For Sheila Kellner, Holland Bloorview has always felt like a place of possibility. From the very beginning, she felt supported in growing both personally and professionally, not only in her practice but in her evolution as a leader, clinician, mentor and advocate.
That leadership now extends beyond Holland Bloorview to the national stage. In June 2025, Sheila was appointed president of Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC), for a second term, an honour she describes as deeply meaningful, especially during a period of transition for the profession. In this role, she helps guide national standards, champion innovation and advocate for the recognition that orthotic and prosthetic professionals deserve as specialized health-care providers.
As team lead at Holland Bloorview, Sheila works alongside a dedicated team, guiding processes and ensuring the program continues to deliver the highest standards of client care.
Pursuing a career in orthotics and prosthetics was deeply personal to Sheila. At age 12, she sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury and relied on orthotic devices for a few years to stabilize her spine. That experience and the compassionate care she received profoundly influenced her path, inspiring her to pursue a career where she is committed to giving back to the profession.
A story that continues to shape her approach involves a client with polio. After conventional orthotic treatments were unsuccessful, Sheila took the time to truly listen and co-created an orthotic treatment plan tailored to the client’s needs. The result was life changing.
“Once relying on a scooter and four-arm crutches for mobility and now, thirty years later, the client is walking with their orthoses 10,000 steps a day without gait aids,” she says. “That experience taught me the power of partnership and the importance of treating every client as a collaborator in their care.”
Read on to learn more about Sheila and her work:
Can you share a bit about yourself and your journey with Holland Bloorview?
I joined Holland Bloorview in 1995 as a resident orthotist. From the very beginning, I was fascinated by working with children – especially their resilience and adaptability; they are never defined by their disabilities and always meet each moment with openness and determination. That energy was contagious. I became certified in 1998 and remained at Holland Bloorview until 2007, moving into a private practice to further diversify my clinical skillset and develop meaningful relationships with allied health providers in the community. In 2019, I was drawn back to Holland Bloorview by the collaborative spirit of the team and a desire to return to pediatrics, where I truly feel at home.
In 2021, I stepped into the role of team lead for orthotics - splitting my time between operations and clinical work, which remains a core part of who I am.
Can you share some of the key initiatives your team is currently working on?
The orthotics and prosthetics department, in conjunction with Dr. Jan Andrysek at the Bloorview Research Institute, are currently part of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)-funded study, comparing traditional and digital workflows for ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) design. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency in both approaches so we can make evidence-informed decisions that support better client outcomes. Alongside this, the department manages over 5,500 visits annually in orthotics and prosthetics.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The most rewarding part is seeing the real, tangible difference we make in a child’s life. Whether it’s improving function, reducing pain or simply seeing the smile on a client’s face when something works - those are the moments that make it all worth it. In our profession there is no such thing as status quo, we’re always learning, changing, adapting and solving new challenges - and I love that.
The field of orthotics and prosthetics is always evolving. What innovations or changes are you most excited about right now?
It’s an exciting time for our field. We’re seeing a trend and shift towards incorporating new and innovative technologies to support our treatments. We’re seeing this with the use of digital technologies to augment our clinical practices, including scanning and 3D printing that is streamlining how we design and fabricate orthotic and prosthetic devices.
On a larger scale, the profession is shifting. By 2033, a Master’s degree will be the required entry to practice. As president of OPC, I find it incredibly fulfilling to help guide the profession through these advancements and advocate for the recognition we deserve as specialized health-care professionals.
Looking ahead, what kind of impact do you hope to continue making, both personally and as part of your team?
I want to continue raising awareness about the value and complexity of our profession. Many people don’t realize the nuance between the scientific approach and the artistry involved in orthotics and prosthetics - it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. I also want to help ensure Holland Bloorview’s systems are sustainable and client-focused by improving processes, streamlining workflows and advocating for meaningful support and collaboration within the broader health-care system.
Outside of work, are there any hobbies or passions you enjoy that people might not know about?
Because of my injuries, I’ve had to adapt how I move through the world, but I love hiking, reading, cooking and spending time with my family, friends and my dog. I’m not one to sit still - I enjoy exploring, staying active and always learning something new.
Would you like to add anything else?
Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to giving back to the profession. I’ve held various volunteer leadership roles with OPC, our national regulatory body, and I’m currently serving as president, for the second time, and it’s an honour to serve again during such a pivotal time for our profession.
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