KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Brian Fuehrlein, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineDr. Fuehrlein graduated from the M.D. Ph.D. program at the University of Florida in 2008, adult psychiatry residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2012 and addiction psychiatry fellowship at Yale University in 2013. He is currently an Associate Professor and the director of the psychiatric emergency room at the VA Connecticut. Dr. Fuehrlein has a strong interest in medical student and resident education, particularly surrounding addiction psychiatry and serves on multiple local and national committees in this role. In 2017 he was awarded the Irma Bland award for excellency in psychiatry resident education through the APA. In 2018 he was awarded the Clerkship Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Medical Student Educator and Role Model. He is also passionate about emergency psychiatry and substance use disorders and has presented and published his work surrounding opioid use disorder in the emergency room setting. In 2019 he was inducted into the American College of Psychiatrists, an organization that recognizes excellence in clinical practice, research, academic leadership, or teaching.
James H. Berry, DO, FAOAAM
Professor and Chair, WVU Department of Behavioral Medicine and PsychiatryDirector of Addictions, WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute
James H. Berry, DO is Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and the Director of Addictions. He is board certified in both General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. He and his colleagues at WVU have developed nationally recognized, innovative community-based treatment models in response to the addiction crisis in Appalachia. Additionally, they are actively engaged in novel neuromodulation research related to substance use disorders through WVU’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute including the nation’s first trial of Deep Brain Stimulation and Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound for opioid use disorder which was featured in CBS News’ 60 minutes. Dr. Berry has been a dedicated clinician and enthusiastic educator in West Virginia since the early days of the addiction epidemic. He is the proud recipient of The Addiction Policy Forum’s Pillar of Excellence Award for Addiction Treatment, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resource’s inaugural Medical Provider Award for Advancement of Quality Addiction Care and WVU School of Medicine’s Distinguished Teacher Award. Statewide, he serves as a member of the West Virginia Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Use Disorders and the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. Nationally, He chairs the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology’s Addiction Psychiatry Examination Committee and serves on the Addiction Policy Forum’s Scientific Advisory Board. He has enjoyed advocating on behalf of those suffering from mental illness and addiction before audiences as varied as local town hall meetings to testifying before the United States Senate. Dr. Berry’s work and opinions have led to interviews with local, state, and national media sources such as Politico, NPR, Psychology Today and The Doctors television show. He and his patients were featured in the PBS NOVA documentary: Addiction that exposed a national audience to the science behind addiction and the humanity of those who suffer.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Dan Kay
TV and Film Screenwriter, Producer, Director at TICKLED PICTURES, INC.Dan Kay is an award winning writer and director prolific in both film & television. He is known for writing and directing thrillers and dramas, including Way Off Broadway (2001) and What We Hide (2025). He built his career through independent film production and has written high-profile projects like I.T. (2016) and Pay the Ghost (2015).
Julia Keller, PhD
Award-winning NovelistJulia Keller was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. For her work at the Chicago Tribune, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. She earned a Ph.D. in English Literature at Ohio State University and has taught at Princeton University, the University of Notre Dame, and The University of Chicago. She was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. Julia was the chief literary critic at the Tribune for a dozen years before leaving the world of daily journalism to write books. Her award-winning, eight-volume mystery series set in West Virginia begins with A Killing in the Hills. She is also the author of a science fiction trilogy for young adults; a biography of Richard Gatling, inventor of the Gatling gun; and Quitting, a study of the limits of perseverance, published in more than 25 countries. Julia has contributed many on-air essays to The NewsHour on PBS and NPR’s All Things Considered. She assisted screenwriter and director Dan Kay on his research for his feature film What We Hide (2025), which deals with the generational trauma of addiction. Her next novel, Cold Dark Deep, is the first in a new series and will be published in early 2027.
PRESENTERS
WVU Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry
Kristen Boyce, DSW-C, LICSW
Assistant Professor of Social WorkKristen Boyce holds a Master of Social Work from West Virginia University and is a Doctor of Social Work candidate through the University of Kentucky. She has over 10 years of experience providing direct clinical services to children and adolescents in West Virginia. Early in her career, she developed a passion for working with youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through her work at the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center. Kristen currently serves as a clinical social work faculty at Healthy Minds Chestnut Ridge, where she continues to provide direct clinical care to adolescents and their families. Her clinical focus includes the treatment of adolescent substance use, mood disorders, and trauma related to ACEs. Her research interests center on interventions for adolescent substance use and mood disorders, with a particular emphasis on understanding Appalachian culture and leveraging regional strengths to inform effective treatment approaches. Kristen is the co-author of Dialectical Behavior and Social Rhythm Therapy for Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. She has presented internationally on DBSRT and is currently completing a doctoral capstone research project focused on culturally responsive treatment for adolescent substance use in Appalachia.
Travis Cottrill, RN, BSN
SUD Care Navigator and Nurse Manager, Healthy Minds Mobile UnitTravis Cottrill, RN, BSN, is a behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) care professional with more than 15 years of nursing experience across acute psychiatry, critical care, residential treatment, and community-based recovery services. Based in Morgantown, West Virginia, he is known for his steady leadership, strong clinical judgment, and commitment to improving patient outcomes through compassionate, coordinated care. Travis currently serves as an SUD Care Navigator and Nurse Manager on the Healthy Minds Mobile Unit with the West Virginia University Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, where he provides peer support, connects clients with essential community resources, and facilitates COAT group programming across multiple levels of outpatient care. He also, provides clinical care and care navigation during mobile clinic time. His work emphasizes reducing barriers related to social determinants of health and supporting individuals in recovery through hands-on engagement in both clinical and community settings. Travis earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Alderson-Broaddus College and maintains active licensure as a Registered Nurse in West Virginia. His background also includes years of volunteer service with the Stonewood Volunteer Fire Department and Harrison County EMS, reflecting a long-standing dedication to community health and public service.
Stephanie Cox, PhD, ABPP
Professor of PsychologyStephanie Cox, PhD, ABPP, is a Board-Certified Clinical Health Psychologist specializing in Bariatric Psychology and Disordered Eating. She is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine and serves as Clinical Lead for the Behavioral Health component of WVU Medicine’s Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery Program. Dr. Cox conducts comprehensive pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery candidates and provides treatment and support throughout the pre- and post-operative periods. She specializes in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and works with individuals with co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, including patients in the WVU Medical Weight Management Clinic, addressing disordered eating, behavioral weight management, and related behavioral health concerns. Dr. Cox is actively involved in education, training, and clinical supervision. She serves as Director of the Clinical Health–Bariatrics Psychology Fellowship and has held several leadership roles within her department, including Psychology Section Chief, Director of Internship Training, and Strategic Plan Mission Lead for Employee Wellness and Culture. Her research focuses on bariatric populations, with particular attention to health disparities, barriers to care, and the unique challenges faced by individuals living in rural communities.
Samuel J. Eckrich, PhD
Associate Professor of Pediatric NeuropsychologyDr. Eckrich is pediatric neuropsychologist and assistant clinical professor in his third year at WVU Medicine. He co-founded several multiple multi-disciplinary clinics at WVU including the Pediatric Concussion Clinic, Neurofibromatosis clinic, and the neuro-oncology clinic. His specialties surround children/adolescents with traumatic and acquired brain injuries, intrauterine substance exposure, genetic disorders, and neuro-oncological conditions. His research at WVU centers around understanding the impact of abuse/neglect/trauma in individuals with co- morbid complex medical issues.
Blake A. Gibson, MD
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryDr. Blake Gibson has a wide range of experience and involvement during his medical career. Initially pursuing veterinary medicine as an undergraduate, he Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical science was housed, and taught, at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. During this, he gained valuable experience in translational research in Dr. Ishii’s laboratory, which pioneered the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. In medical school, Dr. Gibson completed a post sophomore fellowship in pathology. This extra year of clinical work allowed Dr. Gibson to function as a pathology resident at the University of Arizona. After such time, he pursued additional research time to complete innovative projects in “patient centered pathology,” a term he coined in the literature and proposed models of care. During medical school, he pursued extra training in Integrative Medicine, graduating with distinction in this area. He also completed the State of Arizona funded Rural Health Professional Program (RHPP), giving valuable clinical insight into marginalized rural communities.
Initially matching into pathology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Dr. Gibson continued his work in patient centered pathology. Upon switching to adult psychiatry residency at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Gibson incorporated his background in pathology to research fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and its possible link to psychiatric disease. After accessing more than 40,000 patient records over 20 years, Dr. Gibson and collaborators were able to identify a clear increased risk in psychiatric disease in children born with FIRS. He completed child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in June 2023. During his residency and fellowship training he completed certification in electroconvulsant therapy (ECT), transmagnetic stimulation (TSM), and ketamine treatment. His clinical interests include inflammation and psychiatric disease, integrative medicine, children’s mental health, and patient centered pathology.
Jeremy D. Hustead, MD, FASAM
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryDr. Jeremy D. Hustead, M.D., FASAM, serves as an Assistant Professor and the Medical Director of the Addiction Intensive Outpatient Program at WVU Medicine’s Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry in Morgantown, West Virginia. Dr. Hustead is triple board certified in General Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Addiction Psychiatry, having treated thousands of patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders in various outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings. Prior to joining the WVU faculty in 2020, he completed 4 years of General Psychiatry training there including serving as their Chief Resident. After residency graduation, he served as the first Addiction Psychiatry Fellow in program and West Virginia state history. He is currently involved in training both Addiction Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine fellows at WVU and Marshall University. Since June 2025, he has assumed the role of Addiction Medicine fellowship director at WVU Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Hustead has maintained a keen interest in educating various audiences including other physicians, medical students, nurses, advanced practice providers, peer recovery specialists, and those in the criminal justice system. He has given over eighty formal lectures on various topics from medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorder to combating stigma in addiction treatment. He has served as the President of the West Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine (WVSAM), the state chapter for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) since 2020. In the future, Dr. Hustead plans to continue to advocate for effective substance use treatment and to help reduce the enormous of amount of stigma that follows those with the disease of addiction.
Tierney Leary, MSW, LGSW
Associate Clinical Therapist
Preston “P.J.” Lee, Jr., PRSS
Peer Recovery Program CoordinatorMy name is P.J. (Preston Lee, Jr). I am a state certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) and I am also a person in long term recovery. I have been working in the recovery field since August of 2020. I am currently the Peer Recovery Program Coordinator for the WVU Dept. of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. Prior to that I was the Lead Peer Recovery Support Specialist with WVU Medicine. I also worked as a house manager for Jacob’s Ladder Sober Living. I also worked as a recovery coordinator at Jacob’s Ladder’s 6 month inpatient treatment facility. I also provide trainings to individuals who want to get started in peer recovery and advocacy work. I have been a Community Advocacy Board (CAB) member for the Appalachian node of NIDA since 2023. I am also a member of the board of directors for the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVAAPP) since 2024. I am also the current chairperson for the Re-entry Council for Monongalia County.
Amanda Newhouse, LICSW
Associate Professor of Social WorkAmanda earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from West Virginia University in 2005 and began her clinical career serving children and families. Over the past 20 years, she has held leadership roles as a clinical coordinator for children’s services, overseeing programs including Family-Based Mental Health, School-Based Therapy, Crisis Services, and Infant Mental Health Development. In 2010, Amanda further specialized her expertise by completing her Infant Mental Health Certification at Chatham University in Pennsylvania. She is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. Currently, Amanda serves as Clinical Social Work Faculty with WVU Medicine in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University. She is certified as a Level 1 Trainer in Parent Child Interaction Therapy as well as a Certified Touchpoints Facilitator for the Brazelton Touchpoints of Boston’s Children’s Hospital. She remains actively involved in clinical practice, working closely with children and families, as well as supporting pregnant and postpartum women navigating substance use disorders.
Gina Pisano MSW, LGSW
Associate Clinical TherapistGina Pisano, MSW, LGSW, is an Associate Clinical Therapist with WVU Medicine, specializing in the treatment of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She earned both her Bachelor of Social Work (2022) and a Master of Social Work (2023) from West Virginia University.
Gina began working in addiction treatment in 2021 at an inpatient rehabilitation center in Pittsburgh, where she developed a strong foundation supporting individuals in early recovery. Since joining WVU Medicine in 2023, she has served as one of the primary therapists in the Addiction Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and works as a COAT therapist, providing specialized care for individuals with opioid use disorder.
Her clinical approach is grounded in a patient-centered, strength-based, and empowerment-focused lens, with a strong emphasis on cultivating self-compassion as a key component of healing and recovery. Gina integrates multiple evidence-based modalities into her work, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through this integrative approach, she supports clients in developing coping skills, reprocessing trauma, and building sustainable, meaningful recovery. Gina is currently specializing in working with individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), using evidence-based approaches such as ERP to help reduce compulsions and increase psychological flexibility.
When she is not working with clients, Gina enjoys adventuring throughout West Virginia with her two corgis.
Michael Reynolds, MD
Assistant Professor of PsychiatryMichael Reynolds is a doctor specializing in Addiction Medicine at WVU in Morgantown. He has a strong interest in addressing stigma and its impact upon those affected by substance use disorders. He enjoys connecting with family, the outdoors, live music, running, and indoor climbing, and trying new restaurants. Before relocating to West Virginia, he worked in both Emergency and Family Medicine as well as teaching.
William J. Tolin, PRSS
Lead Recovery CoachWilliam J. Tolin is the Lead Recovery Coach for the IMPACT Project within the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at WVU Medicine. He is a state-certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (WVCBAPP) with experience working in acute care settings since 2021. Based primarily in the Emergency Department at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, William plays a key role in integrating peer recovery support into hospital-based care. He works directly with patients presenting with substance use disorders—often in the earliest stages of change—providing engagement, support, and linkage to appropriate levels of care in collaboration with multidisciplinary treatment teams. William has been instrumental in expanding the IMPACT Project to additional sites, including Fairmont Medical Center, and supports care coordination across a continuum of services including inpatient, outpatient, medication-assisted treatment, and residential programs within WVU Medicine. As Lead Recovery Coach, he oversees daily operations, supervises and mentors Peer Recovery Coaches, and assists in hiring, training, and program development efforts. Drawing from his own long-term recovery, William brings a unique perspective to bridging clinical care and lived experience, with a focus on improving patient engagement and outcomes in addiction treatment.
Guest Presenters
Maricel Bernardo, MSM-HCA, ICGC-II
Program Director of the Problem Gambling Help Network of West Virginia (PGHNWV) at First Choice Services, Inc.Maricel Bernardo, MSM-HCA, ICGC-II is the Program Director of the Problem Gambling Help Network of West Virginia (PGHNWV) at First Choice Services, Inc. She has worked in the problem gambling field since 2018 and has assisted many individuals with a problem gambling and their loved ones. In her prior role as the Program Coordinator, Maricel led the prevention and outreach arm of PGHNWV for many years. She is active in the prevention field and works in partnership with state and nationwide prevention groups and organizations promoting problem gambling education and awareness. Maricel is a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). She is the co-chair of the Prevention Professional Resource Network (PRN), serves on the Treatment PRN and the Helpline committee. She serves on the Board of Directors and is the chair of the Prevention Workgroup of the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services (NAADGS), a member of the West Virginia Association of Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVAAPP) and NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. Maricel is an International Certified Gambling Counselor. She has a Master of Science in Management in Health Care Administration from Marshall University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia University.
Jon Dower, MS, LPC, NCC, CRC, ICAADC, CCS, SAP
Executive Director, WVSL SolutionsJon Dower was born and raised in Morgantown, WV, and completed a Master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from West Virginia University. Mr. Dower is a Licensed Professional Counselor in WV and holds several addiction-related certifications, including advanced alcohol and drug counselor, clinical supervisor, substance abuse professional, and intervention professional. Jon is the Executive Director of WVSL Solutions, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that provides recovery housing across West Virginia, peer recovery support services, supportive employment, and clinical services as a licensed behavioral health organization. Mr. Dower has taught in academic settings at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including with the College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University. His current academic appointment is Program Coordinator for the Certificate in Addiction Counseling at West Virginia Wesleyan College. He serves on several SUD-related boards of directors, including the WV First Foundation, and is the immediate-past president of the West Virginia Association of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVAAPP). He is a proud board member of Cheat Lake Rotary. Previously, Mr. Dower served for multiple years as the Chair of the Recovery Subcommittee of the Governor’s Task Force on Substance Misuse and Prevention and as the Vice President of the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR). Jon is a person in long-term recovery.
Sheila Moran, MSW, LSW, ICGC
Director of Marketing & Communications, First Choice ServicesSheila is Director of Communications and Marketing at First Choice Services (FCS), a non-profit organization based in West Virginia that manages 15 helplines, predominantly focused on behavioral health. Her responsibilities include overseeing the coordination of mass media campaigns, social media, and creative design strategy. Sheila has been successful at securing earned media, and her efforts have been instrumental in enabling FCS to provide support to over 200,000 help-seekers annually. In addition to her work at FCS, Sheila also enjoys giving presentations on topics such as mental health resources, problem gambling, and outreach strategies for social service organizations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work, is a Licensed Social Worker, and is also certified as an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor.
Avery Tillier, MSW, LGSW
Therapist, West Virginia Sober Living Behavioral HealthAvery has a strong passion for individuals with substance use disorders. Much of her work thus far has been in this area. Alongside substance use, she has experience with anxiety, depression, personality, and trauma.
Jessica Y. Whitmore, JD
General Counsel and Privacy Officer, West Virginia Office of Inspector GeneralJessica Y. Whitmore is a dedicated legal professional, bringing over 15 years of experience in health, regulatory, and legislative law. She currently serves as the General Counsel and Privacy Officer for the West Virginia Office of Inspector General. In this capacity, she directs legal operations and privacy initiatives across the nine distinct divisions of the West Virginia Office of Inspector General. A key focus of her work involves state policy development. Ms. Whitmore frequently drafts statutory and regulatory language, collaborates with state lawmakers and other stakeholders, and offers testimony before legislative committees. Her comprehensive background also includes extensive private practice experience, where she managed civil litigation and complex discovery processes before transitioning into public service. Ms. Whitmore holds both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws from The John Marshall Law School, now the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Law, alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. She maintains active professional credentials as a Certified Inspector General Counsel and is affiliated with the American Bar Association. With family roots in West Virginia through her grandparents, she is proud to have been a West Virginian by choice for over a decade.