Nutrition
503-988-7253
helen.kidane@multco.us
Helen has over 8 years of experience working as a public health practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s in health sciences and community health education, and a Masters of Public Health in epidemiology and health policy.
Her studies and work with the Nutrition and Obesity Research Center inspired her thesis, entitled, Examining the relationship between socioeconomic status, stress, and dietary intake of women in the Deep South.
During her academic career, she reaffirmed her initial interest in addressing health outcomes and disparities seen in the African/African-American population.
Helen specializes in epidemiological analysis, surveillance, interpreting data, and assessing public health concerns to mitigate undesirable health trends. She most recently worked for the Oregon Health Authority as the interoperability coordinator for the Public Health director, and managed over $8.5 million in federal funding in efforts to modernize Oregon’s health information technology systems.
Her passion for working in her community to encourage positive health behavior and policy change is what drew her to REACH. As a first-generation American born to Eritrean Immigrants, she comes to the program enthusiastic and excited to serve her community.
In her spare time, she loves to read novels, visit farmers markets, work out, cycle and spend time with her husband and young son.
