May 2009 - Feature Article

OAHPP Launches the Sheela Basrur Centre

by Garth Hardie

The Sheela Basrur Centre — a foundation for knowledge exchange and the professional development arm of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) — was officially opened on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in a short, dignified ceremony held in the Agency's recently opened offices at 480 University Avenue in Toronto.

Picture of signage at Sheela Basrur Centre.

The gathering of approximately 80 leaders of Ontario's health sector included members of the Agency's Board of Directors, Medical Officers of Health, representatives of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), and the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA), as well as senior management and staff of the Agency itself. The parents, sister, and daughter of Dr. Sheela Basrur headed the list of dignitaries present that included the Honourable David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, the Honourable Margaret Best, Minister of Health Promotion, and Dr. David Walker, Chair of the Agency's Board of Directors.

Dr. Vivek Goel, President and CEO of the Agency, in his capacity as emcee of the event described the mission, vision, values, and program activities of the Sheela Basrur Centre as an extension of the activities and priorities into which Dr. Basrur focused her considerable energies throughout her career. On May 21, 2009 the Centre will be hosting a day-long symposium devoted to “Getting Science to the Public” and setting the stage for launching the Agency's journey towards becoming a repository of world class, evidence-based public health information and a beacon of excellence for public health practice in Ontario and beyond.

Dignitaries present painting of Sheela Basrur.
R-L: The Honourable Margarett Best Minister of Health Promotion, Dr. David Walker, Chair of OAHPP, The Hon. David Caplan and the parents of Dr. Sheela Basrur after unveiling a painting of Dr. Basrur which has been hung in the lobby of the Agency

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The Honourable David Caplan cited a quotation from Dr. Basrur's address to a graduating class at York University: “The only difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude.” He also noted the coincidence of the opening of the Sheela Basrur Centre on the same day that Dr. Arlene King, Director General of the Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases at the Public Health Agency of Canada was appointed by the Ontario Legislature to succeed Dr. Sheela Basrur as Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province.

OPHA President chats with others.
OPHA President Carol Timmings (right) shares her vision (and a glass of sparkling water with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies President (Dr. Charles Gardner and Executive Director Linda Stewart) at the opening of the Sheela Basrur Centre

Minister Caplan applauded the Agency for its impressive roster of achievements including assimilation of the Ontario Public Health Laboratories and participation in managing the listeriosis outbreak in just a few months of operation.

Read more about the Sheela Basrur Centre at www.sheelabasrurcentre.ca