Conference
inaugural Conference
Speaker and Panelist opportunities are now being claimed and will be finalized in March along with the entire Conference itinerary, including Keynote and Guest Speakers. Coalition Membership is secured by invitation only. Advisory Council appointments are extremely competitive and equally limited.
A second Coalition Conference will take place in October, 2024.
A SAMPLING OF SPEAKER AND PANEL PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE :
Dr. Scott Hadland
Dr. Scott Hadland is the head of adolescent medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is a pediatrician and internationally recognized teen addiction specialist whose work focuses on preventing and treating drug and alcohol use. Dr. Hadland’s work is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the CDC and has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Lancet, and other leading journals, and featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, and NPR, among other leading news outlets. In 2023, he was selected to the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, which brings together national leaders committed to facing critical challenges in partnership with the Clinton Presidential Center and George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Harry Levant, MA PCC, ICGC-I, JD
Harry Levant is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) and mental health therapist in private practice and directs the gambling treatment program with Ethos Treatment, LLC in Philadelphia, PA. Harry is the Gambling Policy Adviser to the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University. He is also a doctoral candidate at Northeastern and his research, thesis, and dissertation are focused on developing a public health approach to prevent gambling-related harm and gambling disorder.
Harry holds a Master’s in Professional Clinical Counseling from La Salle University and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.
Harry is a public health advocate and regularly appears on television and radio addressing the prevention and treatment of gambling disorder. His work has recently been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, and the NBC Nightly News. He is the author of the law review commentary “Upon Further Review, the NFL Gambling Strategy is a Risk to Public Health” and co-author with Professor Richard Daynard and Professor Mark Gottlieb of the Boston Globe op-ed article, “Massachusetts Makes a Losing Bet on Gambling.”
Harry is also a gambling addict in recovery, having made his last bet on April 27, 2014. On that day, gambling addiction brought him within seconds of taking his life. “Gambling is a known addictive product and gambling disorder is an addiction just like heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine.” One out of every two people struggling with gambling disorder will experience suicidal ideation and one in five will attempt suicide.
Gambling disorder typically presents with other co-occurring mental health and substance disorder problems and can cause devastating harm to people and families. The good news is that help is available and with appropriate treatment recovery is possible.
“It is a privilege to serve on this distinguished panel. I am grateful to the Coalition for Families, Teens, and Students for the opportunity to join this conference and present important public health information to our community.”
Dr. Chinni Pulluru, former Executive Vice President, Clinical, Walmart (Confirmed)
Chinni Pulluru, an Advisory Council Member of the Coalition for Families, Teens, and Students, is a board-certified family physician, C-suite Executive, who has dedicated the last 20+ years to radically transforming the care continuum. Her dedication to enhancing healthcare accessibility and delivering Value-Based Care spans healthcare innovation, payer dynamics, clinical operations, regulatory compliance, analytics, and provider alignment.With a track record of positioning companies for rapid growth, digital transformation and scalability, Dr. Pulluru is an innovator who merges clinical leadership and operational prowess to produce demonstrated outcomes. From building a healthcare enterprise from scratch at a Fortune-10 company to driving explosive growth at a PE-backed $1B multi- specialty group, her visionary yet practical approach reshapes the healthcare landscape and produces tangible results.
As Chief Clinical Executive/VP at Walmart, Dr. Pulluru spearheaded clinical operational management while concurrently serving as the National sole shareholder of an LLC for Physician, APP and Behavioral Health employment. In her four years at the retail giant, she drove massive clinical growth, internalizations of multiple specialties and was the clinical lead on the M&A team that acquired and integrated a national telehealth company, MeMD. Additionally, she architected partnerships with UnitedHealth Group and Optum Health to pioneer a bold new Value-Based-Care strategy. Under her leadership, Walmart Health maintained an 80 NPS score, doubled patient volumes and grew into 6 states and 50 clinics. At the height of the pandemic, Dr. Pulluru helmed Medical Affairs and COVID-19 strategy as Interim-CMO, pivoting quickly to expand testing centers by 600+ locations, initiating vaccine distribution and lead the Walmart enterprise COVID Response.
Prior to her executive leadership at Walmart, Dr. Pulluru had progressive leadership roles at Illinois’ largest physician group—Duly (formerly, Dupage Medical Group). She led VBC transformation and aligned physicians enterprise-wide to embrace new care delivery models that improved quality and reduced medical spend. Dr. Pulluru has consistently exceeded goals for multimillion-dollar Value-Based Care (VBC) and Alternative Payment Method (APM) contracts. Her efforts at Duly resulted in consistent 5/5-star BlueCross BlueShield ratings, an 85% Physician Alignment bonus achievement, Medicare ACO GPRO scores of 99.5 out of 100, and top-rated 82% patient engagement. In addition to 19+ years as a Family Medicine physician, Dr. Pulluru serves as a thought leader, guest lecturer, and presenter on Value Based Care, Innovation and Digital Transformation. She is currently a committee member on PTAC (Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee) of HHS advising CMS and HHS Secretary on Alternative Payment Mechanisms. She serves on the board of Stellar Health, and is an advisor for go-to-market strategy for Digital tech and VBC startups.
Wendy Komac, Founder and CEO, Bryleos (Confirmed)
Wendy Komac is an accomplished biotech executive renowned for her leadership in corporate turnarounds and expertise in intricate global sales strategies. As CEO of Bryleos, a women-owned and led enterprise, she spearheads the development of innovative therapies for polysubstance use disorder (PSUD).
Bryleos is dedicated to overcoming the challenge of withdrawal management for polydrug use, a critical barrier in addiction treatment. The withdrawal process, particularly from substances like high-potency fentanyl, xylazine, methamphetamines, and the combinations thereof, involves a range of complex physiological and psychological disturbances. BNAD101, Bryleos’ leading therapeutic, has shown promise in its unique approach to managing the multifaceted pathophysiology of PSUD. It aims to support complex biological networks for systemic stabilization, without the direct receptor action typical of existing psychoactive medications.
Wendy’s own triumph over addiction and her ongoing 37-year sobriety journey lend a personal and profound insight into her professional pursuits. Her experience has ignited a commitment to effecting real change in addiction recovery, driving Bryleos to pursue the creation of effective, evidence-based treatments. Following a rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled multiomic study, Bryleos is at the cusp of contributing significantly to public health by offering novel therapeutic options for those grappling with PSUD.
Rev. Kim Lagree, CEO, Healing City Baltimore Awarded Robert Wood Johnson 2023 Culture of Health Prize (Confirmed)
Kim Lagree is a public health professional and licensed ordained minister with more than 20 years of active leadership in community and faith-based outreach, engagement and government relations. Kim partners with government officials, CEOs, executive directors and community leaders to grow multi-sector collaborations, human to human and Kim has appeared in print and broadcast outlets including the Huffington Post and CNN. Kim has provided program management, strategic planning and technical assistance for government agencies and community organizations, including the U.S.Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Johns Hopkins, and most recently, the Federal Interagency Task Force, on the national strategy for trauma-informed approach.
Valeriya Gessner, Founder and CEO, Step-Free Recovery (Houston, TX) (Confirmed)
Alison McDowell, Mother and Advocate (Bethesda, MD) (Confirmed)
Lisa Smith- M.Ed, Founder, Reclaim and Recover-Family Recovery Services | TEDx Speaker
Lisa Smith is the founder of Reclaim and Recover-Family Recovery Services, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive support for families on a Parallel Recovery® journey. As a certified Peer Recovery Specialist with a focus on Family Systems, Lisa brings over 20 years of experience as a Master’s level educator and comprehensive certifications to her transformative work.
Driven by her personal journey of navigating her family’s struggle with Substance Use Disorder, Lisa identified a need for alternative support models that prioritize whole family recovery and meaningful connections. Through her own path to healing, Lisa transitioned from mere survival to thriving, creating the influence and connection that would be impactful in her son’s recovery.
Lisa’s innovative approach, Parallel Recovery®, is designed to empower families who love someone struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Whether working one-on-one with families or developing and facilitating programs for treatment centers and private/group intensives, Lisa emphasizes empowerment and sustainable growth. Drawing upon her background in education, she presents complex concepts in an accessible manner, fostering learning and personal development.
Central to Lisa’s philosophy is meeting each family where they are in their journey towards growth and healing. Her primary goal is to equip families with the tools of compassion, connection, and sustainability, empowering them to support their loved ones while fostering positive change.
Nancy Rosen-Cohen, Executive Director, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), (Baltimore, MD) (Confirmed)
Mark Gottlieb
Mark Gottlieb is a public health and research attorney who has worked in the field of commercial tobacco control for more than 30 years. He joined the staff of Northeastern University School of Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) in 1993 where he has been the executive director since 2004.
Professor Gottlieb’s primary professional focus has been on legal and regulatory interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco industry products. He has been working with the American Academy of Pediatrics on commercial tobacco issues since 2006 and serves on the editorial board of the international pediatrics journal, Children.
His research and advocacy interests also include gun violence, online gambling, and food policy.
Professor Gottlieb’s litigation work includes tobacco personal injury cases, e-cigarette consumer protection actions, cases challenging the business practices of online gambling platforms, and the defense of health regulations.
Mark Gottlieb also serves as the president of the board of directors for the Institute for Health and Recovery.
He has directed the Public Health Advocacy Clinic to train and engage Northeastern University law students in public health advocacy since 2014.
Jason Richie
Jason Richie is a Director with the Center for Public Health at the Milken Institute, concentrating on mental health and substance abuse disorder issues. Richie most recently served as the Associate Director for State Government Affairs at the American Nurses Association (ANA), where his responsibilities included collaborating with state nursing associations and regulatory boards across the country, leading ANA’s Advocacy Institute and advancing mental health, nursing shortage, safe staffing and workplace violence issues. Richie also served as a co-chair of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers’ Advocacy Committee.
Prior to ANA, Richie addressed integrative health legislation and regulations for the American Massage Therapy Association, colorectal cancer screening as well as endoscopic research at the American Society For Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and labor policy for the Service Employees International Union.
Richie earned his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and a master’s of science in health policy from the University of California, San Francisco where he focused on the opioid epidemic. Richie currently volunteers with the National Institute of Health’s Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum.
The Congressional Stakeholders Summit (CSS) taking place on November 12-13th, 2024, in Washington, D.C., is available by invitation only. A rapidly growing list of stakeholders are now CONFIRMED to participate. Confirmed participants will meet with U.S. Senators and Representatives, Congressional staff, policy experts, thought leaders, and seasoned operatives who have served on Presidential-elect transition teams.
Through a myriad of ongoing work, deliverables, and engagement leading up to the November 14th and 15th meetings with U.S. Senators, Representatives, staff, and former Presidential transition team members of both Democratic and Republican Administrations, the November 14th and 15th meetings and events in Washington, D.C., will allow CONFIRMED participants an inside perspective on, but not limited to: Who will lead which Congressional Committees? We will meet with these dozens of U.S. Senators and Congressional (Representative) Members and their staff.
Who are the likely nominees to be appointed by the incoming Trump or Biden Administration to Cabinet Secretariats (Health and Human Services, Commerce, et al)?
Who is under consideration for appointments to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH); and dozens of additional federal agencies from Energy, Transportation, Labor, and key Departments?
Who will be appointed to serve in key regional and state offices within the incoming Administration?
Equally important, what policies and priorities will the Trump or Biden Administration work to advance in their Administration and in Congress?
We will set meetings with key players and strengthen longstanding relationships which have been cultivated for years with both Republican and Democratic Administrations and their senior appointees.
Philanthropic organizations, and philanthropists are eager to work with our engagement! These support networks which have been personally impacted through familial ties and advocacy.
Defined Benefits
Participate in the November 14-15th, 2024, Meetings with U.S. Senators and Representatives and Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
Leverage and implement visibility, communications, and marketing initiatives through the Conference and Business Summit; technology portal and platform, and select invitee events, lunches, and panels.
Our organization is sourcing business opportunities and facilitating customers for participating stakeholders.