Kiran Somjee, RN
Knowledge Broker
Expertise:
Kiran’s areas of expertise includes public health, cannabis public education, social determinants of health, health equity, mental health promotion, knowledge translation and nursing
Biography:
As a nurse and knowledge broker, Kiran Somjee is passionate about understanding and addressing the underlying root causes of poor health, including health inequities, mental health and substance use disorders.
Prior to joining CCSA, Kiran brought her expertise to a wide range of acute and community care settings. These included hospitals, community clinics, public health units, health centre hubs and academic institutions. She also worked at the Regional Municipality of York as a public health nurse. Kiran served as the lead in a Health Equity Program and Mental Health Strategy Team. During her time at York Region Public Health, she implemented a mental health promotion strategy focusing on population health, trauma informed care, early childhood development and building resilience.
Kiran joined CCSA in January 2018 as a national priority advisor and has now taken on the role of knowledge broker specializing in strategic partnerships and knowledge mobilization. Most recently at CCSA, she led public education efforts focusing on cannabis and youth, as well as contributed to projects on workforce development, stigma and lived and living experience. Kiran has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and a Registered Nurse designation from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Kiran is an avid writer and painter.