Iowans are trying to legalize an underground needle exchange
April 1, 2018
|In Vice
Lillie Armstrong is the Community Overdose Consultant with the North Carolina Division of Public Health. She leads the North Carolina Safer Syringe Initiative, overseeing and supporting syringe exchange programs and other harm reduction-based health services for people who use drugs. Ms. Armstrong has been involved in harm reduction since 2008 and has worked with programs in Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina. She joined the Injury and Violence Prevention Branch in September 2016, following legalization of syringe exchange programs in North Carolina. Ms. Armstrong received her Master of Public Health degree from the UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Kacey Byczek is the Capacity Building Services Manager, East at Harm Reduction Coalition. Before working at Harm Reduction Coalition, Kacey spent several years at Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center (LESHRC) in New York City, where she managed syringe access, community outreach services, and the volunteer program. While at LESHRC, Kacey expanded programming for young adult participants, with specific support for street homeless and transient young people who use drugs and young people in the sex trade. She is an active advocate for reproductive justice and sex work decriminalization.
Dr Katie Hail-Jares is an Epidemiological Criminologist at the Griffith Criminology Institute in Brisbane, Australia. She is a former board member of SWOP-USA, a member of decrimQLD (decrim-Queensland), a HIPS team leader, and lead editor of the book Challenging Perspectives on Street-Based Sex Work.
KellyMarie started in the anti-violence movement as a volunteer in 1996. Since then, she has worked with a local rape crisis and domestic violence program, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Integrative Services Project, and the Iowa Victim Assistance Academy. She joined IowaCASA in 2008, where she focuses on prevention and training. Her many passions include sex workers’ rights, LGBTQIA advocacy, and working with youth and families involved in the foster care system.
Dr. Alan Gunderson is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Dr. Gunderson received his medical degree from New York Medical College, completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, and fellowships in Transplant Hepatology and Gastroenterology-Hepatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Kevin is a Medical Case Manager at Hepatitis Education Project. He first started at HEP by providing HIV prevention services. Kevin’s educational background is in chemical dependency counseling from Edmonds College and in peer support services. Kevin believes strongly in the principles of harm reduction that are practiced at HEP and seeing those forces in action helping people live better and healthier lives is a truly unique reward.
Maya Doe-Simkins, MPH has been in the public health field for 20 years working on a variety of topics: transnational tuberculosis treatment, maternal mortality reduction, HIV prevention, substance abuse prevention and safer drug use, and fatal overdose prevention. Maya is particularly interested in the integration of public health, substance use disorder and mental health treatment with a focus on evidence based practices like opioid agonist treatment, syringe access initiatives and overdose prevention practices. She has worked with both grassroots and local & state governmental organizations to establish overdose prevention programs, authored manuals & curricula, and published scientific research.
After serving in the County Attorney’s Office for 16 years in the criminal and civil divisions and handling thousands misdemeanor and felony cases, Janet was elected County Attorney in 2006. She has been honored and humbled to represent the people of Johnson County ever since. In addition to criminal prosecution, Janet also advises the Board of Supervisors, reviews contracts, ensures transparency in government, coordinates juvenile and mental health services, and other civil work.
Sheila P Vakharia is Deputy Director in the Office of Academic Engagement for the Drug Policy Alliance. In that role, she helps DPA staff and others understand a range of drug policy issues while also responding to new studies with critiques and analysis. She plans conferences and convenings on cutting edge issues in the area of drugs, drug research, and harm reduction. Additionally, she is responsible for cultivating relationships with researchers from a wide range of disciplines aligned with DPA’s policy interests and working to mobilize academics in service of DPA policy campaigns. Prior to joining DPA, Dr. Vakharia was an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Long Island University, and had also worked as a clinical social worker in both abstinence-only and harm reduction settings. Her research interests include harm reduction therapy, drug policy reform, drug user stigma, overdose prevention, and social work education. She is currently on the Board of Directors of HAMS Harm Reduction Network and Filter magazine. She has written op-eds for the Philadelphia Inquirer on the overdose crisis and NY Daily News on drug-induced homicide laws and stimulants. Dr. Vakharia earned her doctorate at Florida International University’s School of Social Work. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Binghamton University and a Post-Master’s Certificate in the Addictions from New York University.
Greg Scott serves as the Interim Executive Director for the Chicago Recovery alliance. Greg started working with CRA in 2001. For 17 years, he served as the volunteer Director of Research, working primarily to ensure CRA’s compliance with the research exemption in Illinois state laws concerning syringe and paraphernalia possession and supervise all internal and external research data collection efforts involving CRA participants and staff. Greg also spent 12 years (2001-2014) doing street outreach every week, on the silver van and on foot. As the interim ED, his job is to help CRA to reestablish organizational stability following the loss of Dan Bigg, establish new fiscal and strategic planning systems, work with staff to lay the groundwork for finding new, permanent leadership, and generally optimizing performance as an outreach organization.
Dr. Donald Hillebrand is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist and Medical Director at the Center for Liver Disease at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Hillebrand received his medical degree, residency, and fellowship at the University of Iowa.
As an IV drug user from the age 16-20, many stays in treatment, reversed by Naloxone, and participant in jail programs, Laura has now been volunteering in harm reduction for over five years with QCHR. Currently operating a peer support program for the incarcerated substance use population inside Scott County Jail. Studying Clinical Counseling & Criminal Justice at Western Illinois University. Most recently joined the amazing team of treatment providers at Top of the World Ranch Treatment Facility in Milan, Illinois.
Anne Ventullo, LISW, works as an outreach coordinator in the family treatment court system, supervises students for a number of colleges and universities in the area, and works as a family and child therapist for rural populations at a local non profit. She also has her own private practice were she is a psychotherapist.
Christopher Abert is the Founder and Executive Director of the Southwest Recovery Alliance. Chris also founded and was the Executive Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance. In this position he was responsible for the leadership, planning, community interface and oversight of all agency functions as defined by the mission and structure of the Indiana Recovery Alliance. Mr. Abert is an advocate for the health of people who use drugs and a community organizer. He has personal, lived experience as an intravenous drug user and is in recovery from chaotic drug use. He has over 15 years of professional experience collaborating with people who use drugs to improve their health and live, as well as working with survivors of domestic violence, at-risk youth, and people experiencing poverty and homelessness. He has worked primarily in rural southern Indiana, including being part of the response to the HIV outbreak in Scott County in 2015. He is a regional and national harm reduction consultant, offering technical assistance and guidance to local communities to build functional capacity. He presents information on the public health benefits of Harm Reduction, and is passionate about utilizing evidence based, best practice, and compassionate approaches to drug use and disease prevention.
Dr. Ahmadu Baba-Singhri, Ph.D., M.A., BSC, CSP, is the Chairman of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology at Grand View University, and is the Criminal Justice Chairman for Iowa-Nebraska NAACP, at which capacity he has worked with the Iowa Supreme Courts and legislators to address issues of racial and ethnic disparity in sentencing and juvenile justice. Dr. Baba-Singhri was appointed in 2016 by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve in the Iowa Human Rights Commission.
Clay is the founder and executive director of the Central Arkansas Harm Reduction Project, a syringe access program that has recently branched out into sex worker advocacy.
Justin Kunzelman is a Palm Beach County native and the Co-Founder/CEO of Rebel Recovery. He is an Alumnus of Palm Beach State College, holding an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and earning membership into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. As CEO of Rebel Recovery, Justin has led the charge to drastically reform local policy affecting people who use drugs. He has led community organizing around Syringe Access Programs (SAP), Naloxone Distribution, Recovery Peer Supportive Services, and ending patient brokering. To date Rebel Recovery remains the first and only peer led (or otherwise) Harm Reduction agency in South Florida. Justin’s passion for revolution and change is highlighted by not only his paid work, but in the various voluntary roles in which he serves. He is a member of the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition, Palm Beach County Re-entry Taskforce, Palm Beach State College Human Services Business Advisory Council, the State’s Attorney Sober Homes Task Force, and Palm Beach County Heroin Task Force.
Sheriff Sandholdt graduated from Central College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1993. Following graduation, he was hired as a Conservation Officer in Marion and Clinton Counties until July of 2007, when he was promoted to Captain. As Captain, he supervised the south-central law enforcement district and in February 2010, he was promoted to Major where he was responsible for the Iowa DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau’s budget of just over $12 million. Sheriff Sandholdt was elected as Marion County Sheriff in November, 2012 and took office on January 1, 2013. He is in his second term as their
Sheriff. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Marion County, he is responsible for and oversees the Patrol Division with 17 Deputies, the Communications Center with 12 Dispatchers, the 56 bed jail with 15 Jailers and the Civil Division. Sheriff Sandholdt sits on the Board of Directors for the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies’ Association where he is very involved with legislative issues. Sheriff Sandholdt also serves on several Governor Appointed Boards including the Adult Mental Health Workgroup, the Children’s Behavioral Health System State Board and the Office of Drug Control Policy.
Dan Ciccarone, MD, MPH, is a Professor of Family & Community Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Ciccarone’s research is centered on the contextual issues of treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, and related diseases, in socially marginalized populations. His long-term objective is to combine ethnographic and epidemiological research to explore the intricate socio-behavioral-medical issues of medication adherence, access to care and risk taking behaviors, particularly related to drug use and drug users. His work, including collaborations, has been published in JAMA, NEJM, PLoS Medicine, AJPH, JAIDS and other peer-reviewed journals. His recent research is in exploring the different medical consequences of use of various sources and forms of heroin. The US has recently entered a new heroin epidemic, this time fueled by the recent opioid pill epidemic. His team is exploring the economic, anthropological, historical, clinical and public health dimensions of this crisis.
Donnie Varnell is presently an investigator with the Dare County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Office, where he also sits on several state level committees combating prescription and opioid drug abuse, and presenting content involved with these matters. Donnie was the director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition’s (NCHRC) Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program and also served as the NCHRC’s Policing Coordinator where he was heavily involved in the Naloxone Program for Law Enforcement and First Responders. He also assisted with developing, and implementing harm reduction legislation. Donnie is a retired Special Agent In-Charge for the NC SBI Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit (DECU) where he developed policy, conducted and supervised investigations dealing with prescription narcotics and environmental violations.
KellyMarie started in the anti-violence movement as a volunteer in 1996. Since then, she has worked with a local rape crisis and domestic violence program, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Integrative Services Project, and the Iowa Victim Assistance Academy. She joined IowaCASA in 2008, where she focuses on prevention and training. Her many passions include sex workers’ rights, LGBTQIA advocacy, and working with youth and families involved in the foster care system.
Dr. Greenfield is an Iowa native, born and reared in Bayard. After graduating from Drake University and the University of Iowa College of Medicine, he completed his psychiatry residency at Kansas University Medical Center. Dr. Greenfield is Board Certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Fellow. In 2014, after 25 years as a hospital-based psychiatrist, he joined the Iowa Department of Corrections medical staff. He has since been promoted to the position of Health Services Administrator, where he oversees the medical, psychiatric and dental care of Iowa’s 8,300 offenders. Dr. Greenfield is a past president of the Iowa Psychiatric Society and a member of the American Psychiatric Society. He was voted top Des Moines Psychiatrist by medical peers in DSM Magazine and is a past recipient of “Exemplary Psychiatrist of the Year” by NAMI.
In January 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Dale Woolery to be the eighth Director of the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP). Dale joined ODCP in 1994, and served several years as the executive branch agency’s Associate Director. He works with public and private sector leaders at the local, state and federal levels to strengthen drug control efforts. In addition to strategic coordination of drug enforcement and substance abuse prevention and treatment initiatives throughout Iowa, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy supports programs with federal drug and crime control grants, and assists with public policy development. As a former broadcast manager and journalist in Des Moines, he also served as an adjunct journalism professor at Drake University. A graduate of the University of Missouri with a bachelor of journalism degree, Dale is married, a father of three and a grandfather of six.
Dr. Randleman has practiced emergency medicine as a resident, staff member and medical director for 35 years. During that course Dr. Randleman was active in the establishment of the specialty of emergency medicine as an integral component of current medical center/hospital health care systems. Dr. Randleman was the first residency trained, board certified emergency physician to practice in the State of Iowa. Dr. Randleman trained numerous medical students, podiatry students, and post graduate residents in emergency medicine. He served on numerous boards and committees in the central Iowa area regarding emergency medicine care provision and policy. Dr. Randleman also served as medical director for numerous fire and rescue units in central Iowa municipalities. Since leaving clinical practice, he served as a medical director with Telligen, beginning in 2016. Although he is based in Iowa Medicaid Enterprises, he has also contributed to Telligen’s work in Idaho and Maryland. Dr. Randleman served as Interim Medicaid Medical Director for the State of Idaho from May 2018 to May of 2019.
Steven Cook, MD serves as Medical Director for the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC). He was Chief Medical Officer at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women for 13 years. He supervises 12 physicians and mid-level practitioners providing health care to approximately 8000 offenders at 9 correctional facilities across the state. He launched a Hepatitis C treatment initiative in 2017 to improve patient access to DAA therapy. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Prior to joining the IDOC he worked as a family medicine practitioner in Oelwein, Iowa for over 20 years where he served on a variety of local Boards of the hospital, church, and charitable organizations.
Sarah Blach is a multidisciplinary public health professional with experience in academia, nonprofits, and state and county health departments. Prior to joining the Center for Disease Analysis, Sarah provided GIS mapping services for the Baltimore City Department of Health, grant-writing services for the Incentive Mentoring Program 501(c)(3) in Baltimore, and quantitative data analysis and GIS mapping services for the Center for Child and Community Health Research at Johns Hopkins University. Locally, Sarah’s projects have included grant writing, literature review preparation, and program planning for the Wyoming Department of Health; and qualitative data analysis for the Larimer County Department of Health and the Environment. Sarah holds a Master of Health Science degree in Population Environmental Health, and a Certificate in Risk Sciences, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science from Colorado State University. Sarah is Certified in Public Health (CPH) through the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Buffy graduated with her Master’s in Higher Education from the University of Denver (DU). Her concentration in the program was Diversity in Higher Education, reflecting her desire to support historically marginalized communities in their educational endeavors. Buffy is also dedicated to educating the general public about members of marginalized communities who are often left out of vitally important aspects of the community at large. Her love of education and passion for social justice traveled back with her when she returned home to Iowa. While at DU, Buffy focused her scholarly efforts on college students who are on the Autism Spectrum with an emphasis on intersectionality. Her work also centered on issues related to the LGBTQIA community and people of color. She received her BA in World Languages and Cultures/Spanish from Iowa State University (ISU). Buffy’s past leadership roles include serving as president of DU’s Black Graduate Student Association, DU’s NASPA Graduate Student Associate, Inclusive Excellence Fellow at DU’s Center for Multicultural Excellence, president of ISU’s LGBTA Alliance, volunteer coordinator of the 2012 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference, and co-founder of ISU’s Gamma Rho Lambda Omicron chapter. Serving in these roles inspired Buffy to be a fervent advocate for each of her communities. Buffy’s current leadership roles include co-chairing the Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition, serving on The Project at Primary Health Care’s advisory board, and serving on the Des Moines NAACP’s communications committee. She is also a fellow of the 2019 African American Leadership Academy.
Dawson Davenport is a Meskwaki from the Meskwaki Nation, located in Tama County, Iowa. Dawson is a 2019 graduate of the University of Iowa, with a major in Art. Dawson is an author of the book, We the Interwoven Vol. 2, an activist, entrepreneur and father. Dawson is an alum of the NLC-Dsm Chapter, a UI Climate Narrative fellow, a Grant Wood Public Art fellow and a recipient of the 2017 UI Diversity Catalyst Award. Dawson owns his own clothing brand called Daepian Apparel, promoting healthy lifestyles among Native people. Dawson is a radio host, podcast host, working to educate people about Native issues, while also promoting Native hip-hop artists. Dawson is currently looking to open an Indigenous Art Gallery in Iowa City, and is the founder of a non-profit called, Indigenous Art Alliance. Dawson is also a member on the Meskwaki Tribal Council.
Dr. Linas is a national leader in hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection and HCV/HIV co-infection comparative- and cost-effectiveness research using computational biology, clinical epidemiology and clinical economics methods. Dr. Linas has an excellent track record of productivity, ample funding from the NIH and CDC, and a growing core of successful trainees. Dr. Linas directs the HIV/HCV core of the Center for Health Economics of Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorders, HCV, and HIV, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in collaboration with Cornell, U Penn and Miami. Dr. Linas completed his undergraduate degree at Yale University, then continued on to receive a Medical Degree from New York University School of Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health.
Chris launched Pathways in Philadelphia in 2008. Under her leadership, the agency has rapidly expanded services to meet the growing and changing needs of our neighbors with disabilities experiencing homelessness. Chris most recently worked at the Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA (now Mental Health Partnerships), holding various positions including Vice President for Operations. She has worked in several service systems focused on managing non-profits, and has had several papers and tool kits published related to her work with homelessness. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Management and is a productivity junkie at heart.
William Garriott is Associate Professor in the Law, Politics, and Society Program at Drake University. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Princeton University and an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School. His research and teaching focus on the relationship between law, crime, and criminal justice, broadly conceived, with specific interest in drugs, addiction, policing, and governance. He is the author of Policing Methamphetamine: Narcopolitics in Rural America as well as several edited volumes on policing and addiction.
Brian Gaughan was a police officer for 11 years, first in Davenport, Iowa, and then in his native Chicago area where his responsibilities included patrol assignments and narcotics investigations. He then served as a firefighter/paramedic until 2011, when he was injured on a call and forced to take medical retirement. He also had a long career in labor organizing, leading his Iowa police department to join the Fraternal Order of Police, and serving as President of the firefighters’ union for 10 years. Brian became disillusioned with the War on Drugs as an undercover officer. One incident in particular made him question his service. “The mother of a suspect I was making cocaine purchases from told me she wanted to thank me for becoming her son’s friend. She said that after the death of his father, he had fallen in with the wrong crowd, and she was glad to see that I was now his new friend. She could tell that I was a good person and would be a positive influence in his life. Little did she know that not only was I not his friend, I was building a case against him that would send him to prison.”
The Rev. Meg Wagner serves as the Missioner for Communications, Reconciliation, and New Initiatives in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. She helps lead Beloved Community Initiative, a ministry focused on racial justice, healing, and reconciliation that is housed in Old Brick in Iowa City. Beloved Community Initiative offers education and training for faith leaders and community members on dismantling racism and participates in interfaith advocacy work to address the causes and harms of racism (becomingbelovedcommunity.org).
Lauren Green is the Overdose Prevention Coordinator on the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant and the Missouri Opioid-Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education (MO-HOPE) project at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health. She has experience working collaboratively with community partners on initiatives to combat the increasing prevalence of synthetic drugs and reduce overdose mortality. In her current role, she works to expand access to overdose education and naloxone as well as disseminate information on the availability of services to high-risk populations. Lauren’s passion and focus is centered on reducing harm for people who use drugs and addressing stigma and social inequalities related to drug use, incarceration, and access to care.
Chelsie Porter first joined HEP in 2012. After receiving an MPH from the University of Washington, Chelsie returned to HEP in 2016 as the Prevention and Outreach Program Manager. In this role, Chelsie manages HEP’s community-based viral hepatitis education, vaccination, testing, and syringe services programs. Chelsie is passionate about creating community partnerships to build services that are informed by the people most impacted by viral hepatitis.
Ms. Kitzmann received her Master’s degree in Public Health from St. Louis University. She focused her thesis and research on HIV prevention working high-risk populations, specifically with MSMs and IDUs. She was the Director of the Rapids AIDS Project where she managed the prevention and case management services for several counties. Ms. Kitzmann worked as a Regional Epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) for 5 years. During that time, she assisted 14 local public health agencies and one city public health department create, update and review their local Preparedness Plans, Pandemic Influenza Plans and Point of Dispensing Site Plans along with their Epidemiological Improvement Plans to respond to Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Outbreak Management and possible Bioterrorism threats. During her time at IDPH she was the project lead for the production of two manuals, the State of Iowa’s Guide to Surveillance, Investigation, and Reporting (The Epi Manual) and The Foodborne Outbreak Investigation Manual. Ms. Kitzmann was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) for four years. She taught undergraduate Introduction to Epidemiology. The main focus of this course is the introduction of epidemiology concepts and focuses on application of epidemiology. Her class became very popular and she has about 45-52 students on average each semester. Ms. Kitzmann has received a letter from UNI’s College President acknowledging her dedication and influence on her students. Ms. Kitzmann was the Deputy Director of Johnson County Public Health for 10 years and was the Interim Director for one year. She ran the day-to-day operations of the department overseeing many programs. Ms. Kitzmann also coordinated and facilitated the local multidisciplinary preparedness meetings in Johnson County, with representation from local hospitals, emergency management, school districts, Board of Health, Board of Supervisors, private and public industries. She also is a member of the Safeguard Iowa Partnership (SIP) and assists with the collaboration of public and private sectors in preparedness planning. Ms. Kitzmann was also the President of the Iowa Public Health Association. Ms. Kitzmann currently is the Community Health Manager at Linn County Public Health. She is actively involved with the Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, My Care Community, Preparedness Planning and works closely with clinical services. She has been on the Preparedness Advisory Council (PAC) for 11 years. Ms. Kitzmann is also a member of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) and was the President of the IPHA. She chaired the Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health Planning Committee in 2017.
Zachary Ford is a program manager at AIDS United where he oversees the organization’s harm reduction portfolio, including the Syringe Access Fund. In this role, he manages the grant-making initiative and works closely with grantees to deliver tailored technical assistance and capacity building, focusing on topics such as meaningful involvement of people who use drugs, media relations, harm reduction 101, federal and private funding opportunities, and grant writing. Zachary contributes to research and resource development. He is a lead researcher and author on The Right Hit: Developing Effective Media Strategies at Syringe Services Programs and Bringing Safer Consumption Spaces to the United States. In 2018, Zachary compiled an analytical report on the challenges and lessons from syringe services programs in the United States using data from Syringe Access Fund grantee final reports. Zachary also contributed to AIDS United’s Meaningful Involvement of People Who Use Drugs fact sheet. Currently, Zachary is preparing to publish a toolkit on harm reduction and stimulants. Zachary is a graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. His studies focused on the sociology of human rights movements and the law and policy that propelled and/or resulted from these movements.
Brandie Wilson is the Founder and former Executive Director of the Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction and like most of us she has a deep personal connection to the work. The vast majority of Brandies work in Harm Reduction and Drug Policy has focused on creating and expanding services in Small Town and Rural spaces. Brandie has also participated in a number of State and National work groups designed to create more accessible services for PWUD.
Joe Caldwell was born and raised in West Branch, Iowa. After graduating from Beloit College with a B.A. in Health & Society, Joe worked at HIPS in Washington, D.C. supporting outreach and participant care services. Later, Joe worked at the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) providing technical and capacity building assistance to state health departments addressing the HIV and hepatitis C epidemics’ impact on men who have sex with men, youth, people who use drugs, and trans people. In Iowa, Joe started at the Iowa Department of Public Health as the HIV & Substance Use Coordinator and later as the Drug User Health Coordinator and remains committed to working for those directly impacted by stigma and criminalization by creating accountable and sustainable harm reduction service support in the state’s existing healthcare infrastructure.
Colin Miller has been involved in harm reduction since 2003 as both a recipient and provider of services. He was first introduced to harm reduction via Access Works in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN, and would later be engaged with Prevention Point in Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, Colin has worked primarily with people living with HIV, HCV, drug users, sex workers, and people experiencing homelessness. In 2016, he co-founded the Twin City Harm Reduction Collective (TCHRC) with Stephen “Gator” Daniels in Winston-Salem, NC. Colin is extremely passionate about drug policy and criminal justice reform, harm reduction, and the revamping of the way we approach substance use disorder treatment. He holds a BS in Community and Justice Studies from Guilford College.
Angela Kloepfer, M.D. is the Chief Medical Officer at Amerigroup Iowa. Amerigroup provides access to medical care and support services for 345,000 people enrolled in the Iowa Medicaid program. Dr. Kloepfer is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, she received her medical degree at the University of Colorado and did her residency training at the University of Virginia. She has practiced as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist in Virginia, Colorado and Iowa. She has been with Amerigroup Iowa since October of 2017. Her professional interests include population-based health, health policy and ensuring access to high quality healthcare for our most vulnerable citizens.
Terri Rosonke is the Housing Programs Manager at the Iowa Finance Authority where she is responsible for managing the State Housing Trust Fund as well as leading agency initiatives related to permanent supportive housing under the National Housing Trust Fund, Olmstead compliance, and disaster recovery. Prior to joining IFA, Terri served as the Assistant Vice President/Associate Director Rental Housing for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines administering the Affordable Housing Program for rental projects. She previously worked in state government as a Field Representative for the Iowa Economic Development Authority overseeing state and federal financing for housing, infrastructure, and job training projects. Terri earned her Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa.
Carol Gebhart is Executive Director of Opening Doors. Opening Doors offers hospitality to women, alone or with children, experiencing homelessness. Opening Doors offers emergency shelter, extended stay, transitional housing, and a permanent supportive housing program and case management. Carol previously served as Director of the Office for Protection of Children at the Archdiocese of Dubuque. She was a school administrator and teacher in Dubuque, IA and Houston, TX for 21 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
Nicole Hamilton-Brahm is the Violent Crime Program Supervisor for Crisis Intervention Service, which includes homicide, human trafficking and other forms of violence and oppression not served by traditional victim service organization. Nicole was able to provide leadership in working with marginalized populations, especially after being personally impacted by the war on drugs and mass incarceration. This has helped Nicole provide perspective on services especially services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Nicole holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Education specific to mental health counseling, and is a licensed mental health counselor. Nicole focused much of her graduate education and research on trauma and its impact on individuals and families, especially those affected by crime. Crisis Intervention Service has a long history of providing a holistic approach, blending prevention, education, crisis response, supportive services, community organizing and collaborative partnerships to better meet the needs of victims of violence in North Central & North East Iowa.
Erica Poellot is a mother, maker and activist. Erica has been engaged in the work of social justice and sacred engagement since the early-1990’s, with a particular interest in the intersections of practical and liberation theologies, trauma/gender-based violence, and harm reduction. Erica is the Senior Community Minister at Judson Memorial Church in NYC, an MID in the Metro Association of the United Church of Christ, and oversees New York City-wide harm reduction ministries including the Harm Reduction Family Love Feast, a vibrant spiritual community led by people who have personal experience with substance use, harm reductionists, artists, activists, and other visionaries. As a faith leader in long term recovery, Erica founded Faith in Harm Reduction to mobilize faith leaders to build communities of care that challenge the stigma of substance use and offer extravagant welcome to people who use drugs and their loved ones. With joint MDiv/MSW degrees from Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University, Erica currently works as the Director of Faith and Community Partnerships for the national Harm Reduction Coalition. Erica, her partner Allan, and their 6-year old daughter Allissa live in Bronx, NY and fill their time together with picnics in the park, art making, and a new favorite, “swimming underwater,” near their cabin in upstate NY!
Terri Rosonke is the Housing Programs Manager at the Iowa Finance Authority where she is responsible for managing the State Housing Trust Fund as well as leading agency initiatives related to permanent supportive housing under the National Housing Trust Fund, Olmstead compliance, and disaster recovery. Prior to joining IFA, Terri served as the Assistant Vice President/Associate Director Rental Housing for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines administering the Affordable Housing Program for rental projects. She previously worked in state government as a Field Representative for the Iowa Economic Development Authority overseeing state and federal financing for housing, infrastructure, and job training projects. Terri earned her Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa.
Rachel Young (MPH, PhD) is an Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa. She has a master’s degree in public health and an MA and PhD in journalism, all from the University of Missouri. Her current research is at the intersection of public health and communication. She’s written extensively about how the media cover health issues, how media coverage affects audience perceptions, and how media affect our health and well-being. A child of two master teachers, she has a passion for introducing students to the notion that our health is determined by our environments, our social class, our privilege, and many other factors that constrain our individual choices. She is also trained as a StoryCenter facilitator and uses multimedia tools to help people tell meaningful personal stories. In spring 2019, she ran a workshop to help IHRC staff and volunteers create videos about drug use and harm reduction. She’ll continue the storytelling project in fall 2019 with a grant from the University of Iowa Office of Outreach and Engagement. Before going back to get her PhD, Rachel worked as a health and science writer and editor, most recently for the children’s magazine company Cricket. A native of Columbia, Missouri, she now lives in Iowa City with her husband, Gabe Bodzin, a therapist, and their two teenaged children. Her hobbies are reading fiction, thrift shopping, learning guitar, cooking, running, and trying out new hobbies.
Louise Vincent MPH is an activist and educator in NC whose work and expertise in drug user health and social and criminal justice reform has driven the expansion and acceptance of harm reduction. She is a harm reduction consultant who specializes in women’s health, drug policy reform, and the meaningful engagement of people who use drugs. Louise is committed to developing and evaluating user informed systems and developing organizational leadership using horizontal structures and feminist theory. Louise’s passion and expertise have created opportunities for system change and movement building both locally and nationally. Louise sits on the board of International People Who Use Drugs and is the Executive Director of USU the only national drug user union. Radical acceptance, passion, and connection are all core components used by Louise and her partners as they manifest transformative and unique outcomes for people who use drugs.
Rev. M Barclay (they/them) is Executive Director of enfleshed, a nonprofit creating and facilitating resources of spiritual nourishment for collective liberation. M is passionate about bringing fresh and relevant perspectives to the questions, traditions, and theologies that have sustained faith communities for centuries. They have extensive experience in writing, preaching, and teaching on Christianity and its relationship to queer and trans lives, feminism, white anti-racism, and other pressing matters of justice. M formerly served as Director of Communications at Reconciling Ministries Network where they advocated for queer and trans inclusion in The United Methodist Church. They have also enjoyed working as a hospital chaplain, youth director, justice associate and faith coordinator for reproductive justice in Texas.
Blyth Barnow is the Harm Reduction Faith Coordinator for Faith In Public Life Ohio. She is a preacher, harm reductionist, and community organizer. She is the founder of Femminary, an online ministry focused on reclaiming dignity by finding divinity in the profane. She is currently working to establish harm reduction resources for faith based communities and has already brought her worship service, Naloxone Saves, to several states. Naloxone Saves celebrates the power of resurrection by training people to recognize and respond to an opiate overdose. Blyth graduated from Pacific School Of Religion where she received a Master of Divinity and the Paul Wesley Yinger preaching award.
Andrea Weber, MD MME, is a board-certified internist and psychiatrist working out of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. She is the Assistant Director of Addiction Medicine at the University of Iowa and currently serves as a board member for the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition.
Anthony Miller, MD, is a psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist. He is a staff psychiatrist and the medical director of the Addictive Disorders Services of the Iowa City VA Health Care System. He is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where he directs the medical student clerkship in psychiatry. Dr. Miller graduated from medical school at Iowa, completed residency at Washington University in St. Louis, and has a 15 years of experience treating opioid use disorders.
Alison Lynch, MD MS, is a psychiatrist and family physician at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She is the Director of Addiction Medicine in the UIHC Department of Psychiatry. She co-founded and co-directs the UIHC MAT Clinic, which provides medication assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorder. Clinical interests include integrated care, mental health in primary care, community-based mental health care, and addiction medicine. Dr. Lynch completed medical school and residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She is a clinical professor in the University of Iowa Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine.
Katie Burk, MPH is the Viral Hepatitis Coordinator at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and a co-founder and Coordinating Committee member of End Hep C SF, the first citywide HCV elimination initiative in the US. Katie has extensive experience in program development, management, evaluation, and capacity building with a focus on promoting the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs and other marginalized populations.
Zachary Siegel is a journalist living in Chicago who covers public health and criminal justice. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Wired, Slate, Vice, and The Appeal, among others. He is currently a journalism fellow at Northeastern University’s Health in Justice Action Lab, and co-hosts Narcotica, a podcast about drug policy and harm reduction that centers the voices of people who use drugs.
Erin received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa. She started as a Prevention Specialist for the Area Substance Abuse Council in July of 2007 and became the Director for Prevention Services in March of 2012 where she oversees the agency’s prevention efforts in Linn, Benton, and Jones County. Erin currently is the Chair of the Linn County Opioid Steering Committee. Erin enjoys the time she gets to spend training on how substances have a large impact in the health and safety of a recommunity.
Melissia Larson, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, oversees the development and implementation of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) sites across the State. She is an experienced public safety project director with over 18 years within the area of criminal justice and public safety initiatives, primarily geared towards local communities. Melissia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kris Nyrop is the Director of Harm Reduction Practices at the Public Defender Association in Seattle, WA and has worked on the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) project since 2009. He was the Executive Director of Street Outreach Services in Seattle from 1997-2007. Prior to that he worked for the Washington State Department of Health, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute at the University of Washington. He was a project ethnographer for the Vancouver Injection Drug User Study from 1997 to 1999. He has worked as an outreach worker, researcher, and trainer in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, hepatitis C prevention, syringe exchange, harm reduction, and drug policy reform. Additionally, he has consulted with projects throughout the U.S. as well as in Canada, the Philippines, Russia, the Republic of Georgia, and Vietnam.
Haley Coles is the co-founder and executive director of Sonoran Prevention Works. Born and raised in Arizona, she is dedicated to making systems-level changes to ensure health equity for Arizonans impacted by substance use, sex work, HIV, hepatitis C, and incarceration. Her work with marginalized populations was recognized by Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona and Governor Jay Inslee of Washington. She is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader.
Lauren Green is the Overdose Prevention Coordinator on the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant and the Missouri Opioid-Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education (MO-HOPE) project at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health. She has experience working collaboratively with community partners on initiatives to combat the increasing prevalence of synthetic drugs and reduce overdose mortality. In her current role, she works to expand access to overdose education and naloxone as well as disseminate information on the availability of services to high-risk populations. Lauren’s passion and focus is centered on reducing harm for people who use drugs and addressing stigma and social inequalities related to drug use, incarceration, and access to care.
Mary Wheeler began working in the HIV prevention field since 1999 as a volunteer outreach worker for JRI Health in Boston. From 1999 until 2001 Mary worked as the street outreach coordinator for an outreach program that targeted sex workers and people who inject drugs. From 2001 until 2005 Mary worked for both the Cambridge Needle Exchange and Boston Needle Exchange programs. In 2005 she took a position at CAB Health and Recovery Services, Inc. Healthy Streets Outreach Program in Lynn which provides services to both people who inject drugs and sex workers. Healthy Streets has since become a program of Health Innovations Inc, a woman and minority run organization. Mary is currently the Program Director at Healthy Streets Outreach Program in Lynn, MA where she has worked for over ten years. Healthy Streets provides harm services in 8 different cities and towns on the North Shore, operates four syringe service programs, overdose education and naloxone distribution and facilitates overdose follow-up visits with first responders in 5 cities and towns.
Josh Radke, MD is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is also the Director of Medical Toxicology at the University, and is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology. He went to undergrad and medical school at the University of Iowa and completed both residency and fellowship at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. As the Medical Director for the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition, Josh oversees the medical aspects of the organization and ensures the safety of IHRC’s clients and volunteers. As an ER physician and a toxicologist, Josh has seen the short and long-term effects of drug use, and he believes that using drugs should not preclude someone from getting complete and compassionate care. He has done prior volunteer work with marginalized populations both here and abroad. His wife, Stephanie is an Obstetrics and Gynecology physician at the University of Iowa as well, and they currently spend most of their free time trying to survive while raising their two children.
Amy Wilson received her undergraduate degree from Mount Mercy University. She then completed both her Master of Science in Nursing Degree, specializing in Nursing Education, and her Family Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate, at Allen College. She is both certified by and an active member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Amy has been with Eastern Iowa Health Center for 5 years; she is a family medicine nurse practitioner, with an interest in addiction medicine. Amy has been instrumental in starting the EIHC Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for patients struggling with substance use disorders.
Phoebe has served as the Executive Director of Willis Dady Homeless Services in Cedar Rapids Iowa since 2015. During this time Willis Dady successfully launched and completed a $3 million capital campaign, the first in the agency’s history, taking the shelter from 32 to 60 beds. Phoebe has helped to develop and implement a range of programs to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. These include; the winter overflow shelter, a collaboration between a dozen agencies and a new location each winter; several permanent supportive housing projects for people with long histories of homelessness; a regional homeless prevention program to help low-income residents avoid evictions and identify housing alternatives prior to becoming homeless; and several supported employment “social enterprise” businesses to directly employ people experiencing homelessness. Prior to her work at Willis Dady Phoebe worked at Shelter House in Iowa City, and the Appalachia Service Project in East Tennessee. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota Morris.
Terri Rosonke is the Housing Programs Manager at the Iowa Finance Authority where she is responsible for managing the State Housing Trust Fund as well as leading agency initiatives related to permanent supportive housing under the National Housing Trust Fund, Olmstead compliance, and disaster recovery. Prior to joining IFA, Terri served as the Assistant Vice President/Associate Director Rental Housing for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines administering the Affordable Housing Program for rental projects. She previously worked in state government as a Field Representative for the Iowa Economic Development Authority overseeing state and federal financing for housing, infrastructure, and job training projects. Terri earned her Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa.
Cynthia Latcham is the Director of Programs & Services at Anawim Housing. A nonprofit which focuses on implementing Permanent Supportive Housing programs using evidence based upon principles of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed Care. Programs & Services has existed for over 20 years, with Cynthia leading the team for the past 2, beginning in 2017. Prior to her work with Anawim Cynthia was a private business owner and a Child Protective social worker. She graduated from University of Iowa with a degree in Social Work and received a graduate degree from Drake University in Public Administration. In addition to her work at Anawim, Cynthia is a member of the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Health Initiative for People Who Inject Drugs, and serves on the leadership team for the Community Visioning and Plan program focusing on strategies for addressing and ending homelessness in Polk County. Born in Barrington, Illinois, Cynthia is a passionate believer in smart, creative bureaucracy that empowers individuals to achieve goals. She is especially proud of the team of committed and talented professionals she works with on a daily basis. Cynthia is a mother of two, and a grandmother to two fabulous grandchildren. In her free time she loves to garden and read on her screen porch.
Joe Zito is a social worker for Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA, as well as a case manager and MAT Linkage Coordinator for the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition. Joe received his Masters in Psychology from Georgia State University, and has since become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Joe’s work is deeply rooted in harm reduction philosophy and practice, having helped established one of the first syringe service programs in Atlanta, Georgia in the early 1990’s. Joe has spent over 20 years as an advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health difficulties, and/or substance use, working early on at the Abbe Center in for Community Health for 10 years, then later at Mercy Hospital and IHRC. Joe is married with two children, and currently lives in Cedar Rapids.
Daniel Zeno is policy director at the ACLU of Iowa. He is responsible for implementing the ACLU of Iowa’s policy and legislative strategy, including lobbying in the state legislature and working with policymakers at the county and city levels to advance the ACLU’s work. Prior to joining the ACLU of Iowa, Daniel represented Iowans living with low-income in civil cases as a staff attorney at Iowa Legal Aid. Daniel is a graduate of the The University of Iowa College of Law, Indiana University Bloomington, Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree, and Wabash College, Bachelor of Arts degree, Economics.
As Legal Action Center Vice President of Policy Advocacy, Tracie spearheads major initiatives and fosters strategic partnerships that support LAC’s mission. From 2015-2017, Tracie served as the Assistant Secretary of Health for New York State, where she oversaw the state’s addiction, mental health and developmental disabilities agencies. Tracie has worked almost 30 years in the health and social services policy arena as a policy advocate, trainer and lobbyist. Tracie received a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
Daniel Runde, M.D., is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition. As Chair, he provides guidance and direction as the organization continues to expand its efforts in multiple arenas, including overdose prevention, community outreach, legislative advocacy and harm reduction education. Daniel currently works as an Emergency Medicine (EM) physician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, where he serves as Assistant Program Director for the EM Residency, a Course Director in the Carver College of Medicine, and Co-Director of the Mobile Clinic. Prior to attending medical school, he worked with people who use drugs in his role as director of Las Duchas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Daniel graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Philosophy before receiving his M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He completed his residency training in EM at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York, NY and a Fellowship in Medical Education at Harbor-UCLA and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. After returning to Iowa, Daniel also received a Master Degree in Medical Education from the University of Iowa. He has received multiple “Teacher of The Year” awards within his department as well as recognition for “Best Lecture” and “Best Speaker” from Council of Emergency Medicine Directors Academic Assembly. He realizes on a daily basis how lucky he is to be married to his partner Katie and is equal parts smitten and befuddled by his two ridiculous children, Alice and Jane.
Christine is a multi-skilled trainer, project manager, strategist, and dyed-in-the-wool harm reductionist with over a decade of experience in equity-driven sexual and drug user health. Currently she manages a new and growing harm reduction-focused, statewide capacity building initiative in Maryland. Prior to that, Christine led training and technical assistance provision for hepatitis C testing and linkage to care and cure projects for people who inject drugs at the California Department of Public Health, seeking this time in state government to inform her previous work in federal viral hepatitis policy advocacy. She earned her Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Pomona College. Christine is currently based in Charm City, and is especially interested in exploring the intersections between harm reduction and racial, reproductive, and climate justice.
Monique Tula is the Executive Director of Harm Reduction Coalition, a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health and dignity of people affected by drug use. Previously, she was the Vice President of Programs with AIDS United where she oversaw the grantmaking and technical assistance portfolios. With more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Ms. Tula has devoted her career to harm reduction advocacy and infrastructure development of community-based organizations. Ms. Tula is a skilled trainer, having taught program evaluation courses at the University of Massachusetts in Boston and facilitated numerous organizational development trainings for community based organizations throughout the U.S. An alum of the Centers for Disease Control’s Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership, Ms. Tula holds a degree in Community Planning with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management from Boston University’s School of Management. Ms. Tula has been nominated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership award and presently serves as Board Chair for BEAM, a collective of mental and emotional health advocates dedicated to dismantling systems that cause egregious harms to Black people in America.
Sarah Ziegenhorn is the Executive Director and founder of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition (IHRC). IHRC is a non-profit organization that advocates for policy change to promote the health, rights, and dignity of people who use drugs. IHRC also operates a comprehensive drug user health program, serving over 3,000 Iowans who use drugs each year. Sarah has worked with people who use drugs for nearly a decade, including with the Washington, D.C. syringe services program HIPS. Before founding IHRC, she was the Special Assistant to the President and Research Associate with the Washington, D.C. health policy think tank, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Sarah graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Geography and Community Health. She is currently an M.D. candidate at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where she has received numerous awards, including the 2019 University of Iowa Hancher Finkbine Medallion and the 2017 United States Public Health Service “Excellence in Public Health” award. She is a member of the state of Iowa HIV and Hepatitis Community Planning Group and the Iowa Deptartment of Public Health’s Health Initiative for People Who Inject Drugs. Sarah is a highly sought after public speaker whose work has been featured on NPR, Vice News on HBO, Iowa Public Radio, and Splinter, among others. Her proudest achievement is designing and implementing the state of Iowa’s largest and most effective overdose prevention & naloxone distribution program. Sarah is a native Iowan, growing up on a family farm near the Mississippi River. She now lives in Iowa City with her dog, Callie.
Clinton Alexander (Anishinaabe, enrolled member of White Earth Band of Ojibwe) has worked in the public health field for over a decade addressing health inequities among American Indian communities in both rural and urban settings. With an emphasis on social justice, he has worked extensively with local, state, Federal and Tribal authorities to form a groundbreaking collaboration using a coalition-based approach focused on harm reduction and public health programming to prevent HIV, HCV, STIs, and overdose fatalities. He currently serves as the Harm Reduction Integration Program Manager for the White Earth Nation in Minnesota where he continues to work in the public health field addressing substance misuse and HIV/HCV/STI/OD prevention.
Nicole Novak, Ph.D., MSc, is an outreach team leader and joined IHRC’s board of directors in 2017. She is passionate about health equity in Iowa and believes in grassroots action to make it easier for Iowans to care for themselves, their families, and their communities. Prior to returning to her home state of Iowa she was a friend and ally to Camp Take Notice, a democratically self-governing community of people experiencing homelessness in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was also a resident volunteer at Mercy House, a house of hospitality and intentional community affiliated with Camp Take Notice. She earned MSc degrees in Medical Anthropology and Global Health as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. Nicole conducts epidemiologic and community-engaged research on a number of topics related to health and social justice and currently works as a postdoctoral scholar in the University of Iowa College of Public Health. She lives in Iowa City with her husband, Ethan, and IHRC outreach sidekick, Ursa.
Kevin W. Techau is an attorney with the Scheldrup Blades Law Firm with offices in Cedar Rapids & Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. He is chair of the firm’s Government Compliance, Internal Investigations/Municipal Defense practice. He previously served as the presidentially appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa 2014-2017. As chief federal law enforcement official for the District, he organized and led the Eastern Iowa Opioid Initiative. Kevin’s 30-year public/private career includes service as Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals in Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s cabinet and seven years as Associate General Counsel at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. He retired as a Colonel with 27 years of total military service including seven years on active duty with the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate, and 20 years of service with the Iowa Air National Guard, upon retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal. A graduate of the University of Iowa College of Business and College of Law, Kevin’s community service currently incudes Boards of Keep Iowa Beautiful and America’s Job Honor Award. Past service includes Boards of the Des Moines Public Library (Past President), Keep Iowa Beautiful (Past President), Des Moines Area Religious Council, Iowa National Guard Credit Union and Iowa National Guard Officer’s
Association (Past President). He received the Iowa Public Health Heroes Award, University of Iowa, College of Public Health, 2016; Safe Kids Iowa Leadership Award, Blank Children’s Hospital, 2007; Government Leadership Award, Greater Des Moines Partnership, 2006.
Elected in 2014 to a four-year term in the Iowa Senate. I represent the people of Johnson, Keokuk and Washington counties.
I currently serve as the ranking member on the Agriculture committee; I also serve on the Ethics, Judiciary, and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
I was born and raised in Oxford, Iowa and have two grown children, Shaun and Megan, with my wife Debbie.
I have been farming for more than 30 years. My wife and I own and operate our family’s century farm, raising livestock and row crops.
I retired as a Lieutenant in the Investigations Division of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and served the community for 30 years in law enforcement. I am currently a reserve deputy for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. While in investigations I was assigned to the US Attorney’s office Ad Hoc task force on Heroin overdose deaths and was also in charge of the Johnson County Drug Task Force.
I have also served three terms on the Clear Creek Amana School Board.
In 2014 I received the American Legion’s Midwest Region Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and was the national runner-up for the American Legion National Law Officer of the Year. In 2012, I received the Law Enforcement Victim Service award, as well as the Continuous Service Award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
I have also been involved as an active member of several community organizations, including the Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus and the Johnson County Cattlemen’s Association. I also served on various law enforcement boards with the goal of increasing public safety in Iowa.
Jen Kositzky CADC, is the Executive Director of Cedar Valley Recovery Services, providing Medication Assisted Treatment to patients in Cedar Falls, Dubuque and Marion, Iowa. Jen graduated from Mount Mercy University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. For the last 10 years, Jen has been dedicated to improving the lives of others in the mental health and substance abuse field. Jen’s experience as a group facilitator, case manager, drug counselor and supervisor have provided her with a strong empathic and holistic approach to treating those in crisis. Her drive is fueled by simply “being rational” and “meeting people where they are at.” At the end of a rewarding work day, Jen can be found embarking on an outdoor adventure with her husband, 2 year old son and their rescued collie/coyote pup.
Representative Shannon Lundgren has served one term in the Iowa House of Representatives serving district 57 (Peosta). Shannon was born and raised in Dubuque County. She works in her family owned Restaurant called Trackside Bar & Grill, with her husband Charlie and oldest daughter Alexis (who attended the University of Iowa). They have a second daughter who will graduate from UNI in December.
Lundgren is passionate about small business growth and development as well as Health and Human Services issues. Few people know that Lundgren has her own family experience with opioid addiction. Her husband was involved in a deadly car accident in 1998 when their daughters were just two and four years old. A year later, he was admitted into a 9-week program at the Mayo Clinic for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and opioid addiction. This experience has given her a valuable perspective which has allowed her to look at the Opioid Epidemic from a personal and professional vantage point, taking painstaking care that any passed legislation will help people in the best possible way.