Day 6: 2021 Virtual National Forum on Overdose Fatality Review

calendar icon

Thursday, February 25 — Bringing It All Together: Mock OFR

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Session 1

Evaluation: Measuring the Value of OFR

Panelists will highlight OFR-related evaluation efforts.  Learn more about OFR evaluation activities and measures happening across the country to measure OFR tools and impact.

Moderator: Kristin Stainbrook, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Intergovernmental Research

Senior Research Associate
Institute for Intergovernmental Research

Dr. Kristin Stainbrook is a senior research associate for national policy engagement sharing initiatives at the Institute for Intergovernmental Research.  Currently, Dr. Stainbrook serves as Program Manager for the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program Statewide Expansion and Response project and the Partnerships to Support Data-Driven Responses to Emerging Drug Threats demonstration projects.

Brad Ray, Ph.D.
Center for Behavioral Health and Justice
Wayne State University, School of Social Work

Center for Behavioral Health and Justice
Wayne State University, School of Social Work

Dr. Brad Ray joined Wayne State University’s School of Social Work as an associate professor and Director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice in 2019.  Dr. Ray received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in Sociology and Anthropology in 2012 and spent seven years at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, where he served as a research director at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute.  He is a community-engaged researcher that focuses on mental health and substance use, particularly where these populations intersect with criminal-legal systems.

Amy Parry, M.P.H.
Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical College of Wisconsin

Ms. Amy Parry provides training and technical assistance to Wisconsin Overdose Fatality Review teams and facilitates the Milwaukee County team.  She has prior experience with child death review.  Ms. Parry has an M.P.H. in epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Mallory O’Brien, M.S., Ph.D.
Senior Research Advisor, IPA
Centers for Disease Control
National Institute of Justice

Senior Research Advisor, IPA
Centers for Disease Control
National Institute of Justice

Dr. Mallory O’Brien is trained as an epidemiologist and is currently serving as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the overdose fatality review (OFR) subject-matter expert and as a senior research advisor to the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice.  She has extensive experience developing, leading, and training on incident reviews.  Dr. O’Brien developed and piloted the Wisconsin OFR process and data collection tool.  During her time with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program, she led the OFR efforts.  Dr. O’Brien is an assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. 

Additional Biography Information:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-o-brien-26701a10/

Emily Costello, M.P.H., M.S.W.
Evaluation Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Evaluation Officer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ms. Emily Costello is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow with the Division of Overdose Prevention, where she serves as an evaluation officer for the Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement.  While Ms. Costello is a native of North Carolina, she received her master of public health from the Colorado School of Public Health, with a concentration in community and behavioral health sciences, and her bachelor of arts degree in political science and master of social work from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.  During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and fiancé, visiting family and friends virtually, and exploring new places throughout the Southeast.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session 2

Mock OFR Review 1: Urban Review

Facilitator: Mallory O’Brien, M.S., Ph.D.
Senior Research Advisor, IPA
Centers for Disease Control
National Institute of Justice

Senior Research Advisor, IPA
Centers for Disease Control
National Institute of Justice

Dr. Mallory O’Brien is trained as an epidemiologist and is currently serving as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the overdose fatality review subject-matter expert.  She has extensive experience developing, leading, and training on incident reviews.  Dr. O’Brien developed and piloted the Wisconsin overdose fatality review process and data collection tool.  During her time with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program/Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program, she led the overdose fatality review efforts.

Additional Biography Information:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-o-brien-26701a10/

Karen Loebel
Deputy District Attorney
Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office

Deputy District Attorney
Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office

Ms. Karen Loebel served as an assistant district attorney in the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office (1985–1988) and as a clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin Law School Legal Defense Project (1988–1990) before coming to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in 1990.  Following her appointment as a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney, she worked in the Misdemeanor Team (1990–1991), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Group (1991–2000), and the Homicide Unit (2000–2005).  Ms. Loebel became the Misdemeanor Team Captain and was appointed to supervise the Violent Crimes Unit in 2009.  In 2015, she was appointed Deputy District Attorney, where she continues to supervise the Violent Crimes Unit.  She is the District Attorney Liaison to various law enforcement initiatives, including the Project Safe Neighborhood Program.  Ms. Loebel also serves on the Milwaukee County Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Group Supervisory Commission, where she is a legal director, and on the Milwaukee City/County Opioid Task Force.  She represents the District Attorney’s Office in law enforcement and community incident reviews, including homicide reviews, shooting reviews, and overdose fatality reviews.  Ms. Loebel is an adjunct professor at the Marquette University Law School.  She is a 1982 graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and a 1985 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Sarah Henery
Administrator
Division of Milwaukee Child Protection Services
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Administrator
Division of Milwaukee Child Protection Services
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Bio coming soon.
Sara Schreiber, M.S., D-ABFT
Forensic Technical Director
Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office

Forensic Technical Director
Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office

Ms. Sara Schreiber is the Technical Forensic Director at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and has worked in forensic science for more than 20 years.  Her career began at the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Milwaukee as a controlled substance analyst.  From there, her focus changed to extracting drugs and alcohol from biological specimens, assisting in the investigation of felony crimes at the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory in Milwaukee as a forensic toxicologist.  Since May 2013, she has overseen the toxicology laboratory at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office from method validation to data analysis and interpretation to report writing for death investigations.  Sara continues to advance her expertise by actively serving as a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS), the Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association (WCMEA), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), and the Midwestern Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT).  She is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology in Forensic Toxicology.  Ms. Schreiber is also an assessor for the accrediting bodies of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology.

Courtney Geiger, M.P.H.
Public Health Strategist
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Health Department

Public Health Strategist
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Health Department

Ms. Courtney Geiger is a public health strategist concentrating on overdose prevention and awareness.  She is also the grant manager of the National Association of County and City Health Officials Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Overdose Response Initiative (MORI) grant.  She has been working on fighting the opioid epidemic and overdose prevention strategies since April 2019.  In her first year, Ms. Geiger secured more than $1.25 million to help implement strategies at the local level to combat the opioid epidemic.

Niel L. Thoreson
Regional Chief
Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections, Milwaukee County

Regional Chief
Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections, Milwaukee County

Mr. Niel Thoreson is a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate and has previously worked as a Bilingual Probation and Parole Agent and Corrections Field Supervisor.  He has served as the Regional Chief for Probation and Parole in Milwaukee since 2013.

Captain Shaun Doyne
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Police Department

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Police Department

Captain Shaun Doyne has been a member of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Police Department for 25 years and is currently the commander of the Forensics Division.  Captain Doyne was previously a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer/group supervisor of Drug Gang Task Force Group 68 as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program.  He has participated in several overdose fatality reviews and roundtable discussions.  He was the chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee for the 2018 Summit on Opioid and Meth:  Making Progress Through Collaboration Conference.

Assistant Chief Jason Schaak, EMT-P/CP
Community Risk Reduction
West Allis Fire Department

Community Risk Reduction
West Allis Fire Department

Assistant Chief Jason Schaak is the Chief of Community Risk Reduction for the West Allis Fire Department and the Director of their Community Paramedic program, which provides a 24/7 real-time response to substance use disorder incidents.  Assistant Chief Schaak also participates on local and county overdose fatality review teams.

Linda Mattirsch
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Milwaukee County Office of Emergency ManagementGreater Milwaukee Area

Quality Assurance Supervisor
Milwaukee County Office of Emergency ManagementGreater Milwaukee Area

Bio coming soon.
Darren Rausch, Ph.D. (candidate), M.S., C.P.H.
Health Officer/Director
Greenfield Health Department

Health Officer/Director
Greenfield Health Department

Mr. Darren Rausch has served as the health officer/director of the Greenfield Health Department since June 2007.  He is responsible for oversight and management of all public health programs and services for the nearly 37,000 residents within the city of Greenfield.  Prior to this position, Mr. Rausch served as the epidemiologist/communicable disease supervisor for Waukesha County Public Health.  Mr. Rausch has served on multiple state and regional public health committees, on the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission Board of Directors, and as a site visit chair and reviewer with the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Additional Biography Information:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-rausch/

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Session 3

Mock OFR Review 2: Rural Review

Facilitator: Lauren Savitskas
Overdose Fatality Program Manager
Fatality Review and Prevention
Indiana State Department of Health

Overdose Fatality Program Manager
Fatality Review and Prevention
Indiana State Department of Health

Ms. Lauren Savitskas graduated from Indiana University (IU) with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and a minor in kinesiology. She continued her education at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health to obtain her master of public health degree with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences. Ms. Savitskas worked at the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) as a community outreach coordinator for two years before working as a substance use program manager at the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. She returned to ISDH in fall 2018 as the overdose and suicide fatality review program manager. She also chairs the suicide learning collaborative focused on youth suicide prevention.
Todd Whitmore, Ph.D.
Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach

Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach

Dr. Todd Whitmore is a professor at the University of Notre Dame.  In his research, he draws upon ethnographic methods such as participant observation and the semi-structured interview to look at the opioid crisis.  To facilitate this and contribute to the wider community, Dr. Whitmore is also a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach, and as such, he has worked directly with persons with substance use disorders for four years.

Sharon M. Burden
Executive Director
Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center

Executive Director
Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center

Ms. Sharon Burden has been with the Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center in South Bend, Indiana, since 1984.  She is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, a Substance Abuse Professional, and an Indiana Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor.  In addition, she holds a National Certified Addiction Counselor II credential.  She has been the co-chair of the Overdose Fatality Review team in St. Joseph County, Indiana, since its inception in the spring of 2019.

Katharine (Kate) Callaghan, M.D.
Health Services Management Fellow
Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program – Beacon Health System

Health Services Management Fellow
Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program – Beacon Health System

Dr. Kate Callaghan is a family medicine physician in South Bend, Indiana, at the Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program.  She is currently finishing a one-year fellowship in health services management.  Dr. Callaghan is a buprenorphine-waivered practitioner and offers medication-assisted treatment for several patients on her panel with opioid use disorder.

Kathleen Orr
Advocate and Family Survivor of the Opioid Crisis

Advocate and Family Survivor of the Opioid Crisis

Bio coming soon.
John Horsley
Vice President of Adult and Addictions Services
Oaklawn Psychiatric Center

Vice President of Adult and Addictions Services
Oaklawn Psychiatric Center

Bio coming soon.
Jamie Jacobs, M.S.W., L.S.W.
Bereavement Counselor
Center for Hospice Care

Bereavement Counselor
Center for Hospice Care

Ms. Jamie Jacobs has been a social worker for more than ten years and has worked with bereaved individuals for more than six years, including facilitating the Loss After Addiction grief support group.  Ms. Jacobs has provided individual, family, and group counseling to those coping with a death from overdose.

Brooke Marshall
Adult Addiction Services

Adult Addiction Services

Bio coming soon. 
Jesse Carlton
St. Joe County Adult Probation Department

St. Joe County Adult Probation Department

Bio coming soon.
Robin Vida
St. Joe County Department of Health

St. Joe County Department of Health

Bio coming soon.