https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/home/2022/12/20/faculty-welcomes-first-associate-dean-of-equity-and-inclusion
Dr Saroo Sharda MBChB, MMEd, FRCPC is the inaugural Associate Dean Equity and Inclusion for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University (starting Feb 2023), and the inaugural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Dr Sharda has led cross-organizational work at the CPSO to embed an EDI and anti-racist lens into complaints processes, provincial policy and ongoing education of committees and Council.
In addition to her expertise in equity and antiracism, she is an anesthesiologist, medical educator, writer and trained creative writing coach. She identifies as a woman of colour of North Indian descent, who has the privilege of being cis-gender, straight, able-bodied and economically privileged. Dr Sharda is an advocate for physician wellness, equity and antiracism, and has written and spoken widely about these topics, including publications in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, British Medical Journal, Anesthesiology, Canadian Anaesthesia Journal, The Globe and Mail and Today’s Parent.
Dr Sharda arrived in Canada from the UK in 2007 where she undertook anesthesia residency training at the University of Toronto. Dr Sharda also completed a Masters in Medical Education (The University of Dundee, with Distinction) and a Fellowship in Medical Education (The Wilson Centre, University of Toronto). She was awarded the Wilson Centre Currie Fellowship, an award recognising those who show excellence and leadership in health professions education research.
Her research focused on interprofessional medical teams and drew on theories of power, hierarchy, identity formation, professionalism and communication.
These are theories and academic concepts she has continued to study and draw upon in her EDI work.
Dr Sharda has presented and taught on EDI and antiracism in the context of healthcare, medical education and professional regulation at a variety of national and international organisations and conferences. She has been described as a “gifted”, “insightful” and “excellent” facilitator, and is able to guide groups through challenging and brave conversations. She was recently awarded the Pauline Alakija trailblazer award for her EDI work.
She is the Chair of the physician wellness committee at the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, where for the first time, under her leadership, specific wellness and equity standards have been embedded into the 2022 Canadian anesthesia standards document.
Dr Sharda is a lover of stories and her work as a creative writing coach and Narrative Medicine facilitator brings her much joy. When not writing or working she works hard to avoid stepping on lego pieces strewn around the house by her 6 year old and 9 year old sons.
