Program Coordinator

Creativity & Innovation, Crown Faculty Center

Evelina Fisher (née Börjesson) is a health development professional who brings global perspectives to Colorado College. As Technical Advisor for youth work at Ipas, an international non-governmental reproductive justice organization, Evelina developed and coordinated multisectoral programs across Africa and Asia, building community and health systems capacity to advance young people’s health and wellbeing. She ushered in youth participation in programming through values clarification, attitude transformation, and stigma reduction, and had the privilege of mentoring a youth delegation that advocated for Sexual and Reproductive Rights at the United Nations General Assembly. Evelina has presented research on rights-based abortion care for young people in the Global South at international conferences and consultative meetings, and has led educational sessions at numerous regional assemblies, including for the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations.

After moving to Colorado, she joined the Children's Hospital of Colorado where she worked on a youth suicide prevention research pilot program, providing mental health coaching and Social and Emotional Learning services to K-12 populations. Evelina is known as someone who believes in the changemaking power of hearing and elevating people’s stories creating connection through our shared humanity. A first-generation student, she holds an MA (Hons) in International Relations, First Class Honours, from the University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom, and she has completed postgraduate training in Public Health and Health Psychology at Mid-Sweden University in her home country of Sweden.

Publications

Börjesson, E., Izquierdo, J., de Guzman, A., McSmith, D., & Villa, L. (2011). Young Women and Abortion: A Situation Assessment Guide. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas.

Börjesson, E., Pedersen, K. F., Villa, L. (2014). Youth Act for Safe Abortion: A Training Guide for Future Health Professionals. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. ISBN: 1-933095-82-2

McSmith, D., Börjesson, E., Villa, L., & Turner, K. L. (2011). Abortion Attitude Transformation: A Values Clarification Toolkit for Global Audiences. Activities Adapted for Young Women. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. ISBN: 1-933095-06-7

McSmith, D., Börjesson, E., Villa, L., & Turner, K. L. (2011). Exploring Abortion: A Collection of Self-Reflection and Sensitization Activities for Global Audiences. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas.

Turner, K. L., Börjesson, E., Huber, A., & Mulligan, C. (2011). Abortion Care for Young Women: A Training Toolkit. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. ISBN: 1-933095-64-4

Westervelt, L., Turner, K. L., Börjesson, E., & Mulligan, C. (2011). Abortion Care for Young Women: Needs Assessment Survey Results and Recommendations. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. 

Select Conference Presentations

McCulloch, L. C., Börjesson, E., & Hays, L. K. (2010, November 6-10). Addressing Young Women’s Abortion Needs: Why Existing Youth-Friendly SRH Service Models are not Comprehensive Enough [Paper presentation]. 138^th APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition. Denver, CO, United States.

Pedersen, K. F., Börjesson, E., & Di Tucci, T. (2016, September 8-9). Power, Agency and Support: Building the Evidence Base on Rights-Based Abortion Care for Young Women in Developing Countries [Conference presentation]. Adolescence, Youth and Gender: Building Knowledge for Change Conference. University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Professional Certifications

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care, Postpartum Support International

Health Coaching, Children's Hospital of Colorado

Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Behavioral Health

Youth Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Behavioral Health

First Aid CPR AED, American Heart Association