WHO
WE ARE
We are a team of dedicated partners and collaborators working together to make an impact.
TEAM MEMBERS.
Susan Margaret Murphy, PhD
President
Dr. Susan Margaret Murphy is the president of the Drug Intervention Institute headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia.
Susan is committed to reducing overdose deaths in West Virginia, Appalachia, and the Nation. She has over 25 years of administrative experience with non-profits and higher education. She is fiercely committed to public health and health education. Most recently, she helped develop and implement opioid prescription and medication safety programs aimed at educating all young people and the public about the dangers of prescription and illicit drug use/misuse. She is an advocate for evidence-based prevention programming, harm reduction services, and common-sense SUD response. Susan has written over 100 articles to date, with her most recent publications focusing on OTP treatment, harm reduction programming, medication safety, overdose response, and increasing the pipeline of healthcare professionals in Appalachia. She also serves on the boards of the West Virginia Rural Health Association and West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation and has received recognition for outstanding and innovative contributions in combatting our nation’s drug crisis including an award from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for her work in prevention education.
Mia Manfredi is the Director of Operations and Accounting for the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. She has over 15 years of experience in office management primarily in the legal field where she worked in Criminal Defense and Family Law. There she worked diligently assisting adult and juvenile clients enter into treatment programs both privately and through the Kanawha County Drug Court Program. Ms. Manfredi’s background provides unique insight to the opioid epidemic and the struggles facing West Virginians.
Mia’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Psychology as well as multiple certifications in health and fitness. She enjoys teaching Pilates and Lagree in her spare time so that she may encourage others to live their best lives.
Mia Manfredi
Director of Operations & Accounting
Macy Withrow, is the Education Director for the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. She graduated from West Virginia University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and minors in Communications as well as Women and Gender Studies. Since her start in the professional workforce, she has worked with nonprofits serving youth in West Virginia.
During her spare time, Macy enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows and tending to her house plants. Macy has a passion for helping others in her community and is excited to contribute her skill set to the strong foundation that the Institute already has in place.
Macy Withrow
Education Director
Rhiannon Wiseman is the Receptionist and Customer Service Representative for the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. She has over 11 years in long-term recovery and is driven to bring her best to the team. Rhiannon is currently enrolled with Jobs & Hope and is completing her certification as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) in order to better assist others in her community while promoting the Institute’s mission.
Rhiannon expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the WV DII team. She feels she is right where she belongs.
Rhiannon Wiseman, PRSS
Outreach, Event & Fulfillment Coordinator
Jason Hager has over 20 years of experience helping clients grow and market their businesses. He has worked with companies large and small, local and international, to increase market share and generate more business. He is a marketing expert and has trained groups of business professionals from all over the world on sales and marketing strategies.
Jason has the ability and experience to help organizations of all sizes plan and execute highly effective marketing plans with measurable results. He has been an international keynote speaker and consultant to businesses on marketing strategy, business development, social media, and website development.
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Jason leads the marketing and public relations efforts for WVDII. He has worked with Dr. Bissett and the WV DII team to create and launch online learning programs for Naloxone training as well as medication safety programs for adults and children.
Jason Hager
Marketing & Public Relations Consultant
Education Program Coordinator
Appalachian Regional Commission
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Through funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the DII is doing outreach work in communities throughout WV and KY to increase access to naloxone and recovery resources. The purpose of this grant is two-fold. First, to increase the recovery workforce in our region and second, to prevent overdose and increase access to treatment and recovery for persons living in these communities.​​​​​
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ARC Team Members:
West Virginia
Christina Vickers
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Kanawha and Clay County WV
Christina is the Outreach & Education Coordinator covering Kanawha County. She was born and raised in Charleston, WV and a graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School. She went on to WVU, majoring in Social Work. During her time there, she had the honor of playing the trumpet with The Pride of West Virginia marching band.
Christina later attended Owen's Community College and earned an associate's degree in law enforcement with an emphasis on corrections. She graduated with honors and became a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society.
Christina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from West Virginia State University and enjoyed working with youth at WV Children's Home Society and Daymark.
Christina moved to North Carolina in the fall of 2008 where she worked with the community to help end homelessness. She recently returned to Charleson, WV to settle in the place she has always called home. She's had the privilege of raising an extraordinary daughter whom she adores.
Christina is very enthusiastic about the impact she can make with the community through working with WVDII.
Paige is an Outreach and Education Coordinator for West Drug Intervention Institute covering Mingo, McDowell and Logan County, WV. She is in long-term recovery and passionate about helping others. Paige wants others to know that you are never too far gone. There are people who will meet you right where you are.
Paige Stacy. PRSS
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Mingo, McDowell and Logan County, WV
Bambi Hayes
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Raleigh and Western Kanawha County, WV
Bambi is the Outreach & Education Coordinator covering Raleigh and Western Kanawha counties.
She is a 2020 Graduate of WVSU, having received two bachelor's degrees: one in English Literature and the other in Professional/Creative Writing. She is a native of Putnam County, but resides in Kanawha with her daughter, whom she adores, who is following her footsteps at WVSU.
She is a Veteran of the United States Army and has a diverse work background, from Bartender to Behavioral Technician. She is thrilled to begin this new chapter of her life with the Drug Intervention Institute. She is passionate and dedicated. Her goal is to educate and assist as many as possible.
“I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.”- Edgar Allen Poe
Maria Thompson is the Outreach & Education Coordinator for Wayne, Mason, and Cabell counties in West Virginia. She is the mother of four and a person in long-term recovery.
Maria is deeply passionate about making a positive change in the world and helping others find their path. She has been a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) since 2021 and holds an Associate degree in Applied Science. She is currently a senior at Concord University, finishing her bachelor's degree in social work. Her mission is to provide support and resources to those who need it most, following the motto, "Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Maria Thompson, PRSS
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Wayne, Mason, and Cabell County, WV
Kara is the Outreach & Education Coordinator for western Kanawha County in West Virginia and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Service Psychology from Fairmont State College. She is an internationally certified wellness facilitator.
Kara supports individuals in creating practical, personalized action plans to help them be well and stay well across the eight dimensions of wellness and to use in the work they do as a peer support specialist. She serves her community as a member of city council and is a member of many other community-related programs. Having navigated her own evolving wellness journey, Kara brings kindness, insight, and real-world understanding to her family, peers, and community.
"Though our realities may differ, the power of kindness can unite us all" -Kara Prunty
Kara Prunty, BA
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Western Kanawha County, WV
Kentucky
Brianna is the Kentucky Program Lead Outreach and Education Coordinator covering Estill, Madison, and Garrard County, KY. She is a wife and mom of 2. She has been in long-term recovery for 9 years and 11 months. Brianna has worked in the Substance Use field since 2017 and received her Peer Support Certification in 2021. Outreach is a much-needed role in every community, and she is grateful to continue this work in her hometown and surrounding counties.
Brianna Reeves-Putthoff, PRSS
Team Lead
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Estill, Madison, and Garrard County, KY
Lakkan Branham, PRSS
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Floyd, Knott, and Letcher County, KY
Lakkan serves as the Outreach and Education Coordinator for Floyd, Knott, and Letcher Counties in Kentucky. She brings over seven years of experience working in addiction, substance use, and mental health services, and is a certified Adult Peer Support Specialist. With eight years of personal recovery, Lakkan combines professional expertise with lived experience to provide compassionate, informed support to individuals and families navigating recovery.
A devoted mother of four daughters, Lakkan credits both her family and her recovery journey as driving forces behind her commitment to this work. She is deeply passionate, highly motivated, and dedicated to empowering others, with a strong focus on education, outreach, and helping individuals find their path to lasting recovery.
Tennessee
Teri is the Outreach and Education Coordinator for Hamilton County, Tennessee. She is a person in long-term recovery from Substance Use Disorder who has been in recovery for 3 years. Teri has worked full-time in a Substance Abuse and Mental Health treatment center for the past 2 years. She is very active in her recovery community, spreading awareness and education that recovery is possible. Teri believes to keep what she has, she must give it away.
Teri Barnes, PRSS
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Hamilton County, TN
Jessica Birch, PRSS
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Knox County, TN
Jessica has been in recovery since July of 2016. Before anything else, she is a wife to her husband Jeramee and mom to her two boys, Joss and Jace — the heart behind her drive and purpose.
Jessica is a Justice-Involved Peer Support Specialist, Recovery Coach Professional/Facilitator and an Anti-Trafficking Consultant.
For over 7 years, Jessica has been a harm reduction advocate, specializing in overdose prevention, human trafficking and justice-involvement. Her work has directly equipped thousands of individuals, families, and professionals with life-saving resources, tools and knowledge.
Jessica has become a leading voice in stigma reduction around addiction, human trafficking, and the justice-involved community. She is currently under clinical supervision, continuing to build her skills and expand her impact.
As an overdose survivor, Jessica uses her lived experience to connect with people from all walks of life. Her beliefs are simple: People are not defined by their worst moment, Recovery is real, and second chances change everything.