The Sheela Basrur Centre is a prominent and highly visible entity for public health education and knowledge transfer.
As a primary interface between the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Agency) and the nurses, doctors, researchers, technicians, caregivers and scientists who contribute to the public health continuum, the Sheela Basrur Centre will:

• Deliver programs that will invigorate the renewal of public health in Ontario and will connect these activities to the broader health system.
• Disseminate practical tools and strategies required to be vigilant and effective in mitigating threats, promoting good health and preventing injury
• Become the home of the Agency, in recognition of Dr. Basrur’s legacy

Dr. Sheela Basrur was an outstanding leader in the field of public health and had a remarkable career before succumbing to cancer on June 2, 2008 at the age of 51. During her career, Dr. Basrur was a public figure who built strong relationships with many organizations and with the people of Ontario. Her friends, colleagues and supporters are working to develop an ongoing tribute to Sheela to continue her legacy of public health renewal and leadership in Ontario.

On March 4, 2008, the Honourable George Smitherman, who was Minister of Health and Long-Term Care at the time, announced that the offices of the new Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion would be named the Sheela Basrur Centre. The creation of Ontario’s first public health agency was a major achievement of Dr. Basrur’s during her term as Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Called for by many experts following the SARS outbreak, the agency will serve as a hub, linking researchers, practitioners and front-line health care workers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world. It will provide specialized scientific and technical advice and on-the-ground support to front-line health care workers, public health units and government.

The public health agency is collaborating with a number of partners to develop the Outreach Program for the Sheela Basrur Centre. Partners include: Cancer Care Ontario; the Ontario Public Health Association; the Association of Local Public Health Agencies; the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario; Toronto Public Health; the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Biography Dr. Sheela Basrur was appointed the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health and Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Health, effective February 16, 2004. In this role, Dr. Basrur developed effective health promotion strategies and programs, to deliver measurable results. Learn more...