Community Drug Strategy Executive Leads
Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
Public Health Sudbury & Districts
In March 2024, Mustafa Hirji (MD MPH FRCPC) started his leadership role as the Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer with Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
Dr. Hirji received a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Calgary in 2010, a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (University of Toronto) in 2013, and completed specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program at McMaster University from 2010–2015.
Dr. Mustafa Hirji previously served as the Associate Medical Officer of Health for Niagara Region Public Health (between 2015 and 2024) including serving in an acting capacity as the Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner of Public Health & Emergency Services for Niagara Region (from 2018 to 2023). During his time in Niagara, Dr. Hirji led the region’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked with municipalities to embed health impact assessments into their budget decisions, strengthened healthy public policies around smoking and vaping, improved the organization’s capacity to address social determinants of health through developing and implementing a health equity strategic plan, and enhanced the agency’s communications and data analytics capabilities. Dr. Hirji also led an effort to refocus health promotion work to maximize its impact.
Dr. Hirji is honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to Public Health’s efforts to improve health throughout Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, striving to address social determinants of health and building capacity to reduce health inequities. By working alongside Indigenous people and nurturing strong partnerships with communities and partner agencies, Dr. Hirji fosters the agency’s values of humility, trust, and respect.
Dr. Hirji’s experience demonstrates his foundational commitment to health equity and a focus on effective public health practice. He is dedicated to ensuring Public Health programming—work protecting and promoting health—remains locally responsive and contributes to building healthy communities for all.
Heidi Eisenhauer
Executive Director
Réseau ACCESS Network
With over two decades of experience in harm reduction, Heidi Eisenhauer (she/they) brings a wealth of knowledge and unwavering commitment to her role as the Executive Director of Réseau ACCESS Network. Her journey in this field began with grassroots initiatives within the dance communities of Toronto and San Francisco, where she cultivated a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of marginalized populations.
At the core of Heidi’s work lies a steadfast dedication to anti-oppression and anti-racism principles. She prioritizes the voices and experiences of the communities she serves, ensuring that their needs and concerns are at the forefront of every initiative. With a strong background in HIV mainstreaming, non-profit administration/management, volunteer coordination, and sexual abuse counseling, Heidi has demonstrated years of expertise in community engagement and creating awareness.
Heidi’s approach to harm reduction is not confined to traditional methods. She has expanded the scope to include urban agriculture, community kitchens, the arts, and drug testing. By creating spaces for shared meals and sustainable practices, she meets community members where they are, fostering a sense of belonging.
As a vocal advocate for people who use drugs (PWUD) and people with lived and living experience (PWLLE), Heidi actively works towards comprehensive solutions, seeking out best practices for program development and implementation and ensuring that members/patients are at the centre of the work.
In addition to her professional endeavours, as a settler, Heidi is committed to reconciliation and building relationships with the Indigenous, First Nations, and Metis communities whose traditional territories Réseau ACCESS Network operates within by working alongside each community and creating opportunities to foster knowledge exchange.
Heidi also works with local groups to propagate native plants, gives walks and talks in the surrounding forests, and strives to increase local biodiversity on lands made barren by colonialism—demonstrating her family’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Heidi Eisenhauer is excited to co-lead the Community Drug Strategy, where she will work in collaboration with community service providers, PWUD/PWLLE, and stakeholders to focus on wellness in health equity, substance use care, and wrap-around services. Her leadership and commitment to the well-being, empowerment, and holistic support of staff, community members, and patients make her a valuable asset in pursuing a more equitable and compassionate society.
This item was last modified on June 18, 2024