Congrats to our 2025 Community Coalition Winners! We are grateful for the difference they have made in our community.
Recovery Services Award
Susie Silcox
Susie currently serves as a Care Coordinator for Specialty Programs with Cornerstone of Recovery and as the Assistant Director of Emergency Consultation Services with Bradford Health.
One of Susie’s nominators described her as the “hardest worker they have ever known,” while another said that she “exceeds all expectations” for supporting those in recovery, both in and out of her job. Multiple nominations noted that Susie directly impacts over 100 individuals per month, helping them find their best fits for mental health inpatient, SUD treatment, or sober living. Described as a “genuine character with a golden heart,” Susie takes a selfless approach to expanding recovery services and reducing stigma.
Innovations in Substance Misuse Prevention Award
Sharena Cathey
Sharena Cathey serves as the Substance Misuse Response Coordinator at the Knox County Health Department with nearly seven years of experience in public health. She facilitates All4Knox, a joint city-county initiative advancing collaboration, education, and support availability.
Sharena’s nominator described the ways that All4Knox, under Sharena’s leadership, has “transformed” the way that Knox County approaches substance misuse by cultivating a “unified, prevention-driven system.” Sharena’s innovation has made substance misuse prevention more accessible and less stigmatized, ensuring that prevention resources from all community partners are available for anyone at-risk in Knox County.
Celebrate Recovery Award
Josh Webb
Josh is the President and Founder of “Making a Difference in Knoxville,” a non-profit organization focused on serving Knoxville’s unhoused individuals through weekly events and coordination of necessary donations from the community.
Josh’s nomination highlighted his determination to take his own recovery journey and pay it forward through “boots on the ground” work to help change the lives of others whose shoes he was previously in. Celebrating three years of sobriety, Josh shows up heart forward every day to help someone else change the course of their life.
Mental Health Advocate
Susan Bradford
Susan is a master’s in social work with 15 years of experience at the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), where she manages the Re-Connections program providing long-term case management support to justice-involved individuals and those in recovery. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the UT College of Social Work.
In her nomination, Susan was described as a “beacon of light” when it comes to mental health promotion in Knoxville. One-on-one with her clients, she is positive, dependable, and knowledgeable, meeting each of them where they are on their mental health journey. Susan serves her community as well, managing an online community resources page, where she promotes mental health services and positive practices to our community daily.
Outstanding Mentor Award
Vanessa Betancourt
Vanessa is a registered psychiatric and medical detox nurse and a Rocky Top Recovery Ambassador for the University of Tennessee’s collegiate recovery program.
One of Vanessa’s nominators wrote that she “embodies the spirit of mentorship and recovery.” Vanessa was a key student leader in reviving the Rocky Top Recovery program in 2020, and ever since, she has served as a strong mentor for younger students in or seeking recovery. Even when facing treatment for leukemia, Vanessa continued to lead and mentor other students with honesty, breaking stigma and empowering youth. As well described by her nominator, Vanessa demonstrates that true mentorship means showing up each day with compassion, authenticity, and purpose—bringing the strength to push through even the hardest adversities.
Outstanding Healthcare Provider
Dr. Danielle Darter
Dr. Darter, a family medicine doctor in Knoxville, TN, founded Knox Street Medicine Outreach (KSMO) in 2023. KSMO’s mission is to build trust and provide free, high-quality medical care to people experiencing homelessness, believing all should have access to health care. Once a week, Dr. Darter collaborates with local outreach organizations, including Metro Drug Coalition, to visit and treat neighbors living without shelter.
Dr. Darter’s nominator describes her work as “truly groundbreaking,” accessing some of Knoxville’s most vulnerable populations by meeting them where they are at. With her medical expertise and kind spirit, Dr. Darter is providing both substance misuse treatment and hope of a better future for her patients.
Media Advocacy Award
Kim Hansard
Kim has worn many hats across her 35-year media career but is best known as the co-host of the Marc & Kim Show on STAR 102.1 for the past 25 years.
In her nomination, Kim was described as an “enthusiastic supporter” for Metro Drug Coalition and eager for any opportunity to amplify substance misuse prevention and recovery efforts in our community. In particular, she partners with MDC quarterly on her community-focused radio show, The East Tennessee Report, to discuss various topics related to substance misuse and recovery in our region. Kim has used her platform consistently to bring attention to these issues and connect our community to information and resources.
Coalition Member of the Year Award
Rob Patrick
Rob currently serves as Executive Director of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation and Care Coach for the KAM VIPS program.
In his nomination, Rob was described as the “underrated Yes Man” of the Community Coalition. Rob was foundational in the implementation of the Thrive Fest family engagement fair this year, rallying up donations for both venue and food and encouraging fellow Coalition members through the process. Rob’s nominator described him as “setting a golden standard” for the Community Coalition, recognizing that “a community full of Robs is a community that is thriving.”
Emerging Leader Award
Evan Reifsnyder
Evan is a student at the University of Tennessee, where he is the Founder and Chief of EMS Vols, a 150-member student-led EMS agency providing hands-on 911 experience. He also serves as the University’s Student Coordinator of Health and Safety, where he has trained and certified more than 500 students in First Aid and CPR.
Evan’s nominator was inspired by his “collaborative spirit,” evidenced by his leadership and efforts to bring trained students together with health and safety professionals to treat substance use related injuries and prevent overdose. Evan’s work to keep his fellow students healthy and safe is already notable, but he is truly an Emerging Leader for the sturdy foundation he is building for the next generation of frontline workers.
Outstanding Prevention Educator
Makayla Dudley
Makayla is a health and physical education teacher at Carter Middle School. She has been teaching for 10 years, and strives each day to instill healthy habits in her students, particularly the importance of a drug-free life.
In her nomination, Makayla was described as an “incredibly engaged and involved teacher,” who works to ensure that her health lessons are not only evidence-based, but fun and memorable for students. In addition, she is very trusted by her students, as her nominator mentioned witnessing several instances of her students being willing to discuss their own experiences with substances and ask hard questions openly in class. Makayla is a gift to her school, her students, and our community alike.
Thank You 2025 Sponsors!
