AGENDA
Day 1: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Registration and Check In
Blessing
Welcome!
Speakers:
• Blaze Bell
• Theresa Welton
9:10 – 9:30 AM
Land Acknowledgment and Opening Remarks
Speaker:
• Weather Potdevin (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Dance Performance
Oo Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Ts’msyen Dancers
Understanding Alaska’s Commitment to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
Speaker:
• Lindsey Kato (Division of Public Health, Alaska Department of Health)
Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
Promoting the risk and protective factor framework in Alaska
Speaker:
• Marcia Howell (The Center for Safe Alaskans)
Session 2
Alcohol Associated Liver Disease
Speaker:
• Kena Desai (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Pregnancy & Postpartum Recovery: Substance Use & Mental Health Support
Speaker:
• Michelle Kavouras (SpheraNova)
Session 4
Alaska Plant Teachings for Wellness
Speaker:
• Naomi Michalsen (Kaasei Training & Consulting)
• Tia Holley
Break
Breakout Sessions
HIV Prevention Update: Screening, PrEP and PEP
Speaker:
• Hope McGratty (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Behavioral Health Response: Anchorage Fire & Police Department Co-Response Teams
Speakers:
• Brian Fuchs (Anchorage Police)
• Ben Lewis (Anchorage Fire Department)
• Jennifer Pierce (Anchorage Fire Department)
• Kristy Becker (Anchorage Police Department)
Rethinking Connections to Care: Upstream Risk, System Trust, and Engagement
Speaker:
• Kira England (Alaska Department of Health)
Recovery Reimagined: The Many Ways We Heal Beyond Systems
Speakers:
• Christina Love (Christina Love Consulting)
• Josie Heyano (Signify Mental Health and Community Care)
The Body Always Knew: Your Nervous System is the Steadiest Leader in the Room
Speaker:
• Monique Tula (Cadence Coaching and Consulting)
Closing Remarks
Day 2: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Registration and Check In
Welcome Back!
Speakers:
• Blaze Bell
• Theresa Welton
Cultural Beading Craft Activity
Opening Remarks
Speaker:
• Dr. Robert Lawrence ( Alaska Department of Health)
From Treatment to Transformation: Reimagining Recovery in Rural Alaska
Speakers:
• Rose Domnick (Nuyailnguq Training and Consulting)
• Katrina Domnick (Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation)
Changing America’s Relationship with Alcohol
Speaker:
• Mike Marshall (U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance)
Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
Voices That Change Systems: How Lived Experience Improves Care
Speakers:
• Annette Hubbard (Ninilchik Traditional Council)
• Ryan Nye (Ninilchik Traditional Council)
Reaching the Unreachable: Mobile Integrated Health in Rural Alaska
Speaker:
• Dr. Sarah Spencer (Ninilchik Traditional Council Community Clinic)
Session 2
Facilitating Access to Residential Treatment for Individuals Receiving Methadone
Speakers:
• Elana Habib (State of Alaska DOH DBH)
• Jennifer Stukey (Narcotic Drug Treatment Center Inc.)
• Jerry Short (Drug Enforcement Administration)
• Ericka Weynand (Akeela)
Session 3
Bridging Systems for Reentry: Integrated Connection to Care in Ketchikan
Speakers:
• Jackie Yates (Ketchikan Wellness Coalition)
• Drew Herby (Ketchikan Wellness Coalition)
• Bailey Singstad (Ketchikan Wellness Coalition)
• Jonathan Pistotnik (Alaska Department of Corrections)
Session 4
Connection as Transform: Restoring Identity and Wellbeing
Speakers:
• Rose Domnick (Nuyailnguq Training and Consulting)
• Katrina Domnick (Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation)
Lunch Presentation – Public Health Approaches to Addiction
Speaker:
• Dr. Jay Butler (College of Health, UAA)
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
Sexually Transmitted Infections Update
Speaker:
• Leah Besh (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Session 2
Capacity Before Intervention: Matching Clinical Approach to Client Readiness
Speaker:
• Cameron McCoy (Real McCoy Counseling Services)
Session 3
Community Health Workers: Building Integrated Care Systems
Speakers:
• Nyabony Gat (Alaska Literacy Program / AK CHW Network)
• Mavis Boone (Alaska Community Health Worker Network)
• Linda Mankoff (Turnagain Community Health)
Session 4
From Access to Action: Expanding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Rural and Tribal Communities
Speakers:
• Sarah Spencer, DO, FASAM (Ninilchik Tribal Council)
• Carrie Urena, PharmD, BCPS
• Matt Kirkland, PharmD (US Department of Veteran Affairs Alaska)
• Michelle Lewandowski, PharmD, MSHS, BCACP (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
• Jackson Hayes (SALA Mobile Integrated Healthcare)
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
Counting What Counts: Alcohol Data Collection as a Tool for Community Action
Speakers:
• Tiffany Hall (Recover Alaska)
• Alicia Sparks (Synergy Enterprises, Inc)
Session 2
Hepatitis C – 2026 Updates
Speaker:
• Lisa Townshend-Bulson (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
Session 3
Integrating Low-Barrier Care and Harm Reduction into Syndemic Response
Speakers:
• Jess Adamson (Anchorage Health Department)
• George Conway (Anchorage Health Department)
Session 4
From Access to Action: Expanding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Rural and Tribal Communities
Speakers:
• Sarah Spencer, DO, FASAM (Ninilchik Tribal Council)
• Carrie Urena, PharmD, BCPS
• Matt Kirkland, PharmD (US Department of Veteran Affairs Alaska)
• Michelle Lewandowski, PharmD, MSHS, BCACP (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium)
• Jackson Hayes (SALA Mobile Integrated Healthcare)
From Response to Healing: Multiple Pathways to Recovery
Speaker:
• Christina Love (Christina Love Consulting)
Day 3: Thursday, May 14, 2026
8:30 – 9:15 AM
Registration and Check In
Welcome Back!
Speakers:
• Blaze Bell
• Theresa Welton
Opening Remarks
Speaker:
• Commissioner Heidi Hedberg
What’s Love Got to Do With It? Connection to Transformation: A Paradigm in Real World Prevention
Speaker:
• Carlton Hall (Carlton Hall Consulting)
Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
The Power of Connection: Supporting Recovery Through Relationships
Speakers:
• Tara Schmidt (University of Michigan Research to Practice (R2P) Lab)
• Travis Hedwig (UAA)
Session 2
When It Gets Personal: Managing Countertransference in SUD Care
Speaker:
• Fred Sweetski (Mount Juneau Counseling & Recovery (Gastineau Human Services))
Session 3
Rebirth Through Restoration: Bringing Recovery Home
Speaker:
• Jenifer Galvan (Alaska Peer, LLC)
Session 4
Learning Circle Facilitation Workshop
Speaker:
• denile Ault (Southcentral Foundation Wellness Warriors Initiative)
Lunch Break
Systems change, behavioral health crisis, & well-being: State, Tribal, Local, & Community Effort
Speakers:
• Katie Baldwin-Johnson (Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority)
• Michelle Baker (Southcentral Foundation)
• Christopher Wightman (Southcentral Foundation)
• Heidi Hedberg (Department of Health)
• Carla McGregor (Providence Alaska Medical Center)
• Sean Case (Anchorage Police Department)
• Thea Agnew Bemben (Municipality of Anchorage)
• Tara Lovin-Curry
1:45 – 2:45 PM
Session 1
Empowering Prevention Leaders: Strengthening Mentorship, Leadership, and Technical Assistance
Speaker:
• Carlton Hall (Carlton Hall Consulting)
Session 2
Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment: Exploring Ideal Option’s Impact
Speaker:
• Melanie Luna (Ideal Option)
Session 3
Making Systems Worth Trusting
Speaker:
• Tami Truett Jerue (Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center)
Session 4
Learning Circle Facilitation Workshop
Speakers:
• denile Ault (Southcentral Foundation Wellness Warriors Initiative)
• Emily Sheakley
• Edna Standifer
• Sandy Cunningham
• Elsa George
• Renée Royal
Break
Humor in Trauma
Speaker:
• Suzette O’Donnell (AKBH & ANG)
Gratitude, Takeaways, and Thanks
Speakers:
• Theresa Welton
• Blaze Bell