Donna Smith
Executive Director, Business Development
FAIR Health
Donna Smith is executive director of business development at FAIR Health, a national, independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through comprehensive data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health uses its database of more than 23 billion privately billed medical and dental claims to power an award-winning free consumer website and to create data products serving all healthcare stakeholders. As executive sponsor for FAIR Health’s large client base, Ms. Smith demonstrates how FAIR Health data bring value to the various stakeholders that cross multiple market segments in the healthcare ecosystem. Ms. Smith has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, concentrating on benefits administration, managed care, payor, claims and provider solutions. Ms. Smith has participated in several key industry associations by serving in many capacities, such as focused panels, workshops, task groups and committees.
Executive Director, Business Development
FAIR Health
Donna Smith is executive director of business development at FAIR Health, a national, independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through comprehensive data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health uses its database of more than 23 billion privately billed medical and dental claims to power an award-winning free consumer website and to create data products serving all healthcare stakeholders. As executive sponsor for FAIR Health’s large client base, Ms. Smith demonstrates how FAIR Health data bring value to the various stakeholders that cross multiple market segments in the healthcare ecosystem. Ms. Smith has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, concentrating on benefits administration, managed care, payor, claims and provider solutions. Ms. Smith has participated in several key industry associations by serving in many capacities, such as focused panels, workshops, task groups and committees.
Marilyn Stein MEd
Principle
MGS Consulting, LLC
Marilyn Stei has 25 years of experience as a probation officer with an emphasis on addiction. She earned a master's degree in 1997, retired in 2002 and established MGS Consuting, LLC, a training and consulting business dedicated to bridging the gap between criminal justice and treatment. She worked as a traininer for the Pennsylvania Certification Board, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Juvenile Justice Judges Commission. She also served as an adjunct professor for Millersville University in the Social Work Department.
Principle
MGS Consulting, LLC
Marilyn Stei has 25 years of experience as a probation officer with an emphasis on addiction. She earned a master's degree in 1997, retired in 2002 and established MGS Consuting, LLC, a training and consulting business dedicated to bridging the gap between criminal justice and treatment. She worked as a traininer for the Pennsylvania Certification Board, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Juvenile Justice Judges Commission. She also served as an adjunct professor for Millersville University in the Social Work Department.
Mark Sulkowski MD
Professor
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mark Sulkowski, MD, is a Professor of Medicine and serves as the Medical Director of the Viral Hepatitis Center in the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He received his MD from Temple University School of Medicine, pursed training in Internal Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and completed his Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Prof. Sulkowski has been the principal investigator for more than 100 clinical trials related to the management of viral hepatitis in persons with and without HIV co-infection and has been selected as the global principal investigator on more than a dozen studies. He is the Chair of the Hepatitis Transformative Sciences Group of the National Institute of Health-funded adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group leading translational studies of liver disease in persons with HIV infection, namely hepatitis B, hepatitis C and fatty liver disease. Prof. Sulkowski is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical investigation (ASCI) an active member of numerous professional societies including the AASLD, EASL and IDSA. He is widely published with works in Annals of Internal Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Journal of Hepatology, and Hepatology. He has been frequently invited to present at numerous major national and international medical meetings and has educated clinicians in more than 40 countries.
Professor
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mark Sulkowski, MD, is a Professor of Medicine and serves as the Medical Director of the Viral Hepatitis Center in the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He received his MD from Temple University School of Medicine, pursed training in Internal Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and completed his Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Prof. Sulkowski has been the principal investigator for more than 100 clinical trials related to the management of viral hepatitis in persons with and without HIV co-infection and has been selected as the global principal investigator on more than a dozen studies. He is the Chair of the Hepatitis Transformative Sciences Group of the National Institute of Health-funded adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group leading translational studies of liver disease in persons with HIV infection, namely hepatitis B, hepatitis C and fatty liver disease. Prof. Sulkowski is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical investigation (ASCI) an active member of numerous professional societies including the AASLD, EASL and IDSA. He is widely published with works in Annals of Internal Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Journal of Hepatology, and Hepatology. He has been frequently invited to present at numerous major national and international medical meetings and has educated clinicians in more than 40 countries.
Dr. Dr. Martha Thompson
Owner, Therapist
Empower the Mind LLC
Martha L. Thompson PsyD, LPC, CAADC completed both her doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. Thompson is the owner of Empower the Mind LLC, where she provides outpatient mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, clinical training and consultation for professionals in the field. She has worked in various community services agencies including addiction treatment, domestic violence shelters and jails and was awarded the 2013 Certified Professional of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Over the last several years she has taught at Harrisburg Area Community College, Alvernia University and Lebanon Valley College. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has completed Certification for the American Academy of Pain Medicine in Pain Management and Biofeedback Certification International Alliance requirements in both Biofeedback and EEG.
Owner, Therapist
Empower the Mind LLC
Martha L. Thompson PsyD, LPC, CAADC completed both her doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. Thompson is the owner of Empower the Mind LLC, where she provides outpatient mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, clinical training and consultation for professionals in the field. She has worked in various community services agencies including addiction treatment, domestic violence shelters and jails and was awarded the 2013 Certified Professional of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Over the last several years she has taught at Harrisburg Area Community College, Alvernia University and Lebanon Valley College. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has completed Certification for the American Academy of Pain Medicine in Pain Management and Biofeedback Certification International Alliance requirements in both Biofeedback and EEG.
Cyndi Turner LCSW, LSATP, MAC
Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Insight into Action Therapy
Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, is the co-founder and clinical director of Insight Into Action Therapy with more than 20 years of experience. She co-developed and facilitates the Dual Diagnosis Recovery Program. She is a national speaker, supervisor for licensure, and therapist for professionals involved in the National Football League Program for Substances of Abuse. Her book, “Can I Keep Drinking? How You Can Decide When Enough is Enough,” offers alternative ways to have a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Insight into Action Therapy
Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, is the co-founder and clinical director of Insight Into Action Therapy with more than 20 years of experience. She co-developed and facilitates the Dual Diagnosis Recovery Program. She is a national speaker, supervisor for licensure, and therapist for professionals involved in the National Football League Program for Substances of Abuse. Her book, “Can I Keep Drinking? How You Can Decide When Enough is Enough,” offers alternative ways to have a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Michael Vigorito LMFT, CGP, CST
Marriage & Family Therapist
Integrative Counseling Services
Michael Vigorito is a sexual health psychotherapist, author and consultant. As a District of Columbia psychotherapist, he works with clients concerned about their sexual health, including consensual sexual behavior problems, relationship and sexual dissatisfaction, sexual disorders, unconventional erotic interests and sex-drug linked behaviors. He co-designed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol with Douglas Braun-Harvey, which was published in “Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction” (2016). As the sexual health consultant for Behavioral Health System Baltimore, Vigorito designed and implemented two training programs to promote culturally-competent sexual health care services in Baltimore City behavioral health programs. These programs trained providers in conducting sexual health conversations and risk-reduction counseling to prevent HIV infection and teen pregnancies among mental health and substance use disorder treatment-seeking clients.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Integrative Counseling Services
Michael Vigorito is a sexual health psychotherapist, author and consultant. As a District of Columbia psychotherapist, he works with clients concerned about their sexual health, including consensual sexual behavior problems, relationship and sexual dissatisfaction, sexual disorders, unconventional erotic interests and sex-drug linked behaviors. He co-designed a sexual health assessment and treatment protocol with Douglas Braun-Harvey, which was published in “Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior - Rethinking Sex Addiction” (2016). As the sexual health consultant for Behavioral Health System Baltimore, Vigorito designed and implemented two training programs to promote culturally-competent sexual health care services in Baltimore City behavioral health programs. These programs trained providers in conducting sexual health conversations and risk-reduction counseling to prevent HIV infection and teen pregnancies among mental health and substance use disorder treatment-seeking clients.
David Washington MSW
TRAUMA VICTIM / SURVIVOR
Amachi
David A. Washington is an advocate, trauma specialist, person in long-term recovery and a survivor of adverse childhood experiences. He has been in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 1989. Mr. Washington has worked to advance the field of trauma services in the criminal justice system and has been a presenter with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. He completed a post-graduate trauma certificate program with Bessel van der Kolk PhD. Mr. Washington has specialized in collaborating with males involved with criminal justice system. He has presented at conferences across the United States and recently completed the train-the-trainer program “How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses at SAMHSA’S GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation. His story of resilience after abuse is an indicator of how appropriate assistance for males with a history of trauma and substance use disorder can live a life of recovery.
TRAUMA VICTIM / SURVIVOR
Amachi
David A. Washington is an advocate, trauma specialist, person in long-term recovery and a survivor of adverse childhood experiences. He has been in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 1989. Mr. Washington has worked to advance the field of trauma services in the criminal justice system and has been a presenter with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. He completed a post-graduate trauma certificate program with Bessel van der Kolk PhD. Mr. Washington has specialized in collaborating with males involved with criminal justice system. He has presented at conferences across the United States and recently completed the train-the-trainer program “How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses at SAMHSA’S GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation. His story of resilience after abuse is an indicator of how appropriate assistance for males with a history of trauma and substance use disorder can live a life of recovery.
Kris Washington
Founding Partner
Psynchronous Communications
Kris Washington began his career at McCann-Erickson Worldwide, where he helped brands including AT&T Business Services, Motorola, and 1-800-FLOWERS.com produce effective advertising campaigns. To learn the exploding business of interactive advertising, Washington moved to Boston’s Circle.com where he headed the Verizon business. While at Circle, Washington worked to make the Verizon business an example of seamless online/offline integration. He then moved to Holland Mark Advertising where he directed the Polaroid and Teradyne accounts. He formed Psynchronous in June of 2002.
Founding Partner
Psynchronous Communications
Kris Washington began his career at McCann-Erickson Worldwide, where he helped brands including AT&T Business Services, Motorola, and 1-800-FLOWERS.com produce effective advertising campaigns. To learn the exploding business of interactive advertising, Washington moved to Boston’s Circle.com where he headed the Verizon business. While at Circle, Washington worked to make the Verizon business an example of seamless online/offline integration. He then moved to Holland Mark Advertising where he directed the Polaroid and Teradyne accounts. He formed Psynchronous in June of 2002.
Christopher Welsh md
associate professor
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Christopher Welsh’s main area of clinical work is in addiction and dual diagnosis. He is board certified in general and addiction psychiatry. He works in various inpatient and outpatient settings, including methadone and buprenorphine maintenance. Additionally, Welsh is the medical director of the UMMC Substance Abuse Consultation Service, which is responsible for substance abuse assessment and intervention with patients throughout the University of Maryland Medical Center. He has also worked with the Baltimore City and the Maryland State Department of Health on the needle-exchange and opioid overdose prevention projects. He also works with impaired healthcare professionals and is the chairman of the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Professional Assistance Program. Welsh is also the medical director of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
associate professor
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Christopher Welsh’s main area of clinical work is in addiction and dual diagnosis. He is board certified in general and addiction psychiatry. He works in various inpatient and outpatient settings, including methadone and buprenorphine maintenance. Additionally, Welsh is the medical director of the UMMC Substance Abuse Consultation Service, which is responsible for substance abuse assessment and intervention with patients throughout the University of Maryland Medical Center. He has also worked with the Baltimore City and the Maryland State Department of Health on the needle-exchange and opioid overdose prevention projects. He also works with impaired healthcare professionals and is the chairman of the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Professional Assistance Program. Welsh is also the medical director of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
Deborah Werner MA
Senior Program Manager
Advocates for Potential, Inc.
Deborah Werner has engaged in efforts to increase the effectiveness of health and human services systems since 1989. At Advocates for Human Potential, she serves as Project Director for the SAMHSA Women, Children and Families Technical Assistance Project. She is an expert on creating collaborative systems that address the needs of women and families experiencing trauma, substance use and co-occurring disorders. She works with SAMHSA—leading its national Women’s Addiction Services Leadership Institute—as well as with state and national leaders, and behavioral health and community-based agencies across the country to infuse gender-responsive approaches into treatment and recovery services. Werner has facilitated expert panels and authored related publications, including SAMHSA’s “Addressing the Needs of Women and Girls: Core Competencies for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Professionals.” Previous positions include Project Director for Children and Family Futures; Associate Director at Beyond Shelter, Inc.; and Executive Director of the California Women’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Dependencies.
Senior Program Manager
Advocates for Potential, Inc.
Deborah Werner has engaged in efforts to increase the effectiveness of health and human services systems since 1989. At Advocates for Human Potential, she serves as Project Director for the SAMHSA Women, Children and Families Technical Assistance Project. She is an expert on creating collaborative systems that address the needs of women and families experiencing trauma, substance use and co-occurring disorders. She works with SAMHSA—leading its national Women’s Addiction Services Leadership Institute—as well as with state and national leaders, and behavioral health and community-based agencies across the country to infuse gender-responsive approaches into treatment and recovery services. Werner has facilitated expert panels and authored related publications, including SAMHSA’s “Addressing the Needs of Women and Girls: Core Competencies for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Professionals.” Previous positions include Project Director for Children and Family Futures; Associate Director at Beyond Shelter, Inc.; and Executive Director of the California Women’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Dependencies.
Ms Mary Woods RNC, LADC, MSHS
CEO
WestBridge
Mary Ryan Woods holds a master’s degree in human service administration, is a Board Certified Licensed Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, who has over 37 years’ experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Woods began her career in the addictions profession working in a variety of settings. Currently, she is the Executive Officer for WestBridge Community Services a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the treatment of individuals and families with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. WestBridge has programs in New Hampshire and Florida. She is a Past President for NAADAC the association of addiction professionals.
CEO
WestBridge
Mary Ryan Woods holds a master’s degree in human service administration, is a Board Certified Licensed Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, who has over 37 years’ experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Woods began her career in the addictions profession working in a variety of settings. Currently, she is the Executive Officer for WestBridge Community Services a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the treatment of individuals and families with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. WestBridge has programs in New Hampshire and Florida. She is a Past President for NAADAC the association of addiction professionals.
Thomas Wright
Addictionologist, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs
Rosecrance
Thomas Wright oversees all medical operations for Rosecrance and specializes in working with adolescents who have a co-existing or secondary diagnosis in addition to an addiction disorder. With more than 20 years’ experience in the field, Wright is certified as a child and adolescent psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in addiction medicine by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He served on the faculty at Northwestern Medical College in Chicago and at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and Rockford. He is a regular conference presenter and has been recognized as a medical educator and leader in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Wright received the “Clinician of the Year” award for clinical excellence from Addiction Professional in 2015.
Addictionologist, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs
Rosecrance
Thomas Wright oversees all medical operations for Rosecrance and specializes in working with adolescents who have a co-existing or secondary diagnosis in addition to an addiction disorder. With more than 20 years’ experience in the field, Wright is certified as a child and adolescent psychiatrist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in addiction medicine by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He served on the faculty at Northwestern Medical College in Chicago and at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and Rockford. He is a regular conference presenter and has been recognized as a medical educator and leader in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Wright received the “Clinician of the Year” award for clinical excellence from Addiction Professional in 2015.
Marc Wurgaft LCSW, LCADC, CCS
Clinical Director
The Counseling Center at Fair Lawn
Marc Wurgaft, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, orginally began his career as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy in 1980, having trained at The Washington Square Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. In 1987, he became the founding director of the New Directions Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Outpatient treatment program in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he remained for 18 years. Upon coming to New Jersey in 2005, Wurgaft founded the Dr. Helen May Strauss Clinic of YCS, and subsequently joined the newly opened Counseling Center at Fair Lawn in April 2016 as its Clinical Director. Of special interest to Wurgaft are the influences of race and culture on the clinical process. He maintains a small private practice for co-occuring clients and their families.
Clinical Director
The Counseling Center at Fair Lawn
Marc Wurgaft, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, orginally began his career as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy in 1980, having trained at The Washington Square Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. In 1987, he became the founding director of the New Directions Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Outpatient treatment program in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he remained for 18 years. Upon coming to New Jersey in 2005, Wurgaft founded the Dr. Helen May Strauss Clinic of YCS, and subsequently joined the newly opened Counseling Center at Fair Lawn in April 2016 as its Clinical Director. Of special interest to Wurgaft are the influences of race and culture on the clinical process. He maintains a small private practice for co-occuring clients and their families.
Eric Yorlano
CEO
Integrity Billing
Eric Yorlano is a visionary, striving for excellence in ethical industry practices. With his hallmark for resourcefulness, he surrounds himself with experts and thought leaders. He is passionate about patient advocacy, treatment and long-term recovery. The cornerstone for his skillset emanates from over two decades experience as a career regulator in the banking industry, extensively trained by the FDIC, FRB and OTS. This rich work experience left him with expertise in risk management, forensic assessment and analysis, project management, financial analysis. Eric’s professional career has spanned over two decades as a Bank Regulator for the State of New Jersey and as owner and CEO of Integrity Billing. Eric and his partner, Dr. Nancy Lobby, saw an opportunity to build a company that addressed deficiencies in billing practices in the health care industry. Their objective: to provide ethical, accurate, and effective solutions to billing and collections in the behavioral health industry.
CEO
Integrity Billing
Eric Yorlano is a visionary, striving for excellence in ethical industry practices. With his hallmark for resourcefulness, he surrounds himself with experts and thought leaders. He is passionate about patient advocacy, treatment and long-term recovery. The cornerstone for his skillset emanates from over two decades experience as a career regulator in the banking industry, extensively trained by the FDIC, FRB and OTS. This rich work experience left him with expertise in risk management, forensic assessment and analysis, project management, financial analysis. Eric’s professional career has spanned over two decades as a Bank Regulator for the State of New Jersey and as owner and CEO of Integrity Billing. Eric and his partner, Dr. Nancy Lobby, saw an opportunity to build a company that addressed deficiencies in billing practices in the health care industry. Their objective: to provide ethical, accurate, and effective solutions to billing and collections in the behavioral health industry.
Jeff Zacharias ACSW, LCSW, CSAT, CAADC
Clinical Director
New Hope Recovery Center
Jeff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor with extensive clinical experience in both the mental health and addictions fields. Currently, he is the President/Clinical Director of New Hope Recovery Center located in Chicago while also maintaining a private practice there. His areas of interest including working within the LGBTQI community, all forms of addiction including with an individual client as well as their partners, severe and persistent mental health issues, personality disorders and trauma and its impact on recovery He is a member of NASW, NALGAP and NAADAC and currently serves on the board of directors for NALGAP. He has extensive experience speaking on issues related to addiction and the LGBTQI community most notably at NCAD, NAADAC, NASW Illinois, the NASW National Conference and the NAMI National Conference. He was recently voted NASW-IL Social Worker of the Year in 2015.
Clinical Director
New Hope Recovery Center
Jeff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor with extensive clinical experience in both the mental health and addictions fields. Currently, he is the President/Clinical Director of New Hope Recovery Center located in Chicago while also maintaining a private practice there. His areas of interest including working within the LGBTQI community, all forms of addiction including with an individual client as well as their partners, severe and persistent mental health issues, personality disorders and trauma and its impact on recovery He is a member of NASW, NALGAP and NAADAC and currently serves on the board of directors for NALGAP. He has extensive experience speaking on issues related to addiction and the LGBTQI community most notably at NCAD, NAADAC, NASW Illinois, the NASW National Conference and the NAMI National Conference. He was recently voted NASW-IL Social Worker of the Year in 2015.
Kevin Zundl
Founding Partner
Psynchronous Communications
Kevin Zundl founded Psynchronous 16 years ago after working at advertising agencies including Arnold Worldwide and helping prominent brands such as Verizon, JetBlue, and Royal Caribbean. For the last 10 years, Kevin's focus has been leading the development of marketing communications campaigns in the behavioral health category. He is a frequent speaker on ethics and board member of ATMO.
Founding Partner
Psynchronous Communications
Kevin Zundl founded Psynchronous 16 years ago after working at advertising agencies including Arnold Worldwide and helping prominent brands such as Verizon, JetBlue, and Royal Caribbean. For the last 10 years, Kevin's focus has been leading the development of marketing communications campaigns in the behavioral health category. He is a frequent speaker on ethics and board member of ATMO.
