Biography:

 

Naomi Wittes Reichstein, MCRP, PMP is a healthcare program planner specializing in health equity, strategic planning and applied research. At Providence Health Care, she leads initiatives in Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation, with experience designing projects that advance cultural safety in mental health, substance use, perinatal and diabetes programs.

Naomi’s research and writing have influenced policy and practice at municipal and provincial levels through the lens of the social determinants of health. Her projects have encompassed health-promoting natural and human systems, emphasizing health resilience, affordable housing, environmental quality and parks planning. Her projects have included work with the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Park Board, BC Housing, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and the UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning. Her work on affordable housing, homelessness and healthy outdoor education has been published in Spacing Vancouver, Outdoor Play Canada and the City of Victoria’s affordable housing website. She has presented her research at UBC, the University of Victoria and Housing Central, Canada’s largest affordable housing conference.

Naomi has served as a member of the Gender Advisory Council at BC Children’s Hospital, advancing gender-affirming care for children and youth.

Naomi holds a Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) from UBC and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Prior to her work in health and community planning, she had a longstanding career as a managing editor in magazine and book publishing. As a throughline across her entire career, she is passionate about interdisciplinary research, writing and storytelling to translate and mobilize knowledge.