Speakers

Dr. Laurel Banach

Physician
UMass Chan Medical School

Laurel Banach, MD, AAHIVS is a board-certified family medicine physician and HIV specialist. She completed her medical training at UMass Chan Medical School and Worcester Family Medicine Residency, followed by a fellowship in HIV and viral hepatitis care at Family Health Center of Worcester. Dr. Banach currently provides low-barrier, street-based care through the Road to Care program and practices as a hospitalist. Her work focuses on caring for patients with substance use disorders, advancing harm reduction strategies, and educating the next generation of healthcare providers.

Michael Bowles

Executive Administrator
Alaska Board of Pharmacy

While serving in the Army in the healthcare field, Michael witnessed the opioid epidemic firsthand. Soldiers were coming back from simultaneous wars with multiple injuries and PTSD, trying to navigate the overwhelmed military healthcare system. He has lost family, friends, and subordinate soldiers to addiction, so this subject area is close to his heart.

Michael has been a civil servant with the State of Alaska since 2013. Prior to his appointment to the position of Executive Administrator of the Alaska Board of Pharmacy, he served as the Investigator for the Board, Industrial Hygienist (Health Consultant) with the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health’s Consultation and Training Program, and as a Community Care Licensing Specialist with the Division of Health Care Services.

Michael earned both his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Religion and a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling - Health and Wellness through Liberty University.

Jennifer Chikoyak

Health Promotions & Education, Senior Manager
American Lung Association in Alaska

Jennifer Chikoyak is the Health Promotions Senior Manager for the American Lung Association. She has worked on public health policy specializing in tobacco prevention and control, for twenty years. Before that, she was a legislative aide in the Alaska State Legislature. Additionally, she has experience with fiscal, administrative, and programmatic needs of projects. She is a skilled facilitator and has experience running policy campaigns, community organizing, and coalition management. Jennifer brings her experience and passion for public health to every project she manages.

James Christmas

Clinic Director
Anchorage Comprehensive Treatment Center

James Christmas is the Clinic Director at Anchorage Comprehensive Treatment Center with Acadia Healthcare, where he leads a multidisciplinary team providing outpatient care for adults of all genders who are living with opioid use disorder. An Alaska Native from Nunivak Island, he brings both lived experience and cultural perspective to his leadership. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Alaska Pacific University, integrating business and healthcare expertise to advance effective, patient-centered models of care.

Sky Cook

Chief Operating Officer
Fairbanks Integrated Community Services

Sky is a co-incorporator of Fairbanks Integrated Community Services who has previously served in roles across Fairbanks as a chemical dependency counselor and intensive case manager. With a passion for assisting individuals experiencing SMI and/or homelessness, Sky works predominantly in community-based settings as a fierce patient advocate for systemic change. She is an avid reader who is known to quickly read books, research, or evidence-based practice manuals to implement change and improve client care.

Corey Cox

Medical Director of Addiction Services
SEARHC

Corey is a dual board certified Family and Addiction Medicine physician in Juneau Alaska. He is working to expand access to outpatient addition services in Southeast.

Sam Garcia

Sr. Clinical Outreach Coordinator/Owner
Anchorage Recovery Center/Peer of Heart Consulting

Sam is Kewa from New Mexico who grew up mostly in Alaska. He’s married, a dad of four, and finds peace fishing, hiking, and skiing. His life changed on April 8, 2016, the day he stopped using. A week later he walked into treatment determined to do whatever it took — to direct the fierce energy he once gave to using toward rebuilding a life worth living. That lived experience became his compass. Sam trained as a chemical dependency counselor and was among the first certified peer support specialists in Alaska. He’s worked hands‐on in residential and outpatient settings across Anchorage and the Mat‐Su, training peers for outreach and leading teams that served hundreds experiencing homelessness. Those years in the field exposed him to gaps in care and a need for culturally grounded, accessible supports — especially for veterans and active duty service members. Wanting to scale what he’d learned, Sam founded Peer of Heart Consulting to help organizations build peer services and strengthen their workforce. In spring 2023 he supported a new military and veterans recovery program and recently helped spearhead the opening of the Anchorage Recovery Center — part of a shared vision for a recovery campus offering a full continuum of care for civilians, veterans, and service members. For Sam the work isn’t a resume, it’s personal. He measures success in returned phone calls, reunited families, steady jobs, and people finding their lives again.

Elijah Gutierrez

Drug Demand Reduction NCO
Counterdrug Support Program

Master Sergeant Elijah Gutierrez Joined the Alaska National Guard in 2007. Since November 2016 Elijah has worked for the Counterdrug Support Program (CDSP) an organization within the National Guard. His section focuses on supporting organizations and efforts aimed at reducing substance misuse and Improving wellness in communities across the great state of Alaska. They do this supporting the development of strategic plans, supporting implementation, also helping bridge the gap between public health and public safety. Elijah spends his free time exploring the wilderness, riding bikes, and climbing mountains with his four kids.

Alison Hartman

MFA, Acupuncturist

Alison Hartman received a BA from Oberlin College, an MFA from Yale University, and an MA in Acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland. She has maintained a private acupuncture practice for over 35 years in Westminster, Maryland at the Westminster Center for Traditional Acupuncture. Prior to her career as an acupuncturist, she was a sculptor and taught sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design. Since the death of her son in 2017 from an unintentional heroin overdose, she has spoken and written about grief and loss.

Ashley Hilton

Consultant
Family Advocacy

My name is Ashley.
I am a single mother who has been committed to a lifestyle of recovery since November 2017. Over the past seven years, I’ve dedicated myself to sharing my lived experiences with others—whether they’re walking a similar path or supporting a loved one through theirs.

Balancing the demands of full-time work and the ongoing journey of personal growth, I continue to draw from the insights and resilience I’ve gained. My goal is to offer hope, understanding, and practical guidance to those navigating the complexities of recovery—because no one should have to do it alone.

Revised:
Ashley is a single mother who has been committed to a lifestyle of recovery since November 2017. Over the past seven years, she has dedicated herself to sharing her lived experiences with others - whether they are walking a similar path or supporting a loved one through theirs.

Balancing the demands of full-time work and the ongoing journey of personal growth, she continues to draw from the insights and resilience she has gained. Her goal is to offer hope, understanding, and practical guidance to those navigating the complexities of recovery - because no one should have to do it alone.

Annette Hubbard

Case Manager
Ninilchik Traditional Council

Annette is a case manager and peer support at the Ninilchik Traditional Council addiction medication services.

Dr. Melodie Isgro

Addiction Medicine Physician

Dr. Melodie Isgro is Board-certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine. She completed Addiction Fellowships with the Addiction Institute of New York and the San Diego VA/UCSD Healthcare systems. Currently, she works for a Tribal Health Organization and runs the MAT (Medications for Addiction Treatment) Program at their outpatient treatment center in Anchorage, Alaska. She also teaches as an Attending Physician for the Alaska Addiction Medicine Fellowship and serves as a Consultant for the Opioid Response Network.

Michelle Kavouras

Co-Owner
SpheraNova

Michelle is a credentialed expert in addiction counseling, harm reduction, and recovery support, holding certifications including NCAC I, CADC, NCRS, and RCPF. With nearly a decade of experience, she is recognized for advancing evidence-based approaches to substance use and recovery. Michelle serves as Patient Engagement Co-Lead on the EMPOWER Project and contributes to national initiatives such as the ORAU Pregnancy and Postpartum Certificate Program. She holds leadership roles on several boards and commissions, including NAADAC’s NCCAP, Sitka’s Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and the Police and Fire Commission, and co-chairs the Southeast Alaska Alcohol Alliance. As a Peer Doula, Michelle has supported pregnant and parenting individuals who use substances, advocating for harm reduction in care, training, and policy. A published author and national trainer, she has educated hundreds of professionals, from healthcare providers to child protection workers, equipping them to deliver equitable and compassionate care. Drawing from her own experience in long-term recovery since 2016 and as a parent navigating the child welfare system, Michelle collaborates on projects like patient-centered research with Dr. Nidey to elevate stakeholder voices and drive system change. She is currently working with ATTC on Recovery Supports Across the Lifespan to enhance the peer network and build stronger communities across the US.

Christina Love

Owner
Alaska Rural Services

Christina Love (she/her) is a proud Alaska Native (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq) mother, internationally acclaimed speaker, award-winning advocate, broadcaster, educator, and civil and human rights leader. Drawing on her lived experience as a survivor of violence, trafficking, incarceration, homelessness and addiction, Christina works at the intersection of trauma, substance use, health, and culture. She leads a collective movement to end violence, oppression, shame, and stigma through healing-centered practices, the liberation of education, community healing, storytelling, and hope.

Andrea Mankee

Regional Director
Community Medical Services

Andrea Mankee is Regional Director for CMS Northwest, overseeing 12 clinics across Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota. A former practice administrator, she brings deep operational experience building and scaling multi-site programs. Andrea leads clinical teams treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and is passionate about expanding access to care for underserved populations.

Dr. Diana Martinez

Professor of Psychiatry
Columbia University/NYSPI

Diana Martinez, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She is originally from rural Texas, attended college in New Mexico, then moved to New York City to attend medical school. The current research of Dr. Martinez focuses on developing new treatments for substance use disorders, including the use of neuromodulation. Dr. Martinez also pursues clinical research in addiction with co-occurring conditions, such as chronic pain and depression. In addition to research, Dr. Martinez is passionate about speaking with providers and community organizations about treatments for addiction – so that science can be used for real world solutions.

Anthony Mosinski

Chief Executive Officer
Fairbanks Integrated Community Services

Anthony is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a co-incorporator of Fairbanks Integrated Community Services. Professionally, he enjoys partnering with agencies and providers to seek better outcomes for vulnerable or high-needs individuals across the community. Through private and public advocacy, Anthony engages with the community to use local resources to work toward local solutions. He most frequently works with individuals experiencing some combination of psychosis, chronic substance abuse, and chronic homelessness. Personally, he enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and two dogs including hiking, camping, and photography.

Nikki Bell-Pena

Program Director
South Middlesex Opportunity Council

Nikki Bell-Peña is a nonprofit leader, program developer, and survivor advocate based in Central Massachusetts. She is the Founder of Her House, a survivor-led initiative, and currently serves as Program Director of the Women’s Services Division at South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC). Drawing on lived experience of exploitation, homelessness, and substance use disorder, Nikki has spent over a decade building trauma- responsive, low-barrier programs for highly marginalized women and families. She previously founded and led Living in Freedom Together (LIFT), a groundbreaking organization supporting prostituted women. Today, she continues to design innovative shelter, outreach, and workforce development programs that center survivor leadership, equity, and dignity, while also contributing to board governance and community partnerships in Worcester.

Lori Price

Public Health Specialist
State of Alaska Tobacco Program

Lori Price is a Public Health Specialist in Tobacco Cessation and Behavioral Health for the State of Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Mrs. Price’s work includes providing education and training on cessation and Alaska’s tobacco Quitline, working with providers, grantees, and contractors in the behavioral health setting, working with and providing technical assistance to grantees across the state, developing and providing presentations, materials, and resources to a variety of audiences, and collaboration with providers, partners, and grantees.  

Shapir Rosenberg

MD
SSMH

Born and raised in Colorado, Shapir Rosenberg, MD completed a residency in Psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of South Florida. He has a passion for end-of-life care, teaching, and the medical humanities.

Jeremy Simile

Welder

Jeremy has been able to maintain a productive lifestyle, thanks to the use of the MAT program. Previously, he had not had success in society prior.

John Solomon

Chief Executive Officer
Alaska Behavioral Health Association

John Solomon serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Behavioral Health Association, a statewide organization representing over 120 behavioral health organizations. In this role, he leads policy advocacy, workforce development strategies, and system-wide initiatives to expand access to high-quality behavioral health services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment.

Dr. Sarah Spencer

Addiciton Medicine Physician
Ninilchik Traditional Council Community Clinic

Dr. Sarah Spencer is board certified in family and addiction medicine and has been providing treatment for addiction in rural Alaska for 15 years. She is currently an employee of the Ninilchik Traditional Council and provides family medicine and addiction treatment services at their tribal clinic, including telemedicine to remote native villages. She is the volunteer medical director of Alaska’s first rural syringe access program in Homer, is a co-author of the state’s medications for addiction treatment guide, and provides addiction medicine consultation for non-profits including the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and is the Opioid Response Network.

Jennifer Stukey

Chief Operating Officer
Narcotic Drug Treatment Center, Inc.

Jennifer began her career in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in 2003 as a dispensing nurse at the Narcotic Drug Treatment Center, Inc. (NDTC), an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in Anchorage, Alaska. She advanced through multiple roles before becoming Chief Operating Officer, where she now oversees operations, licensing, compliance, and performance systems essential to delivering high-quality care. Jennifer serves as Alaska’s representative on the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) Board of Directors and is a recipient of the AATOD Nyswander Dole Award for her contributions to the field. In addition, she is a consultant with the Opioid Response Network (ORN) and serves on the Alaska Society of Addiction Medicine Board of Directors.

Dr. Ryan Wallace

Psychiatry
Providence

Dr. Ryan Wallace is a board-certified Addiction Medicine physician and fellowship-trained Addiction Psychiatrist. He earned his combined MD/MPH from the University of Washington and completed psychiatry residency and fellowship at Yale, where he also served as assistant professor, teaching fellows, residents, and medical students. His research explored psilocybin’s therapeutic potential and the effects of anabolic steroids in patients on methadone for opioid use disorder. Now based in Alaska, Dr. Wallace is faculty at AKFMR, program director of the Alaska Addiction Medicine Fellowship, chair of psychiatry at Providence Alaska Medical Center, and medical director of the Breakthrough Substance Use Treatment Program. He is passionate about expanding SUD treatment capacity, teaching harm reduction, engaging with communities, and serving Alaskans.

Ericka Weynand

Outreach & Engagement Manager
Akeela

Assisting others to achieve health, satisfaction, and a belief in their ability to flourish in life is what drives Ericka’s passion and commitment to counseling and leadership. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology at UAA in 2016, and went on to receive her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Northeastern University in 2020. Her approach is holistic, solution focused and individualized, and she enjoys helping people in the exploration of individual strengths and building of healthy coping skills and healthy self-esteem. Her integrative approach to therapy includes intentional use of Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Motivational Interviewing, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Core Transformation. As a lifelong Alaskan of American Indian descent, Ericka brings a wealth of knowledge regarding cultural diversity and incorporates cultural sensitivity into her work at every opportunity. She has over 13 years’ experience working and volunteering in the behavioral health and addictions treatment field throughout the state. Ericka is an active member of the local recovery community and has spent many years as an advocate for treatment and recovery services in Alaska.

Ericka identifies as a lifelong learner whose core values include kindness, empathy and keeping an open mind. When not working, Ericka can most likely be found in the great outdoors; hiking, kayaking, fishing or camping with her family and dogs.

Alisha Williams

Alisha Williams is 45 years old, and spent 16 years of her life in active addiction. She is now over 7 years clean. Going from living a life of struggle to living a meaningful life and being able to make a difference in other people’s lives has been the greatest accomplishment, along with advocating and helping others to see that recovery is possible.

Amanda Woody

Policy Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer
State of Alaska Department of Health

Amanda Woody is the Policy Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer, with focus areas in complex care and public health. Previously, she served as a Program Manager in the Division of Behavioral Health, gaining extensive experience collaborating with community organizations, Tribal entities, and sister departments across Alaska. Amanda holds a BA in Philosophy and Justice, as well as an MPH with a concentration in Health Policy.

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