CHEO is looking for Ottawa-area residents willing to help shape the governance of the region's pediatric hospital, with applications for five community member seats on its board committees due Oct. 16, 2026.
The hospital announced Oct. 2 that it is recruiting volunteers for its Board of Directors' standing committees. Vacancies are open on the Audit and Finance Committee, the Connected Care Committee and the Quality and Safety Committee, according to a CHEO news release.
CHEO's board sets the organization's strategic priorities, oversees the quality of care it provides and ensures its financial resources are managed appropriately. Its work is carried out through standing committees including Governance, Audit and Finance, Quality and Safety, Connected Care and Joint Board Redevelopment Oversight.
Each committee is chaired by a board director and includes several board representatives along with up to three community members. Community members hold voting positions and contribute to recommendations that go to the board for approval.
Who CHEO is looking for
CHEO said it wants board committees to better reflect the diversity of the children, youth, families and communities it serves. Priority will be given to applicants from communities historically underrepresented in governance, including Indigenous, Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, racialized community members, newcomers, persons with disabilities and people with a history of involvement with Children's Aid Societies as youth.
The hospital is seeking people who can bring a range of professional, cultural, geographic and lived experiences to committee discussions. Ideal candidates may have knowledge of health care, public policy, child and youth issues, community leadership, equity, quality and safety, or finance.
The commitment involves attending five committee meetings per year and spending a few hours each month reviewing meeting materials in advance. Community member terms run one year and can be renewed for up to six years.
CHEO said committee members will help influence decisions that shape the hospital's future and build relationships with other community and organizational leaders. Members are not expected to speak on behalf of an entire community, the hospital noted, but will help CHEO make more inclusive decisions for the diverse families it serves.
How to apply
Interested applicants should email their application to CHEO's governance coordinator, Shannon Watson, at swatson@cheo.on.ca by Oct. 16, 2026, according to the CHEO news release.
Applications should identify the committee of interest and include a letter of interest and a resume outlining relevant experience, qualifications and any previous governance roles. Applicants are encouraged to highlight the lived, professional, cultural, geographic or other perspectives they would bring.
Virtual participation is available to support broad, accessible involvement from community members, CHEO said.
