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 Office and Budget Manager of 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
Office & Budget Manager
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
Outreach, Event & Fulfillment Coordinator
Evan Young is the new Director of our coalition: 'Kanawha Communities That Care'
He was the most recent director of the Putnam Wellness Coalition, where he leveraged the promotion of 'Healthy Alternatives' to drugs, alcohol, and other destructive actions. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Communications from Marshall University, and is currently pursuing his 'Wellness Coaching Certification' through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In the summer months, Evan leads Stand Up Paddleboard lessons through his business Appalachian Boarding Company, and teaches (part-time) at Mountaineer Montessori School throughout the academic year. Evan is native to Putnam County (WV), where he resides with his wife, Brooke, and 4 daughters.
Evan Young
Director
Kanawha Communities That Care
Dr. Rebecca S. Linger serves as a Research Consultant and the Nalox(ONE) WV coordinator for the WV DII.
Rebecca is also a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy. She received a B.A. in Music and a B.S. in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University. She earned her Ph.D. at Purdue University in the laboratory of V. Jo Davisson at the School of Pharmacy. She has over seventeen years of teaching experience at the professional level. She has published several articles on mechanistic enzymological topics in top scientific journals.
Rebecca S. Linger, PhD
Research Consultant & Nalox(ONE) WV Project Coordinator
Joe Murphy, CEO of MISC, Murphy Media and ONEbox™, has over 20 years of experience working as a Video Production Specialist. He is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and artist however, while skilled in cinematic storytelling with traditional still and video images, Murphy may be just as typically be found directing a Virtual reality shoot, creating a mobile application platform, or piloting an Unmanned Aerial System during the open of ABC’s Indy 500.
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As a native West Virginian, Murphy has continuously been actively engaged in developing platforms and media outreach to combat the opioid epidemic. Murphy’s work with agencies such as Recovery Point, CCSAPP, and most recently, his work with Lily’s Place has brought attention and potentially Millions of dollars in much-needed support.
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Joe is the creator and visionary behind Rex the Rx, ONEbox, and many new initiatives to support the mission of WV DII and educate the public on the importance of medication safety and the opioid epidemic using cutting-edge technology.
Joe Murphy
Content, Creative, and Media Partner
Micki Ruppert, Grants and Program Administrator for the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. She has over 15 years of experience in public administration, deriving from her career in higher education. During her tenure in higher ed, Micki worked with students seeking degrees in health professions and in the recruitment and retention of rural health professionals for West Virginia.
As a native West Virginian, Micki recognizes the need for intervention in the opioid epidemic that has ravaged her home state.Micki’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on professional legal studies and a master’s degree in leadership studies with an emphasis on public administration. She has lived in Kanawha County her entire life and lives in Saint Albans with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of pets.
Micki Ruppert
Grants & Program Administrator
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
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:
Brianna is the Team Lead Outreach and Education Coordinator covering Estill & Madison County, KY. She is a wife and mom of 2 and is grateful for 8 years of sobriety. Brianna has worked in the Substance Use and Mental Health field for over 6 years in different treatment centers and programs. Outreach is a much-needed role in every community, and she is grateful for the opportunity to fill this role in her hometown.
Brianna Reeves-Putthoff
Team Lead
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Marlana is an Outreach and Education Coordinator for West Drug Intervention Institute covering Flyod, Knott, and Lawrence County, KY. Prior to this position she was an intern at Addiction Recovery Care, where she also obtained her Peer Support Specialist Certification through Millard College. She is currently working on getting an Associate in Arts at BSCTC. She has been in long-term recovery for almost three years and is very passionate about helping others in recovery and helping others seek recovery. Marlana finds great reward in seeing the light come back in someone's eyes after being lost in the darkness for so long.
Marlana Maynard
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Paige is an Outreach and Education Coordinator for West Drug Intervention Institute covering Raliegh and McDowell 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 Stacey
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Christina Vickers
Outreach and Education Coordinator
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.
Kirstyn is the Outreach & Education Coordinator for WVDII. Hailing from southern West Virginia, Kirstyn (she/her) brings a diverse background in communications, outreach, public education, and volunteer work with various advocacy and non-profit groups throughout Appalachia.
Kirstyn is passionate about making her community a safe and prosperous home for all people, including those who use drugs or are seeking/in recovery.
Kirstyn Ooten
Outreach and Education Coordinator