Recognized for her pioneering work in global health and maternal care in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Priya Sharma, a 2005 graduate of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to global maternal health. The announcement, made by the Governor General of Canada, highlights Dr. Sharma's two decades of work to reduce maternal mortality in some of the most underserved regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
After completing her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Sharma founded the Maternal Health Access Initiative (MHAI) in 2010. The organization, which now operates in six countries across East and West Africa, has trained over 3,000 community birth attendants and established 24 rural maternity clinics. Under her leadership, MHAI has been credited with reducing maternal mortality rates by an estimated 40 percent in the communities it serves.
"I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, but the real credit belongs to the incredible health workers and communities we partner with on the ground," said Dr. Sharma. "My training at the University of Toronto instilled in me a belief that access to safe maternal care is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. That conviction has guided every decision I have made in my career."
Dr. Sharma's work extends beyond clinical care. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles on global maternal health, served as an advisor to the World Health Organization, and played a key role in developing the Canadian government's strategy on international maternal, newborn, and child health. She currently holds a cross-appointment at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, where she mentors graduate students interested in global health equity.
The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation. Dr. Sharma joins a distinguished list of Temerty Medicine alumni who have received the honour, reflecting the Faculty's long tradition of producing leaders who make a meaningful difference in the world.
