A CME Symposium About Opioid Use, Addiction, & Recovery
Addiction and Maternal Health:
Opioid Use in Vulnerable Populations
June 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
May 5, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Katherine Vignes is a board certified maternal-fetal medicine physician, dedicated to supporting women facing high-risk pregnancies. She additionally serves as the chair of women’s services of Ochsner Lafayette general and is a member of the hospital medical executive board.
From managing more common conditions like hypertension or diabetes to addressing complex cases requiring multidisciplinary care, Dr. Vignes is dedicated to improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
The most rewarding part of her work is connecting with women whether they are on a joyful or difficult path and being there as a comfort and guide. She is especially passionate about supporting families affected by cervical insufficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome, maternal mental health, and fetal structural and genetic disease. She serves her community by serving as a board member of Maddie’s Footprints.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Vignes treasures time with her three children, Margaret, Andy and Jack, and enjoys time with family and friends, needlepointing, horseback riding, and her dog, Ducky.
April 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dr. Maria Muzik, MD, MSc is a Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Michigan. She holds a medical degree from University of Vienna, Austria, and completed residency in psychiatry both at University Hospital in Vienna and Michigan. She also holds a master’s degree from the UM School of Public Health. She is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine.
Dr. Muzik is the Medical Director of Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry at Michigan Medicine University of Michigan (USA), and of MC3 Perinatal, Michigan’s perinatal psychiatry access program for primary care. At Michigan Medicine Psychiatry, Dr. Muzik co-directs Zero To Thrive, a program to support families who are challenged by adversity to help them thrive across pregnancy to postpartum. She is also the perinatal psychiatrist for the Partnering for Future clinic to support perinatal persons with substance use and opioid use disorders. She co-developed the Strong Roots™ programs, a menu of resiliency-oriented interventions. Her research work focuses on the impact of adversity and mental illness in the context of childbearing on caregiving and the developing parent-child relationship, and how to support families in overcoming psychological and environmental adversity. She is well published, and her work is funded by federal, state and foundational awards.
March 18, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is a nationally recognized obstetrician-gynecologist, women’s health expert, and public health leader whose work focuses on improving health outcomes for women across the lifespan by transforming clinical care, health systems, and policy. With deep experience at the intersection of patient care, quality improvement, and health equity, her mission is to eliminate disparities and make women’s healthcare safer, more effective, and more responsive to the communities it serves.
She serves as System Medical Director of Health Outcomes and Medical Director of Quality for Women’s Services across Ochsner Health, where she leads system-wide strategies to improve clinical quality, safety, and outcomes in women’s healthcare. She also directs the Minimally Invasive Center for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids and is a Professor at Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. Clinically, Dr. Gillispie-Bell is known nationally for her expertise in managing heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids and performing advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries.
In addition to her clinical leadership, Dr. Gillispie-Bell is a nationally respected authority in public health and quality improvement. As Medical Director of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative and Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review for the Louisiana Department of Health, she has led statewide initiatives across more than 40 hospitals that have improved care processes, strengthened systems of accountability, and reduced severe maternal morbidity. Her work has helped shape both state and national approaches to improving women’s health outcomes through data-driven, equity-centered solutions.
Her expertise has informed federal and state policy, and she has testified before Congress, and was an invited speaker at the inaugural White House Maternal Health Day of Action. She has also advised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Communications Commission.
Dr. Gillispie-Bell serves on several national committees, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines – Obstetrics, where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Committee, and the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives Executive Committee. Her leadership has been recognized with honors including the American Heart Association Women in STEM Award, Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health, and Top Women Leaders of Louisiana. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine and the Board of Trustees at St. George’s Episcopal School.
A trusted national voice on women’s health, healthcare quality, and health equity, Dr. Gillispie-Bell has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, and CNBC; appeared in The 1619 Project docuseries; written opinion pieces for The New York Times and USA Today and been quoted in many other national media.
This CME event is brought to you by
Foundation for Wellness in partnership with:
May 20, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sarah Bagley is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and is board certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. She is the founder of the CATALYST at Boston Medical Center, a clinical program providing integrated substance use care and primary care for youth where she sees patients. Her passion is to ensure that all youth who use substances have access to high quality, equitable care to promote their health. Her research focus is on the engagement of young adults who use drugs and their families in care to minimize risk for overdose and the complications of drug use. She has funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and PCORI to conduct research about engagement in treatment and overdose prevention of young adults after nonfatal opioid overdose and reducing stimulant related overdose.
June 11, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Justin Phillips, MA and White House Champion of Change for Advocacy, Prevention and Treatment is the Founder and Executive Director of Overdose Lifeline, Inc. (ODL) Based in Indiana, ODL is a non-profit dedicated to reducing the stigma of substance use disorder and preventing deaths resulting from opioid overdose. Operating statewide, ODL addresses the opioid public health crisis through subject matter expertise, education, advocacy, and support for affected families.
In 2013 Justin lost her middle child Aaron Sims to a preventable drug overdose death and since then has dedicated her life to creating awareness that can save other lives through the work of ODL. In 2015 she tirelessly worked to pass Aaron’s Law, named after her son, that allows for over-the-counter access to the overdose reversal drug naloxone (Narcan). Prior to ODL, Justin spent most of her career in public health and the prevention of unintentional injury and death to children and is still active in providing counseling services. Justin holds a Master’s in Clinical Addition Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree in philanthropic studies and nonprofit management from Indiana University.
Justin is a featured speaker on the national, regional and local circuit sharing about the national opioid health crisis. Justin has received the Fairbanks Circle of Hope Award, the Drug Free Marion County Parent Advocate of the Year Award, and the Indiana Jefferson Award. The Indiana State Health Commissioner awarded Justin the Excellence in Public Health Award and in 2017 Justin testified before President’s Trump’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction. In 2021 Justin spoke on two separate occasions to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In 2024 Justin was named USA Today’s Indiana Woman of the Year, Forbes 50 over 50, Indiana Torchbearer, and Governor Holcomb awarded Justin the Sagamore of the Wabash which is the highest honor from the state.
Topic Details:
July 9, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Sean Anderson is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist based in Metairie, Louisiana. He is the founder of Sean Anderson Therapy, LLC, where he provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy to clients ages 9 and up. His areas of expertise include trauma, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, grief, emotional regulation, and more.
Sean previously worked at River Oaks Psychiatric Hospital for five years, specializing in mental health and dual diagnosis treatment, including three years in the eating disorder program. He holds a Master’s of Social Work from Tulane University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of New Orleans. He is trained in CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.
Topic Details:
August 7, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Professor Christian Specks is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) with over 19 years of experience in the field. She holds advanced degrees, including a Master of Philosophy in Education, a Master of Theology, a Master of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate, focusing on P-20 special education with an emphasis on neurodivergent students transitioning to post-secondary education.
Professor Specks brings a wealth of experience in serving marginalized populations and individuals with disabilities across various settings, including child welfare, juvenile justice, hospice care, education, and clinical practice. At ULM, she has held numerous roles, including SOCW Professional-Level Admissions Coordinator, Chair of the SOCW Advisory Board, and advisor to multiple registered student organizations. She is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Louisiana Association of Clinical Social Workers (LACSW).
An accomplished educator and scholar, Professor Specks has made contributions to the field through peer-reviewed publications, book chapter reviews, and numerous presentations and workshops. Notable work includes editing and publishing in Research Issues in Contemporary Education on HBCUs and lifelong transition supports. She also offers statewide training as an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) educator.
Beyond academia, Professor Specks is the founder of Grace Restored Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC, a faith-based practice supporting individuals, families, and communities with disabilities. Her unique blend of clinical, educational, and spiritual expertise allows her to guide clients through complex circumstances and implement inclusive interventions, therapy, supervision, and consultation. She continues to advance equity and support in both educational and community settings.
Topic Details:
August 19, 2025 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sarah Bagley is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and is board certified in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. She is the founder of the CATALYST at Boston Medical Center, a clinical program providing integrated substance use care and primary care for youth where she sees patients. Her research focus is on the engagement of young adults who use drugs and their families in care to minimize risk for overdose and the complications of drug use. She has funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and PCORI to conduct research about engagement in treatment and overdose prevention of young adults after nonfatal opioid overdose and reducing stimulant related overdose.
Dr. Craig A. Comanche, a native of Monroe, Louisiana, is a respected leader in both behavioral health and faith-based communities. At 56, he serves as Founder and CEO of Good News Counseling, with locations in Monroe and Bastrop, providing mental health and substance use treatment. He also leads Good News Ministry, a church with campuses in both cities, focused on holistic healing—spirit, soul, and body. Dr. Comanche holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Grambling State University and earned multiple biblical studies degrees, including a doctorate in biblical psychology, from Hope Bible Institute. His work bridges psychological insight with biblical truth. He is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, Peer Support Specialist Supervisor, and Licensed Master Life Coach. He also owns Rhema Leadership Institute, equipping leaders with tools for growth and excellence. Currently, he’s pursuing a master’s in criminal justice and preparing for the Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) credential. A proud father of three, Dr. Comanche continues to inspire others through his leadership, mentorship, and passion for wholeness and purpose.
Riley McEacharn is the Administrator of Second Chances Recovery Center in Rayville, Louisiana. She holds a degree in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University and is currently pursuing her Executive MBA. Riley has worked in addiction recovery since the age of 16 and helped open Second Chances in 2020, where she now leads detox, residential, and outpatient services. With a deep personal connection to recovery and a focus on trauma-informed care, Riley is passionate about expanding access to high-quality behavioral health treatment across rural Louisiana.
A healthcare educational event for physicians, family practice, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Foundation for Wellness is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
In accordance with Foundation for Wellness policy, all CME committee members, planning committee members and faculty members have signed a conflict of interest statement in which they have disclosed any significant financial interests or other relationships with industry relative to topics they will discuss at this program. At the beginning of the program, faculty members are expected to disclose any such information to participants. Such disclosure allows you to evaluate the objectivity of the information presented in lectures.
For the Community Opioid Symposium webinars, none of the planners for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients
Foundation for Wellness fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant of the program given by Foundation for Wellness is in need of accommodations or has any dietary requests, please submit a request in writing.
