2022 Recovery Conference

8:30a.m.

Registration & Light Breakfast

9a.m.

Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Welcome from the Conference Planning Committee
• Opening Remarks from our Sponsor, Caron Treatment Centers
  • Adam Lush, Regional Resource Director for the Greater Philadelphia Region and Delaware

9:30 - 10:45a.m.

Keynote Panel: Student Voices of Recovery

Moderator:

• Dr. Kristine De Jesus, Sugarman Fellow, Princeton University

Panelists:  

• Kristen Harootunian, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Advocate
• Aminah McDougald, Student, Saint Joseph's University, Recovery Ally
• Meghan Power, Student, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

10:45 - 11a.m.

Break

11am-12p.m.

Break Out Session 1

• Changing Minds: Stories Over Stigma
  • Kristen Harootunian, Mental Health Advocate (she/her), Young Adult Speaker at Minding Your Mind
• Cannabis and College Students 
  • Katie Greeley, LCSW (she/her) - Founder and Sr. Consultant, Prevention Education Solutions 
• Overdose Reversal Training
  • Sarah Laurel (she/her), Executive Director, Savage Sisters Recovery
  • Adam Al-Asad
• Developmental Neurobiology: A course designed to provide cultural humility and a recovery friendly learning environment
  • Carlita Favero, Ph.D. (she/her) - Professor of Biology and Neuroscience, Ursinus College
  • Jessica L. Rogers (she/her) – Student, Ursinus College
  • Mya A. Knappenberger (she/her) - Student, Ursinus College
• Supporting Student Veterans in Recovery
  • Laura Cortese, Saint Joseph’s University;
  • Kara Sapp, MS, MPH Candidate (UCBerkeley) - Community Outreach Specialist, New Day;
  • Sarah Fox, MS, PsyD Student (PCOM) -Community Outreach Specialist, VMC Headquarters)

12-1p.m.

Networking Lunch

Optional learn & recharge mini sessions (12:30pm):

• Tours of SJUs Recovery Residence & CRP Community Space at Hogan Hall
  • Taylor Moran, Recovery Program Manager
• Mindful Mini-Break
  • Heidi Freeman, PhD - Executive Director, Health & Wellbeing, Saint Joseph’s University

1-1:45p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Chris Therien

2-2:45p.m.

Break Out Session 2

• Prescription Drug Use, Abuse, or Necessity: An Examination into Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health in Academia
  • Eric Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, CAADC (he/his) - Education Resource Director, Caron Treatment Centers
• Religion & Recovery: How Does Religion/Spirituality Impact Recovery Efforts? 
  • Thom Nailor, LCSW (he/him/his) - Psychotherapist, Saint Joseph's University
• The Past is not Past: Disrupting Collegiate Recovery for Inclusion
  • Kimberly Boulden, PhD (she/her/hers) - Senior Director of SAFE Campuses
• The Opportunity, Not the Absence:  Identifying and Addressing Related to Tobacco Use Among Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
  • Ryan Coffman, PA Statewide Tobacco-Free Recovery Initiative
• How to Build an Army of Allies to Combat SUD on your Campus
  • Katie Bean (she/her) - Director, Prevention and Advocacy, Ursinus College

2:45-3:15p.m.

Coffee & Conversation Break

3:15-3:45p.m.

Micro Break Out Session 3

• Home is Where the Hawks Are: The Development of an On-Campus Recovery Residence at Saint Joseph's University 
  • Taylor Moran, CRS/CPS/CFRS - Recovery Program Manager, SJU
  • Aimee Della Porta, LCSW - Therapist, Clinical Advisor to the CRP, SJU
  • Ashley Lillie, MS - Assistant Director, Student Outreach & Support, SJU
  • Marci Berney, MA -Director, Student Outreach & Support, SJU
• Creating a Foundation for a Recovery Friendly Campus
  • Dr. Andrew Peterson (he/him) - Professor of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph's University 
  • Aminah McDougald (she/her/hers) - Student, Saint Joseph's University
  • ​​​​​Zahra Katouni (she/her) - Student, Saint Joseph's University
• Emerging Drug Trends/Prevention
  • Andrew Eiseman - Community Outreach Specialist, DEA
  • Frank McCartney - Diversion Outreach Coordinator, DEA
• Creating a Recovery Informed Environment for Student Workers
  •  Alli Gatta, MS, NCC, LPC (she/her) - Associate Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph's University
  • Kella Pacifico (she/her) - Graduate Assistant, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph's University 

Conference Closing Session

• Resilience & Recovery Student Scholarship Award, Sponsored By Caron Treatment Centers
• Thank you and closing remarks

Adam Al-Asad (he/him) - Director of Operations, Savage Sisters Recovery, inc

My name is Adam Al-Asad, and I am the co-founder and Director of Operations at Savage Sisters Recovery, Inc. I helped my sister Sarah open Savage Sisters after she began her recovery journey from substance misuse issues. We founded Savage in response to the lack of decent or ethical women's recovery homes in the Philadelphia area. Sarah was in and out of recovery homes during the beginning of her journey. She lived in homes that were run by men with a desire to make money, not provide an environment conducive to keeping people sober, helping them recover, and assisting them in recreating their lives. Thus we fought to open a recovery home where she could offer residents the same resources she used to recover. Since then, we have grown. We now have six homes, three mens and three womens. We host weekly street-based outreach that serves those still in active use, and we provide the public with Harm Reduction education. My goal, and Savage Sisters goal, is to provide all those suffering from or affected by substance misuse and homelessness with the resources needed to stay alive, get sober, and recreate their lives.

Katie Bean (she) - Director, Prevention and Advocacy, Ursinus College

Katie Bean has been working within the health promotion field since 2008 after earning a master's in higher education from Indiana University of PA. She served for almost 4 years at George Washington University, 8 years at Saint Joseph's University, and is starting her 4th year at Ursinus College this fall. Katie has presented on building ally-ship and creating recovery-ready communities at numerous conferences and was a panelist on this topic at both the ARHE conference and the NRSS-TACS Summit hosted by SAMHSA.

Marci Berney, MA (she/her) - Director/Case Manager, Student Outreach & Support, Saint Joseph's University

Marci serves as the Director of Student Outreach & Support/Case Manager at Saint Joseph’s University. She works with students, families and campus partners to connect students facing difficult personal, medical, or mental health situations with support resources. Marci coordinates long term follow-up and creates care plans for students following emergency situations, including mental health related concerns and students struggling with, or recovering from, substance use disorder. Marci works with a staff focusing on wellness initiatives, AOD prevention, sexual misconduct prevention, and collegiate recovery. She serves as an Adjunct in SJUs Department of Health Sciences, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on mental health and addiction. Marci received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and School Counseling from Boston College.

Kimberly Boulden, PhD (she/her/hers) - Senior Director of SAFE Campuses

Kimberly Boulden is the Senior Director of SAFE Campuses with SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic). She brings over 10 years of experience working with higher education & community-serving non-profit organizations to this role. SAFE Campuses has helped universities and students nationwide to address the impacts of addiction on their campuses and increase campus support of student mental health and wellness. Kimberly holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and has years of experience helping students and families navigate admissions processes, academic program advising, and institutional policies. She has also worked in higher education marketing and outreach, curricular assessment, and teaching innovation. In addition to her advocacy work in the collegiate recovery space, she has worked on publications regarding best practices for university partnerships, research on diversity in university marketing materials, and grant-funded initiatives to decolonize Computer Science and Engineering Education. Outside of academia, she plays bass in a local punk band.

Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, CTTS-M

Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, CTTS-M is the Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. In this role, he oversees several tobacco control and policy initiatives within the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention.  These initiatives include the prevention of youth initiation, promoting tobacco-free environments, mass media campaigns, tobacco control policy, and tobacco treatment services.  He is committed to serving vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by the effects of tobacco use. 

Previously, Ryan provided inpatient, outpatient, and community tobacco use disorder treatment in hospital, behavioral health, correctional, and substance use treatment settings. He acquired his Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree at Tulane University and has certifications in health education, tobacco use disorder treatment and global tobacco control. Ryan first became committed to tobacco control in 2003 while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and continues to provide tobacco treatment services at Health Center 2 in South Philadelphia.  

Laura Cortese, M.Ed., Army Veteran (she/her) - Associate Director, Graduate Business Programs, SJU

Laura joined SJU as the Assistant Director of Veterans Services in July 2021. As an army veteran and spouse, she was excited to bring her personal experiences to the office in assisting student veterans with a successful transition to higher education. In June, Laura joined the Graduate Business Office at Haub. Prior to joining the SJU community, Laura served five years on active duty with the US Army as a Medical Services Officer. Following her service, she taught math in the School District of Philadelphia for four years. She has her Bachelors in Finance from Creighton University and her M.Ed. from Temple University. Laura is committed to the Jesuit value of Cura Personalis and is excited to guide students in meeting their personal, educational, and career goals.

Dr Kristine De Jesus (she/they) - Sugarman Fellow, Princeton University 

Dr. De Jesus is an author, entrepreneur, recovery and social justice advocate. She is the Executive Director of the non-profit Students Recover. Dr. De Jesus is a Sugarman Practitioner in Residence Fellow at Princeton University where she is developing an online student recovery community centered in equity and justice. She served as Coordinator of the Alcohol and Other Drugs program at Montclair State University, where she was an advisor to the Red Hawk Recovery Program and was the Educational Coordinator for the Campus Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program at Temple University. Dr. De Jesus holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Rutgers University, completed a Masters of Arts degree in Organizational Behavior at Alliant International University and received a Doctorate of Psychology degree from the California School of Professional Psychology, where she specialized in Health & Cross Cultural Psychology.

Aimee Della Porta, LCSW (she/her) - Therapist / Clinical Advisor to the Collegiate Recovery Program, Saint Joseph's University

Aimee is relatively new to the SJU community, working as a therapist in CAPS and as Clinical Advisor to the Collegiate Recovery Program. She enjoys supporting and accompanying students as they navigate the process of change through mental health and substance use challenges. Most of her prior professional experience has involved working with people experiencing homelessness.

Michael DiMaio - Student, Villanova University, Executive Director of The Infinite Mission, Veteran Mentor

Michael is a senior at Villanova University and has an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Bucks County Community College. Michael is a person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and is an ambassador with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation’s Someone You Know campaign. He shared his recovery story on video to dismantle the negative stigma surrounding addiction. Michael is also passionate about sharing the message of recovery and he has spoken in local correctional facilities, various community engagements, and podcasts. He is the Founder/Director of a non-profit organization called The Infinite Mission, which provides outreach to those struggling with homelessness. He is also a Veteran Mentor with the Bucks County Veterans Treatment Court. Michael is working toward a bachelor's degree in Public Service and Administration, with eyes on a career in the criminal justice system at the federal or county level. He has previous experience with the public defender’s office and the district attorney’s office of Bucks County.

Andrew Eiseman - Community Outreach Specialist, DEA

Andrew is a retired Special Agent that brings more than 26 years of federal investigative and management experience with the DEA. Throughout his career, Andy has worked in various capacities, serving both foreign and domestic, including tours in Bogotá, Colombia, and Detroit Michigan, where he retired as a Supervisory Special Agent overseeing the Special Services Unit. Andy currently serves as a Community Outreach Specialist for the DEA Philadelphia Field Division, working with youth, parents, coalitions, and community members providing drug education and prevention initiatives throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Andy is a proud husband and father of one son, Tyler. Andy is excited and humbled for the opportunity to give back to the community in which he was born and raised.

Carlita Favero, Ph.D. (she/her) - Professor of Biology and Neuroscience, Ursinus College

Carlita Favero is a Professor of Biology and Neuroscience at Ursinus College, an exclusively undergraduate liberal arts institution with about 1600 students. She has developed courses on the FUNdamentals of Neuroscience, Developmental Neurobiology, and Glial Cell Biology. Her scholarly work investigates the impact of alcohol exposure on brain wiring and behavior during embryonic brain development. She's particularly interested in the interplay these effects have on the development of substance use disorders (SUD).

Sarah E. Fox, M.S. (she/her/hers) - Community Outreach Specialist with Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC), Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)

Sarah E. Fox, M.S. (she/her/hers) is currently both a Community Outreach Specialist with the Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC) and a Doctoral student in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). VMC is a local non-profit organization that aims to 'serve those who served': U.S. military veterans. As a Community Outreach Specialist, Sarah helps to coordinate outreach efforts for VMC's Headquarters location, collaborates with the Philadelphia Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and VMC housing programs, facilitates partnerships and builds referral networks with other local organizations, and has created and continues to uphold relationships with Greater Philadelphia Area university student military programs. Through VMC, Sarah has gratefully continued chasing her passion for advocacy with the veteran population.

Sarah originally found her way to Philadelphia from Jersey when she graduated with her B.A. in Psychology at Temple University in 2018. Eager for more, Sarah graduated from PCOM's M.S. in Counseling & Clinical Health Psychology program in 2021 where she rose from secretary to president in PCOM's APA Division 19 Military Psychology student organization (Div19). During her M.S., Sarah also successfully completed a trauma-focused clinical practicum and internship placement working with survivors of sexual assault and presented her Master's thesis entitled 'The Efficacy of a Psychologically-Based Treatment Protocol for Phantom Limb Pain'. Sarah is now a second-year PsyD student at PCOM, where she continues to sit as president for Div19 and looks forward to a hopeful future career as a VA Clinical Psychologist working primarily with veteran amputees.

Heidi Freeman, PhD (she/hers) - Executive Director, Health & Wellbeing, Saint Joseph’s University  

Heidi Freeman is the Executive Director of Health & Wellbeing at Saint Joseph's University where she supports and oversees wellness programming. She recently joined the SJU team from the University of the Sciences, where she was the Assistant Dean of Students for Health & Wellness and faculty in the Kinesiology Department. Heidi holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from LaSalle University and a PhD in Kinesiology with a specialization in sport and exercise psychology from Temple University. Prior to her career in higher education, Heidi taught emotional resilience and psychological skills training for the U.S. military, and has clinical experience in eating disorders treatment and with adolescents in crisis. Heidi is a graduate of Jefferson's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction foundational course and has been trained in mindfulness education through the Mindful Schools organization.

Alli Gatta, MS, NCC, LPC (she/her) - Associate Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph's University

Alli currently serves as an associate director of college support at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph's University. Alli has a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from West Chester University and is a nationally certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in PA. Alli has worked with a wide array of college students in counseling, disability services, and student involvement and programing. Alli also is an adjunct professor in the counselor education department at Rosemont College.

Katie Greeley, LCSW (she/her) - Founder and Sr. Consultant, Prevention Education Solutions 

Katie Greeley, LCSW is a graduate of the University of Chicago Master of Social Work Program, and the Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Training Program. In Chicago, Katie was a founding member of the team developing the Substance Use and Prevention Program (SUPP) for Lurie Children's. While at Lurie Children’s, Katie worked alongside the Gender Development Program, one of the world’s leading programs in providing affirming care for gender expansive and trans youth. She has many years of experience providing affirming care for LGBTQ2IA+ individuals and providing clinical services for patients experiencing substance use disorders through the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and has conducted substance use prevention, mental health and gender and sexuality education domestically and internationally in over 25 states and 20+ countries. Katie delivers an evidence-based curriculum and provides solutions tailored for your community, drawing on her years of clinical experience, training in prevention, and her perspective as a member of the queer community and an individual in healthy recovery from addiction.

Kristen Harootunian, Mental Health Advocate (she/her), Young Adult Speaker at Minding Your Mind

As a child, Kristen experienced significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As a teenager, Kristen did not know how to manage what she was feeling and turned to alcohol, drugs, and self-harm to mask the pain that she so desperately wanted to keep locked away. Kristen proves it's never too late or too early to get the help you need. She helps educate others in an effective manner to break the stigma around mental health and substance use disorder.

Zahra Katouni (she/her) - Student, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph’s University 

My name is Zahra Katouni. I am currently in my 3rd professional year of pharmacy school at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. I enjoy working on projects with colleagues both as a leader and a contributor. I have a passion for learning and using that knowledge to help my community. My professional goal is to exceed in my profession and enjoy what I do. I hope to one day work in an area that specializes in mental health and/or Substance Use Disorder. 

Mya A. Knappenberger (she/her) - Student, Ursinus College

Mya Knappenberger is a rising senior at Ursinus College with a major in neuroscience. She is minoring in biology, psychology, and currently developing an animal behavior minor as well. Mya is involved in a heart and muscle metabolism lab where she researches behavioral dieting effects. Mya plans to attend graduate school to earn a PhD in neuroscience. In the future, Sbe expects to perform her own research and hopes to help others learn more about neuroscience and how it can connect within different communities. One fun fact about Mya is that she has a gecko named Bean and an axolotl named Lucky :).

Sarah Laurel (she/her), Executive Director, Savage Sisters Recovery

After recovering from substance use disorder Sarah wanted to offer resources to women like herself. What began organically slowly grew into a program that helped all humans through housing and street-based outreach. Sarah uses her lived experiences to be in service to others and remains relatable to those still struggling. She uses her corporate background to lead the Savage team in a thoughtful, productive, and sustainable manner.

Ashley Lillie, M.S. (she/her) - Assistant Director, Student Outreach and Support, Saint Joseph's University 

Ashley Lillie, MS serves in the Office of Student Outreach and Support at Saint Joseph’s University as the Assistant Director. She primarily oversees comprehensive substance use prevention education efforts at SJU that include facilitating evidence-based group motivational enhancement training for high-risk student populations and evidence-based BASICS individual sessions. Ashley also coordinates campus-wide outreach efforts that address substance use, mental health, and well-being. Ashley also has extensive experience working in Residential Life at various institutions.

Adam Lush, MPH (he/him) - Regional Resource Director, Caron Treatment Centers

Adam Lush is the Regional Resource Director for Caron Treatment Centers in the Greater Philadelphia region and Delaware. He holds a Master of Public Health from West Chester University and formerly held roles as an international substance use prevention specialist, Certified Arise Interventionist and a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. He is dedicated to connecting individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders with the appropriate health care resources to achieve recovery for life.

Frank McCartney - Diversion Outreach Coordinator, DEA

Frank McCartney is the Diversion Outreach Coordinator for the Philadelphia Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Frank is a civilian who joined DEA in 2010 and has proudly supported the DEA mission of enforcing drug laws, preventing the distribution of illegal narcotics as well as the diversion of regulated pharmaceuticals. Since 2017 Frank has engaged communities throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware in support of DEA drug prevention initiatives. DEA recognizes the importance of demand reduction through education and is passionate in spreading the “live drug free” message to all citizens especially our youth. Frank is a proud father of five children and is happy to have the opportunity to give back to the community through drug prevention education.

Aminah McDougald (she/her/hers) - Student, Saint Joseph's University

Hello, my name is Aminah McDougald I am a new student of St.Joseph's University due to the most recent merger. I am a PharmD major about to enter my P3 year (5th year) this upcoming semester. I was a volunteer and student worker that helped in the initiation of the Collegiate Recovery Center at USciences now, known as the UCity campus. With no prior experience or knowledge in recovery programs or an understanding of what it truly meant to be in recovery, I wanted to get involved with my school and improve the well-being of campus life, which made me join the recovery office team. I grew to love learning about it, enjoyed creating some programming and, being able to advocate and teach people about the community.

Taylor Moran, CRS/CFRS/CPS (she/her) - Collegiate Recovery Program Manager, Saint Joseph's University

Taylor Moran, CRS/CFRS/CPS joined the Saint Joseph’s University team in December 2021 as the Recovery Program Manager. She is a person in long-term recovery. Taylor assists in the monitoring of SJU's Collegiate Recovery Program members' individual recovery plans, planning social sober programming, and supporting a positive and healthy community for students living in SJU's on-campus recovery residence and in the greater university community. Prior to her time at Saint Joseph’s, Taylor worked as a Recovery Support Specialist and Recovery House Manager for Recovery Centers of America and Sobriety Solutions, LLC.

Thom Nailor, LCSW (he/him/his) - Psychotherapist, Saint Joseph's University

Thom Nailor, LCSW (he/him/his) is a psychotherapist at St. Joseph’s University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), where he has worked since 2021. He earned his Master of Social Services from the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research College in 2018, and completed an MSW internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Counseling and Psychological Services center working with students in individual & group therapy. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania. Prior to working at CAPS, Thom worked as a therapist in a community mental health setting in Philadelphia for three years. Thom’s professional interests include issues of identity and transition for students attending college/university; privilege & oppression; narrative & relational therapies; Acceptance & Commitment Therapy; working with adult children of alcoholics; the creative arts as therapeutic; trauma and trauma-informed care; Internal Family Systems Therapy; family-of-origin conflicts;; and religious/spiritual concerns.

Kella Pacifico (she/her) - Graduate Assistant, Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, Saint Joseph's University

Kella Pacifico is a current graduate assistant for the ASPIRE Program at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. Kella graduated from Saint Joseph's University in 2017 with a B.S. in Autism Behavioral Studies and is currently a candidate in the M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. In the future, she hopes to continue to work with individuals on the Autism spectrum and is interested in neurodiversity in the workplace initiatives.

Dr. Andrew Peterson (he/him) - Professor of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph’s University 

Andrew M. Peterson PharmD, PhD, FCPP, is a Professor of Pharmacy at Saint Joseph’s University. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the Substance Use Disorders Institute (SUDI) and John Wyeth Dean Emeritus at University of the Sciences.

Dr. Peterson has more than 30 years research experience in medication adherence, health outcomes research, and more recently, substance use disorders. As Executive Director of SUDI, he led the development of a PA Department of Health approved medical cannabis training program for physicians, pharmacists, nurses and physician assistants to become recommenders or dispensers in the commonwealth. He also is working on projects to educate pharmacists about SBIRT (screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment), naloxone dispensing and administration, and proper opioid use.

Dr. Peterson earned his BS in Pharmacy from Rutgers University, his PharmD from Virginia Commonwealth University and his PhD in Health Policy at USciences.

Meg Power (she/they) - Student, Rutgers University 

Dealing with the pain of addiction and mental illness brought Meg to believe they would never be able to finish anything- let alone complete a bachelor's degree. Moving into the recovery housing at Rutgers has provided Meg the opportunity to have a rich and fulfilling college experience as a young, sober woman. Realizing she can have fun and grow as a sober student has given her the largest freedom a drink or drug could ever give. Now, her life grows fuller by the day as she works to help others and continues to pursue her creativity. ART WEBSITE: megpower.art

Eric Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, CAADC (he/him) - Director, Education Director, Caron Treatment Centers

Eric currently serves as the Education Resource Director for Caron’s Education Alliance Department, Eric oversees education, training, development, and learning initiatives, with a focus on corporate and organizational education.

Prior to accepting the education role in 2021, Eric worked as a behavioral health therapist for the Caron’s Grand View Program, providing individual and family therapy to patients and their families, facilitating groups, offering educational lectures, and helping to set up aftercare plans. He has advanced education in co-occurring disorders, specifically related to anxiety, and is trained in cognitive processing therapy for trauma. He began working at Caron in 2017 as a therapist for the Primary Men’s Program serving in a similar role.

Before joining Caron, Eric worked as a social worker with heart and vascular transplant patients and their families, providing social and family evaluations and post-transplant discharge planning. Prior to his career in health care, Eric worked in sales and marketing within the telecommunications industry.

Eric is a licensed social worker in the state of Pennsylvania and has a certification in advanced addiction and drug counseling. He has a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Millersville University.

Jessica L. Rogers (she/her) – Student, Ursinus College

Jessica is a Neuroscience and Biology double major at Ursinus College in the Class of 2023. She is very passionate about academics as well as extracurricular involvement and community engagement. On campus, she is a member of Tri Beta and Nu Rho Psi, the National Honor Societies of Biology and Neuroscience, respectively, as well as a member of the Whitians Honor Society for women. She is also the current President of the Eta Xi chapter of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She holds multiple on campus jobs, such as a subject tutor, academic coach, and teaching assistant, and is a member of both the cheerleading squad and the dance team. Through her Developmental Neurobiology course in the Spring 2022 semester, she learned the importance of community service and engagement and believes that it should be implemented in more courses, especially in the field of STEM. Her undergraduate experience thus far, especially through her Neuroscience education, has made her a more well-rounded and compassionate individual and she is very excited to use her experiences to help educate and advocate in the future.

Kara Sapp, MS, MPH Candidate at UC Berkeley (She/Her) - Community Outreach Specialist, Veterans Multi-Service Center

Kara is currently working as a Community Outreach Specialist for the Veterans Multi-Service Center. At the VMC she works with New Day, a program focused on supporting veterans in recovery. She is pursuing a Master's of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy & Management at the University of California, Berkeley. She has an MS in Kinesiology and a background in exercise science and health coaching diverse populations. She is passionate about public and community health, enjoys engaging and sharing knowledge with people from all walks of life, and hopes to help improve Philadelphia's population health through policy and programs.