ROPTA Team

ROPTA Community Educators

Beth Williams

University of Maryland Extension
Eastern Shore
Beth

ROPTA Community Educator

Beth Williams

Beth Williams is a trainer/educator for the University of Maryland, Extension - MarylandROPTA program. She is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health Aid courses, as well as a State Certified Narcan Trainer. Beth has been in the Addictions field for 24 years, beginning her career in Addictions treatment and Prevention/Health Education in local health departments. She went on to work in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient hospital/clinics, local governments, correctional facilities and the
private sector. She also spent 7 years at the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (now the Maryland Department of Health) AIDS Administration. Here, Beth worked monitoring and coordinating the efforts of all public HIV Counseling and Testing sites across the state, and implementing an innovative Prevention
Case Management program for incarcerated individuals. Beth lived in Maryland most of her life and currently resides in the Eastern Shore in Talbot County.

Jesse M. Ketterman, Jr., PhD

PhD, AFC
University of Maryland Extension, Western Maryland Cluster
Jesse

ROPTA Educator & UMD Extension Coordinator

Jesse M. Ketterman, Jr.

Dr. Jesse M. Ketterman, Jr. joined the University of Maryland Extension Office in 2016 as a Family and Consumer Science Educator serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties. His work emphasis is financial and health insurance literacy. Dr. Ketterman began his career with the University System of Maryland in 1999 at Frostburg State University, advancing to the role of Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs leading wellness-related initiatives. Dr. Ketterman is an Accredited Financial Counselor, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and earned a PhD in educational leadership, master’s degrees in business administration and education, and a bachelor of science in business.

Julie Slivka

University of Maryland Extension, Eastern Shore
Julie

ROPTA Educator

Julie Slivka

Julie Slivka is a two-time AmeriCorps alumni and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she received a BA in Sociocultural Anthropology.  Julie has been in the behavioral health field for over a decade, working to empower, educate, and destigmatize mental health. Julie is a certified Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid instructor and enjoys being a trainer for Botvin Lifeskills and Overdose Lifeline. In her spare time, Julie also owns a small business selling handmade goods with a mental health mission. 

Project Team

Alexander Chan, Ph.D., LMFT

Mental Health Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
Family and Consumer Sciences
Alex

Mental Health Specialist

Alexander Chan, Ph.D., LMFT

Alex Chan is the mental and behavioral health specialist for University of Maryland Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Program. He brings specialized knowledge and experience in the fields of mental health, family relations, and adolescent development. Prior to taking on the FCS Specialist role, Alex worked as the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Prince George's County, where he gained a reputation for his work promoting healthy dating and relationship behaviors for adolescents. He holds master's and doctoral degrees in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University. Alex is also a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the District of Columbia, where he maintains an active clinical practice outside of his work with UME. 

Ghaffar Ali Hurtado, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Family Science
School of Public Health
University of Maryland
Ali

Project Co-Director

Ghaffar Ali Hurtado, Ph.D.

Dr. Hurtado is an assistant professor and extension specialist at the Department of Family Science. He has led the development, implementation and evaluation of several health promotion interventions at the family and community levels.  He is currently leading a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) funded longitudinal study focusing on strengthening parenting skills for immigrant families. He is a collaborator of the Padres Informados (Padres) project, an NIH (National Institutes of Health)-funded community-based participatory research project that aims to prevent tobacco and other substance use among immigrant families. He is the lead investigator at UMD collaborating in the initiative ‘Well-Connected Communities’ funded by RWJF (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). His team is also engaged in parent-school engagement programs to increase youth academic performance and is conducting impact studies of school-based nutrition/health education programs. Dr. Hurtado will provide oversight of the project with Dr. Kim and Dr. Chan.

Cheyenne Schad, MPH

ROPTA Data Manager
MPH: Epidemiology
BS: Health Studies: Community Health
Cheyenne

ROPTA Data Manager

Cheyenne Schad, MPH

Cheyenne recently graduated with her Master in Public Health: Epidemiology from Colorado School of Public Health, and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies: Community Health Education from Portland State University. Cheyenne's career interests center on improving communities to create healthier individuals. Her previous experiences include working as a community health education specialist, where she led the development of a research project to understand the effects of the pandemic on the nutritional intake of citizens living in Mohave County, Arizona. While earning her MPH, Cheyenne served in a scientific consulting role to evaluate the impact of increased levels of preschool dosage and parental engagement on school readiness. Cheyenne will use her academic and professional experiences in her role as data manager.

Jade Hackley, CHES

Health Programs Coordinator
Certified Health Education Specialist
Community Health: Health Risk Behaviors
Jade Hackley, MarylandROPTA

Health Programs Coodinator

Jade Hackley, CHES

Jade graduated from the University of Maryland College Park in 2018 with dual degrees in Community Health, specializing in Health Risk Behaviors, and French language and literature. She has spoken French since kindergarten, and her passion for science and improving her community inspired her to study community health.
 
While studying at the University of Maryland, Jade joined many organizations on campus, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She held an internship with the Department of Commerce OSHA unit, coordinating public health events and outreach, and has helped plan the Health Fair for Prince George's County’s Seat Pleasant Day. Jade obtained her Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification in October 2022, and is excited about her opportunity here at UME. Jade wishes to use her passion for health and wellness in her new role here at UME.

Erin Artigiani, M.A.

Deputy Director for Policy
Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR)
University of Maryland

Project Co-Director

Erin Artigiani, M.A.

Ms. Eleanor (Erin) Artigiani has more than twenty years of experience managing epidemiological workgroups and early warning systems, conducting prevention program evaluations, and managing epidemiological workgroups, substance abuse research, and policy development. From 2014-2020, she provided day-to-day project management and coordination of efforts among National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) project staff and agencies which included coordinating the NDEWS Scientific Advisory Group and local epidemiologists and planning and facilitating NDEWS webinars. She has managed a number of epidemiological workgroups for Maryland and Washington, DC, most recently as a part of the SAMHSA funded Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and currently manages a local evaluation of prevention efforts implemented as part of the Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP) and Block Grant (SABG) in western Maryland. Other Maryland initiatives she has supported include evaluating substance abuse and HIV prevention strategies launched by Bowie State University and school-based drug prevention efforts in Montgomery and other counties. Currently, Ms. Artigiani is leading the recruitment of new sites as part of the national expansion of the Emergency Department Drug Surveillance (EDDS) project and moderating the CESAResearch virtual community. Ms. Artigiani received her Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology & Psychology from Wellesley College. She is now Deputy Director for Policy at the University of Maryland’s Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) where she has worked since 1997.

Project Coordinators

Lisa Connors, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, MAC

ROPTA Consultant
Southern Maryland
Dr. Lisa Connors with ROPTA

ROPTA Consultant

Dr. Lisa Connors

Lisa Connors, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, MAC, is a Consultant for the ROPTA program, serving the southern Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s. Lisa works as a representative in developing community partnerships and linking those entities to resources, events, and training. She is also a Regrounding Our Response (RoR) Master Presenter on ACEs and Social Determinants of Health and she serves on the Maryland HIV PlanningGroup and the Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee of NAADAC (the Association for Addiction Professionals). Dr. Connors is a Licensed Clinical Professional  Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Master Addiction Counselor with over 30 years in the human services/social work/counseling/addiction fields. She has worked in various settings, providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. She works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential, helping and supporting those oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, grief and loss, and social and racial injustices. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Connors is a Pastor, college professor, grief coach, and trainer. Dr. Connors holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, and Ph.D. in Psychology degrees.

Sadie Liller, CPP

Certified Prevention Professional
Health Education and Outreach
Garrett County Health Department
University of Maryland
Sadie

ROPTA Coordinator

Sadie Liller

Sadie is a Certified Prevention Professional who has worked in the field of prevention for over 20 years. Sadie also works part time for Maryland ROPTA as a Coordinator. Sadie connects educators with partners in Garrett County to provide training in topic areas.

ROPTA Interns

Ijeoma Okora

University of Maryland
Ijeoma

ROPTA Intern

Ijeoma Okora

Ijeoma is a sophomore Public Health Science major at the University of Maryland. After her summer internship learning about opioids and other substances, Ijeoma decided to continue this interest on campus, and discovered MarylandROPTA. She is so grateful to be apart of the ROPTA team and to help those in need of support.

Nili Lang

Psychology
Pre-Genetic Counseling
University of Maryland
Nili

ROPTA Intern

Nili Lang

Nili is a sophomore at the University of Maryland who hails from New Jersey. Nili is a Psychology major on the pre-genetic counseling track and is incredibly passionate about the ROTA project's mission. She is excited to join the team and help educate more people about the opioid crisis while expanding the availability of resources.

Elise Young

Psychology
Psychology Major
University of Maryland
Elise

ROPTA Intern

Elise Young

Elise is pursuing a bachelor’s of science in the field of psychology at the University of Maryland at College Park. On campus, Elise is involved in the Multi-Ethnic Student honors society, and enjoys taking photos and making paintings for friends and family!

Community Partners

Lara D. Wilson, M.S.

Executive Director
Maryland Rural Health Association

Lara D. Wilson, M.S.

Mrs. Wilson will serve on the advisory group, create the collaborative network, disseminate resources and information, and provide webinars and trainings specific for rural counties. The Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) will help enhance communication and information sharing in rural Maryland and connect with primary care and other rural health care providers.

MRHA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and advocate for the optimal health and wellness of rural communities and their residents. MRHA is a membership organization comprised of local health departments, hospitals, community health centers, area health education centers, health and behavioral health professionals, and community members in rural areas throughout Maryland. MRHA’s membership includes over sixty organizational members, and over 10,000 individuals across the state.

Mrs. Wilson joined MRHA as Executive Director in 2015. She was previously the Senior Director of Grant Development and Administrator for Hospital Owned Physician Practices for Garrett Regional Medical Center in Garrett County. Lara received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her Master’s Degree in Health Systems Administration from Georgetown University. Lara feels strongly about advocating for improved health and wellness of rural communities and works diligently to help increase access to care for vulnerable populations.

Jennifer Treger, M.S.

Director
Mental Health First Aid Maryland

Jennifer Treger, M.S.

Jennifer Treger is the Director of Mental Health First Aid Maryland at the Mental Health Association of Maryland.  She has over 20 years of experience in the field of health promotion.  Prior to joining the Mental Health Association, she worked at UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County) with students of concern as well as substance abuse and sexual assault prevention.  She has worked in many diverse settings conducting a variety of health promotion and education programs including correctional facilities, drug treatment facilities, schools and community groups.  She holds a master’s degree in Health Education.

For more than 100 years, MHAMD has addressed the mental health needs of Marylanders of all ages. We offer programs that educate the public to increase understanding of mental health and addiction and provide resources, advance public policy to improve care and outcomes, and monitor the quality of services received by individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorders. Over the past 10 years, MHAMD has trained reached over 375,000 Marylanders in Mental Health First Aid, an 8-hour public education course that teaches how to recognize and respond to a person with a mental health or substance use concern or in crisis and connect them to the appropriate care. As such, the Mental Health Association of Maryland has a breadth of expertise and resources to support this important initiative.

Crystal Terhune, MSW

Family and Consumer Sciences Educator
University of Maryland Extension

Crystal Terhune, MSW

Crystal Terhune is the Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for University of Maryland Extension in Maryland's Mid-Shore region (Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester Counties). In this role, she provides community-based education and outreach across a spectrum of topics, with a primary focus on financial capability.  She obtained a master’s degree in social work.

Shannon Dill, M.S.

Agriculture Extension Educator
University of Maryland Extension

Shannon Dill, M.S.

Shannon Dill is the Agriculture Extension Educator for University of Maryland Extension in Talbot County.  She has been a faculty member of the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources since 2001. She graduated from the University of Wyoming receiving a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics.  Shannon provides outreach and education to agriculture producers of Talbot and neighboring counties in farm business planning, small farm enterprises, marketing and livestock management.  Educational programs have included QuickBooks for Farm Business Planning, Agricultural Tourism, Equine and Pasture Management and Grain Marketing.

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