IN CAREs ECHO

Amnah Anwar, MPH, MBBS

Senior Director & Epidemiologist | Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA)

Her work at IRHA involves senior staff management, program management, grant evaluations, and grant writing. She is currently working as the program director for the Indiana Rural Opioid Consortium, which is a grant-funded program under the Health Resources and Services Administration for combating the epidemic of substance use overdose deaths and morbidity in rural Indiana.

She is also the lead evaluator for three different federally funded programs. She serves on the board of the Indiana Immunization Coalition. She has a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from King ward Medical University, Pakistan and master's in public health with a concentration in epidemiology from Indiana University. Her research interests include health disparities, mental health and addiction, and vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Carrie Bennett, BPH

Drug Overdose Prevention Program Director | Indiana Department of Health: Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention

Carrie Bennett is a dedicated public health professional with involvement in substance use prevention work since 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in public health from Indiana University of Indianapolis. She has served in many capacities in the Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention since 2018 and became the Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) Program Director in 2021. Carrie is passionate about individuals’ health and wellbeing and working to ensure that all Hoosiers have access to substance use prevention and care.

In her capacity as the DOP Program Director for the State of Indiana, Carrie oversees grant implementation and administration, assists with naloxone distribution efforts, and serves as a subject matter expert in substance use prevention. The DOP team uses timely, comprehensive data to inform targeted prevention activities including identifying underserved populations and overdose trends to promote evidence-based programming, highlight available resources, and share opportunities for collaboration across state and county lines. 

Alex Buchanan, MA

IN CAREs ECHO Project Manager

Alex Buchanan is the project manager at the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center (IU IPE). At the IU IPE Center, Alex oversees various curricular and co-curricular projects that pertain to interprofessional education and collaboration. He also manages the Indiana Communities Advancing Recovery Efforts (IN CAREs) ECHO at the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health through the Indiana University Indianapolis ECHO Center.

Alex has a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Indiana University. He earned his master’s degree in executive development at Ball State University. Alex previously worked at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business as the associate director of student engagement where he supervised the academic advising staff and assisted in course and curriculum development. Prior to that, he was the assistant director of student life at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, IN. 

Erika L. Chapman, MPH, CPH, CHES, CHW, RYT-200

Prevention Field Operations Manager | Indiana Department of Health: Division of HIV, STI Viral Hepatitis

Ms. Chapman has been with IDOH since 2006 and previously served in the roles of HIV Prevention Specialist, Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, and Surveillance Coordinator.

Ms. Chapman received her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Health Science from Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSOM) Department of Public Health and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with minors in Theatre and Art, from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Ms. Chapman has earned the Certified in Public Health (CPH), Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Community Health Worker (CHW) credentials. In 2008, Ms. Chapman was awarded the Outstanding Student Abstract Award by the Community Health and Planning and Policy Development Section of the American Public Health Association. In 2012, Ms. Chapman was inducted as an IUSOM Alumni Member of Delta Omega, the national honor society for public health. In June of 2017, Ms. Chapman and her colleagues were awarded the CDC’s Charles S. Shepard Science Award for Prevention and Control for their article entitled, “HIV Infection Linked to Injection Drug Use of Oxymorphone in Indiana 2014-2015” published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Again, in June 2018, Ms. Chapman and her colleagues were awarded the Charles M. Shepard Science Award for Data Methods and Study Design for their article entitled, “Detailed Transmission of Network Analysis of a Large Opiate-Driven Outbreak of HIV Infection in the United States” published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Most recently, Ms. Chapman completed her certificate in Clinical Medical Assisting, allowing her to expand her scope of practice.  In her tenure with IDOH Ms. Chapman has had the opportunity to serve in various capacities on outbreak response teams, including COVID-19 pandemic response.

Ms. Chapman lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband Shane and their two cats. Ms. Chapman enjoys travelling, knitting, yoga, and sipping tea whenever possible.

Sydney Garcia

Community Outreach Coordinator | Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) at Indiana Department of Health

Sydney is dedicated to fostering community engagement and spreading awareness about the importance of destigmatizing substance use disorder.

Sydney recently graduated from Indiana University Indianapolis with a degree in Public Health. During her studies, she gained experience volunteering with Madison Weintraut at the Marion County Health Department, where she contributed to the Safe Syringe Access and Support program. She also completed her Capstone project under Madison's mentorship.

With a passion for helping communities and a commitment to public health, Sydney is eager to make a positive impact in her new role, working to prevent drug overdoses and support those affected.

Kelly Hans, CPRC-FS-MH, CSPR-PR, MATS, RYT-200

Founder/Executive Director | Holding Space Recovery Project

Kelly Hans is the Founder/Executive Director for Holding Space Recovery Project in Scott County. Holding Space Recovery Project is a Certified Recovery Community Organization. We currently operate a Community Outreach team in Scott County and also operate an IRACS team that works inside the jail in Scott County.  Prior to her work with Holding Space Recovery Project, Kelly was a co-founder and the Forensic Program Manager for THRIVE, and before that, worked as the HIV Prevention Outreach Coordinator for the Scott County Health Department, operating the Syringe Service Program.

Kelly is a person in long-term recovery. Since being in recovery, Kelly has completed her Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach training through ICAADA and is a Certified Peer Recovery Coach.   She also has her Mental Health, Forensics Support Endorsement, along with her MATS certification.  Kelly is also a Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery.  Recently, Kelly became a Registered Yoga Teacher.

Kelly was named Peer Recovery Coach of the Year in 2018 by Mental Health America. Kelly received the Red Ribbon Award through Our Place in April of 2019.  In October 2019, Kelly received the Community Heart Award from LifeSpring Health Systems.   In March 2020, Kelly received the Community Partner of the Year award from NASW. 

Mariah Kirksey, MPH

Drug Overdose Prevention (DOP) Program Coordinator | Indiana Department of Health: Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention

Mariah has been with the Indiana Department of Health since April 2022 but brings years of experience in substance abuse treatment and recovery to the table. Mariah manages the Overdose Data to Action grant given to the state by the CDC. Under this grant, a variety of substance use prevention initiatives have been implemented across the state of Indiana. Mariah has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Indiana University Bloomington with minors in Spanish and Human Development and Family Studies. She also earned a master's in public health from IU Indianapolis with a Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration.

Deputy Chief Paul Miller

Deputy Chief | Crawfordsville Fire Department

Deputy Chief Paul Miller began his fire service career in 1996 with a paid-on-call department near Flint, Michigan, and joined the Crawfordsville Fire Department in 1999. He became a licensed paramedic in 2003 and has since served in a variety of leadership roles, including multiple terms as Union President of IAFF Local 4143. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008 and served as Division Chief of EMS and Training from 2014 to 2024.

Chief Miller holds an associate degree in Fire Science Technology from Mott Community College and maintains both state license and national registry paramedic certification. He has earned numerous state and national fire service certifications and was previously licensed as an educator in the State of Indiana.

A nationally recognized leader in public safety and healthcare innovation, Chief Miller has received multiple national awards and formal recognition from state and federal officials for his work in healthcare reform and emergency medical services. He has testified at the Indiana Statehouse on healthcare policy and served as a trusted advisor on public health strategy.

Under his leadership, the Crawfordsville Fire Department became the first in the Midwest to deliver both Suboxone and whole blood through 911 response. He also played a central role in developing Mobile Integrated Health and Community Risk Reduction programs and establishing Fire and EMS career pathways in secondary education. A frequent national speaker, Chief Miller remains deeply committed to advancing community-based healthcare through public safety partnerships.

Molly A. Nichols, PharmD, MS, MATS

Owner | Molly Nichols Consulting, LLC

Molly Nichols is a pharmacist and health services researcher who specializes in substance use disorder education and research. She is the owner of Molly Nichols Consulting, LLC, where she develops community initiatives and training programs on evidence-based, person-centered care for people who use drugs, and the co-owner and President of Blue Opal Games, LLC, an educational game company that designs substance use-focused board games as teaching and learning tools for healthcare professionals. Molly is a passionate educator and has delivered over 500 hours of pharmacy practice- and substance use-related education through her adjunct faculty appointments at Purdue University and Butler University.

Molly holds Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University. She additionally completed a one-year post-graduate residency with Walgreens and a two-year post-graduate research fellowship with Purdue University. Molly is also certified as a Medication-Assisted Treatment Specialist through the Indiana Counselor’s Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA).

Mark E. Spitzer

Judge | Grant Circuit Court

Mark E. Spitzer serves as the Judge of Grant Circuit Court, Grant County, Indiana.  Circuit Court is a general jurisdiction court that includes supervision of the Grant County Drug Court and Grant County Veterans’ Treatment Court. Mark is a frequent lecturer on issues relating to Drug Courts and the utilization of evidence-based practices in the criminal justice system. In connection with his service as a judge, Mark has held several positions that relate to the advancement and improvement of the justice system.

Mark currently chairs Indiana’s Pretrial Committee. Mark also serves as the President of the Indiana Judges’ Association.  Mark is a member of the National Center for State Courts’ Evidence-Based Sentencing Peer Group and the Pew Charitable Trusts/Arnold Foundation Advisory Council on Community Corrections.  Mark is also a member and officer of the Indiana Judges Association Board of Managers. 

In 1990, Mark received his Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Indiana University McKinney School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1987. Mark and his wife, Hope, have four sons, all of whom have attended or graduated from the University of Notre Dame. As such, the family typically has standing plans on Saturdays in the Fall.

Chief Tom Synan

Chief of Police, Co-Chair Interdiction Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition

Tom Synan is a United States Marine Corps veteran, a 26-year police veteran, and the police chief of the Newtown Police Department. He is also a 10-year SWAT veteran serving four years as team leader. In 2014, Mr. Synan helped form the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition where he sits on the steering committee and chair interdiction.

Mr. Synan coordinates law enforcement efforts to reduce supply and works with other members to help reduce demand. Mr. Synan was asked to testify in Washington D.C. at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee giving testimony on synthetic opiates and the impact fentanyl and carfentanil have had on the country.

Mr. Synan was a speaker with President Clinton and other distinguished panelists for the Clinton Foundation discussing the opioid crisis at Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Synan’s career and work with the opiate epidemic has been recorded and archived in the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington D.C. His work with the coalition has been used in national and international publications and media outlets.