2022 | Reclaiming Recovery
The 2022 Reclaiming Recovery Conference was held at the University of Louisville ShelbyHurst campus, bringing together recovery professionals from Kentucky and beyond. Check out the conference information, speaker bios, and presentations!
Speaker Bios & Presentations
RecoveryMind Training
Paul Earley, MD, DFASAM
As of 2022: Monty Burks serves as the Deputy Director in the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, where his role is engaging and connecting Tennessee’s faith communities to the behavioral health care system, with the goal of expanding addiction and mental health support services across the state. He also oversees the Tennessee Lifeline Peer Project, a state program aimed at reducing the stigma associated with people who suffer from addiction and the Tennessee Faith Based Community Coordinators, who seek to help congregations build their capacity to combat addiction and mental health issues in their respective community. Burks earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Middle Tennessee State University, his Doctorate in theology from Heritage, and wears the honorable badge of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Burks has more than 22 years’ experience working with the criminal justice system in various roles, including adjunct criminal justice professor at Motlow State Community College, Criminal Justice Student Research Analyst at Middle Tennessee State University, and Criminal Justice Program coordinator and adjunct professor at Tennessee State University.
As of 2022: Dr. Paul Earley has been an Addiction Medicine Physician for 37 years. He treats all types of addiction disorders, specializing in the assessment and treatment of health care professionals. As a therapist, he works with patients in recovery, providing long-term therapy for those who suffer from this disease. His professional expertise extends to advocacy for professionals before agencies and licensing boards. Dr. Earley is a dynamic speaker and educator; he speaks and trains on topics of addiction, its treatment, and addiction among healthcare professionals. In addition, he trains therapists on the neurobiological basis of psycho-therapy. In his travels, he has provided training in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland.
He is the author of three books and numerous articles on addiction and its treatment. His two most recent books are RecoveryMind Training and Recovery Skills Manual for RecoveryMind Training. He is a contributing author to the ASAM Textbook: Principles of Addiction Medicine, as author of the chapter: “Physician Health Programs and Addiction Among Physicians.” He is a contributing author to the ASAM Criteria. Dr. Earley is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and has been on the board of ASAM for over 20 years in several capacities and is the immediate past president of ASAM. He has been the Medical Director of two nationally acclaimed addiction programs specializing in the care of healthcare professionals who suffer from addiction illnesses.
Currently, Dr. Earley is the Medical Director of the Georgia Professionals Health Program, Inc., the Physicians Health Program (PHP) for the state of Georgia in the U.S and a past president of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs. With Earley Consultancy, LLC, he works with treatment facilities, providing training in treatment effectiveness and staff development.
Dr. Earley was the recipient of the ASAM Annual Award in 2015. ASAM states the award is presented “For outstanding contributions to the growth and vitality of our Society, for thoughtful leadership in the field, and for deep understanding of the art and science of Addiction Medicine” and “For expanding the frontiers of the field of Addiction Medicine and broadening our understanding of the addictive process, through research and innovation.” He is also the recipient of the 2022 ASAM Leadership Award for his services to society.
How Peer-Driven Recovery Can Transform a Community
Jay Davidson & Tim Robinson
As of 2022: After 20 years in the U.S. Army, Jay retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, having had a successful career in the Infantry and Logistics. Post-retirement, Jay became a licensed real estate agent and worked two years as a property manager. He then served two years in Saudi Arabia as a civilian logistics consultant to the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force during 1988 – 1990. During his military career, Jay received the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star for Valor, a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, and four Army Commendation Medals.
In the spring of 1990, Jay entered the University of Louisville at the Kent School of Social Work and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. He has extensive experience in chemical dependency and related mental health issues, family advocacy programs, and domestic violence. Jay served as Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer of The Healing Place from 1991 to 2004. During that time, he developed the organization from an emergency overnight shelter into a full continuum of social and medical outreach initiatives for homeless men and women. Those who choose to enter the program are given an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness, find recovery from chemical dependency, and return to their families and to the community as contributing members. Jay served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Healing Place from 2004 to September 2012. He has served as Executive Chairman since January 2013 and continues to share the message of the nationally recognized and award-winning model addiction recovery program. Jay lives in Louisville with his wife Jackie and has seven children, 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
As of 2022: After 20 years in the U.S. Army, Jay retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, having had a successful career in the Infantry and Logistics. Post-retirement, Jay became a licensed real estate agent and worked two years as a property manager. He then served two years in Saudi Arabia as a civilian logistics consultant to the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force during 1988 – 1990. During his military career, Jay received the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star for Valor, a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, and four Army Commendation Medals.
In the spring of 1990, Jay entered the University of Louisville at the Kent School of Social Work and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. He has extensive experience in chemical dependency and related mental health issues, family advocacy programs, and domestic violence. Jay served as Executive Director/Chief Clinical Officer of The Healing Place from 1991 to 2004. During that time, he developed the organization from an emergency overnight shelter into a full continuum of social and medical outreach initiatives for homeless men and women. Those who choose to enter the program are given an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness, find recovery from chemical dependency, and return to their families and to the community as contributing members. Jay served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Healing Place from 2004 to September 2012. He has served as Executive Chairman since January 2013 and continues to share the message of the nationally recognized and award-winning model addiction recovery program. Jay lives in Louisville with his wife Jackie and has seven children, 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
As of 2022: Tim Robinson, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care, LLC, which operates a network of over 30 addiction programs in Eastern and Central Kentucky based in Louisa. The organization offers a continuum of care, including centers for detox, residential, transitional, IOP, outpatient, MAT, outpatient, vocational rehabilitation, and job training. The treatment centers are holistic, with CARF-accredited clinical programs, medical services directed by an addictionologist, and a spirituality emphasis that includes the 12 steps and pastoral care. Robinson is a recovering alcoholic and former prosecutor who celebrated 15 years of sobriety in December of 2021.
Tim graduated from Cumberland College with a BS in Political Science and the University of Kentucky College of Law with a Juris Doctorate. Tim was a partner at Hogan & Robinson, PLLC before founding Addiction Recovery Care. Tim and his wife Lelia consider it their mission to help those with substance abuse issues while focusing on the alleviation of generational poverty. They have dedicated their lives to offering opportunities for treatment throughout Kentucky. It is their heart and goal to help each and every person who is suffering from addiction.
Defining Recovery: From "Clean and Sober" to "When You Say You Are"
Jason Schwartz, LMSW, CAADC
As of 2022: Jason Schwartz is an addiction treatment professional and educator. He has helped develop a complete continuum of care and has treatment teams in developing a recovery-oriented treatment model. Jason is experienced in teaching interpersonal practice, professional ethics, and substance use disorder treatment to undergraduate and graduate students.
Jason currently works at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care. There, he leads a department of 280 social workers across ambulatory units in a highly matrixed academic medical system. He also manages the spiritual care department with 20 chaplains, is responsible for the development of budget and management of department finances and works with system leadership on the implementation of system priorities.
As of 2022: Jason Schwartz is an addiction treatment professional and educator. He has helped develop a complete continuum of care and has treatment teams in developing a recovery-oriented treatment model. Jason is experienced in teaching interpersonal practice, professional ethics, and substance use disorder treatment to undergraduate and graduate students.
Jason currently works at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care. There, he leads a department of 280 social workers across ambulatory units in a highly matrixed academic medical system. He also manages the spiritual care department with 20 chaplains, is responsible for the development of budget and management of department finances and works with system leadership on the implementation of system priorities.
The Neuroscience of Addiction and Recovery
Judith Grisel, PhD
As of 2022: Judith Grisel, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist, a Bucknell University Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, and the author of the bestselling Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction. Grisel has an expertise in pharmacology and genetics whose research focuses on determining root causes of drug addiction. She studies sex differences in the role of stress and endorphins on drug reward and works to identify innate factors that contribute to individual differences in the liability toward addiction. Her recent research helps explain the different trajectories of alcohol abuse in men and women.
As of 2022: Judith Grisel, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist, a Bucknell University Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, and the author of the bestselling Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction. Grisel has an expertise in pharmacology and genetics whose research focuses on determining root causes of drug addiction. She studies sex differences in the role of stress and endorphins on drug reward and works to identify innate factors that contribute to individual differences in the liability toward addiction. Her recent research helps explain the different trajectories of alcohol abuse in men and women.
Peer Support Alliance Panel
Emily Stuckey, Ken Brown, Stefanie Robinson, & Brandon Conlin
As of 2022: Emily is the CEO of ARCHway Institute, a 501(c)3 that helps those impacted by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She recently published a book called Igniting Hope: The Story of a Community Lighting the Way to Recovery about ARCHway’s work to bring hope to all those impacted by substance use disorders. In addition, Emily is the founder of two peer coalitions: The National Peer Recovery Alliance (NPRA) and its Missouri affiliate, NPRA-MO. Both coalitions focus on advocacy efforts around long-term recovery and peer workforce development and sustainability. Emily has a Bachelors in English Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Mis- souri Baptist University. She taught for six years in the Parkway School District in Missouri. As a previous educator and through her own lived experience, she sees the need for open and honest communication about addiction and mental health. She believes these conversations need to happen in schools, homes, and the public to bring awareness and understanding, to prevent overdoses and future use, and to bring knowledge of the resources and treatment opportunities that are available.
As of 2022: Emily is the CEO of ARCHway Institute, a 501(c)3 that helps those impacted by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She recently published a book called Igniting Hope: The Story of a Community Lighting the Way to Recovery about ARCHway’s work to bring hope to all those impacted by substance use disorders. In addition, Emily is the founder of two peer coalitions: The National Peer Recovery Alliance (NPRA) and its Missouri affiliate, NPRA-MO. Both coalitions focus on advocacy efforts around long-term recovery and peer workforce development and sustainability. Emily has a Bachelors in English Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Mis- souri Baptist University. She taught for six years in the Parkway School District in Missouri. As a previous educator and through her own lived experience, she sees the need for open and honest communication about addiction and mental health. She believes these conversations need to happen in schools, homes, and the public to bring awareness and understanding, to prevent overdoses and future use, and to bring knowledge of the resources and treatment opportunities that are available.
As of 2022: Ken Brown, CRPS, NCPS, works for the Florida Department of Children and Families and is the Recovery Oriented System of Care Quality Improvement specialist for the Suncoast Region of Florida. Ken is a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) through the Florida Certification Board (FCB), a National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) through Mental Health America (MHA), and a recognized/certified trainer for peer specialists seeking certification through the state of Florida. He is also an advanced level WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, providing courses throughout the Suncoast region as well as other trainings for peers. Ken plays a role in developing Recovery Community Organizations within the Suncoast region and also works closely with mental health and substance use providers on prevention, education, and harm reduction.
As of 2022: Stefanie Robinson is the Ohio Affiliate Director for ARCHway Institute. She has over 13 years in recovery from drugs and alcohol, mental health and an eating disorder. She has served on the boards for the Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) and Eating Disorder Advocates of Ohio and currently serves on the board of directors for the National Peer Recovery Alliance. In 2017, Stefanie was awarded the Cleveland Clinic Medina County Community Service Award for her leadership in the Medina County Recovery Community and in 2018 the Medina County ADAMH Board awarded Stefanie the Recovery Advocate of the Year Award for her work in tackling the opiate epidemic in Medina County. She was named OhioGuidestone Regional MVP in 2019 and that spring, she was named OneStep Peer Supporter of the Year. In the fall of 2020, Robinson was awarded the State of Ohio Cares Award by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities under the category Champion of Recovery.
As of 2022: Brandon Conlin has been a Peer Support Specialist for 4 years. After 12 long years in active addiction, Brandon prides himself on being a person in long-term recovery, with a sobriety date of August 22, 2017. He currently serves as the Director of Peer Support Services at ARC and the Director of the KY-NPRA.