Plus: Joel K. Johnson named CEO of TASC, NAADAC plans in-person annual conference this fall, BRI virtual opioid crisis conference, and Back from Broken podcast launches Season 2
By Angela Zhou
New & Next: People
Ashley Addiction Names First VP of Engagement
Ashley Addiction Treatment announced that Tara Handron is joining its team as its new VP of engagement. Former regional vice president at Caron Treatment Centers for more than 10 years, as well as writer and star of the one-woman show Drunk with Hope, Handron will work to broaden Ashley’s reach and find new avenues for the organization to support alumni and their families with their continued recovery.
“I’ve dedicated my life’s work to reducing the unrealistic stigma that’s attached to alcoholism and recovery by spreading awareness and hope, and much of the time in creative and dramatic ways,” said Handron. “I’m thrilled to be joining an organization with an unshakable legacy of championing women in recovery and a stellar reputation for research, innovation and leadership within the treatment field.”
Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities CEO
The board of directors of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) has named Joel K. Johnson as the organization’s next president and CEO, effective March 1. Johnson, a recognized behavioral healthcare leader and former president of the Human Resources Development Institute, succeeds Pam Rodriguez and will be the first African American to lead the agency.
“Joel brings to TASC exactly what we hoped to find,” said John Zielinski, chair of TASC’s board of directors. “Not only does his experience demonstrate the executive skills required to lead an organization of TASC’s stature, but he has the one essential quality that you can’t teach: a passion for the work we do. Clearly, Joel understands TASC’s mission of providing hope and quality care for those we serve.”
Pam Rodriguez is retiring after a nearly 40-year career with TASC, including serving as CEO since 2009.
New & Next: Conferences & Webinars
NAADAC 2021 Annual Conference Survey
NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals is preparing for its in-person 2021 Annual Conference in Seattle-Bellevue, Wash., from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, 2021. To ensure that the conference is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, NAADAC invites you to complete a short survey for your input.
National Opioid Crisis Management Congress
BRI Network is hosting its 5th Annual National Opioid Crisis Management Congress on March 15–16, 2021. The virtual conference will feature leading national experts in opioid management who will share their latest research and real-world knowledge. Registration is open.
New & Next: Student Fellowship
2021 Scaife Medical Student Fellowship
Time is running out to complete the Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions’ Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders application. The program offers medical students an intensive learning experience about addiction and its treatment, and will be held virtually as two separate three-week online sessions: June 7–25, 2021, and July 12–30, 2021. Applications are due by midnight Feb. 28.
New & Next: Media
Back from Broken Season 2 Launches
On Feb. 26, the second season of Back from Broken, a podcast about recovery from Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovation Studio and CPR News, will launch. Host Vic Vela returns to interview nine people about their journeys of recovery, starting with celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern in the first episode. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
