canadian and US brands and organizations, including Del Monte, Nuzest, Lakanto, Eaton Hemp, GoMacro, Rawcology, Good Food For Good, Further Food, and The Women’s Brain Health Initiative. I look forward to integrating social media, community education, and personalized nutrition coaching into my future clinical practice.
Beginning January 2026, I will be accepting new patients for perimenopausal and menopausal care, nutrition, and weight management, blending medical expertise with holistic, lifestyle-based strategies.
Most importantly, I am the proud mother of three remarkable teenagers, and I currently reside in Toronto, Canada.