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"Tackle Overdose Now"

COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMIT

JUNE 25-26

KNOXVILLE, TN

We united with Knoxville for the “Tackle Overdose Now” Community Impact Summit events on June 25-26, in Knoxville, TN. These events brought together leaders, advocates, organizations, and community members committed to saving lives and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re working to reduce stigma and increase low-barrier access to “FREE” life-saving overdose reversal medications, while also dramatically heightening public awareness of its benefits.

Two Days, One United Purpose

Building on the success of our Tennessee “Tackle Overdose Now” campaign in Davidson and Fentress Counties, we are excited to partner with Metro Drug Coalition to expand our overdose prevention campaign and public education model to Knoxville – an area facing some of the highest rates of drug use in the nation. As a result of our initiatives, more individuals and families will gain access to life-saving overdose reversal medications, along with greater awareness of the difference these resources can make.

We can’t do this alone. The most powerful efforts are built on the strength of community. On June 25th we  kicked-off our Community Impact Summit initiative with a fundraising dinner at Hunter Valley Farm and raised needed funds to ensure our life-saving work continues to reach communities in need. Guests gathered with friends, met NFL Alumni, enjoyed delicious food, and lively music – all in a beautiful setting for a good cause.

The next morning, on June 26th, Reach Impact Institute and Fund Recovery, in partnership with metro Drug Coalition, hosted a powerful half-day summit focused on practical solutions, collaboration, and community action surrounding addiction, overdose prevention, recovery support, and treatment access. The sold-out Summit was FREE to attend and included participants from across the Knoxville community

THANKS TO THOSE WHO JOINED US!

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 6:00PM | Fundraising Dinner


The Pavillion at Hunter Valley Farm, 9133 Hunter Valley Lane, Knoxville, TN 37922
  Dinner Sponsor = $2,000 Donor recognition at event; and logo on event materials and RII website
 

                 Tables = $1500 (for 10 people)  Donor recognition at event; and logo on event materials and RII website

 

                 Vendor Fair Booths = $500 SOLD OUT
 
                 Individual Tickets = $150 
 

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 9:00AM – 12:30PM | Summit


Metro Drug Coalition, 530 W Fifth Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917

Free to Attend, Registration Required
 
Summit Moderator:
Dr. Stephen Loyd, Chair, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, and Chief Medical Officer, Cedar Recovery.
 

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:30PM | Naloxone Vending Machine Ribbon Cutting


Outside the Metro Drug Coalition entrance

Free to Attend
JOIN THE FUNDRAISING DINNER
REGISTER HERE FOR THE SUMMIT
SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS
KNOXVILLE SUMMIT OVERVIEW
SUMMIT AGENDA

SPEAKERS & PANELISTS

Webster Bailey, LADAC II, NCAC II, CPRS, RC

Executive Director, Metro Drug Coalition Knoxville

READ BIO

Tricia Christensen, MPP

Founder and Principal of T3A Consulting, LLC

READ BIO

Jan Dawson

Director, Substance Use Prevention, Control and Education, Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI)

READ BIO

Ben Harrington, MA Ed

CEO, Mental Health Association of East Tennessee

READ BIO

Stephen Loyd, MD

Summit Moderator

Chair, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council; Medical Director, Cedar Recovery; Drug Czar West Virginia

READ BIO

Sarah Matlock

Co-Founder & Director of Homeless Services, Relaunch

READ BIO

Troy Sandifer

CEO, H.U.S.T.L.E. Recovery

READ BIO

Stephen M. Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAPA, DFASAM

President, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); Chief Medical Officer, Pathway Healthcare

READ BIO

Will Taylor, CPRS, LADAC I, NCPRSS

Co-founder/Executive Director, Recovery Is The New High

READ BIO

Jennifer Tourville, DNP

Executive Director, Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee (SMART) Initiative, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, Knoxville

READ BIO

Julia van Zyl, MD, MBA, MS, LSSBB 

Vice President Clinical Design; Executive Director, Behavioral Health Network; Medical Director, Patient Care Pathways; ; Associate Clinical Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Hospitalist, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

READ BIO

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & VENDORS !

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNERS!

Secure Your Spot!

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING DINNER
REGISTER HERE FOR THE SUMMIT

KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS

KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMIT

JUNE 26, 2026
AGENDA

8:30AM-9:00AM             Breakfast and Event Check-in

9:00AM-9:03AM             Welcome Remarks 

9:03AM-9:10AM             Summit Kick-off & Moderator: Stephen Loyd, MD – Chair, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council; Medical Director, Cedar Recovery; Drug Czar West Virginia

9:10AM-9:55AM             PANEL SESSION I:

Bridges to Hope, Health & Healing: Systems that Support the Continuum of Care for Individuals with SUD

Stephen Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAPA, DFASAM – President, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); Chief Medical Officer, Pathway Healthcare

10:00AM-10:40 AM        PANEL SESSION II:

From Rescue to Recovery: Purposeful Opioid Fund Investments for Stronger Outcomes

PANELISTS

Tricia Christensen, MPP – Founder and Principal of T3A Consulting, LLC

Jan Dawson – Director, Substance Use Prevention, Control and Education, Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI)

Jennifer Tourville, DNP – Executive Director, Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee (SMART) Initiative, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, Knoxville

10:45AM-11:05AM         Mid-Program Keynote

11:05AM-11:55PM         PANEL SESSION III:

Unsung Heroes in the Trenches: Building Recovery Eco-Systems Centered on Culture, Community, and Connection

Webster Bailey, LADAC II, NCAC II, CPRS, RC – Executive Director, Metro Drug Coalition Knoxville

Sarah Matlock – Director of Homeless Services and Co-Founder, Relaunch

Troy Sandifer – CEO, H.U.S.T.L.E. Recovery

Will Taylor – Co-founder/Executive Director, Recovery Is The New High

11:55AM-12:00PM         Final Q&A

12:00PM-12:05PM     Closing Remarks

Webster Bailey, LADAC II, NCAC II, CPRS, RC

Executive Director, Metro Drug Coalition

Profile

Webster Bailey serves as the Executive Director for Metro Drug Coalition. After a 15-year career working in a residential addiction treatment center setting, Webster joined MDC full-time in April 2023. Webster’s career in the treatment field was primarily focused on business development, marketing, and admissions. As a person in long-term recovery, he has dedicated his career to helping others recover from the disease of addiction.

Webster has had a long-standing involvement with MDC, dating back to 2006. He was a member of MDC’s Community Coalition from 2006 -2012. Then, he served as a board member for 8 years, from 2012-2020, and during that time, from 2015-2017, he served as Board President.

Webster’s work and volunteerism across the recovery and addiction treatment communities have resulted in several awards over the years:

In 2023, Webster received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (ETAADAC). In 2016, he was named Professional of the Year by ETAADAC. In 2015, Webster received the Prevention Champion Award from the Blount County Community Health Initiative. In 2014, he received the Recovery Services Award from the Metropolitan Drug Commission. And, in 2013, Webster received the Community Service Award from the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association.

Webster also helps his wife, Robinella, by managing and promoting her music and art career. He also serves on the boards of directors for Clover Fork Coal Company and Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

In 2017, Webster launched a new clothing and apparel line for recovering people called Higher Powered Lifestyle Apparel Co.

Tricia Christensen, MPP

Founder and Principal of T3A Consulting, LLC

Profile

Tricia Christensen, MPP is an independent consultant specializing in harm reduction and drug policy. Her work bridges the gap between policy and practice, and she has over a decade of experience facilitating collaboration among government and community partners and standing up programs for low-barrier access to life-saving supplies and broader support systems. As a national opioid settlement expert, she advocates directing funds toward evidence-based, locally led interventions to save lives and heal communities from decades of regressive policies. Tricia is an alumna of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, earning her MPP in 2017.

Jan Dawson

Director, Substance Use Prevention, Control and Education, Mississippi Public Health Institute

Profile

Jan Dawson (Ed. S. Northwestern State University) is Director of Substance Use Prevention, Control and Education at Mississippi Public Health Institute. She manages a portfolio of opioid epidemic response grants in Mississippi, as well as other substance use programs, including workforce development, state leadership teams for substance use policy guidance, and coordinates with state agencies to support substance use programs. Her current portfolio includes grants from MSDH, MSDMH, CDC, SAMHSA, HRSA, and COSSAP.

Ben Harrington, MA Ed

CEO, Mental Heath Association of East Tennessee

Profile

Ben Harrington, MA Ed, has worked in non-profit health for more than 30 years, including 30 years as the CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, which he has worked at since 1994. After 4 years in the chronic physical health arena, Ben moved to the Mental Health Association of Greater Knoxville which would later become the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee. The agency name was changed to serve persons from the Georgia to Virginia borders and all communities in between. Switching jobs helped him realize how personally connected he is to mental health issues which affect so many. His passion to intervene earlier and in more impactful ways led to the creation of three of our signature programs – the Mental Health 101 program in Fall of 2000 and the Peer Recovery Call Center in 2013 and the Treatment Access Bank in 2022. Ben is married to Norma Harrington. They have two sons Donovan and Jackson and two “fur babies” Baxter Bugtussell (a Jack Russell) and Lady Violet (a Goldendoodle). He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Heidelberg University and a Master of Arts Degree in Education Counseling & Guidance from Bowling Green State University.

Stephen Loyd, MD

Chair, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council; Medical Director, Cedar Recovery; Drug Czar West Virginia

Profile

Dr. Stephen Loyd is an Internal Medicine/Addiction Medicine physician who graduated medical school and residency from the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Loyd was the Assistant Commissioner (Opioid Czar) for Substance Abuse Services in the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Governor Bill Haslam’s administration. He has served as an expert witness in more than twenty federal and state cases against physicians who were improperly prescribing controlled substances. Dr. Loyd was named an Advocate for Action by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), an office of the President of the United States. He has delivered over five hundred educational lectures on addiction and treatment of opioid use disorder and proper prescribing of controlled substances.

Dr. Loyd was an original member (still active) of the Treatment of Chronic Pain Guidelines Committee which defined pain treatment for providers in the state of Tennessee. He has worked as an Addiction Medicine Physician in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, specializing in the treatment of opioid dependent pregnant women. Dr. Loyd has served on multiple drug courts in Tennessee and remains an active participant in drug court in the 4th Judicial District. He has worked with multiple community level anti-drug coalitions from Johnson County to Shelby County and has worked with all levels of state law enforcement, mainly the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Dr. Loyd was the inspiration behind Michael Keaton’s character in Hulu’s Emmy Award winning series Dopesick. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Cedar Recovery in Tennessee and is the current Chair of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council appointed by current Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Dr. Loyd has been in recovery from opioid and benzodiazepine addiction since July 8, 2004.

Sarah Matlock

Co-Founder and Director of Homeless Services, ReLaunch

Profile

As a co-founder of ReLAUNCH, Sarah brings fierce determination and a “no isn’t good enough” mindset to her role as Director of Homeless Services. Driven by both professional expertise and lived experience, she skillfully navigates the complex barriers individuals face when seeking help.

With multiple degrees and entrepreneurial experience, Sarah is a powerful advocate for those ReLAUNCH serves—relentlessly working to ensure every person has access to the support, dignity, and opportunities they deserve.

Troy Sandifer

Founder & CEO, H.U.S.T.L.E. Recovery

Profile

Troy Sandifer is the Founder and CEO of HUSTLE Recovery, Inc., a nonprofit addressing addiction and housing instability through innovative recovery support services. Motivated by personal loss and his own long-term recovery journey, Troy launched a navigation model that has connected over 6,200 individuals to treatment and housing. Under his leadership, HUSTLE now operates twelve gender-specific recovery residences, an outpatient treatment center, a vocational rehabilitation aftercare program, and Tennessee’s first Respite Housing model – credited with a 92% success rate and now expanding statewide.

Troy is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, board member on multiple recovery centered organizations, and recipient of SAMHSA and opioid abatement funding for recovery innovation.

Stephen M. Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAPA, DFASAM

President, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); Chief Medical Officer, Pathway Healhcare

Profile

Dr. Stephen Taylor is board-certified in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine. In more than 30 years of practice experience, and as an educator, presenter and advocate, Dr. Taylor’s life’s work has been to help adolescents and adults avoid or overcome addiction disorders and co-occurring general psychiatric disorders. Having served 16 years as the Medical Director of the Player Assistance and Anti-Drug Program of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), and while currently serving as a consultant to Major League Baseball, Dr. Taylor currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Pathway Healthcare Services, a company that has opened and is operating more than 30 outpatient addiction and mental health treatment offices, servicing over 30,000 patients across six states.

Dr. Taylor is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He currently serves as the President of ASAM and Chair of the ASAM Board of Directors. He also serves as Chair of ASAM’s Delegation to the AMA House of Delegates. Dr. Taylor’s past service to ASAM has included serving as President of the Alabama Society of Addiction Medicine (ALSAM), the Alabama state chapter of ASAM; representing ASAM’s Region X on the ASAM Board of Directors; chairing ASAM’s Public Policy Coordinating Council, as President-Elect of ASAM; and co-chairing the ASAM Writing Subcommittee on Advancing Racial Justice in Addiction Medicine, which drafted ASAM’s Three-Part Public Policy Statement Series on Advancing Racial Justice in Addiction Medicine and Beyond. Dr. Taylor also represents ASAM in the Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Group of the National Academy of Medicine’s Opioid Action Collaborative, and has on several occasions represented ASAM at the Annual Congress of the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM).

Dr. Taylor is a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Medical Review Officer Certification Council (MROCC). He has also served on the Drug Testing Advisory Board (DTAB) of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and on the Board of Directors of the Addiction Prevention Coalition, a non-profit community organization focused on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of addiction disorders in Birmingham, AL. Currently, Dr. Taylor continues to serve on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Foundation for Opioid Recovery Efforts, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research and prevention interventions to address the opioid and addiction crisis.

An honors graduate of Harvard College, with a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard T.S. Chan School of Public Health and a medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Taylor completed “Triple Board” residency training in pediatrics, psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, and then completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center.

Will Taylor, CPRS, LADAC I, NCPRSS

Co-Founder & Executive Director, Recovery Is The New High

Profile

Will Taylor is a behavioral health leader, recovery advocate, trainer, and speaker with more than a decade of experience advancing recovery-oriented systems of care, prevention initiatives, and community-based behavioral health services. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Recovery Is The New High (RITNH), he has led the development of innovative programs, statewide training initiatives, and strategic partnerships that strengthen recovery ecosystems and expand access to recovery support services across Tennessee.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, Will combines professional expertise with lived experience to help organizations, communities, and leaders implement sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for individuals and families impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. His background includes clinical counseling, recovery support services, workforce development, recovery housing, reentry, overdose prevention, and faith-based community engagement.

Recognized as a trusted collaborator and systems builder, Will has played a key role in translating policy into practice, helping communities navigate legislative changes, establish recovery-ready environments, and strengthen cross-sector partnerships. His work has supported the expansion of recovery housing standards, peer support services, prevention programming, and community engagement efforts throughout the state.

A dynamic and engaging presenter, Will is known for delivering practical, evidence-informed trainings that resonate with diverse audiences, including healthcare professionals, faith leaders, public health agencies, recovery organizations, local coalitions, and community stakeholders. Through his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to service, he continues to advance innovative solutions that promote recovery, resilience, and long-term community well-being.

Jennifer Tourville, DNP

Executive Director, Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee (SMART) Initiative, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, Knoxville

Profile

Jennifer Tourville was born and raised in rural East Tennessee, where she continues to live and serve her community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from East Tennessee State University, as well as her Master of Science in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Vanderbilt University. She also holds a post-graduate certificate in health policy and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 

In her previous role at the University of Tennessee, Jennifer served as faculty in the College of Nursing, where she taught newborn and pediatric care, research methods and mentored students conducting research on neonatal abstinence syndrome. 

In her current role, Jennifer directs the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service SMART Initiative, leading a multidisciplinary team of public health experts who provide technical assistance to local governments on the strategic management and investment of opioid settlement funds. She also contributes to multiple grant-funded initiatives and serves on several boards and task forces focused on improving health outcomes across Tennessee.

 
 

Julia van Zyl, MD, MBA, MS, LSSBB

Vice President Clinical Design; Executive Director, Behavioral Health Network; Medical Director, Patient Care Pathways; Associate Clinical Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Hospitalist, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

Profile

Dr. van Zyl is an Internal/Hospital Medicine physician and the Vice President of Clinical Design and Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville, Tennessee. She serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Hospital Medicine and Psychiatric Clerkship Site Director for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and most recently has assisted in developing the substance use disorder and psychiatry programming for both UTMC and UTHSC. Since 2013, she has facilitated the clinical process design and implementation of over 1000 Patient Care Pathways and standardized order sets. Her vision is to design a healthcare system that empowers the entire healthcare team to provide patient and family centered care throughout the continuum of care.

Most recently, UT Medical’s focus on the behavioral health care continuum has created opportunities to design care for an underserved psychiatric and substance use population in both the hospital and ambulatory settings. The BRIDGE to Recovery Program designed in conjunction with our community partners the McNabb Center, Metro Drug Coalition and The Salvation Army, ensure that treatment for substance use disorders starts the same day that the patient presents to the hospital and supports the patient through their entire recovery journey. Utilizing feedback from our peer navigator and recovery coach collaborative, we focused on removing barriers to care, reducing treatment obstacles, eliminating social determinants of health gaps and creating logical solutions to problems facing people navigating early recovery.

Dr. van Zyl is passionate about providing practical, right-time care for people who use
drugs and is excited about developing an efficient and effective network of support for the substance use population.