Community Advisory Board

Brandon 

Brandon is a dedicated harm reductionist, a person with extensive substance experience, and a person in long-term recovery with a master’s degree in public health. Brandon started working in harm reduction as a volunteer at a local syringe service program (SSP). He later managed that program as it expanded throughout seven counties in West Michigan while providing technical assistance to SSPs and naloxone distribution programs statewide. Brandon was later hired by MDHHS to replicate this work across the state, provide support to existing programs, and provide guidance to the State Opioids Strategy and opioid settlements.

“Growing up in a rural area as a person using drugs, I have first-hand experience in living with a lack of services. I believe that in the absence (or presence) of effective systems of care for this population, the real key to healing is basic human compassion. I think that CHRP can help make the space, and give the tools for providers to be the humans they want to be.”

Erin

Erin is a licensed clinical psychologist, a Professor at the University of Michigan in the Department of Psychiatry and is the Kathy Fant Brzoznowski Research Professor in Behavioral Health Technology Innovations. She is also the MI-ACRE Director of Research Strategy. Erin spends most of her time leading and collaborating on patient-engaged research. She studies ways to prevent and treat substance use disorders, and wants to improve how this can be done by using technology-based tools (e.g., patient portal, smartphones, internet-based programs).

"I bring lived experience of the joys and challenges of living in rural areas, where access to great health care and preventive services can lack for so many. I want to use my expertise and passion to creatively improve services for people in these areas. Being part of CHRP was a no-brainer and an excellent fit. I also truly care about prevention and bring particular expertise in thinking about upstream approaches to mitigate future health problems across ages and populations."   

Jonathan

Jonathan has been an addiction scientist for over a decade. Currently, he is the Director of the Opioid Policy Institute and co-Director of Reporting on Addiction. He focuses on improving outcomes for people with an opioid addiction through his scientific research, policy advocacy, and education. His goal is to broaden access to evidence-based medications and harm reduction services that prevent diseases and deaths related to opioid addiction. 

"I am energized and honored to work with the wonderful community that is reinventing our response to addiction. Translating research into practical services for our neighbors in the kind of impact that truly matters."

Maureen

Maureen practices Emergency Medicine and Addiction Medicine in Southwest Michigan. She formed a team to develop emergency department and inpatient buprenorphine prescribing and naloxone kit distribution programs in her health system, greatly increasing access to both in the region. Her team is now working on increasing prescribing of medications for other substance use disorders.   She is an Assistant Professor at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine (WMed), and teaches medical students, resident physicians, and colleagues in practice about evidence-based treatments for patients with substance used disorders. She practices emergency medicine and recently obtained practice pathway board certification in addiction medicine. She opened an integrated substance use treatment clinic in the WMed Family Medicine Residency clinic to increase low barrier access to substance use treatment in a welcoming, primary care environment.  

“A critical piece of reducing the negative health impacts of substance use is offering access to live saving, evidence-based treatment with medications and harm reduction in every health care environment, with empathy and kindness. Patients are so thankful when we do this for them, as many have faced stigma in health care environments in the past."

Melinda

Melinda is a sociology student and a Harm Reduction Program Manager in Michigan. She has worked in the harm reduction and community care field for over five years, bringing both academic insight and frontline experience to her work. Through Just Helping Out LLC, she focuses on developing practical, community-centered support systems for rural and underserved regions. Melinda’s approach is grounded in listening to the people directly impacted by gaps in care and creating systems that are realistic, compassionate, and rooted in dignity and respect. She is committed to making sure rural communities are not an afterthought but a priority in public health planning and practice.

"I believe every community deserves care, and that means designing systems that reflect people’s real lives. Rural and underserved communities shouldn’t have to fit into structures that don’t fit them."

Melissa

Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Certification. She has worked across a range of behavioral health settings, including behavioral health hospitals, medical emergency departments, and residential substance use disorder programs. Melissa has provided statewide outreach to medical providers in Michigan, offering education and support on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. She currently serves as a Behavioral Health Specialist with the Overdose Prevention Engagement Network. Her professional experience includes clinical assessment, program development, and community engagement. Melissa specializes in integrating harm reduction strategies into healthcare settings and is passionate about reducing stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. 

“I care deeply about people and am motivated by the belief that everyone deserves respectful, compassionate, evidence-based treatment. Witnessing the impact of stigma has strengthened my commitment to creating more supportive, understanding, and life-affirming systems of care.”

Monica

Monica is a mental health nurse and public health professional with experience working in inpatient, community-based mental health, and harm reduction settings. Monica’s work has focused on increasing access to compassionate, non-judgmental care. She has contributed to outreach, education, and service coordination efforts aimed at meeting people where they are and responding to community-identified needs, particularly in rural settings.

"I value collaboration and community partnership and approach my work with the utmost respect for lived experience and local knowledge. I’m motivated by a belief that meaningful health improvement happens through listening and relationship-building."

Steven

Steven is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with 6+ years' experience working in the field of addiction. Steven is also a person in recovery, community health worker, and advocate. 

"I need to walk back into the fire to show people there’s a way out. I didn’t get out without help, and helping others recover from addiction gives my past a purpose."