Joann Kang
JD, Lead for Policy and Partnerships, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joann Kang serves as the Team Lead for Policy and Partnerships within Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Within this capacity, she oversees partnership engagement and policy activities related to the public health topics that fall within the division’s purview, including opioid overdose prevention. Prior to joining CDC, Joann practiced as a public interest lawyer and also worked as a policy analyst/lobbyist on children’s health issues for a nonprofit organization. Kang received her bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her law degree from Emory University School of Law.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
JD, Lead for Policy and Partnerships, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Joann Kang serves as the Team Lead for Policy and Partnerships within Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Within this capacity, she oversees partnership engagement and policy activities related to the public health topics that fall within the division’s purview, including opioid overdose prevention. Prior to joining CDC, Joann practiced as a public interest lawyer and also worked as a policy analyst/lobbyist on children’s health issues for a nonprofit organization. Kang received her bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her law degree from Emory University School of Law.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
Jennifer Kasten Ph.D.
PhD, MSW, President
JBS International
Jennifer Kasten, PhD, MSW, is chief strategy officer and a vice president of JBS International. She is a former clinician with 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field, specifically focused on substance abuse and mental health disorders. She leads JBS strategies to address the opioid epidemic, and has led the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Clinical TA Project since 2009. Kasten is co-author of "Methadone Maintenance Treatment in the United States: A Practical Question and Answer Guide."
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Populations Impacted by the Opioid Crisis: Pregnant Women, Their Infants and Those Receiving Child Welfare Services - Hosted by JBS International
PhD, MSW, President
JBS International
Jennifer Kasten, PhD, MSW, is chief strategy officer and a vice president of JBS International. She is a former clinician with 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field, specifically focused on substance abuse and mental health disorders. She leads JBS strategies to address the opioid epidemic, and has led the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Clinical TA Project since 2009. Kasten is co-author of "Methadone Maintenance Treatment in the United States: A Practical Question and Answer Guide."
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Populations Impacted by the Opioid Crisis: Pregnant Women, Their Infants and Those Receiving Child Welfare Services - Hosted by JBS International
Stefan Kertesz
MD, MSc, Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Director of Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team, Birmingham VA Medical Center
Dr. Stefan Kertesz serves at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and as Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Since 1996, he has focused his clinical care and research on the medical and addiction care of vulnerable populations, notably persons who are homeless. Starting at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 1996, he transitioned to Birmingham in 2002, and currently runs the Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team at Birmingham VA Medical Center. His research, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Veterans Administration Health Services Research Merit program, has focused on natural history of illicit drug use, addiction treatment services and design of patient-centered care for homeless individuals. He serves on the Opioid Safety Initiative and the Opiate Advisory Team for the Birmingham VA Medical Center. In addition to briefing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in January 2016, his popular commentaries on opioids have appeared in Slate.com, The Hill, STATNews and The Huffington Post. His recent work highlights the patient-level outcomes associated with incautious termination of opioid prescriptions. His views do not represent positions of any federal agency or the state of Alabama.
VA Data about Rx Opioids and Overdose and Suicide: Clinical Implications
MD, MSc, Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Director of Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team, Birmingham VA Medical Center
Dr. Stefan Kertesz serves at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and as Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Since 1996, he has focused his clinical care and research on the medical and addiction care of vulnerable populations, notably persons who are homeless. Starting at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 1996, he transitioned to Birmingham in 2002, and currently runs the Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team at Birmingham VA Medical Center. His research, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Veterans Administration Health Services Research Merit program, has focused on natural history of illicit drug use, addiction treatment services and design of patient-centered care for homeless individuals. He serves on the Opioid Safety Initiative and the Opiate Advisory Team for the Birmingham VA Medical Center. In addition to briefing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in January 2016, his popular commentaries on opioids have appeared in Slate.com, The Hill, STATNews and The Huffington Post. His recent work highlights the patient-level outcomes associated with incautious termination of opioid prescriptions. His views do not represent positions of any federal agency or the state of Alabama.
VA Data about Rx Opioids and Overdose and Suicide: Clinical Implications
Suk-hee Kim
PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership
Northern Kentucky University
Suk-hee Kim, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Kim teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Her expertise is in neuroscience and social work, global social work education and aging in social work. She received her BA from Han-il University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary in social welfare and a Master's of Social Work from Boston University. She earned her joint doctorate from the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky in social work. She has designed and taught online courses and is a nationally certified online instructor. Previously, she was an assistant professor at Norfolk State University and was a first social work doctoral research fellow of the Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville.
Coordinating a Community Response: The Northern Kentucky Story - Hosted by Northern Kentucky University
PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership
Northern Kentucky University
Suk-hee Kim, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Kim teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Her expertise is in neuroscience and social work, global social work education and aging in social work. She received her BA from Han-il University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary in social welfare and a Master's of Social Work from Boston University. She earned her joint doctorate from the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky in social work. She has designed and taught online courses and is a nationally certified online instructor. Previously, she was an assistant professor at Norfolk State University and was a first social work doctoral research fellow of the Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville.
Coordinating a Community Response: The Northern Kentucky Story - Hosted by Northern Kentucky University
Michael G. Kindred
MD, Beyond Birth Medical Director, Surgeon and Addiction Medicine, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Dr. Michael G. Kindred's interest in addiction medicine started during his surgical residency when he observed that a large percentage of his trauma patients who presented with penetrating and blunt injuries were intoxicated. His interest continued as he developed an elective practice in general surgery, where he found that the majority of his patients had co-morbid substance use problems. In pursuing this career interest, he completed a fellowship in addiction medicine at the University of Kentucky and then transitioned to faculty. Currently, 90% of his effort is dedicated to treating patients with opioid use disorder using buprenorphine across multiple outpatient clinics. He also treats other primary substance use disorders, and manage complex addictions in the inpatient setting with follow up after discharge. His approach to managing substance use disorders is to implement evidence-based treatment strategies. He is also involved in the development of novel interventions. His strategy recognizes the biological and psychosocial aspects of addiction and therefore emphasizes interventions that incorporate those critical aspects of the disease.
Do the Next Right Thing: A Family-Centered and Multidisciplinary Approach to Substance Use Disorder Treatment among Perinatal Women
MD, Beyond Birth Medical Director, Surgeon and Addiction Medicine, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Dr. Michael G. Kindred's interest in addiction medicine started during his surgical residency when he observed that a large percentage of his trauma patients who presented with penetrating and blunt injuries were intoxicated. His interest continued as he developed an elective practice in general surgery, where he found that the majority of his patients had co-morbid substance use problems. In pursuing this career interest, he completed a fellowship in addiction medicine at the University of Kentucky and then transitioned to faculty. Currently, 90% of his effort is dedicated to treating patients with opioid use disorder using buprenorphine across multiple outpatient clinics. He also treats other primary substance use disorders, and manage complex addictions in the inpatient setting with follow up after discharge. His approach to managing substance use disorders is to implement evidence-based treatment strategies. He is also involved in the development of novel interventions. His strategy recognizes the biological and psychosocial aspects of addiction and therefore emphasizes interventions that incorporate those critical aspects of the disease.
Do the Next Right Thing: A Family-Centered and Multidisciplinary Approach to Substance Use Disorder Treatment among Perinatal Women
Andrew Kolodny
MD, Co-Director, Opioid Policy Research
Brandeis University
Andrew Kolodny, MD, is one of the nation's leading experts on the Rx opioid and heroin crisis devastating families and communities across the country. He is a the Co-Director of Opioid Policy Research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Phoenix House, a national nonprofit addiction treatment agency and Chair of Psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. Kolodny has a long-standing interest in public health. He began his career working for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner. For New York City, he helped develop and implement multiple programs to improve the health of New Yorkers and save lives, including city-wide buprenorphine programs, naloxone overdose prevention programs and emergency room-based screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs for drug and alcohol misuse.
Changing Prescribing Practices to Prevent Opioid Addiction
MD, Co-Director, Opioid Policy Research
Brandeis University
Andrew Kolodny, MD, is one of the nation's leading experts on the Rx opioid and heroin crisis devastating families and communities across the country. He is a the Co-Director of Opioid Policy Research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer for Phoenix House, a national nonprofit addiction treatment agency and Chair of Psychiatry at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. Kolodny has a long-standing interest in public health. He began his career working for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner. For New York City, he helped develop and implement multiple programs to improve the health of New Yorkers and save lives, including city-wide buprenorphine programs, naloxone overdose prevention programs and emergency room-based screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs for drug and alcohol misuse.
Changing Prescribing Practices to Prevent Opioid Addiction
Miriam Komaromy
Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Director of the ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
Dr. Komaromy is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of the ECHO Institute (echo.unm.edu), which is a program based at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center that is aimed at expanding access to treatment for traditionally underserved populations. She is Director for ECHO’s behavioral health intiatives, which engage and support primary care teams in treating addiction and mental health disorders. Through this program she has trained more than 500 physicians to provide buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. She is board certified in Addiction Medicine and serves on the national Board of Directors of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She practices addiction medicine in a primary care outpatient setting and has served as medical director for the NM State Addiction Treatment Hospital. She lectures nationally on clinical and health policy issues related to integration of addiction treatment into the primary care setting, and on the use of the ECHO model to train primary care providers to treat common, complex diseases such as mental health and substance use disorders.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Director of the ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
Dr. Komaromy is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of the ECHO Institute (echo.unm.edu), which is a program based at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center that is aimed at expanding access to treatment for traditionally underserved populations. She is Director for ECHO’s behavioral health intiatives, which engage and support primary care teams in treating addiction and mental health disorders. Through this program she has trained more than 500 physicians to provide buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. She is board certified in Addiction Medicine and serves on the national Board of Directors of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She practices addiction medicine in a primary care outpatient setting and has served as medical director for the NM State Addiction Treatment Hospital. She lectures nationally on clinical and health policy issues related to integration of addiction treatment into the primary care setting, and on the use of the ECHO model to train primary care providers to treat common, complex diseases such as mental health and substance use disorders.
Christine Kourtides
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Shruti Kulkarni
JD, Policy Director
Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence
Shruti Kulkarni is the Policy Director for the Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD). She offers policy insight on the prevention of diversion, misuse, and abuse of controlled Rx medications and treatment of substance use disorders. In this capacity, she proposes and analyzes policies and legislation; drafts legislative language, testimony, white papers, and scholarly articles; and educates state and federal legislators and policymakers. Kulkarni has over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, including government affairs and sales positions in the pharmaceutical industry, and at the Food and Drug Adminstration’s Office of Policy in the Office of the Commissioner. She also is an Associate Attorney at DCBA Law & Policy, a Washington, D.C., law firm that focuses on healthcare law and policy. Kulkarni obtained her Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University School of Law. She received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University.
Gender Differences and Substance Abuse: Eliminate Discrimination, Improve Treatment and Save Lives
JD, Policy Director
Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence
Shruti Kulkarni is the Policy Director for the Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD). She offers policy insight on the prevention of diversion, misuse, and abuse of controlled Rx medications and treatment of substance use disorders. In this capacity, she proposes and analyzes policies and legislation; drafts legislative language, testimony, white papers, and scholarly articles; and educates state and federal legislators and policymakers. Kulkarni has over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, including government affairs and sales positions in the pharmaceutical industry, and at the Food and Drug Adminstration’s Office of Policy in the Office of the Commissioner. She also is an Associate Attorney at DCBA Law & Policy, a Washington, D.C., law firm that focuses on healthcare law and policy. Kulkarni obtained her Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University School of Law. She received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University.
Gender Differences and Substance Abuse: Eliminate Discrimination, Improve Treatment and Save Lives
Hillary Kunins
MD, MPH, MS, Assistant Commissioner
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Dr. Hillary Kunins is an Assistant Commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she leads the Department's Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use - Prevention, Care and Treatment. She previously served as the Residency Director for the programs in Primary Care and Social Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center. Kunins received her bachelor's degree in religion from Swarthmore College and her medical degree and master's degree in public health from Columbia University. She completed her residency training in the primary care internal medicine program at Montefiore Medical Center, followed by her Chief Residency. Following residency training, Kunins joined the Division of Substance Abuse at Einstein as the Medical Director of a substance abuse treatment clinic and also served as the Division's Director of Women's Health. In that role, she developed an innovative women's HIV prevention and reproductive health program. Kunins completed the CARE fellowship in substance abuse research and a master's degree in clinical research at AECOM/Montefiore in 2005. She has been the recipient of several grant awards, including an Einstein K12 Career Development Award in Substance Abuse and Health Disparities (2005-2007) and an HIV Prevention Program Grant from New York State AIDS Institute (2003-present).
Addressing Gaps in the Addiction Specialty Workforce
MD, MPH, MS, Assistant Commissioner
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Dr. Hillary Kunins is an Assistant Commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she leads the Department's Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use - Prevention, Care and Treatment. She previously served as the Residency Director for the programs in Primary Care and Social Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center. Kunins received her bachelor's degree in religion from Swarthmore College and her medical degree and master's degree in public health from Columbia University. She completed her residency training in the primary care internal medicine program at Montefiore Medical Center, followed by her Chief Residency. Following residency training, Kunins joined the Division of Substance Abuse at Einstein as the Medical Director of a substance abuse treatment clinic and also served as the Division's Director of Women's Health. In that role, she developed an innovative women's HIV prevention and reproductive health program. Kunins completed the CARE fellowship in substance abuse research and a master's degree in clinical research at AECOM/Montefiore in 2005. She has been the recipient of several grant awards, including an Einstein K12 Career Development Award in Substance Abuse and Health Disparities (2005-2007) and an HIV Prevention Program Grant from New York State AIDS Institute (2003-present).
Addressing Gaps in the Addiction Specialty Workforce
Regina LaBelle
JD, Public Affairs Strategist, LaBelle Strategies
Visiting Fellow, Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy
Regina LaBelle, JD, is a Principal with LaBelle Strategies, advising governments and nonprofit organizations on effective strategies to address today's opioid epidemic. She also is a Visiting Fellow with the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. A frequent commentator on the opioid issue, LaBelle has appeared on MSNBC and is a regular contributor to The Hill. Until January 2017, she was Chief of Staff in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), where she served for eight years as a political appointee. While at ONDCP, she co-authored and helped to implement the administration's plan to address the opioid epidemic. She represented ONDCP before Congress, at national conferences and with the media. Skilled at public speaking, writing and strategy development, her previous work as Legal Counsel to the Mayor of Seattle, as well as in the federal government, provides a unique perspective on today's public policy challenges. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and magna cum laude graduate of Boston College, LaBelle lives with her husband and son in Maryland.
Syringe Services Programs in Rural, At-Risk Areas: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
JD, Public Affairs Strategist, LaBelle Strategies
Visiting Fellow, Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy
Regina LaBelle, JD, is a Principal with LaBelle Strategies, advising governments and nonprofit organizations on effective strategies to address today's opioid epidemic. She also is a Visiting Fellow with the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. A frequent commentator on the opioid issue, LaBelle has appeared on MSNBC and is a regular contributor to The Hill. Until January 2017, she was Chief of Staff in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), where she served for eight years as a political appointee. While at ONDCP, she co-authored and helped to implement the administration's plan to address the opioid epidemic. She represented ONDCP before Congress, at national conferences and with the media. Skilled at public speaking, writing and strategy development, her previous work as Legal Counsel to the Mayor of Seattle, as well as in the federal government, provides a unique perspective on today's public policy challenges. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and magna cum laude graduate of Boston College, LaBelle lives with her husband and son in Maryland.
Syringe Services Programs in Rural, At-Risk Areas: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
Michael Landen
MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist
New Mexico Department of Health
Dr. Michael Landen is the State Epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health. His principal areas of professional interest include tribal epidemiology, substance abuse epidemiology and injury prevention. He has worked as a family physician and clinical director for the Indian Health Service in Arizona and New Mexico, and as a volunteer physician in Belize. In 1995, he began work as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer assigned to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. He has been with the New Mexico Department of Health since 1997. He served as a Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Executive Board member from 2007-2010.
Implementation and Evaluation of New Mexico’s PDMP Mandate Legislation in Context
MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist
New Mexico Department of Health
Dr. Michael Landen is the State Epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health. His principal areas of professional interest include tribal epidemiology, substance abuse epidemiology and injury prevention. He has worked as a family physician and clinical director for the Indian Health Service in Arizona and New Mexico, and as a volunteer physician in Belize. In 1995, he began work as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer assigned to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. He has been with the New Mexico Department of Health since 1997. He served as a Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Executive Board member from 2007-2010.
Implementation and Evaluation of New Mexico’s PDMP Mandate Legislation in Context
Michelle C. Landers
JD, Vice President & General Counsel
Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Michelle C. Landers, JD, is Vice President and General Counsel at Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), Kentucky’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance. She provides advice and counsel to senior management and the Board of Directors on all legal matters affecting the company. She is also responsible for the Legal Services Unit, which includes claims litigation, collections, subrogation matters and civil litigation, and for the Special Investigations Unit, which investigates potential fraud and abuse. Before coming to KEMI in 2000, Landers was Associate General Counsel for Hoechst Celanese Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she engaged in general corporate work, management of litigation, including workers’ compensation claims, employment law and contract negotiation and review. Prior to that, she was a Litigation Associate for Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman in Charlotte, where she performed general insurance defense work. Landers received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1984 and her Juris Doctorate in 1987, both from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board.
JD, Vice President & General Counsel
Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board
Michelle C. Landers, JD, is Vice President and General Counsel at Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), Kentucky’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance. She provides advice and counsel to senior management and the Board of Directors on all legal matters affecting the company. She is also responsible for the Legal Services Unit, which includes claims litigation, collections, subrogation matters and civil litigation, and for the Special Investigations Unit, which investigates potential fraud and abuse. Before coming to KEMI in 2000, Landers was Associate General Counsel for Hoechst Celanese Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she engaged in general corporate work, management of litigation, including workers’ compensation claims, employment law and contract negotiation and review. Prior to that, she was a Litigation Associate for Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman in Charlotte, where she performed general insurance defense work. Landers received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1984 and her Juris Doctorate in 1987, both from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit Advisory Board.
Jim Langford
Executive Director
Georgia Prevention Project
Jim Langford, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Georgia Prevention Project (GPP), brings many years of business, public service and nonprofit experience to the organization. He has been appointed by five Georgia governors to a variety of commissions and boards in the state. He also is the founder of multiple other nonprofit organizations and initiatives. GPP — a statewide prevention program aimed at reducing the use of dangerous substances among teens and young adults — evolved from its roots as the Georgia Meth Project and accomplishes its work through awareness campaigns, educational programming and strategic partnerships with national and community based organizations. In his business life, Langford founded and managed successful high technology companies over a 20-year period. Prior to his high technology career, he was an executive of The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, New York, Puerto Rico and Argentina. He is a member of the Board of Councilors of the Carter Presidential Center and a former member of the Georgia Board of Natural Resources and the Georgia Humanities Council. Langford earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and his Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.
United We Stand: Georgia’s Comprehensive Plan and Colorado’s Collective Impact Model
Executive Director
Georgia Prevention Project
Jim Langford, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Georgia Prevention Project (GPP), brings many years of business, public service and nonprofit experience to the organization. He has been appointed by five Georgia governors to a variety of commissions and boards in the state. He also is the founder of multiple other nonprofit organizations and initiatives. GPP — a statewide prevention program aimed at reducing the use of dangerous substances among teens and young adults — evolved from its roots as the Georgia Meth Project and accomplishes its work through awareness campaigns, educational programming and strategic partnerships with national and community based organizations. In his business life, Langford founded and managed successful high technology companies over a 20-year period. Prior to his high technology career, he was an executive of The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, New York, Puerto Rico and Argentina. He is a member of the Board of Councilors of the Carter Presidential Center and a former member of the Georgia Board of Natural Resources and the Georgia Humanities Council. Langford earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and his Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.
United We Stand: Georgia’s Comprehensive Plan and Colorado’s Collective Impact Model
Gary Langis
Technical Assistance Specialist
Education Development Center/MassTAPP
Gary Langis’s work began in the late 1980s volunteering as part of an independent group providing underground needle exchange on the North Shore. In 1990, he began working as an outreach educator for the Healthy Streets Outreach Program in Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1991 he accepted a position as Program Manager at Noddles Island Multi Service Agency working for the HIV Benefits Advocacy Program for persons who were HIV+. In 1997, he became the HIV Program Manager for CAB Health and Recovery Services HIV program in Lynn and is currently an independent consultant. Over his 13 years working at CAB, Langis helped to develop cutting-edge HIV prevention programs that encompassed principles of harm reduction and served as a model for other programs. In 1997, he was a founding member and Board President of the New England Prevention Alliance (NEPA), a group of activists that provide independent syringe exchange and Naloxone distribution to underserved communities. Langis collaborated with the state sharing data, forms, training methods and tools that were created and developed by NEPA that contributed to the foundation of the Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program. NEPA has conducted civil disobedience to highlight the disparities of HIV prevention in communities including Brockton, Lawrence, Worcester and Lynn.
Opioid Prevention 2.0: Innovative Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Trends
Technical Assistance Specialist
Education Development Center/MassTAPP
Gary Langis’s work began in the late 1980s volunteering as part of an independent group providing underground needle exchange on the North Shore. In 1990, he began working as an outreach educator for the Healthy Streets Outreach Program in Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1991 he accepted a position as Program Manager at Noddles Island Multi Service Agency working for the HIV Benefits Advocacy Program for persons who were HIV+. In 1997, he became the HIV Program Manager for CAB Health and Recovery Services HIV program in Lynn and is currently an independent consultant. Over his 13 years working at CAB, Langis helped to develop cutting-edge HIV prevention programs that encompassed principles of harm reduction and served as a model for other programs. In 1997, he was a founding member and Board President of the New England Prevention Alliance (NEPA), a group of activists that provide independent syringe exchange and Naloxone distribution to underserved communities. Langis collaborated with the state sharing data, forms, training methods and tools that were created and developed by NEPA that contributed to the foundation of the Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program. NEPA has conducted civil disobedience to highlight the disparities of HIV prevention in communities including Brockton, Lawrence, Worcester and Lynn.
Opioid Prevention 2.0: Innovative Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Trends
Charlotte Lanvers
JD, Trial Attorney, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Charlotte Lanvers is a Trial Attorney in the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). From 2012-2014, Lanvers worked as a Staff Attorney at the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), where she helped develop Section 504 and title II guidance about Section 504 obligations to respond appropriately to the bullying of students with disabilities. Prior to joining OCR, Lanvers worked at Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund as a Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney on cases enforcing the rights of students with diabetes to receive insulin administration at school and in class action litigation against the Social Security Administration for failing to provide effective communication to blind and visually impaired recipients and beneficiaries. Lanvers holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a juris doctorate from Cornell Law School.
Opioid Use Disorders and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Eliminating Discriminatory Barriers to Treatment and Recovery
JD, Trial Attorney, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Charlotte Lanvers is a Trial Attorney in the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). From 2012-2014, Lanvers worked as a Staff Attorney at the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), where she helped develop Section 504 and title II guidance about Section 504 obligations to respond appropriately to the bullying of students with disabilities. Prior to joining OCR, Lanvers worked at Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund as a Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney on cases enforcing the rights of students with diabetes to receive insulin administration at school and in class action litigation against the Social Security Administration for failing to provide effective communication to blind and visually impaired recipients and beneficiaries. Lanvers holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a juris doctorate from Cornell Law School.
Opioid Use Disorders and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Eliminating Discriminatory Barriers to Treatment and Recovery
Joshua Lee
MD, MSc, Professor, Department of Population Health
New York University School of Medicine
Joshua D. Lee, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Population Health and Medicine/General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a clinician researcher focused on addiction pharmacotherapies, and is Director of the NYU ABAM Fellowship in Addiction Medicine. His research models the use of addiction pharmacotherapies in primary care as and criminal justice populations. He has conducted multiple National Institutes of Health and other clinical trials examining the use of extended-release naltrexone and buprenorphine opioid treatments in outpatient criminal justice involved-adults, in soon-to-be released jail inmates and in community detox settings.
Extended-Release Naltrexone vs. Buprenorphine-Naloxone: A Comparative Effectiveness Trial
MD, MSc, Professor, Department of Population Health
New York University School of Medicine
Joshua D. Lee, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Population Health and Medicine/General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a clinician researcher focused on addiction pharmacotherapies, and is Director of the NYU ABAM Fellowship in Addiction Medicine. His research models the use of addiction pharmacotherapies in primary care as and criminal justice populations. He has conducted multiple National Institutes of Health and other clinical trials examining the use of extended-release naltrexone and buprenorphine opioid treatments in outpatient criminal justice involved-adults, in soon-to-be released jail inmates and in community detox settings.
Extended-Release Naltrexone vs. Buprenorphine-Naloxone: A Comparative Effectiveness Trial
Tom Leyden
MBA, Director II, Value Partnerships Program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Tom Leyden has over 20 years of healthcare practice transformation experience in a variety of areas, including clinical program development, value-based reimbursement, performance improvement consulting, market research, planning and business development, and marketing and communications. As Director of the Value Partnerships Program for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), he oversees a portfolio of 50-plus statewide comprehensive partnerships with physicians, physician groups and hospitals. Prior to joining Blue Cross, Leyden served as Vice President at MPRO (Michigan’s federally designated quality improvement organization), where he oversaw performance on its statewide Medicare contract, headed many of its programs and product lines, and oversaw its marketing, community outreach, and business development functions. Prior to MPRO, Leyden worked in a variety of capacities in healthcare in Chicago and Detroit. He has presented across America and internationally on a variety of healthcare topics for forums. Leyden received his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his master's degree in business administration from Wayne State University.
A Public, Private Payer Partnership to Prevent Opioid Abuse and Transform Acute Care Pain Management
MBA, Director II, Value Partnerships Program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Tom Leyden has over 20 years of healthcare practice transformation experience in a variety of areas, including clinical program development, value-based reimbursement, performance improvement consulting, market research, planning and business development, and marketing and communications. As Director of the Value Partnerships Program for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), he oversees a portfolio of 50-plus statewide comprehensive partnerships with physicians, physician groups and hospitals. Prior to joining Blue Cross, Leyden served as Vice President at MPRO (Michigan’s federally designated quality improvement organization), where he oversaw performance on its statewide Medicare contract, headed many of its programs and product lines, and oversaw its marketing, community outreach, and business development functions. Prior to MPRO, Leyden worked in a variety of capacities in healthcare in Chicago and Detroit. He has presented across America and internationally on a variety of healthcare topics for forums. Leyden received his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his master's degree in business administration from Wayne State University.
A Public, Private Payer Partnership to Prevent Opioid Abuse and Transform Acute Care Pain Management
Sunny Linnebur
PharmD, FCCP, FASCP, BCPS, BCGP, Professor
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services, University of Colorado
Sunny Linnebur, PharmD, FCCP, FASCP, BCPS, BCGP, is a Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas. She completed a PGY1 residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver and a PGY2 Primary Care Residency at the University of Colorado. Linnebur’s clinical practice area is in geriatrics at the University of Colorado Hospital Seniors Clinic, where she precepts pharmacy students and residents. Her research and clinical areas of interest include medication therapy management, osteoporosis, vitamin D, dementia and urologic disorders. She is an active member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Geriatrics Society, where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors. She is a certified geriatric pharmacist. Linnebur co-chairs the Safe Disposal Work Group at the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention.
Safe Disposal in Colorado: A State-Led Approach
PharmD, FCCP, FASCP, BCPS, BCGP, Professor
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services, University of Colorado
Sunny Linnebur, PharmD, FCCP, FASCP, BCPS, BCGP, is a Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas. She completed a PGY1 residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver and a PGY2 Primary Care Residency at the University of Colorado. Linnebur’s clinical practice area is in geriatrics at the University of Colorado Hospital Seniors Clinic, where she precepts pharmacy students and residents. Her research and clinical areas of interest include medication therapy management, osteoporosis, vitamin D, dementia and urologic disorders. She is an active member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Geriatrics Society, where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors. She is a certified geriatric pharmacist. Linnebur co-chairs the Safe Disposal Work Group at the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention.
Safe Disposal in Colorado: A State-Led Approach
Jeffrey Locke
MPP, JD, Program Director
National Governors Association
Jeffrey Locke serves as Program Director for the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices Homeland Security and Public Safety Division, where he focuses on issues that include criminal justice reform, public safety, juvenile justice, heroin and Rx drug abuse. Prior to joining NGA, Locke served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa, and has worked in various capacities at the local and federal government levels. Locke holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. Locke originally hails from New York.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
MPP, JD, Program Director
National Governors Association
Jeffrey Locke serves as Program Director for the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices Homeland Security and Public Safety Division, where he focuses on issues that include criminal justice reform, public safety, juvenile justice, heroin and Rx drug abuse. Prior to joining NGA, Locke served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa, and has worked in various capacities at the local and federal government levels. Locke holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. Locke originally hails from New York.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
