Community Advocacy Panel

OAC Community Advocacy Panel, Second Quarter Meeting
Thursday, April 2, 2026
4:00-6:00 PM ET/  3:00-5:00 PM CT
100% Virtual

Join link:
https://tn.webex.com/tn/j.php?MTID=m1f2f00fe31f22168dc09c47bed12abe9

Webinar number: 2311 538 2829

Webinar password: jJPb5pC6FG6 (55725726 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone
+1 615-747-4911 Webex Call-In
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Access code: 231 153 82829

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Betty Mason is a highly accomplished public relations and advertising executive who spent 42 years shaping narratives for major brands, culminating in her retirement from the international marketing and communications agency FINN Partners in 2023. Today, she channels her expertise and passion into a new mission: advocating for meaningful change in the face of the addiction crisis.

Driven by a profound personal loss, Betty is a fierce advocate for prevention, education, and recovery support. She is a sought-after speaker, frequently lending her voice at community events, open forums, and in the media to raise awareness about addiction issues and the path to recovery. She co-organizes the STOP TN (Secure Tennessee’s Opioid Prescriptions) Coalition, co-facilitates the Nashville chapter of GRASP (Grieving Recovery After Substance Passing), and is a former board member and active advisory board member of Mending Hearts, a therapeutic community for women facing addiction. Her work is a powerful tribute to her beloved daughter, Katy, who passed away from a drug overdose in 2016 at the age of 19.

Betty is most proud to be the wife of Bruce Mason, mother of Houston Wayland and the grandmother of Hana. She is committed to ensuring that Katy’s memory inspires a legacy of hope and healing for others.

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Dr. Van Eys is a clinical psychologist dedicated to underserved populations (e.g., foster care, prison). For 17 years as a Vanderbilt professor, she guided emerging mental health professionals to serve with compassionate, healing centered engagement through a trauma-informed lens. Experience with the broader system of care in Tennessee through leadership positions (e.g., director of the VUMC Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody, Behavioral Manager for TennCare recipients at BlueCare/TNCARE Select, and Chief Clinical officer of OmniVision's foster care) opened her to system reform.

Most important is her lived experience. Patti’s young adult son struggled with opiate addiction and died from a Fentanyl overdose in April 2021. She journeyed with him through myriad treatment/sober living centers, navigating the heartbreaking complexities of the system of care for addiction.

Her professional and personal experience allows unique insight to offer as one voice among others so called to action.

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Dottie’s passion for addiction recovery stems from both personal recovery and profound loss. She has dedicated over 40 years to supporting recovery-as a recovery community member, therapist/addiction counselor, educator, and now as Executive Director of the Johnson City Recovery Center, the first RCC in NE Tennessee. She is especially committed to those affected by OUD, working to combat stigma, including that surrounding MOUD. When asked about her dedication to this work Dottie replied, “People with OUD deserve a supportive, affirming community, and Johnson City Recovery Center is devoted to ensuring ALL individuals, on ALL recovery pathways, find hope and healing. Recovery is not only possible, but likely, given all the necessary recovery support resources”.

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Jennifer N Jones is a Certified Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist, serving both Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. She possesses experience in managing multiple grant projects and fostering community collaboration initiatives. Jennifer is also trained as a Community Health Worker and holds numerous Facilitator certifications. Additionally, she is a Master Trainer for the Workplace Excellence Series, an employment-focused soft skills curriculum.

In her current role as Recovery Program Manager for Ballad Health's PEERhelp program, Jennifer combines her lived experiences with substance use, mental health, and her deep understanding of rural communities to advocate for and expand services for some of the region's most vulnerable populations. With nearly a decade of experience delivering supportive community and judicial services in rural Appalachia, she is a passionate advocate for providing hope, connection, opportunity, and enrichment within our region’s communities. 

Local Government Representative

Nicole is deeply motivated to serve on the Community Advocacy Panel for many reasons, both personal and professional.

With determination born from those personal hardships, and with support, Nicole went on to create and now serve as the Director of Alcohol and Drug Programs within the Sevier County Government, as well as Executive Director of Sevier County C.A.R.E.S. In these roles, she works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to manage multiple grants and coordinate activities focused on primary prevention, substance misuse, overdose prevention, Narcan distribution, and improving access to treatment resources in Sevier County and surrounding areas.

Community Stakeholder

Michael is a person in a long-term recovery who holds a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Designation. Michael facilitates 12 step meetings and currently works with Myrtle Recovery Center. He enjoys connecting with others and helping them through the recovery journey. Michael is passionate about sharing his testimony with all who will listen and is dedicated to walking the recovery path in his day-to-day life.

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Cassidy Newman is dedicated a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with over eight years of experience in the substance use recovery field. In long-term recovery herself since September 13, 2016, Cassidy brings deep personal insight and unwavering passion to her work. Her journey—from early substance use and incarceration to sustained recovery and leadership—fuels her mission to help others find freedom and healing.

Cassidy has worked across treatment centers, nonprofit coalitions, and grassroots efforts, including being a founding member of the Tennessee Oxford House Alumni Association and hosting the annual Overdose Awareness Day in her hometown of Mcminn County. She now serves as a Care Coordinator and is provides a direct link between first responders and individuals struggling with substance misuse, providing peer support and long-term follow-up care.

Her commitment to community wellness, harm reduction, and person-centered recovery makes her a trusted voice in both local and statewide recovery efforts. Cassidy is currently pursuing a degree in Public Policy and Administration to further her impact through systems change.

Community Stakeholder

As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist having served nearly a decade in the social services field, Misty Phy brings lived experience and professional insight to the forefront of advocacy and support. She specializes in substance use recovery, homelessness, reentry, and connecting individuals to life-changing community resources. She is a passionate voice for the unheard—committed to fighting stigma, identifying service gaps, and driving innovative, community-based solutions for lasting change. Misty serves on various boards and committees and was honored to be selected for the Community Advocacy Panel of the Tennessee State Opioid Abatement Council. She enjoys opportunities in program development and has built a strong network of recovery capital while forming genuine connections and advocating for vital community resources. Her mission is to fight stigma, spotlight service gaps, and drive meaningful changes for a better quality of life for all.

Public Health Advocate 

Feylyn Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English, a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling, and a PhD in Social Work. She is an an established global health outcomes researcher-advocate, and it is this commitment to wellbeing that she looks forward to utilizing on the panel. Having such proximity to the vital work of health equity in Black, Brown, and Asian youth, Feylyn has seen first-hand its importance in producing actual improved health outcomes. As an accomplished global researcher in health outcomes for children and young people providing care for ill or disabled family members, She brings deep comprehension of health community education and advocacy.

Opioid Remediation Service Provider

Dr. Melinda Turner is a dual board-certified addiction medicine and emergency physician with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. As Medical Director of Behavioral Health Group's flagship Nashville Treatment Center—the largest opioid treatment program in Middle Tennessee—she provides medical oversight for 600 patients and serves on BHG's National Credentialing Committee overseeing providers in 116 clinics in 22 states.

Dr. Turner's expertise spans clinical care and health policy, ranging from initiatives to accelerate dose stabilization and liberalize take-home policies in an OTP clinic, to spearheading Nashville General Hospital's free naloxone distribution program and co-championing alternatives-to-opioids protocols for the NGH emergency department. Through the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine, she co-authored position statements that successfully advocated for the modernization of Tennessee's OTP/OBOT regulations at state hearings.

She optimized care through system-level improvements while chairing the NGH Medical Staff Quality Oversight Committee and through innovative recovery support programs to improve care transitions between acute care settings and OTP clinics. Dr. Turner serves on the American Society of Addiction Medicine's membership council and served as an ASAM field reviewer for national guidance on the integration of addiction treatment into hospitals and emergency departments.

Dr. Turner bridges front-line clinical experience with policy advocacy with a goal of centering patient voice and choice while uniting diverse stakeholders toward effective opioid crisis solutions.

Local Government Representative

Paige Brown is currently serving her third term as Mayor of Gallatin, Tennessee (named “Nicest Place in America” in 2017 by Readers’ Digest). 

Elected in November 2014, she previously served as Executive Director of the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce (2006-2014).  A graduate of Florida State University, she worked as a news reporter and anchor in Florida.  Upon her return to Tennessee, she worked for several shows on The Nashville Network (TNN) and as Executive Producer for NewsChannel 5 (CBS) in Nashville, Tennessee (1996-2006).  Additionally, she has worked as a writer, producer, and talent for corporate, non-profit and independent clients.  A graduate of the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and several corporate training programs, she is an experienced trainer in media relations, leadership and board development and has an extensive history producing events and implementing successful initiatives. 

Ms. Brown has served on numerous non-profit and public sector boards and committees.  Currently, she serves as the President of the Tennessee Municipal League, Vice Chair of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and on the Executive Committee of the Middle Tennessee Mayors Caucus.  She is Past-President of the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) and Past-Chair of the Tennessee Local Government Planning Advisory Committee.  Additionally, she currently serves on the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), the Nashville Area Transportation Policy Board (MPO), the Tennessee Local Development Authority, and has a long tenure on the Sumner County Prevention Coalition Board. In 2019 she was selected to participate in the Mayors’ Institute on City Design.  In 2021 she was awarded the Tommie Goodwin Mayor of the Year Award by the Tennessee Municipal League, which is the statewide organization that works on behalf of all cities and towns across Tennessee. 

In other circles, Ms. Brown is an advocate for oncology research. She served 6 years on the Board of Governors for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and three 4-year terms as a Food & Drug Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) Patient Representative.  She has been featured in Glamour Magazine, on PBS and in many local and national news stories. She has addressed groups around the world and has advocated for healthcare related legislation in Washington, D.C.

Community Stakeholder

Jeffrey D. Moseley is a 1986 graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law.  He became an Associate at Buerger, Moseley & Carson in 1987, partner in 1990 and senior partner in 2002 upon the retirement of founding partner Richard Buerger.  Jeff’s practice is focused in the areas of municipal government and health care law. He has represented Williamson County, Tennessee for over 35 years. He represents hospitals throughout the United States in relation to medical staff issues, including peer review and credentialing, board and medical staff bylaws, operational issues, EMTALA and contract matters.

Jeff is married to Helen Moseley and together, they have 3 children (Erin Westrich, Claire Lemoine and Alec Moseley) and 11 grandchildren. Jeff and his family have lived in Franklin for over 30 years. Jeff has been active in the community throughout his law career.

Jeff is a member of the American, Tennessee and Williamson County Bar Associations as well as the Tennessee County Attorney’s Association.  He has taught seminars and classes in the health care field including: “The Aftermath of Recruiting a Bad Doctor: What Happens to the Hospital?” AHLA 2016 and 2017; “This Ain’t Your Grandpa’s Peer Review” at the CLE Alabama’s 2016 Healthcare Law Seminar;  “Blurred Lines – Medical Staff & Employed Physicians”, at the Nashville Council Health Care Attorneys;  “Governmental Hospitals: What they Can and Can’t Do in Today’s Changing Health Care Environment”; “The Poliner Case: Implications for Hospitals and Medical Staff Members" AHLA 2008; “The Hospital, the Board and the Medical Staff:  Who is the Client When Advising on Medical Staff Issues?”, sponsored by the American Health Lawyer’s Association; “Navigating the Medical Staff Hearing Process” at the Tennessee Bar Association Health Law Forum and “Health Care Management and the Law” at Belmont University. He served as President of the 21st District Recovery Court from 2017-2022. Jeff received the 2024 Gayle Moyer Harris Service Award from the 21^st District Recovery Court and the 2025 Charles Sargent leadership award from Franklin Tomorrow.

Other parties to include those with living experiences, who are interested and actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis and its abatement

Chuck Jones has been actively engaged in the recovery community since 1999 and has served on the Board of Directors for Aspell Recovery Center since January 2004. His personal journey in long-term recovery informs a deep commitment to advocacy, treatment access, and community-based solutions for those affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance-related challenges.

Chuck is honored to be considered serve on the Opioid Abatement Council Community Advocacy Panel, where he brings both lived experience and strategic insight to the table. With strong roots in West Tennessee’s recovery landscape, he has spent decades working alongside treatment providers, supporting individuals in recovery, and promoting policies that are compassionate, effective, and grounded in real-world needs.

His focus includes reducing stigma, expanding access to services, and ensuring that opioid settlement funds are allocated transparently and responsibly. Chuck’s dedication to hope, restoration, and accountability makes him a valuable contributor to the Panel’s mission and to Tennessee’s broader efforts to combat the opioid crisis

Community Stakeholder

Paula Hopper is the Executive Director of Serenity Recovery Centers.  She has been a part of the Serenity leadership and administrative team for 25 years.  Mrs. Hopper comes with over 35 years of working in the field of behavioral health and substance use disorders.   She has worked with children, families, adolescents and adults struggling with or impacted by substance use and/or mental illness. 

Mrs. Hopper holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Memphis, Master’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, and worked for over 15 years as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addictions Counselor before she moved into leadership. She is the current chair of the Memphis and Shelby County Behavioral Health and Addictions Treatment Consortium which embodies a collaboration of nine local treatment centers working together to assist the Shelby County community combat the crisis of substance use.  Mrs. Hopper is also the chair of the Treatment and Recovery Group of the Shelby County Opioid Coalition, which works collaboratively with Shelby County Health Department, Memphis Prevention Coilition, Law enforcement and Emergency management systems to combat the opioid crisis.  She is an active member of the Tennessee Alcohol and Drug Association,(TAADAS) and currently serving as the vice president.

Mrs. Hopper has also worked in previous years as Adjunct Instructor for Southwest Community College teaching studies in addictions counseling and encouraging students to seek certification and higher education to provide services in our community.

Mrs. Hopper is a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities and enjoys traveling to agencies across the country assisting each agency she encounters in obtaining or maintaining a high standard of care. Finding ways to collaborate and partner with as many individuals, agencies and entities who want to make a difference in our community is the center of making a difference.

Community Stakeholder

Arsania is a person in long term recovery from opioid misuse, along with other substances. She has worked in this field for the past 10 years. She has a passion for helping individuals overcome active addiction as well as bringing hope and providing help in everyone’s life that may cross her path.