Director Nora Volkow, MD MD
Director,
National Institute on Drug Abuse/National Institutes of Health
Nora D. Volkow, MD, became Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in May 2003. NIDA supports most of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.
Dr. Volkow's work has been instrumental in demonstrating that drug addiction is a disease of the human brain. As a research psychiatrist and scientist, Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects and addictive properties of abusable drugs. Her studies have documented changes in the dopamine system affecting, among others, the functions of frontal brain regions involved with motivation, drive, and pleasure in addiction. She has also made important contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD, and aging.
Dr. Volkow was born in Mexico, attended the Modern American School, and earned her medical degree from the National University of Mexico in Mexico City, where she received the Robins award for best medical student of her generation. Her psychiatric residency was at New York University, where she earned the Laughlin Fellowship Award as one of the 10 Outstanding Psychiatric Residents in the USA.
Dr. Volkow spent most of her professional career at the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York, where she held several leadership positions including Director of Nuclear Medicine, Chairman of the Medical Department, and Associate Director for Life Sciences. In addition, Dr. Volkow was a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Dean of the Medical School at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Stony Brook.
Dr. Volkow has published more than 680 peer-reviewed articles and written more than 100 book chapters and non-peer-reviewed manuscripts, and has also edited four books on neuroimaging for mental and addictive disorders.
During her professional career, Dr. Volkow has been the recipient of multiple awards. In 2013, she was a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (Sammies) finalist and was inducted into the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. She was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in the National Academy of Sciences, received the International Prize from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research for her pioneering work in brain imaging and addiction science, and was awarded the Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University. She has been named one of Time magazine's "Top 100 People Who Shape Our World," "One of the 20 People to Watch" by Newsweek magazine, Washingtonian magazine's "100 Most Powerful Women" in both 2015 and 2017, "Innovator of the Year" by U.S. News & World Report, and one of "34 Leaders Who Are Changing Health Care" by Fortune magazine. Dr. Volkow was the subject of a 2012 profile piece by CBS's 60 Minutes and was a featured speaker at TEDMED 2014.
Plenary Session: The Role of Science in Addressing the Opioid Crisis
Director,
National Institute on Drug Abuse/National Institutes of Health
Nora D. Volkow, MD, became Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in May 2003. NIDA supports most of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.
Dr. Volkow's work has been instrumental in demonstrating that drug addiction is a disease of the human brain. As a research psychiatrist and scientist, Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects and addictive properties of abusable drugs. Her studies have documented changes in the dopamine system affecting, among others, the functions of frontal brain regions involved with motivation, drive, and pleasure in addiction. She has also made important contributions to the neurobiology of obesity, ADHD, and aging.
Dr. Volkow was born in Mexico, attended the Modern American School, and earned her medical degree from the National University of Mexico in Mexico City, where she received the Robins award for best medical student of her generation. Her psychiatric residency was at New York University, where she earned the Laughlin Fellowship Award as one of the 10 Outstanding Psychiatric Residents in the USA.
Dr. Volkow spent most of her professional career at the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York, where she held several leadership positions including Director of Nuclear Medicine, Chairman of the Medical Department, and Associate Director for Life Sciences. In addition, Dr. Volkow was a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Dean of the Medical School at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Stony Brook.
Dr. Volkow has published more than 680 peer-reviewed articles and written more than 100 book chapters and non-peer-reviewed manuscripts, and has also edited four books on neuroimaging for mental and addictive disorders.
During her professional career, Dr. Volkow has been the recipient of multiple awards. In 2013, she was a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (Sammies) finalist and was inducted into the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. She was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine in the National Academy of Sciences, received the International Prize from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research for her pioneering work in brain imaging and addiction science, and was awarded the Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University. She has been named one of Time magazine's "Top 100 People Who Shape Our World," "One of the 20 People to Watch" by Newsweek magazine, Washingtonian magazine's "100 Most Powerful Women" in both 2015 and 2017, "Innovator of the Year" by U.S. News & World Report, and one of "34 Leaders Who Are Changing Health Care" by Fortune magazine. Dr. Volkow was the subject of a 2012 profile piece by CBS's 60 Minutes and was a featured speaker at TEDMED 2014.
Plenary Session: The Role of Science in Addressing the Opioid Crisis
Lindsey Vuolo
JD, MPH, Associate Director of Health Law and Policy
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
Lindsey Vuolo is the Associate Director of Health Law and Policy at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and does legal, regulatory and policy work related to addiction prevention and treatment with a focus on healthcare system reform. Prior to joining the center, Vuolo worked in regulatory affairs for a managed care organization. She received a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law and Master of Public Health from Tufts Medical School. She graduated from Boston College.
Ending the Opioid Crisis: Solutions for State Policymakers
Coverage of Addiction Benefits in ACA Plans
JD, MPH, Associate Director of Health Law and Policy
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
Lindsey Vuolo is the Associate Director of Health Law and Policy at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and does legal, regulatory and policy work related to addiction prevention and treatment with a focus on healthcare system reform. Prior to joining the center, Vuolo worked in regulatory affairs for a managed care organization. She received a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law and Master of Public Health from Tufts Medical School. She graduated from Boston College.
Ending the Opioid Crisis: Solutions for State Policymakers
Coverage of Addiction Benefits in ACA Plans
Jennifer Waljee
MD, MS, Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
University of Michigan
Dr. Jennifer Waljee co-directs the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, or Michigan-OPEN, an initiative that seeks to transform pain management and curb opioid abuse in Michigan. Based at the University of Michigan Medical School and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, it is a five-year initiative funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Waljee is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Section of Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on improving patient-centered outcomes following surgery across a variety of patient populations. Frequent topics include the efficacy of patient-reported outcomes as quality metrics in surgical collaborative quality improvement programs and variation in postoperative patient outcomes. Waljee earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in public health and science at the University of Michigan and her medical degree at Emory University. She completed her general surgery residency training in 2009, and she spent an additional two years completing training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan. In 2012, she completed a fellowship in hand surgery also at the University of Michigan.
A Public, Private Payer Partnership to Prevent Opioid Abuse and Transform Acute Care Pain Management
MD, MS, Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
University of Michigan
Dr. Jennifer Waljee co-directs the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, or Michigan-OPEN, an initiative that seeks to transform pain management and curb opioid abuse in Michigan. Based at the University of Michigan Medical School and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, it is a five-year initiative funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Waljee is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Section of Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on improving patient-centered outcomes following surgery across a variety of patient populations. Frequent topics include the efficacy of patient-reported outcomes as quality metrics in surgical collaborative quality improvement programs and variation in postoperative patient outcomes. Waljee earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in public health and science at the University of Michigan and her medical degree at Emory University. She completed her general surgery residency training in 2009, and she spent an additional two years completing training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan. In 2012, she completed a fellowship in hand surgery also at the University of Michigan.
A Public, Private Payer Partnership to Prevent Opioid Abuse and Transform Acute Care Pain Management
Alexander Y. Walley
MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
Alexander Y. Walley, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and a general internist and addiction medicine specialist at Boston Medical Center. He is the director of the Boston Medical Center Addiction Medicine Fellowship program. His research focus is on the medical complications of substance use, specifically HIV and overdose. He provides primary care and office-based addiction treatment for patients with HIV at Boston Medical Center and methadone maintenance treatment at Health Care Resource Centers. He is the medical director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Pilot Program. Since 2007, that program has trained more than 60,000 people in Massachusetts’s communities, including people who use opioids, people in recovery and their social networks. Walley graduated from Harvard College, received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and received his master's degree in epidemiology from Boston University School of Public Health.
Heroin and Healthcare: Identifying Opportunities for Intervention Prior to Overdose
MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
Alexander Y. Walley, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and a general internist and addiction medicine specialist at Boston Medical Center. He is the director of the Boston Medical Center Addiction Medicine Fellowship program. His research focus is on the medical complications of substance use, specifically HIV and overdose. He provides primary care and office-based addiction treatment for patients with HIV at Boston Medical Center and methadone maintenance treatment at Health Care Resource Centers. He is the medical director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Pilot Program. Since 2007, that program has trained more than 60,000 people in Massachusetts’s communities, including people who use opioids, people in recovery and their social networks. Walley graduated from Harvard College, received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and received his master's degree in epidemiology from Boston University School of Public Health.
Heroin and Healthcare: Identifying Opportunities for Intervention Prior to Overdose
Meghan Wally
MSPH, Project Manager
Carolinas HealthCare System
Meghan Wally is a Project Manager in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Carolinas HealthCare System. She manages a body of research focused on Rx drug abuse, misuse and diversion and interventions to impact prescribing behavior, improve pain management and optimize patient safety. Wally is a certified health education specialist and a doctoral student in the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Using EHR-Based Clinical Decision Supports to Affect Opioid Prescribing Behavior
MSPH, Project Manager
Carolinas HealthCare System
Meghan Wally is a Project Manager in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Carolinas HealthCare System. She manages a body of research focused on Rx drug abuse, misuse and diversion and interventions to impact prescribing behavior, improve pain management and optimize patient safety. Wally is a certified health education specialist and a doctoral student in the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Using EHR-Based Clinical Decision Supports to Affect Opioid Prescribing Behavior
Assistant Secretary James A. Walsh
Deputy Assistant Secretary
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau
James A. Walsh has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) since January 2015. In his capacity as Senior Bureau Official since December 2017, he is responsible for State Department programs and policies combating drugs and organized crime around the world, as well as support for law enforcement and rule of law. INL currently manages a portfolio of more than $4 billion in more than 90 countries.
From 2015 to 2017, he directed State Department law enforcement and rule of law assistance activities in Europe and Asia (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan) and oversaw the Department's Air Wing and INL's resources.
He previously served as the Executive Director/Controller for the bureau where he led several efforts to strengthen criminal justice assistance programs including the development of an inter-agency Criminal Justice Sector Rating Tool. Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Walsh worked in the private sector for five years supporting Fortune 500 companies. He also served nearly eight years in the U.S. Army where he had several overseas deployments leading aviation units.
James Walsh was born and raised in Northern Indiana. He is a career member of the Senior Executive Service, has a bachelor's degree from West Point, and a master's degree in business administration from Bowie State University. Mr. Walsh received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 2017.
Plenary Session
Deputy Assistant Secretary
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau
James A. Walsh has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) since January 2015. In his capacity as Senior Bureau Official since December 2017, he is responsible for State Department programs and policies combating drugs and organized crime around the world, as well as support for law enforcement and rule of law. INL currently manages a portfolio of more than $4 billion in more than 90 countries.
From 2015 to 2017, he directed State Department law enforcement and rule of law assistance activities in Europe and Asia (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan) and oversaw the Department's Air Wing and INL's resources.
He previously served as the Executive Director/Controller for the bureau where he led several efforts to strengthen criminal justice assistance programs including the development of an inter-agency Criminal Justice Sector Rating Tool. Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Walsh worked in the private sector for five years supporting Fortune 500 companies. He also served nearly eight years in the U.S. Army where he had several overseas deployments leading aviation units.
James Walsh was born and raised in Northern Indiana. He is a career member of the Senior Executive Service, has a bachelor's degree from West Point, and a master's degree in business administration from Bowie State University. Mr. Walsh received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 2017.
Plenary Session
Terrence Walton
MSW, Chief Operating Officer
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Terrence D. Walton, Chief Operating Officer for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), is among the nation’s leading experts in providing training and technical assistance to drug courts and other treatment courts internationally. Prior to being named COO in October 2015, he was the NADCP Chief of Standards. In addition to being responsible for the daily operation of NADCP and planning the national conference, he retains his responsibility for establishing and implementing best practice standards nationwide. Previously, Walton was Director of Treatment for the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA). During his 15 years at PSA, he directed operations that provide substance use disorder and mental health assessment, treatment and social services for all adults released under PSA supervision in the District of Columbia. Walton holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work, with specializations in program administration and substance abuse. Noted for his practical strength-based approaches to complex issues, Walton is actively sought out for insight on facilitating long-term recovery for justice system involved individuals who are living with substance use and mental health disorders.
Treatment Matters: Best Practices for Treatment in Drug Courts and the Criminal Justice System
MSW, Chief Operating Officer
National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Terrence D. Walton, Chief Operating Officer for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), is among the nation’s leading experts in providing training and technical assistance to drug courts and other treatment courts internationally. Prior to being named COO in October 2015, he was the NADCP Chief of Standards. In addition to being responsible for the daily operation of NADCP and planning the national conference, he retains his responsibility for establishing and implementing best practice standards nationwide. Previously, Walton was Director of Treatment for the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA). During his 15 years at PSA, he directed operations that provide substance use disorder and mental health assessment, treatment and social services for all adults released under PSA supervision in the District of Columbia. Walton holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work, with specializations in program administration and substance abuse. Noted for his practical strength-based approaches to complex issues, Walton is actively sought out for insight on facilitating long-term recovery for justice system involved individuals who are living with substance use and mental health disorders.
Treatment Matters: Best Practices for Treatment in Drug Courts and the Criminal Justice System
Amber Watson
PharmD, BCPS, CPE, Clinical Product Specialist
axialHealthcare
Amber Watson is a clinical product specialist at axialHealthcare. Watson received her PharmD from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her fellowship in academia, drug information and toxicology with Aegis Sciences Corporation and Belmont University College of Pharmacy. She uses her clinical expertise to guide the development of axialHealthcare's analytics methodology and evidence-based products for pain management and opioid therapy.
Using Clinical Expertise and the Latest Evidence to Build Effective Solutions for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and to Reduce Associated Costs - Hosted by axialHealthcare
PharmD, BCPS, CPE, Clinical Product Specialist
axialHealthcare
Amber Watson is a clinical product specialist at axialHealthcare. Watson received her PharmD from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her fellowship in academia, drug information and toxicology with Aegis Sciences Corporation and Belmont University College of Pharmacy. She uses her clinical expertise to guide the development of axialHealthcare's analytics methodology and evidence-based products for pain management and opioid therapy.
Using Clinical Expertise and the Latest Evidence to Build Effective Solutions for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and to Reduce Associated Costs - Hosted by axialHealthcare
Benjamin Watts
MBA, Health Services Administrator
Vermont Department of Corrections
Ben Watts is the Health Services Administrator for the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC), an expert in performance-based contracting for correctional jurisdictions, and has led the development of Vermont’s correctional medication assisted treatment program. Prior to joining DOC, he was a Research Associate for Community Oriented Correctional Health Services, focusing on the implications of the Affordable Care Act to address the needs of justice-involved individuals. Watts has 15 years of experience in the mental health and social service fields, both in delivering services directly to clients and in managing the administrative aspects of programs. He has a bacherlor's degree in psychology from the University of Vermont and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational change leadership from Norwich University.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
MBA, Health Services Administrator
Vermont Department of Corrections
Ben Watts is the Health Services Administrator for the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC), an expert in performance-based contracting for correctional jurisdictions, and has led the development of Vermont’s correctional medication assisted treatment program. Prior to joining DOC, he was a Research Associate for Community Oriented Correctional Health Services, focusing on the implications of the Affordable Care Act to address the needs of justice-involved individuals. Watts has 15 years of experience in the mental health and social service fields, both in delivering services directly to clients and in managing the administrative aspects of programs. He has a bacherlor's degree in psychology from the University of Vermont and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational change leadership from Norwich University.
Expanding Access to Treatment for Justice-Involved Populations: Lessons Learned from States
Tim Weber
APS, Drug Treatment and Education Liaison
Office of the State's Attorney, Carroll County, Maryland
Tim Weber is the Drug Treatment and Education Liaison for the States Attorney’s Office in Carroll County, Maryland. He is on the Carroll County Behavioral Health and Addictions Planning Committee, Opioid Response team and is the founding board member of the Triangle Recovery Club. He also founded The Weber Addiction Group and Weber Sober Homes. He is a published author of Gutters and Roses with notes from a sober home. Weber is certified through the Maryland Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates as a prevention specialist and is completing his bachelor's degree in business studies. Weber was the 2011 Risky Business Award winner for substance abuse prevention and the DEA's Light of Hope Award winner in 2014, and in 2017, he received a governor's citation for his work in the field of prevention and treatment for substance use disorders. Most importantly, he is in long-term recovery since 2003 from heroin and all drugs and alcohol.
Stamp Out Heroin: One County's Three-Pronged Approach
APS, Drug Treatment and Education Liaison
Office of the State's Attorney, Carroll County, Maryland
Tim Weber is the Drug Treatment and Education Liaison for the States Attorney’s Office in Carroll County, Maryland. He is on the Carroll County Behavioral Health and Addictions Planning Committee, Opioid Response team and is the founding board member of the Triangle Recovery Club. He also founded The Weber Addiction Group and Weber Sober Homes. He is a published author of Gutters and Roses with notes from a sober home. Weber is certified through the Maryland Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates as a prevention specialist and is completing his bachelor's degree in business studies. Weber was the 2011 Risky Business Award winner for substance abuse prevention and the DEA's Light of Hope Award winner in 2014, and in 2017, he received a governor's citation for his work in the field of prevention and treatment for substance use disorders. Most importantly, he is in long-term recovery since 2003 from heroin and all drugs and alcohol.
Stamp Out Heroin: One County's Three-Pronged Approach
Ellen Weber
JD, Vice President, Health Initiatives
Legal Action Center
Ellen Weber is the Vice President for Health Initiatives at the Legal Action Center (LAC). She helps lead LAC’s efforts to expand access to substance use treatment. Weber worked previously at the center from 1985-2002, during which time she conducted disability rights litigation, established the center’s office in Washington, D.C., and led the center’s national policy work. She led the field’s efforts to obtain protections for persons with substance use disorders under the Americans With Disabilities Act, participated in the first round of national healthcare reform legislation and advocated for a more balanced federal budget for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Weber held an appointment as Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She established and directed the Drug Policy and Public Health Strategies Clinic, in which she worked on implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Parity Act in public and private insurance in Maryland, and adoption of harm reduction legislation to address the opioid epidemic. Weber started her career in 1980 as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department. She graduated from Dickinson College and New York University School of Law.
A Parity Framework
JD, Vice President, Health Initiatives
Legal Action Center
Ellen Weber is the Vice President for Health Initiatives at the Legal Action Center (LAC). She helps lead LAC’s efforts to expand access to substance use treatment. Weber worked previously at the center from 1985-2002, during which time she conducted disability rights litigation, established the center’s office in Washington, D.C., and led the center’s national policy work. She led the field’s efforts to obtain protections for persons with substance use disorders under the Americans With Disabilities Act, participated in the first round of national healthcare reform legislation and advocated for a more balanced federal budget for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Weber held an appointment as Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She established and directed the Drug Policy and Public Health Strategies Clinic, in which she worked on implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Parity Act in public and private insurance in Maryland, and adoption of harm reduction legislation to address the opioid epidemic. Weber started her career in 1980 as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department. She graduated from Dickinson College and New York University School of Law.
A Parity Framework
Scott Weiner
MD, MPH, Director, Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Response and Education Program
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Scott G. Weiner, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAAEM, is an Attending Emergency Physician and Assistant Clinical Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He is the Director of B-CORE: The Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Approach and Education Program. Weiner completed his residency training at the Harvard-Affiliated Emergency Medicine Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and his master's degree in public health at Harvard School of Public Health. He is the President-Elect of the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians. His research focuses on technological innovations that improve the care of emergency department patients presenting with pain, including usage and optimization of online prescription drug monitoring programs and tablet-based screening tools.
Improving Clinician PDMP Interventions: Unsolicited Reports, Provider Report Cards and Mandated Use
MD, MPH, Director, Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Response and Education Program
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Scott G. Weiner, MD, MPH, FACEP, FAAEM, is an Attending Emergency Physician and Assistant Clinical Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He is the Director of B-CORE: The Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Approach and Education Program. Weiner completed his residency training at the Harvard-Affiliated Emergency Medicine Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and his master's degree in public health at Harvard School of Public Health. He is the President-Elect of the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians. His research focuses on technological innovations that improve the care of emergency department patients presenting with pain, including usage and optimization of online prescription drug monitoring programs and tablet-based screening tools.
Improving Clinician PDMP Interventions: Unsolicited Reports, Provider Report Cards and Mandated Use
Joel White
Executive Director
Health IT Now
Joel White is executive director of Health IT Now, a broad-based coalition of patient groups, provider organizations, employers and payers that supports incentives to deploy heath information technology to improve quality, outcomes and patient safety, and to lower costs. White spent 12 years on Capitol Hill as professional staff, during which he helped enact nine healthcare laws. He also was instrumental in developing the Medicare e-prescribing law and in developing legislation that passed the House to promote the adoption and use of health information technology. White was the staff director of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee with responsibility for advising members of Congress and directing staff on policy issues.
The Intersection of Health IT and Opioid Misuse: Implementing a Real-Time Patient Safety System - Hosted by Health IT Now
Executive Director
Health IT Now
Joel White is executive director of Health IT Now, a broad-based coalition of patient groups, provider organizations, employers and payers that supports incentives to deploy heath information technology to improve quality, outcomes and patient safety, and to lower costs. White spent 12 years on Capitol Hill as professional staff, during which he helped enact nine healthcare laws. He also was instrumental in developing the Medicare e-prescribing law and in developing legislation that passed the House to promote the adoption and use of health information technology. White was the staff director of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee with responsibility for advising members of Congress and directing staff on policy issues.
The Intersection of Health IT and Opioid Misuse: Implementing a Real-Time Patient Safety System - Hosted by Health IT Now
T.R. Williams
County Executive
Lawrence County, Tennessee
County Executive T.R. Williams is the chief executive officer of Lawrence County, Tennessee, and is the highest elected official. The position also serves as the chief financial officer for the county, as provided by law. Williams is responsible for the coordinated processing and analysis of all county legislative measures. Williams also is a businessman, pastor and active community leader. He has devoted much of his life to serving the people of Lawrence County. Along with his duties as pastor of a non-denominational church in Leoma, he has served on numerous civic boards including the Lawrence County Economic Development Board. Williams has been an integral part in building Lawrence County’s prevention, treatment and recovery community. With his leadership, Lawrence County started the Lawrence County Substance Abuse Coalition, Faith Based Recovery Coalition, and Lawrence County Recovery Court.
County Executive
Lawrence County, Tennessee
County Executive T.R. Williams is the chief executive officer of Lawrence County, Tennessee, and is the highest elected official. The position also serves as the chief financial officer for the county, as provided by law. Williams is responsible for the coordinated processing and analysis of all county legislative measures. Williams also is a businessman, pastor and active community leader. He has devoted much of his life to serving the people of Lawrence County. Along with his duties as pastor of a non-denominational church in Leoma, he has served on numerous civic boards including the Lawrence County Economic Development Board. Williams has been an integral part in building Lawrence County’s prevention, treatment and recovery community. With his leadership, Lawrence County started the Lawrence County Substance Abuse Coalition, Faith Based Recovery Coalition, and Lawrence County Recovery Court.
Jessica Wolff
MPH, Evaluator/Program Manager
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jessica Wolff has six years of program evaluation and project management experience in a variety of public health fields, including global HIV/AIDS prevention, youth suicide prevention and children’s mental health services. She currently serves as project manager for the Heroin Response Strategy, a 20-state collaborative between public health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and public safety (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) to address the opioid epidemic. Prior to her work with the Heroin Response Strategy, Jessica was a Senior Research Associate at a public health consulting firm, providing evaluation training and technical assistance to federally funded grantees.
Takeaways from the HIDTA/CDC Heroin Response Strategy and an Assessment of 911 Good Samaritan Laws
MPH, Evaluator/Program Manager
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jessica Wolff has six years of program evaluation and project management experience in a variety of public health fields, including global HIV/AIDS prevention, youth suicide prevention and children’s mental health services. She currently serves as project manager for the Heroin Response Strategy, a 20-state collaborative between public health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and public safety (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) to address the opioid epidemic. Prior to her work with the Heroin Response Strategy, Jessica was a Senior Research Associate at a public health consulting firm, providing evaluation training and technical assistance to federally funded grantees.
Takeaways from the HIDTA/CDC Heroin Response Strategy and an Assessment of 911 Good Samaritan Laws
Karen Wolownik Albert
MSW, LCSW, Executive Director
Gateway Foundation
Karen Wolownik Albert is the Executive Director of Gateway Foundation’s Lake County Treatment Services. She has more than 20 years of behavioral health experience and has worked in a variety of outpatient and residential settings throughout her career. Wolownik Albert earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and she is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. She is an experienced trainer, presenting at local and national conferences on a wide array of topics. She is on the board of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, as well as a Co-Chair of the Treatment Committee, and a core member in the development of the county's law-assisted diversion program, A Way Out. Wolownik Albert is a member of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, and she represented that organization at the national Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference this past year. She is also on the Steering Committee and co-chairs the Treatment Committee for the Chicago Area Opioid Task Force. Additionally, Wolownik Albert is an adjunct professor at the College of Lake County.
Project Warm Hand Off: From Rescue to Treatment
MSW, LCSW, Executive Director
Gateway Foundation
Karen Wolownik Albert is the Executive Director of Gateway Foundation’s Lake County Treatment Services. She has more than 20 years of behavioral health experience and has worked in a variety of outpatient and residential settings throughout her career. Wolownik Albert earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and she is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. She is an experienced trainer, presenting at local and national conferences on a wide array of topics. She is on the board of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, as well as a Co-Chair of the Treatment Committee, and a core member in the development of the county's law-assisted diversion program, A Way Out. Wolownik Albert is a member of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, and she represented that organization at the national Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference this past year. She is also on the Steering Committee and co-chairs the Treatment Committee for the Chicago Area Opioid Task Force. Additionally, Wolownik Albert is an adjunct professor at the College of Lake County.
Project Warm Hand Off: From Rescue to Treatment
Celia Woods
MD, Quality Medical Director
Ventura County (California) Behavioral Health
Dr. Celia Woods, President of Sterling Psychiatric Group, Inc., is passionate about quality care and evidence-based approaches to opioid risk, and currently serves as the Quality Medical Director for Ventura County Behavioral Health. She is a board-certified psychiatrist with both administrative and clinical experience serving a diagnostically and demographically diverse population, including out-patient mental health and clinics, partial psychiatric hospitals, in-patient psychiatric hospitals, group homes and nursing homes, and extensive experience with substance use disorders.
Safe Alprazolam Prescribing and Benzodiazepine Monitoring Program
MD, Quality Medical Director
Ventura County (California) Behavioral Health
Dr. Celia Woods, President of Sterling Psychiatric Group, Inc., is passionate about quality care and evidence-based approaches to opioid risk, and currently serves as the Quality Medical Director for Ventura County Behavioral Health. She is a board-certified psychiatrist with both administrative and clinical experience serving a diagnostically and demographically diverse population, including out-patient mental health and clinics, partial psychiatric hospitals, in-patient psychiatric hospitals, group homes and nursing homes, and extensive experience with substance use disorders.
Safe Alprazolam Prescribing and Benzodiazepine Monitoring Program
Kelly Wygal
Vice President, Business Development
McKesson Specialty Health
For the past eight years, Kelly Wygal has served as the national leader for REMS business development at McKesson, focused on both individual and class-wide shared system REMS programs. She is the primary point of contact for advancing the portfolio of REMS services for manufacturer sponsors across McKesson Specialty Health and RelayHealth. Wygal brings business development experience as both an individual performer and sales leader. She has an extensive sales and marketing background with more than 20 years' experience in healthcare, working on both the pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier sides of industry. Having joined McKesson in 2001, Wygal represented the manufacturer-focused businesses for specialty products. Wygal also served as executive director of client relationships and filled a role as the primary point of contact across McKesson's portfolio of services for strategic accounts including: reimbursement services, patient assistance programs, copay assistance, managed distribution and specialty pharmacy services. Additionally, Wygal leads the business development teams for health informatics, health economics outcomes research, clinical education and site management research services for manufacturers as an extension of McKesson's US Oncology business.
The Intersection of Health IT and Opioid Misuse: Implementing a Real-Time Patient Safety System - Hosted by Health IT Now
Vice President, Business Development
McKesson Specialty Health
For the past eight years, Kelly Wygal has served as the national leader for REMS business development at McKesson, focused on both individual and class-wide shared system REMS programs. She is the primary point of contact for advancing the portfolio of REMS services for manufacturer sponsors across McKesson Specialty Health and RelayHealth. Wygal brings business development experience as both an individual performer and sales leader. She has an extensive sales and marketing background with more than 20 years' experience in healthcare, working on both the pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier sides of industry. Having joined McKesson in 2001, Wygal represented the manufacturer-focused businesses for specialty products. Wygal also served as executive director of client relationships and filled a role as the primary point of contact across McKesson's portfolio of services for strategic accounts including: reimbursement services, patient assistance programs, copay assistance, managed distribution and specialty pharmacy services. Additionally, Wygal leads the business development teams for health informatics, health economics outcomes research, clinical education and site management research services for manufacturers as an extension of McKesson's US Oncology business.
The Intersection of Health IT and Opioid Misuse: Implementing a Real-Time Patient Safety System - Hosted by Health IT Now
Peter Yellowlees
MD, MBBS, Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Davis
University of California Davis
Dr. Peter Yellowlees lives in Sacramento, California, where he is Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Davis. He is President of the American Telemedicine Association, a member of the National Academy of Sciences review committee evaluating the national VA mental health services for veterans, a member of the American Psychiatric Association workgroup on telepsychiatry, and co-founder of HealthLinkNow, Inc. An experienced speaker and media commentator, Yellowlees has written and produced over 180 video editorials on psychiatry for Medscape. He has multiple research interests and is presently working on the development and validation of asynchronous telepsychiatry, automated translation and clinical interpreting systems, internet e-mail and video consultation services and assessment and treatment protocols to improve physician health and wellness. Yellowlees is an expert in physician health and telepsychiatry. He chairs the UC Davis Health System Wellbeing Committee and has many physicians as patients. He has provided clinical consultations to patients on Indian health reservations via telemedicine for over a decade. He has worked in public and private sectors in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, including rural settings. He has published five books and over 200 scientific articles and book chapters.
Expanding Access to OUD Treatment: The Role of Telehealth
MD, MBBS, Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Davis
University of California Davis
Dr. Peter Yellowlees lives in Sacramento, California, where he is Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Davis. He is President of the American Telemedicine Association, a member of the National Academy of Sciences review committee evaluating the national VA mental health services for veterans, a member of the American Psychiatric Association workgroup on telepsychiatry, and co-founder of HealthLinkNow, Inc. An experienced speaker and media commentator, Yellowlees has written and produced over 180 video editorials on psychiatry for Medscape. He has multiple research interests and is presently working on the development and validation of asynchronous telepsychiatry, automated translation and clinical interpreting systems, internet e-mail and video consultation services and assessment and treatment protocols to improve physician health and wellness. Yellowlees is an expert in physician health and telepsychiatry. He chairs the UC Davis Health System Wellbeing Committee and has many physicians as patients. He has provided clinical consultations to patients on Indian health reservations via telemedicine for over a decade. He has worked in public and private sectors in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, including rural settings. He has published five books and over 200 scientific articles and book chapters.
Expanding Access to OUD Treatment: The Role of Telehealth
Ms. Charmaine Yoest
PhD, Associate Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Dr. Charmaine Yoest is an Associate Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President. Yoest has a track record serving in many facets of political life — in the White House, on a presidential campaign, and leading a national nonprofit. She is also the author of Mother in the Middle, a book on childcare policy (HarperCollins). Yoest began her career working in the West Wing of the White House for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Presidential Personnel, and later served as a Senior Advisor to the 2008 Huckabee for President Campaign. Previously, she led Americans United for Life as the President and CEO for over seven years. Most recently, Yoest served as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Yoest received her bachelor's degree political science from Wheaton College and, after the White House, studied ethics and philosophy at Oxford University. Later, she earned a doctorate degree from the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia. While there she directed a national study on paid parental leave in academia funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She also received Mellon, Olin, Bradley and Kohler fellowships. Yoest and her husband are the parents of five children. Their oldest daughter is an NCAA champion and four-time ACC champion. Their next son is a CAA champion and currently is a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in Army Aviation. Their next daughter is also a Division 1 athlete.
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
PhD, Associate Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Dr. Charmaine Yoest is an Associate Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President. Yoest has a track record serving in many facets of political life — in the White House, on a presidential campaign, and leading a national nonprofit. She is also the author of Mother in the Middle, a book on childcare policy (HarperCollins). Yoest began her career working in the West Wing of the White House for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Presidential Personnel, and later served as a Senior Advisor to the 2008 Huckabee for President Campaign. Previously, she led Americans United for Life as the President and CEO for over seven years. Most recently, Yoest served as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Yoest received her bachelor's degree political science from Wheaton College and, after the White House, studied ethics and philosophy at Oxford University. Later, she earned a doctorate degree from the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia. While there she directed a national study on paid parental leave in academia funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She also received Mellon, Olin, Bradley and Kohler fellowships. Yoest and her husband are the parents of five children. Their oldest daughter is an NCAA champion and four-time ACC champion. Their next son is a CAA champion and currently is a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in Army Aviation. Their next daughter is also a Division 1 athlete.
Update from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
