Ana Gutierrez, California Overdose Prevention Network
Ana Gutierrez, who joined the PHI Center for Health Leadership & Impact (CHLI) in December 2022 as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program Associate with the California Overdose Prevention Network, stands as a driving force in combatting California's overdose epidemic. Ana's transformative journey within the California Overdose Prevention Network underscores her unwavering dedication. Leading coordination and expansion efforts for the COPN program, Ana equips coalitions, organizations, and individuals with vital resources for life-saving solutions. Her impact reverberates, evident through impactful online webinars dedicated to overdose prevention, sparking positive responses, and driving essential change across multiple California coalitions.
Ana played a crucial role in the production of the Spring 2023 COPN Convening, a landmark event within the California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN). Titled, Spring 2023 COPN Convening: A California Overdose Data Summit, this gathering marked the largest spring convening to date, drawing significant attendance. Ana's central role in coordinating the event significantly contributed to its success. The summit's sessions, featuring discussions by speakers on essential data sources and platforms for local decision-making, were enhanced by her involvement. The event highlighted success stories from diverse Californian communities, showcasing innovative data leveraging strategies, and included thoughtful discussions on equity considerations within overdose data. Small-group breakout sessions further enriched the impact of the convening, addressing topics like community survey creation and robust data partnerships, amplifying overdose prevention efforts across California.
Ana's aspirations extend beyond her current role, reflecting a vision of advocating for marginalized communities grappling with pressing public health challenges.
Ana completed her first year of service in December 2023 and has re-enrolled for a second year serving with the California Overdose Prevention Network.
