Shirlee Sharkey

CEO Saint Elizabeth

  • Markham ON

Health executive and social innovator

Contact

Social

Biography

Shirlee Sharkey is president and chief executive officer of Saint Elizabeth, a leading national health care organization known for its social innovation, strong financial performance and pioneering practices. As an award-winning and diversified not-for-profit, Saint Elizabeth employs over 8,000 people and has delivered 50 million health care visits in the past decade.

Shirlee’s commitment to community advancement is evident in her leadership and involvement on many boards, ranging from health to education. In January 2014, Shirlee was appointed to chair the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, a standing committee for Health Quality Ontario. She also serves on the Ontario Health Innovation Council. She is a past chair of George Brown College in Toronto and a former president of the Canadian Home Care Association. In 2007, the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care appointed Shirlee as an expert advisor on staffing and care standards for long-term care homes in the province.

Academically, Shirlee is cross-appointed to the University of Toronto’s Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation as an adjunct professor. She has appeared on a number of media panels and is widely published on home and community-based health care, health transformation, social innovation and breakthrough leadership.

Industry Expertise

Corporate Leadership
Non-Profit/Charitable
Health Care - Providers
Health Care - Services
Elder Care

Areas of Expertise

Home Care
Home and Community Care
Home Care Public Policy
Healthcare and Seniors
Healthcare Transformation
Health Innovation
Nursing Leadership
Social Innovation
Social Enterprises
Shared Value
Social Impact
Innovation
Leadership
Health Information Technology
Long-Term Care
Long-term Care and Community
Long-Term Care Delivery Best Practices
Community Care
Not-For-Profit
Not-For-Profit Business Transformation
Not For Profit Boards
Mobile Workforce
End of Life Care
Palliative Care

Accomplishments

Canada Order of Excellence - Innovation, Excellence and Wellness

2015-11-15

The Canada Order of Excellence is the highest national quality award of Canada, administered by Excellence Canada, a not-for-profit organization on behalf of the Governor General.

Human Spirit Award

2015-06-15

Recognizes health care providers or teams for acts of caring and compassion that go above and beyond the call of duty, which inspire others and have a profound and lasting impact. (Canadian College of Health Leaders).

Diamond Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II

2012-06-01

A commemorative medal created in 2012 to recognize significant achievements by Canadians and mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession.

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Education

Harvard Business School

Executive Education

Creating Shared Value: Economic Success and Social Impact

2016

Harvard Business School

Executive Education

Strategy for Health Care Delivery

2009

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

ICD.D

Directors Education Program, Institute of Corporate Directors

2008

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Affiliations

  • Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto - cross appointed to the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto
  • Chair, Excellence Canada
  • Member, Advisory Board, EXCITE International
  • Member, Health Policy Council, CD Howe Institute
  • Member, Advisory Council, Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation
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Languages

  • English

Media Appearances

Interview: International Perspectives

Singularity University #xMed  tv

2015-11-11

Shirlee Sharkey and Lesley Larsen at #xMed 2015

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Ontario’s piecemeal palliative care gets a road map to recovery

Globe & Mail  online

2014-12-15

Every patient nearing end-of-life should have access to quality palliative care in the location of their choice, according to an expert Ontario panel.

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New report highlights need for better end-of-life care

Toronto Star  online

2014-12-15

Only 30 per cent of Ontarians with chronic illness receive hospice or palliative care when they die, part of what needs to change as population ages, report says.

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Event Appearances

Home care, long-term care, community care and mental health

Canada 2020: A Health Accord for All Canadians  Ottawa, Canada

2016-09-29

Keynote: Spreading hope and happiness

Our Future Health  Nijmegen, The Netherlands (watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Mb4pfkAsY)

2016-05-26

Closing keynote

Corporate State Canada  Toronto, Canada

2016-05-11

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Articles

It’s time to innovate innovation

MaRS

2016-10-31

When everything is innovative, nothing is. Innovation is defined in myriad ways, but it is really a process, a mindset, a framework. It’s looking at your work in an entirely new way that allows new inputs and ideas to flow.

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Community and home care - the digital age

Longwoods

2016-09-20

This letter is part of a series of Open Letters from Canadian leaders in health care.

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We must innovate to improve home care

Ottawa Citizen

2016-07-12

An op-ed on change and innovation in health care.

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