Dr. Shela Hirani is a Professor at the University of Regina. She is a neonatal, maternal and child health expert, researcher, lactation consultant and an advocate of baby-friendly initiatives. Dr. Hirani has first-hand experience of working with the disaster affected and equity denied families within and outside Canada. Her impactful policy-shaping research has advanced health equity and has supported over 200,000 families globally.
Based on her contributions, the World Health Organization recognized her as one of the 100 outstanding women nurses around the world in 2020. Dr. Hirani received over 50 honors recognizing her work, including WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award Winner [in the Category of Community Impact], the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Canadian Nurses Association, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Saskatchewan, Multicultural Leadership Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, YWCA Women of distinction award, and Sigma Nursing’s Emerging Researcher Award.
Dr. Hirani is an editorial board member of the reputable global health journals and serving as an elected board member of reputable international, national, and provincial organizations, including Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN). She is also serving as Advocacy Committee Member of Saskatchewan Library Association, Working Group Member on World Health Organization’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE), and Core Group Member for Emergency Nutrition Network’s Infant Feeding in Emergencies (IFE). Dr Hirani is committed to providing quality mentorship to the next generation of leaders.
