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Final Program


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Ederlinda Ortiz, CHW

Manager
Multnomah County Health Dept/Corrections Health
Portland , Oregon

Ederlinda Ortiz, CHW
Transition Services Program Manager, Multnomah County Health Department

Ederlinda is a systemic change agent and public health leader with over two decades of experience dedicated to improving outcomes for underserved populations. Currently serving as the Transition Services Program Manager for Multnomah County, Ederlinda is the primary architect of the Corrections Health Division’s newest program, designed to bridge the gap between incarceration and community health.

Throughout their career, Ederlinda has demonstrated a unique ability to build complex frameworks from the ground up. As the Transition Services Program Supervisor, they assembled a multidisciplinary team to redefine the "reentry" experience, creating equitable workflows that address the intersection of systemic racism, community trauma, and the social determinants of health. Their strategic vision has been pivotal in reducing recidivism by ensuring that Justice-Involved Individuals (JIIs) have immediate access to life-sustaining medical and mental health coordination.

Ederlinda’s leadership was further solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they served as the COVID Team Program Supervisor. In this role, they operationalized large-scale vaccination and testing efforts within correctional facilities, navigating intense institutional barriers to achieve a 78% vaccination rate. Their work in establishing "standard practice" protocols—such as the referral process for Voluntary Isolation Motels (VIMOs) for released individuals—has been recognized as a model for public health safety.

A leader on the local, state, & national stage, Ederlinda has shared their expertise on panels for Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, and OHSU. Their background spans from emergency preparedness leadership during major flood events to statewide technical support for multicultural health programs.

Ederlinda remains a fierce advocate for human dignity, leading with a blend of data-driven strategy and deep compassion. They continue to foster critical partnerships to ensure that health equity is not just a goal, but a standard of care for all individuals transitioning back into community.

Disclosure information not submitted.

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