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Meet Sheila James, Director of the Office of Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice at CHEO.
Sheila James vividly recalls the moment that changed her career trajectory. As a former artist turned equity advocate, she never envisioned a career in healthcare. She had grown up with two parents who were physicians, seeing long hours, calls in the middle of the night and the stress that came with the profession.
But everything changed when an email from CHEO landed in her inbox.
“CHEO already held a special place in my heart,” Sheila said. “When we adopted my son Jugal from India, the care he received at CHEO’s International Adoption Clinic was invaluable.”
Adopted in 2015, Jugal had spent three years in an orphanage after losing his parents. Upon his arrival in Canada at seven years old, CHEO’s International Adoption Clinic, led by Dr. Heather McDonnell, offered essential support. The clinic conducted medical assessments, monitored his growth, and provided tailored care to ensure a smooth transition.
CHEO's mental health team also supported Sheila’s family as they prepared for a trip back to Jugal’s home village — a visit requiring emotional readiness for the whole family.
“The kindness and expertise of the staff made all the difference,” said Sheila. “We actually looked forwarding to going to the hospital.”
Now 16 years old, Jugal is thriving as a happy, athletic and social teenager.
“He has an older sibling, and they get along and love each other very much. With Jugal, our family is complete."
From arts to equity
Sheila’s career began as a musician and theatre artist, where she discovered a lack of representation and opportunities for racialized people in the arts. This realization led her to pivot towards equity work, and she took on senior advisory roles – first with the Canada Council for the Arts and then with the City of Ottawa.
While she was content in her career, Sheila was surprised when an opportunity at CHEO came her way. She had grown enormous respect for health care workers during COVID -19. This, as well as an increase of awareness around health inequities, led her to apply for the role and in 2022 she became the inaugural Director of the Office of Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (I-IDEAS).
“This is the best place I’ve ever worked,” she said.
In her position, Sheila advances initiatives and systems change to grow awareness of and operationalize Indigenous, accessibility, equity and French language services across CHEO. Among her favorite moments at CHEO is a community consultation for the hospital’s strategy.
“We were exploring the concept of ‘Everyone Belongs’ during a call with health and community leaders, families, and organizations from across the region—including representatives from immigration partnerships, Indigenous coalitions, and public health, including CHEO’s incoming CEO, Dr. Vera Etches,” she said. “It was a powerful reminder of just how vital this work is.”
For Sheila, what sets CHEO apart from other places is the unwavering compassion of its staff and medical staff.
"My heart goes out to the nurses, physicians and practitioners at CHEO who do so much despite long wait lists. But also, to everyone behind the scenes, environmental and food services, patient experience, facilities, absolutely everyone who contributes to the operations of CHEO."
This deep commitment to care resonates with Sheila on a personal level, as ensuring the best life for every child and youth is at the center of the I-IDEAS mandate.
“I believe every child deserves the opportunity to live their best life.”
CHEO is made up of inspiring people like Sheila. Join us.