Birgitta Bisztray
New Orleans,LA
Summary
I am a versatile public health professional with a strong background in community-based research and wellness coaching. I am skilled in adapting programs to enhance client outcomes while building trust and empowering individuals to make healthier choices. Committed to driving positive change in underserved communities.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Wellness Coach
Self Employed
New Orleans, LA
03.2024 - Current
- Conduct individual coaching sessions to promote healthy lifestyle changes.
- Support clients in making healthier choices and addressing choices that no longer serve them regarding substance use, food, relationships, exercise, technology, gambling and other choices.
- Assess client progress and adjust plans as needed for effectiveness.
- Build strong relationships with clients, based on trust, empowerment and transparency.
- Provide support for navigating chronic disease and end of life
Certified Stretch Practitioner
Stretch Zone
Miami, FL
08.2023 - 07.2025
- Delivered personalized stretching sessions to enhance client flexibility and mobility.
- Provided excellent guidance and instruction in stretching techniques to enhance clients' range of motion and reduce injury risk.
- Evaluated client flexibility, mobility, and overall physical health to tailor personalized stretching programs.
- Cultivated strong client relationships to ensure goal achievement and encourage client retention.
Community Based Research Specialist
University of New Mexico, NM
Albuquerque, New Mexico
11.2013 - 03.2023
- Manager on project tracking and providing treatment for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in young people who inject drugs. Recruited, enrolled and interviewed 120 participants receiving mental health services in rural mental health clinics. Researcher on clinical trial providing weekly extended release buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorder during pregnancy.
- Contributed to clinical and behavioral health projects serving underserved communities, enhancing access to vital health services.
- Established trust with participants through active listening and consistent communication, fostering high retention rates and meaningful participation across projects.
- Created and fostered a culture of respect and empowerment by hiring and training research outreach team members and assistants.
Program Coordinator
Albuquerque Heading Home, NM
Albuquerque, New Mexico
09.2012 - 10.2013
- Coordinated services among case managers, partner agencies, and medical/mental health providers for newly housed, formerly unsheltered individuals, ensuring holistic support during their transition.
- Developed support teams to facilitate transition, delivering wraparound services for legal support, health care, cooking skills, budgeting, disease management, job seeking, and other participant-identified interests.
- Supported program participants and service providers by delivering direct assistance tailored to individual needs.
Harm Reduction Program Manager
Healthcare For The Homeless- Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
09.2010 - 07.2012
- Led mobile harm reduction program providing syringe exchange, overdose prevention training, housing assistance, medical services, support groups, and referrals.
- Conducted outreach 6 days a week across all neighborhoods in Albuquerque to increase community access to harm reduction services.
- Supervised outreach staff and volunteers, serving as liaison to medical and dental teams to enhance service delivery.
Program Associate
Global Green
New Orleans, Louisiana
08.2008 - 07.2010
- Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers and AmeriCorps members to support program initiatives.
- Collaborated with teams to develop sustainable community programs.
- Managed communication with stakeholders and community partners effectively.
- Coordinated logistics for environmental education workshops and events.
- Facilitated green building and restoration workshops, improving indoor air quality and minimizing toxins in homes.
Emergency Team Member
Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway)
Oslo, Norway
04.2004 - 12.2007
- Traveled to emergency and conflict zones as part of a UN trained team to protect children's rights.
- Collaborated with local government bodies, health providers, youth groups, CBOs, and NGOs to coordinate effective emergency response initiatives.
- Incorporated public health perspective, harm reduction practices, and trauma-informed care into emergency work to enhance service delivery.
- Applied a rights-based approach to engage kids and youth, improving health outcomes, reducing conflict and violence, and increasing access to play, safe spaces, and information.
Outreach Director
HIPS
Washington , DC
09.2001 - 03.2003
- Managed over 100 outreach volunteers and a significant annual budget, ensuring effective program implementation and community engagement.
- Conducted late-night HIV prevention outreach program targeting marginalized populations, enhancing access to critical health services.
- Created STI and HIV risk reduction and violence prevention tools, organized fundraising efforts, guided focus groups, delivered community trainings, and mediated conflicts to strengthen community support systems.
- Using a harm reduction model, HIPS worked with unhoused populations, sex workers, people involved with injection drug use and transgender individuals injecting hormones purchased on the street.
Education
Certified Assisted Stretch Practitioner -
Stretch Zone
Fort Lauderdale, FL08-2023
Health Coach Certificate - Health Coach Training Program
Institute For Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
New York, NY03-2023
Master of Public Health - Public Health
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA12-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI06-1999
Timeline
Certified Wellness Coach
Self Employed
03.2024 - Current
Certified Stretch Practitioner
Stretch Zone
08.2023 - 07.2025
Community Based Research Specialist
University of New Mexico, NM
11.2013 - 03.2023
Program Coordinator
Albuquerque Heading Home, NM
09.2012 - 10.2013
Harm Reduction Program Manager
Healthcare For The Homeless- Albuquerque
09.2010 - 07.2012
Program Associate
Global Green
08.2008 - 07.2010
Emergency Team Member
Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway)
04.2004 - 12.2007
Outreach Director
HIPS
09.2001 - 03.2003
Certified Assisted Stretch Practitioner -
Stretch Zone
Health Coach Certificate - Health Coach Training Program
Institute For Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Master of Public Health - Public Health
Tulane University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Kalamazoo College