Dr. Richa Agnihotri is a Consultant Community Paediatrician and healthcare innovator based in the Niagara Region (Canada), where she is a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of children and youth.

Dr. Agnihotri completed her medical education in the United Kingdom, followed by a residency in General Pediatrics at Western University. She currently holds the position of Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University and serves as the Past President of the Community Paediatrics Section of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS). She is a member of the Early Years Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and Vice President of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario Section of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). She has served on several specialized committees, including the Early Years Task Force, the Anti-Racism MedEd Working Group, and the Sleep Special Interest Group of the CPS.

With a focused interest in child development, behaviour, and mental health, Dr. Agnihotri has pursued advanced training in paediatric mental health, particularly in the diagnosis and management of ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and continues to expand her expertise to meet the evolving needs of the communities she serves.

Dr. Agnihotri is committed to prevention in healthcare, recognizing the profound impact that early intervention and proactive strategies can have on long-term health outcomes. She is certified in plant-based nutrition and healthcare coaching, and is also Board-Certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She integrates evidence-based lifestyle strategies into her practice, working collaboratively with children and families to develop comprehensive care plans that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

A strong proponent of interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Agnihotri believes that building supportive networks for children and families is essential to achieving optimal health outcomes. Her vision on this topic was featured in a TEDx talk at McMaster University, titled "Children Are The Most Powerful Motivators For Behaviour Change."

She has designed the CORE Paediatric Wellbeing Program, courses, curricula and resources for parents, caregivers, physicians, healthcare providers and educators.

She also founded and hosts the Parenting is a Lifestyle Podcast aimed at empowering caregivers to boost the health and wellbeing of their children, and themselves.

She is committed to her belief in a “child-affirming world”, emphasizing that when we listen to and act upon the insights children share with us, we not only improve their well-being, but also our own. Healthier children lead to healthier communities, which in turn contribute to healthier generations.

In her personal time, Dr. Agnihotri enjoys yoga (she is a certified yoga teacher), running, bird-watching, nature walks, and spending time with family and friends. She started the Niagara Region’s first Walk With a Doc chapter, as a free and accessible health literacy and well-being intervention.