Dr Sharda (nee Sharma), is the inaugural Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. At the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario where she served as a medical advisor and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead from 2019 - 2024, she led cross-organizational work to embed an EDI and anti-racist lens into complaints processes, provincial policy and ongoing education of committees and Council.
Dr Sharda is a dynamic, equity informed healthcare and medical education leader, known for her engaging and thought-provoking presentation style and her ability to hold multiple truths with bravery and compassion. Dr Sharda is able to facilitate with skill and nuance complex one-on-one conversations as well as engage with large and small group dynamics. She has presented and taught on equity, medical education and inclusive leadership at a variety of national and international organizations to a wide range of audiences, including many senior leaders and leadership teams. She has been described as a “gifted”, “insightful” and “excellent” facilitator, and is able to guide groups through challenging and brave conversations. Dr Sharda has deepened her facilitation experience via the Sustained Dialogue course, a framework that focuses on transforming relationships that create conflict and block change, in order to move to collective action.
Dr Sharda holds a Masters and Fellowship in Medical Education and was awarded the Currie Fellowship Award during her time at The Wilson Centre at the University of Toronto. Her scholarship is rooted in theories of power, hierarchy, anti-oppression and identity formation. In 2022 she was awarded the Pauline Alakija trailblazer award for her EDI work; in 2024 the Certificate of Merit Award from the Canadian Association for Medical Education, for her contributions to medical education in Canada, and in 2025 The Sibley Award presented by the McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences’ to an individual who has contributed in an outstanding manner to the education of health professionals.
Dr Sharda is a physician (anesthesiologist), and chaired the Canadian Anesthesia Society physician wellness committee from 2019 - 2023, where under her leadership, wellness and equity were built into national anesthesiology standards for the first time. She is an invited reviewer for a number of health professions education and anesthesia journals.
When not pursuing her hobby of creative writing and writing coaching, she works hard to avoid flying soccer balls that often approach her unawares from the feet of her 8-year-old and 11-year-old sons!
