SUPPORT PROGRAM

Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities

Southern Illinois Healthcare in partnership with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Cook County Health with contributions from Shawnee Health Service and Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network are proud to introduce the SUPPORT Program with the goal of expanding substance use disorder/opioid use disorder treatment and recovery services in Southern Illinois.

Back to SUPPORT Program

SUPPORT Program SPeakers

Dr. Aaron Newcomb is board certified in Family Medicine and holds subspecialty board certification through the American Board of Preventative Medicine for Addiction Medicine.   His medical degree comes from A.T. Still University medical school in Kirksville, MO.  He is a local graduate of the SIU Family Medicine Residency program and has worked solely with Shawnee Health Services a local community health center in Carbondale since becoming a doctor in 2008.  Dr. Newcomb pioneered development in an office-based opiate treatment program in 2011 and has been treating patients continuously since that time with buprenorphine for medication-assisted recovery. He serves as the Medical Director for the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) licensed treatment program at Shawnee Health Services.  Dr. Newcomb is an advocate for addiction treatment and has provided hands-on training for medical students as a volunteer faculty member of SIU Medical School and A.T. Still University.  He currently serves as the Chairperson for the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP), Opioid Safety Workgroup. Dr. Newcomb has also provided presentations on addiction, the opioid epidemic and medication-assisted treatment at various medical and community venues in the area since 2011. SUPPORT SESSIONS:- Treating Opiate Use Disorders with Medication Assisted Treatment: MAT 1- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders – Challenging Case Presentations: CP 1 & CP4- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders - Overcoming Barriers: BAR 1. MAT & Pain Management Interface & BAR 2. Implementing MAT — Dr. Aaron Newcomb is board certified in Family Medicine and holds subspecialty board certification through the American Board of Preventative Medicine for Addiction Medicine.
His medical degree comes from A.T. Still University medical school in Kirksville, MO. He is a local graduate of the SIU Family Medicine Residency program and has worked solely with Shawnee Health Services a local community health center in Carbondale since becoming a doctor in 2008.

Dr. Newcomb pioneered development in an office-based opiate treatment program in 2011 and has been treating patients continuously since that time with buprenorphine for medication-assisted recovery. He serves as the Medical Director for the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) licensed treatment program at Shawnee Health Services.

Dr. Newcomb is an advocate for addiction treatment and has provided hands-on training for medical students as a volunteer faculty member of SIU Medical School and A.T. Still University. He currently serves as the Chairperson for the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP), Opioid Safety Workgroup. Dr. Newcomb has also provided presentations on addiction, the opioid epidemic and medication-assisted treatment at various medical and community venues in the area since 2011.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Treating Opiate Use Disorders with Medication Assisted Treatment: MAT 1
- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders – Challenging Case Presentations: CP 1 & CP4
- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders - Overcoming Barriers: BAR 1. MAT & Pain Management Interface & BAR 2. Implementing MAT

Aimee Johnston RN, BSN works as the Director of Nursing at Shawnee Health Service in Carterville, Illinois.  Aimee earned her bachelor of science degree at Southeast Missouri State University.  She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), a certified BLS instructor and has earned her certification in  Lean Six Sigma (green belt).  She has over 25 years of nursing experience and has been with Shawnee for the past eight years where she is a member of senior leadership.Aimee has worked closely with the nursing team, as Shawnee has led the way in MAT services in the southern Illinois area.  She has worked to expand nursing knowledge regarding substance use disorder and the practical application of the nursing process to improve treatment outcomes.  Aimee has worked extensively to enhance addiction recovery management by educating nurses about stigma and the importance of ongoing patient support.SUPPORT SESSIONS:- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 2. Nursing — Aimee Johnston RN, BSN works as the Director of Nursing at Shawnee Health Service in Carterville, Illinois. Aimee earned her bachelor of science degree at Southeast Missouri State University. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), a certified BLS instructor and has earned her certification in Lean Six Sigma (green belt). She has over 25 years of nursing experience and has been with Shawnee for the past eight years where she is a member of senior leadership.
Aimee has worked closely with the nursing team, as Shawnee has led the way in MAT services in the southern Illinois area. She has worked to expand nursing knowledge regarding substance use disorder and the practical application of the nursing process to improve treatment outcomes. Aimee has worked extensively to enhance addiction recovery management by educating nurses about stigma and the importance of ongoing patient support.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 2. Nursing

Aaron Newcomb, DO

Aimee Johnston, RN, BSN, CPHQ

Alexandria Markel, CRC, CADC, LCPC is currently a Substance Use and Behavioral Health Therapist at Shawnee Health Service. She has worked in the substance use field with adolescents and adults since 2013.  She also worked for 5 years in a licensed treatment program for offenders within the state prison system as substance use counselor, and later as the program managerSUPPORT SESSIONS:- Behavioral Healthcare Practices to Enhance Addiction Medicine: BH 1 & BH 2 — Alexandria Markel, CRC, CADC, LCPC is currently a Substance Use and Behavioral Health Therapist at Shawnee Health Service. She has worked in the substance use field with adolescents and adults since 2013. She also worked for 5 years in a licensed treatment program for offenders within the state prison system as substance use counselor, and later as the program manager
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Behavioral Healthcare Practices to Enhance Addiction Medicine: BH 1 & BH 2

I came to SIU in 2006 for the opportunity to start a new Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training program. What attracted me to SIU at the time still remains true. It is an institution that values creativity in education, and supports both trainees and faculty in this endeavor. I am board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and during my time here at SIU obtained board certification in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Addiction Medicine.
I enjoy teaching at all levels from medical students to residents in all disciplines. In my clinical work I enjoy doing psychodynamic psychotherapy, treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, and treatment of co-occurring disorders in the substance abusing population.

Alexandia Markel, CRC, CADC, LCPC

Ayame Takahashi

Chris Dennis

Chris Herndon, PharmD, BCACP, FASHP, FCCP is a Professor with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Pharmacy. Currently, Dr. Herndon sees chronic pain and opioid use disorder patients within a family medicine residency clinic. Dr. Herndon’s scholarship interest focuses primarily on pain and palliative care education and he is the Principal Investigator for the National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence in Pain Education at SIUE. Dr. Herndon is the 2019 president for the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists. He is the 2006 recipient of the “Pain Champion Award” from the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives, the 2012 recipient of the “Academic Pain Educator of the Year Award” from the American Society of Pain Educators, the 2016 “Pharmacist of the Year” from the Illinois Pharmacist’s Association, and the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the American Pain Society.

Jeffrey Ripperda, MD is a family physician.  He's worked at Murphysboro Health Center since 2007.  Dr. Ripperda obtained his DATA 2000 waiver in 2011 and has been prescribing buprenorphine for treatment of opiate addiction since … — Jeffrey Ripperda, MD is a family physician. He's worked at Murphysboro Health Center since 2007. Dr. Ripperda obtained his DATA 2000 waiver in 2011 and has been prescribing buprenorphine for treatment of opiate addiction since that time. He has treated over 250 people for opiate addiction and has an active panel of about 160 patients in his Office Based Opiod Treatment Program. Dr. Ripperda practices obstetrics and has special interest in the treatment of opiate addiction in pregnant women and in caring for newborns born to opiate dependent mothers. In his spare time, Dr. Ripperda is the mandolin player/vocalist for the Americana band Nine88 and loves to watch soccer.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Treating Opiate Use Disorders with Medication Assisted Treatment: MAT 2
- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders – Challenging Case Presentations: CP 2 & CP 3
- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders - Overcoming Barriers: BAR 2. Implementing MAT

Jennifer Nagel, MO-MARS, CRSS, (she/they), is a person in long-term recovery. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Porchlight Collective SAP, a progressive, three-county mobile harm reduction program based in Madison County, IL. Founded in 2017 and operating underground until Illinois legalized harm reduction programs in 2019, The Porchlight Collective SAP now serves 200+ program participants bi-weekly via direct and secondary distribution. PLC is officially registered with IDPH as a harm reduction service provider. The services offered include drug sample testing, peer services and advocacy, naloxone, safer use supplies, safer smoking and safer snorting kits, wound care services, community education, and referrals to community resources.
Jen was recently awarded the Centerstone 2021 Behavioral Health Community Champion Award for her leadership and contribution to her community in the STL Metro East area. Jen is a Certified SMART Recovery Facilitator and Certified MHFA Provider and is pursuing her degree in Public Health and Social Policy. She is a peer advisor for MERC (a ROSC council), a peer advisor for the PDFC council, a council member of IHHRC and serves on the Diversity and Inclusion committee, and a member of the Illinois Opioid Advisory Council. She has experience working in SUD treatment with her county’s diversion court and is currently a Wellness Specialist for the Illinois Mental Health Collaborative.

Chris Herndon, PharmD, BCACP, FASHP, FCCP

Jeff Ripperda, MD

Jennifer Nagel, MO-MARS, CRSS

Luke Tomsha is the founder and director of The Perfectly Flawed Foundation, a community-based organization located in LaSalle, IL, 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Luke’s journey began in 2015 after over 14 years of chaotic heroin use. Luke was a familiar face in a small town who came forward with his addiction in 2015 to confront stigma in his community after his friend, Ryan, overdosed and died while Luke was away at rehab. After Ryan’s passing, Luke abandoned his career as a technology director in the pursuit of happiness and something that gave his life more meaningful purpose and value.
In 2017, Luke started The Perfectly Flawed Foundation to build a trusted entry point in his community for people looking to make positive lifestyle changes related to substance use. Luke wears his passion on his sleeve and advocates on behalf of people who use drugs, their families and ensuring that people with lived experience have a meaningful seat at the table. He is an active member of the Illinois Opioid Advisory, Illinois Harm Reduction & Recovery Advocates, and Reducing Barriers to Recovery Coalition. In 2020, Luke was appointed to Governor Pritzker’s Opioid Steering Committee as a representative with lived experience.

Dr. Matthew Winkleman received his M.D. from SIU School of Medicine in Springfield in 2002. He completed his family medicine residency at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, in 2005. Dr. Winkleman has been practicing in his hometown of Harrisburg since 2005,  initially as part of private practice called Primary Care Group which became part of SIH Medical Group in 2014. He participated in the Rush University Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Fellowship Program in 2019.  Dr. Winkleman then developed a Medication Assited Treatment program in the Harrisburg office.  He has been actively prescribing buprenorphine since 2019, along with 2 colleagues in his office.SUPPORT SESSIONS:- Treating Opiate Use Disorders with Medication Assisted Treatment: MAT 1- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 1. Administration — Dr. Matthew Winkleman received his M.D. from SIU School of Medicine in Springfield in 2002.
He completed his family medicine residency at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, in 2005. Dr. Winkleman has been practicing in his hometown of Harrisburg since 2005, initially as part of private practice called Primary Care Group which became part of SIH Medical Group in 2014.
He participated in the Rush University Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Fellowship Program in 2019. Dr. Winkleman then developed a Medication Assited Treatment program in the Harrisburg office. He has been actively prescribing buprenorphine since 2019, along with 2 colleagues in his office.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Treating Opiate Use Disorders with Medication Assisted Treatment: MAT 1
- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 1. Administration

Mike Tyson, CPRS is the founder and executive director of Take Action Today-a faith-based recovery community organization. Mike has over 21 years of experience in recovery from a lifestyle of incarceration, substance use, and homelessness. Today he is a student of Addictions, peer specialist, and advocate.

Luke Tomsha

Matthew Winkleman, MD

Mike Tyson, CPRS

Patsy R. Jensen has served as Executive Director of Shawnee Health Services since 2009, and has been with the agency since 1983 in various roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Associate Director of Shawnee Alliance for Seniors.  She also concurrently served as Executive Director of River to River Corporation, which oversaw the development of assisted living housing in four rural communities of southern IL.  Ms. Jensen received her BS in Food & Nutrition from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (SIU-C) in 1976.Ms. Jensen is actively involved with many community and statewide agencies, including Jackson Co. Access to Care, Behavioral Health Action Team (Committee Member); SIU-C Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (Executive Committee, President); Quality Health Partners (Board member); and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA member).  In 2020, she was awarded the George M. O’Neill Leadership Award from the IPHCA, which honors those who demonstrate strong leadership in community health across the state.Patsy wholeheartedly embraces the mission of Shawnee Health Services to improve the health and welfare of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana residents through the promotion, development and administration of quality, comprehensive health and social services, while efficiently utilizing limited resources. SUPPORT SESSIONS:- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 1. Administration — Patsy R. Jensen has served as Executive Director of Shawnee Health Services since 2009, and has been with the agency since 1983 in various roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Associate Director of Shawnee Alliance for Seniors. She also concurrently served as Executive Director of River to River Corporation, which oversaw the development of assisted living housing in four rural communities of southern IL.
Ms. Jensen received her BS in Food & Nutrition from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (SIU-C) in 1976.
Ms. Jensen is actively involved with many community and statewide agencies, including Jackson Co. Access to Care, Behavioral Health Action Team (Committee Member); SIU-C Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (Executive Committee, President); Quality Health Partners (Board member); and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA member). In 2020, she was awarded the George M. O’Neill Leadership Award from the IPHCA, which honors those who demonstrate strong leadership in community health across the state.
Patsy wholeheartedly embraces the mission of Shawnee Health Services to improve the health and welfare of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana residents through the promotion, development and administration of quality, comprehensive health and social services, while efficiently utilizing limited resources.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Addiction Medicine Program Development: PD 1. Administration

Patsy Jensen, Executive Director

Stacy Agosto, LCSW, CADC currently serves as the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health at Shawnee Health Service. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Chicago and has worked as a clinician, a supervisor of those providing behavioral health treatment, and a program developer in community health organizations. She specializes in providing behavioral health treatment for substance use disorders and in developing integrated systems of medical and behavioral health care.  Prior to her time at Shawnee, Stacy oversaw the Recovering with Pride program at Howard Brown Health in Chicago, working with LGBTQ people with SUDs. She has trained graduate students, behavioral health staff and medical providers on integrated care, behavioral health treatment, trauma and addiction. SUPPORT SESSIONS:- Behavioral Healthcare Practices to Enhance Addiction Medicine: BH 1 & BH 2- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders - Overcoming Barriers: BAR 2. Implementing MAT — Stacy Agosto, LCSW, CADC currently serves as the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health at Shawnee Health Service. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Chicago and has worked as a clinician, a supervisor of those providing behavioral health treatment, and a program developer in community health organizations. She specializes in providing behavioral health treatment for substance use disorders and in developing integrated systems of medical and behavioral health care. Prior to her time at Shawnee, Stacy oversaw the Recovering with Pride program at Howard Brown Health in Chicago, working with LGBTQ people with SUDs. She has trained graduate students, behavioral health staff and medical providers on integrated care, behavioral health treatment, trauma and addiction.
**SUPPORT SESSIONS:**
- Behavioral Healthcare Practices to Enhance Addiction Medicine: BH 1 & BH 2
- Medication Assisted Treatment of Opiate Use Disorders - Overcoming Barriers: BAR 2. Implementing MAT

Stacy Agosto, AM, CADC, LCSW

SUPPORT Program’s Qualitative Needs Assessment

State Infrastructure and Provider Capacity to Deliver Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Support Services to Illinois Medicaid Members

About the Grant: On October 24, 2018, the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act became federal law. Under section 1003 of the SUPPORT Act, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), is conducting a 54-month demonstration project titled, 9“Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity.” Fifteen state Medicaid authorities, including the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), received 18-month planning grants ($50 million total) to conduct comprehensive needs assessments of state infrastructure and provider capacity, among additional activities, to deliver substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services to state Medicaid members.

SUPPORT Grant Program Affiliation:

All SUPPORT programming (Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities) is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4,706,184 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. 

Rural Opioid Prescriber Training Program Affiliation:

Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.