Sheila Orr grew up in Monument, Oregon. She attended college in La Grande, Oregon, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University.

She has worked as a Public Health nurse for over 27 years. Public Health programs she has worked in include WIC, Immunizations, Reproductive Health, Communicable Disease education, investigations and treatment, School Nursing, School-Based Healthcare, Babies First, CaCoon, Oregon Mother's Care, Emergency Preparedness, and Tobacco Prevention.

She enjoys public health, preventative health services, and serving the community.