Each year, Metro Drug Coalition honors and celebrates community leaders who are making Knoxville a safe and healthier place to live.
These are this year’s nominees, by catagory.
Coalition Member of the Year Award
A coalition member who exhibited commitment to the organization through meeting participation, committee leadership and project implementation.
Jonathyn Elliot
Jonathyn Elliott served as the Project Director of the WestCare Tennessee Zero Suicide Program and was elected the Secretary of the MDC Community Coalition.
He’s pursuing his MPH in Epidemiology from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill and is passionate about creating partnerships to ensure access to care for underserved communities.
He received the East Region Award at the 2025 Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network Statewide Conference for his suicide prevention work and facilitated workshops at the 2025 Tennessee Public Health Association and ETAADAC conferences.
Rob Patrick
Rob joined Knoxville Area Project Access as Executive Director in August 2023 and now serves as Executive Director of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation and Care Coach for the KAM VIPS program.
Previously, he spent over 12 years on staff at a large multi-site church as Groups, Missions, Guest Services, and Next Steps Pastor, where he developed a coaching model still in use today.
With 35+ years of experience in leadership, coaching, and pastoral care, Rob has worked in both ministry and the corporate world. He and his wife, Jennifer, have served their church for over 23 years.
Twila Rule
Twila Rule is a community outreach manager & CPRS with ReVIDA Recovery. Her expertise is in fostering collaborative partnerships in the recovery community. Twila holds a Bachelors in Education from Tusculum University. Her experience encompasses inclusive education, prevention, & recovery services. She has used her passion to assist hundreds of participants along their recovery journey both with ReVIDA as well as using community partners.
Twila has enjoyed being involved with MDC’s coalition & partnering with each of you is Twila’s greatest joy because together we make a difference!
Innovations in Substance Misuse Prevention Award
An individual who implemented and/or oversaw a groundbreaking prevention project within the substance misuse prevention field.
Laurie Meschke
Meschke is a Professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. For over a decade, she has served to prevent opioid use disorder and ramifications in East Tennessee. Her research and programming emphasizes youth and community engaged scholarship.
Her invaluable collaborators have included school districts, state and local public health, and faith-based organizations. Meschke has been continuously funded since 2014 with nearly $5,000,000 in research awards.
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 recovery support. Under her coordination, All4Knox has created community tools such as a recovery housing guide, a re-entry roadmap, and educational series on substance use related issues and topics.
In her free time, Sharena enjoys plant-based cooking, leading a walking group, and directing her church choir.
Taylor Murmann
Taylor Murmann currently serves as the East Regional Director for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. In this role, her goal has been to serve the community in ways that combine innovation, empathy, and above all else: compassion.
While Taylor has been professionally involved in mental health and community service work since 2018, the dedication to serving her community has been a life-long commitment. Taylor is looking forward to continuing these efforts in the community for years to come and would also like to thank everyone at MDC and in the larger community for this nomination.
Outstanding Mentor Award
A person who made a significant investment in mentoring a youth or youths in Knox County.
Rashaad Woods
Rashaad Woods has dedicated the past five years empowering underprivileged and justice-involved youth.
As the former Director of a gang intervention program, he partnered with organizations to create opportunities for growth, education, and positive transformation.
Having spent 10 years in prison and released in 2017, his journey from hardship to hope proves that what was once the poison is now the anti-venom, guiding youths toward resilience and leadership. He is now employed by Mountain View Academy.
Vanessa Betancourt
Vanessa Betancourt is a registered psychiatric and medical detox nurse and a four-year Rocky Top Recovery Ambassador for UTK’s collegiate recovery program. She facilitates Resilient Minds peer-support meetings, leads social media, and coordinates the annual Collegiate Recovery Day.
A PMHNP student at UTK, she believes recovery is possible for everyone. A leukemia survivor herself she advocates for adolescent and young adult cancer patients broadening her holistic view of recovery.
She enjoys shopping and spending time with her husband, loved ones, and her dog, Mae Belle.
Ryan McDaniel
Ryan McDaniel is the Director of Training for KnoxWorx, a program of the Knoxville Leadership Foundation.
He is dedicated to helping people build sustainable lives and thrive in their communities through impactful training and support. Ryan is passionate about creating meaningful connections, empowering individuals to reach their goals, and strengthening opportunities for long-term success.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Media Advocacy Award
A local media professional that brought great awareness to and generated community conversation around substance misuse.
Kim Hansard
Best known as the 25-year Co-Host of the Marc & Kim Show on STAR 102.1 but has worn many hats during her 35-year Media career. Marketing, Promotions, Radio Sales, Television Creative Services, Television Lifestyle Host and Billboard Sales.
A lifetime Halls resident, married to her amazing husband, Ralph and mom to 20-year-old son, Eli. Kim is a 12-year breast cancer survivor.
Kim is passionate about raising awareness for adoption & fostering, breast cancer, and for substance misuse, awareness and available assistance. All this while wearing purple and loud jewelry!
Kylia Berry
Kylia Berry is an award-winning student journalist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for the Volunteer Channel.
In her senior year, inspired by her own brother’s and aunt’s story, she spent the entire semester on a presentation focused on opioid misuse in East Tennessee. “Voices of Recovery” told the stories of multiple people in active recovery, as well as the story of her very own aunt.
After graduating in December, she wants to continue to shed light on opioid misuse and bring light to the issue in communities.
Lexi Lepof
Lexi Lepof is a former anchor and reporter at WVLT News. She has a strong understanding of the media’s role in reducing stigma around substance use and addiction.
This is Lexi’s second year being nominated for a Community Champion Award for Media Advocacy from Metro Drug Coalition. She was also honored with the 2024 Media Suicide Prevention Award from the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
She now works as a reporter in Ohio and is still telling stories there that align with MDC’s mission.
Recovery Services Award
A treatment professional or organization that has expanded services and/or reduced stigma facing people with addictions.
Beatrice Biggs
Beatrice began her career in 2011 in California, supporting people with developmental disabilities as they reintegrated into the community. This work led her into mental health and reentry services, where she saw how rehabilitation and prevention strengthen community safety.
She has served in reentry roles at CAC–Knoxville/Knox County and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and now helps develop clinical teams at New Hope Healthcare Institute. With a Master of Social Work and a commitment to recovery, she remains active behind the scenes connecting people and supporting a stronger Knoxville.
Rachel Ketelle
Rachel Ketelle is an Oak Ridge native living in Knoxville. She earned a business degree from Austin Peay State University and is pursuing her MSW at the University of Kentucky.
She works as an Outreach Worker and Training and Education Coordinator for Oxford House of Tennessee, providing peer education on overdose reversal and MAR, while focusing on community outreach.
She enjoys volunteering, spending quality time with her son Gavin, exploring local trails, and paddle boarding in the region’s lakes and rivers during warm seasons, staying active and connected to her community.
Susie Silcox
Susie Silcox is a Care Coordinator for Specialty Programs with Cornerstone of Recovery and the Assistant Director of Emergency Consultation Services with Bradford Health. A LADAC II, CPRS, and Recovery Coach, Susie holds a Master of Science in Social Work with a certificate in Forensic Social Work from UT.
Outside of her professional roles, she remains deeply engaged in service by facilitating recovery groups, bringing 12-step meetings into treatment centers and jails, and supporting individuals she sponsors. Susie finds her greatest joy in spending time with her daughter, Berlyn.
Celebrate Recovery Award
A person who has gone through recovery and has put forth extreme effort in making a positive change through their journey.
Kelly Acuff
Kelly has been involved in leadership with Recovery at Powell Church since 2015 and has served as the Recovery Pastor since 2022.
She facilitates groups for those with chemical dependency and leads a 12 Step Study group twice a year. Kelly advocates for support systems like AA and NA meetings at the church, and the recovery Powell service on Thursday evening.
She created Common Ground, an event partnered with a local tattoo shop, to provide food, fellowship, and resources for the unhoused community in North Knoxville.
Kenneth Baer
Ken Baer has been in long-term recovery since 5/5/1997. He has built two successful businesses and regularly supports employees in their recovery journeys.
At his current company, he co-created an outreach program that provides meals, distributes Narcan, and connects Knoxville’s homeless community with key resources. He keeps Narcan on every floor of his building and a defibrillator on-site.
Ken is known for going above and beyond for his team and being a dependable, compassionate listener.
Josh Webb
Josh Webb is the director of Making a Difference in Knoxville. Making a Difference is a non-profit dedicating to serving the unhoused population in Knoxville. He is a dedicated advocate within the homeless and recovery community, celebrating nearly three years of sobriety. Driven by heart, purpose, and a passion for giving back, he uses his journey to uplift others and create meaningful change. He is simply himself—committed, genuine, and devoted to helping those who need it most.
Emerging Leader Award
A “rising star” in the area of substance misuse prevention who is a youth or teen trailblazer under 25.
Austin Statham
Austin Statham is a senior at UT and President of Theta Chi. He helped launch the chapter’s Metro Drug Coalition partnership, contributing to 1,000+ service hours, and supported efforts that earned the Keep Knoxville Beautiful Community Partner of the Year award. He expanded training with Priority Ambulance for CPR and Narcan skills.
A former EMT and firefighter, Austin now mentors a group of senior boys he’s led since their 6th-grade year. He’s visited 47 states and enjoys traveling and spending time with friends.
Evan Reifsnyder
Evan Reifsnyder, former paramedic, who served in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., is an ambitious student at the University of Tennessee.
He is the Founder and Chief of EMS Vols, a 150-member student-led EMS agency providing hands-on 911 experience. Evan 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.
While leading these initiatives, he is committed to Air Force ROTC and excels in a demanding pre-med coursework load, driven by dedication to service and community impact.
Heidi Huang
Heidi Huang is a senior at Farragut High School and an active leader in her community. As a TNSTRONG Ambassador, she advocates for youth health and wellness.
Heidi volunteers with the American Red Cross Preparedness Division, where she supports community outreach initiatives and safety education by installing and distributing fire detector information.
She has also served through NHS and local service projects, including organizing donation drives and promoting mental health awareness.
Outside of her passion for public health, Heidi enjoys trying new cuisines and collecting figurines.
Outstanding Healthcare Provider
A healthcare provider who has exhibited outstanding service in the field of substance misuse & treatment.
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 to visit and treat neighbors living without shelter. KSMO is committed to reducing negative stigma, promoting compassion, and meeting people where they are to restore trust and hope.
Julie Hamlin
Julie is a LCSW with over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist, trainer, and supervisor. She specializes in substance use disorders and mental health, providing therapy to adults in her private practice.
Julie has served as a field supervisor and adjunct professor and currently sits on the Field Advisory Board for the University of Tennessee College of Social Work.
A dedicated community leader, she serves on the boards of Susannah’s House and the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee and volunteers with her therapy dog, Denver, at local assisted living facilities.
Dr. Ryan Alexander
Dr. Alexander is an addiction medicine specialist and completed a fellowship in addiction medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He is currently the medical director for substance use treatment programming at McNabb Center and an assistant professor of medicine at UT College of Medicine, Knoxville.
He strives to improve access to evidence based treatments for substance use disorders and regularly educates other healthcare professionals and conducts clinical research. In addition, he treats patients with the goal to improve the entire community one person and one day at a time.
Mental Health Advocate
A person who has done exceptional work promoting mental health or providing mental health services in our community.
Andrea Houston-Givens
As the Mental Health Program Director at New Hope Healthcare Institute, Andrea is passionate about empowering individuals in mental health and substance misuse recovery. Her own journey fuels her desire to create vibrant, inclusive group spaces where authentic connection and growth are possible.
She strives to cultivate evidence-based approaches, such as ACT, DBT, and CBT, while promoting learning and celebrating each client’s strengths.
Her goal is to help clients discover hope, embrace their stories, and realize lasting change. Every client deserves to feel seen, believed in, and supported.
Susan Bradford
Susan is a MSSW 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. Susan strives to make a positive impact on the Knoxville community by providing support, hope, and second chances to those in need.
She and her husband live in a tiny cabin on a tiny ridge in Gainger County with their chickens.
T.K. Hindman
T.K. spent six days on life support after a near-fatal overdose, an experience that completely rebuilt his life.
Today he leads Renew Clinic as the Executive Director, shaping a Christ-centered, clinically excellent path of healing in Knoxville. With a master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling and a decade in the field, he’s known for pairing expertise with raw authenticity.
A faithful follower of Jesus, T.K. now uses the life he nearly lost to help others reclaim theirs. He’s a husband, a father of five, and living proof that redemption is possible.
Outstanding Prevention Educator
This award honors an educator from Knox County Schools who has gone above and beyond to foster healthy habits in their students.
Angie Palmore
Angie is a mission-driven professional with more than 20 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership.
As the Healthy Student Liaison for Knox County Schools, she leads district initiatives that promote student well-being, prevent youth substance use, and strengthen mental health supports. With expertise in project management, inclusive leadership, and community partnerships, Angie is dedicated to building equitable systems that empower youth to thrive.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on the Vols.
Ani Roma
Ani Roma is a visionary educator of 17 years, dedicated to building wellness skills in middle school students.
Her impact on a safer, healthier Knoxville is widespread: she served on the Knox County Board of Health, co-authored Tennessee’s Health Education Standards, and produced community athletic events for over a decade.
An active volunteer, she mentors for Little Bellas, fosters dogs for the Humane Society, and works with AMBC to maintain local trails and support women in cycling.
Ani Roma is a true champion who inspires others to lead with purpose.
Makayla Dudley
Makayla Dudley is health and physical educator for Knox County Schools at Carter Middle School. She has been teaching for ten years and strives each day to instill lifelong healthy habits into the students she teaches. One of the many habits that she instills in them is the need to avoid substances. She has been honored to work with the Metro Drug Coalition to help with the overall prevention of substance use and abuse.