Ali Abbasi MSci MPhil
Medical Student
University of Chicago
Ali Abbasi MSci MPhil is a Medical Student at the University of Chicago. He also works at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), assisting the office of Director Nirav Shah on data research projects. He focuses on linking large state datasets to help policy makers better understand the epidemiology of opioid overdoses in Illinois. In addition to his work on opioid overdoses, he also supports the ongoing review of Illinois’ childhood lead screening policy that is part of Governor Rauner’s cabinet on Children and Youths. He holds an MPhil in Computational Biology from the University of Cambridge.
Medical Student
University of Chicago
Ali Abbasi MSci MPhil is a Medical Student at the University of Chicago. He also works at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), assisting the office of Director Nirav Shah on data research projects. He focuses on linking large state datasets to help policy makers better understand the epidemiology of opioid overdoses in Illinois. In addition to his work on opioid overdoses, he also supports the ongoing review of Illinois’ childhood lead screening policy that is part of Governor Rauner’s cabinet on Children and Youths. He holds an MPhil in Computational Biology from the University of Cambridge.
John Briere PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology
Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California,
John Briere, PhD. is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and Director of the Psychological Trauma Program at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He is past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is a past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology (APA), the Robert S. Laufer Memorial Award for Scientific Achievement (ISTSS), and the Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Child Psychology (Mayo Clinic). He is Director of the USC Adolescent Trauma Training Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. His website is: johnbriere.com
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology
Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California,
John Briere, PhD. is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and Director of the Psychological Trauma Program at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He is past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is a past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology (APA), the Robert S. Laufer Memorial Award for Scientific Achievement (ISTSS), and the Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Child Psychology (Mayo Clinic). He is Director of the USC Adolescent Trauma Training Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. His website is: johnbriere.com
Camille Cisneroz PHD
Clinical Director
University Park Behvioral Health
Camille Cisneroz, clinical director for Shadow Mountain Recovery, is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience. She has provided clinical service in domestic violence shelters, state mental health services, home services, child protective services, early infant mental health and other behavioral health facilities. In these various settings, Cisneroz creates care plans to address the needs of children and families affected by substance use. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in counseling and educational psychology, as well as a PhD in psychology.
Clinical Director
University Park Behvioral Health
Camille Cisneroz, clinical director for Shadow Mountain Recovery, is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience. She has provided clinical service in domestic violence shelters, state mental health services, home services, child protective services, early infant mental health and other behavioral health facilities. In these various settings, Cisneroz creates care plans to address the needs of children and families affected by substance use. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in counseling and educational psychology, as well as a PhD in psychology.
Chelsea Laliberte
Executive Director
Live4Lali
Chelsea Laliberte is the Executive Director of Live4Lali and co-developer of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, focused on compassionate, impactful community-based solutions to the opioid epidemic. The fight for substance use awareness and overdose prevention started when Ms. Laliberte lost her younger brother, Alex, suddenly to a polysubstance overdose in 2008. Ms. Laliberte has worked with leading subject matter experts to develop programming to assist individuals and families dealing with substance use and dual diagnosis, educate families, and guide communities and stakeholders on addressing these issues via strategic and collaborative public health interventions.
Executive Director
Live4Lali
Chelsea Laliberte is the Executive Director of Live4Lali and co-developer of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, focused on compassionate, impactful community-based solutions to the opioid epidemic. The fight for substance use awareness and overdose prevention started when Ms. Laliberte lost her younger brother, Alex, suddenly to a polysubstance overdose in 2008. Ms. Laliberte has worked with leading subject matter experts to develop programming to assist individuals and families dealing with substance use and dual diagnosis, educate families, and guide communities and stakeholders on addressing these issues via strategic and collaborative public health interventions.
Michael G. Nerheim JD
Executive Director
Lake County Opioid Initiative
State’s Attorney Michael G. Nerheim earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Winona State University and a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the John Marshall School of Law. Mr. Nerheim has extensive experience working in all criminal divisions of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. His experience includes complex civil litigation, criminal defense, and municipal law. Mr. Nerheim was named the 2015 Justinian of the Year by the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, 2014 State’s Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission, and 2013 Person of the Year by the United Hellenic Voters of America. He was awarded the 2015 Executive Director’s Award from the Lake County Juvenile Officer’s Association, the 2014 Frederic Milton Thrasher Award from the National Gang Crime Research Center for outstanding leadership in prosecution, and the 2014 Moxie Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) for supporting sexual assault victims and justice through the criminal justice system. Mike was recognized with the 2014 Community Leadership Award from the Overdose Awareness Day Planning Committee and the 2013 Home for the Holidays Award from Waukegan Township for his dedicated service and commitment to the Eddie Washington Center and Staben House.
Executive Director
Lake County Opioid Initiative
State’s Attorney Michael G. Nerheim earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Winona State University and a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from the John Marshall School of Law. Mr. Nerheim has extensive experience working in all criminal divisions of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. His experience includes complex civil litigation, criminal defense, and municipal law. Mr. Nerheim was named the 2015 Justinian of the Year by the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, 2014 State’s Attorney of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission, and 2013 Person of the Year by the United Hellenic Voters of America. He was awarded the 2015 Executive Director’s Award from the Lake County Juvenile Officer’s Association, the 2014 Frederic Milton Thrasher Award from the National Gang Crime Research Center for outstanding leadership in prosecution, and the 2014 Moxie Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) for supporting sexual assault victims and justice through the criminal justice system. Mike was recognized with the 2014 Community Leadership Award from the Overdose Awareness Day Planning Committee and the 2013 Home for the Holidays Award from Waukegan Township for his dedicated service and commitment to the Eddie Washington Center and Staben House.
Mel Pohl, MD, DFASAM MD, DFASAM
Chief Medical Officer
Las Vegas Recovery Center
Mel Pohl is a board-certified family practitioner and Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC). Pohl was a major force in developing the center’s Chronic Pain Recovery Program. He is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He is the former chairman of ASAM’s AIDS Committee, a member of the planning committee for ASAM’s annual “Common Threads, Pain and Addiction” course, and co-chair of ASAM’s Pain and Addiction Workgroup. Additionally, Pohl is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He was elected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Doctors in America from 2009 to present.
Chief Medical Officer
Las Vegas Recovery Center
Mel Pohl is a board-certified family practitioner and Chief Medical Officer of Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC). Pohl was a major force in developing the center’s Chronic Pain Recovery Program. He is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He is the former chairman of ASAM’s AIDS Committee, a member of the planning committee for ASAM’s annual “Common Threads, Pain and Addiction” course, and co-chair of ASAM’s Pain and Addiction Workgroup. Additionally, Pohl is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He was elected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Doctors in America from 2009 to present.
Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar MD, MPH
Medical Director of Behavioral Health
Chicago Department of Public Health
Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH currently serves as the Medical Director of Behavioral Health for the Chicago Department of Public Health where she contributes to the Health Department’s work in substance use prevention and treatment, mental health, and violence prevention. She is a physician certified in family medicine, addiction medicine and preventive medicine (public health). Elizabeth’s main focus in the area of opioid use prevention and treatment is in supporting data-driven decision-making and dissemination of evidence-based practice. She previously served as Medical Director of Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore- a quasi-public entity that oversees all publicly funded addiction and mental health treatment. In this role, she oversaw the Baltimore City Overdose Prevention Plan. Elizabeth came back to Chicago in 2014 and served as Medical Director at Heartland Health Outreach (HHO), the healthcare for the homeless provider in Chicago. While at HHO, she helped expand their addiction treatment services and develop a medication assisted treatment program. Elizabeth has been working with the Chicago Department of Public Health since September of 2016 and continues to volunteer in the medication assisted treatment program at HHO
Medical Director of Behavioral Health
Chicago Department of Public Health
Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH currently serves as the Medical Director of Behavioral Health for the Chicago Department of Public Health where she contributes to the Health Department’s work in substance use prevention and treatment, mental health, and violence prevention. She is a physician certified in family medicine, addiction medicine and preventive medicine (public health). Elizabeth’s main focus in the area of opioid use prevention and treatment is in supporting data-driven decision-making and dissemination of evidence-based practice. She previously served as Medical Director of Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore- a quasi-public entity that oversees all publicly funded addiction and mental health treatment. In this role, she oversaw the Baltimore City Overdose Prevention Plan. Elizabeth came back to Chicago in 2014 and served as Medical Director at Heartland Health Outreach (HHO), the healthcare for the homeless provider in Chicago. While at HHO, she helped expand their addiction treatment services and develop a medication assisted treatment program. Elizabeth has been working with the Chicago Department of Public Health since September of 2016 and continues to volunteer in the medication assisted treatment program at HHO
Nirav D. Shah MD, JD
Director
Illinois Department of Public Health
Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D., was appointed as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health in January 2015 after dedicating his career to improving access to quality health care.
As a physician, attorney, and former public health economist, Director Shah, has advised professionals around the nation and world about cost effective health systems and methods to enhance the delivery of efficient healthcare in policy and practice.
A native Chicagoan, Director Shah received both his medical and law degrees from the University of Chicago. Director Shah lived and worked in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as the Chief Economist for the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, where he addressed issues related to public health system efficiency. He also served as an epidemiologist for the Ministry, investigating and managing disease outbreaks across Cambodia. Director Shah also spent several years as an attorney at the renowned law firm, Sidley Austin LLP, where he focused on the administrative and legal aspects of health care and public health.
Director Shah is currently a lecturer in global public health at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where he teaches courses on public health policy and epidemiology. He was recently recognized as an “Emerging Leader” by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He lives in Chicago with his wife and their dog.
In his role leading the Illinois Department of Public Health, Director Shah continues his work championing health innovations, improving systems, and empowering communities.
Director
Illinois Department of Public Health
Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D., was appointed as Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health in January 2015 after dedicating his career to improving access to quality health care.
As a physician, attorney, and former public health economist, Director Shah, has advised professionals around the nation and world about cost effective health systems and methods to enhance the delivery of efficient healthcare in policy and practice.
A native Chicagoan, Director Shah received both his medical and law degrees from the University of Chicago. Director Shah lived and worked in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as the Chief Economist for the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, where he addressed issues related to public health system efficiency. He also served as an epidemiologist for the Ministry, investigating and managing disease outbreaks across Cambodia. Director Shah also spent several years as an attorney at the renowned law firm, Sidley Austin LLP, where he focused on the administrative and legal aspects of health care and public health.
Director Shah is currently a lecturer in global public health at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where he teaches courses on public health policy and epidemiology. He was recently recognized as an “Emerging Leader” by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He lives in Chicago with his wife and their dog.
In his role leading the Illinois Department of Public Health, Director Shah continues his work championing health innovations, improving systems, and empowering communities.
Mark Sanders LCSW, CADC
Chief Executive Officer
On The Mark
Mark Sanders is a member of the faculty of the Addictions Studies Program at Governors State University. He is an international speaker in the behavioral science field whose presentations have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. A partial list of clients includes: Youth Outreach; Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Nashville, Tennessee, Public School System; Northwestern Hospital, Institute of Psychiatry; Hazelden Foundation; and the United States Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines. Sanders is author of four books and numerous articles and manuals. He has had two stories published in the best-selling book series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” He has published 12 audio guides on clinical strategies for working with adolescents. Programs presented in his workshops are being implemented throughout the world.
Chief Executive Officer
On The Mark
Mark Sanders is a member of the faculty of the Addictions Studies Program at Governors State University. He is an international speaker in the behavioral science field whose presentations have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. A partial list of clients includes: Youth Outreach; Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Nashville, Tennessee, Public School System; Northwestern Hospital, Institute of Psychiatry; Hazelden Foundation; and the United States Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines. Sanders is author of four books and numerous articles and manuals. He has had two stories published in the best-selling book series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” He has published 12 audio guides on clinical strategies for working with adolescents. Programs presented in his workshops are being implemented throughout the world.
Lloyd Sederer MD
Chief Medical Officer, Adjunct Professor
NYS Office of Mental Health, Columbia/Mailman School of Public Health
Lloyd I. Sederer, MD, has received dozens of honors and fellowships and written hundreds of articles in mental health and addictions. He is adjunct professor at the Columbia/Mailman School of Public Health; Contributing Writer for US News & World Report; and chief medical officer for the New York State Office of Mental Health, the nation’s largest state mental health agency. His recent books are “The Addiction Solution: Treating Our Dependence on Opioids and Other Drugs” (Scribner 2018); “Improving Mental Health: Four Secrets in Plain Sight” (2017); and “Controversies in Mental Health and the Addictions” (2017).
Chief Medical Officer, Adjunct Professor
NYS Office of Mental Health, Columbia/Mailman School of Public Health
Lloyd I. Sederer, MD, has received dozens of honors and fellowships and written hundreds of articles in mental health and addictions. He is adjunct professor at the Columbia/Mailman School of Public Health; Contributing Writer for US News & World Report; and chief medical officer for the New York State Office of Mental Health, the nation’s largest state mental health agency. His recent books are “The Addiction Solution: Treating Our Dependence on Opioids and Other Drugs” (Scribner 2018); “Improving Mental Health: Four Secrets in Plain Sight” (2017); and “Controversies in Mental Health and the Addictions” (2017).
Amanda Kim J.D.
Deputy Director, Head of Strategic Health Initiatives
Illinois Department of Public Health
Amanda Kim, J.D., is Deputy Director and Head of Strategic Health Initiatives at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), responsible for leading all opioid-related programs and activities at the agency. She served as the IDPH lead author for the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan and has been coordinating implementation efforts in collaboration with other state agencies. She has been spearheading IDPH efforts to obtain federal grant funding related to opioids, most recently obtaining a $2 million grant from SAMHSA to promote naloxone access and training for law enforcement in rural Illinois counties. Amanda received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2009, a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University in 2005, and is pursuing an M.D. at the University of Chicago.
Deputy Director, Head of Strategic Health Initiatives
Illinois Department of Public Health
Amanda Kim, J.D., is Deputy Director and Head of Strategic Health Initiatives at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), responsible for leading all opioid-related programs and activities at the agency. She served as the IDPH lead author for the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan and has been coordinating implementation efforts in collaboration with other state agencies. She has been spearheading IDPH efforts to obtain federal grant funding related to opioids, most recently obtaining a $2 million grant from SAMHSA to promote naloxone access and training for law enforcement in rural Illinois counties. Amanda received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2009, a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University in 2005, and is pursuing an M.D. at the University of Chicago.
