Faculty

Jody Bell, CPRS, CDCA is an Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter, Peer Educator, and Peer Advocate and has dedicated herself to advocating for the support and empowerment of individuals challenged with Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness in various Recovery Oriented Systems Of Care for over 20 years.  Jody served 16 years for NAMI Ohio Peer-To-Peer Curriculum State Trainer, OhioMHAS Peer Recovery Supporter Certification and Co-Facilitator.  Jody participated on the Integrated Care Technical Assistance and Consultation Team (TACT) as the Peer Recovery Supporter Consultant and Trainer for Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Best Practices In Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST Center), creating opportunities for pre-work force professionals (Project ECHO ) and their counterparts to work together using guiding principles for interprofessional team-based models.  She also has her own private practice at OhioMHAS Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare as the Peer Recovery Supporter/Educator since 2017. Jody has received achievement awards from NAMI Greater Cleveland the Eugene Bruno Memorial Organizational Award for Peer Support Services for the Year in 2011, ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County Peer Advocate & Support Award in 2010, ADAMHS Board Annual Meeting Consumer/Client Involvement Award in 2009, and the Roads to Recovery Plenary Presenter in 2009.

Hannah Schilling, CDCA II, CPRS, OCPSA is a distinguished Certified Peer Recovery Supporter, Peer Support Supervisor, Community Health Worker, Ohio Prevention Specialist Assistant, and CDCA II, and is a pivotal figure in the field of substance use disorder recovery and support. As a recognized panel expert for Buckeye SCOPE, focusing on aiding children impacted by the opioid epidemic, and a significant participant in the Deflection ECHO and EMPOWER projects, Hannah demonstrates an unwavering commitment to creating positive change. With a career spanning several critical roles, including her time as Substance Use Treatment Coordinator at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati and as a leader in peer support initiatives for Hamilton County and Colerain Township Quick Response Teams, Hannah has consistently been at the forefront of innovative approaches in her field. Currently, she excels as a Health Coordinator at Hamilton County Public Health, where she is responsible for developing and implementing programs that educate and assist both professionals and community members in compassionately addressing substance use disorders. As the Founder & Executive Director of On the Front Lines Community Alliance, Hannah Schilling has cultivated a dynamic network for over 300 recovery professionals. This organization not only provides a platform for critical care discussions but also organizes monthly networking events and disseminates a comprehensive newsletter, furthering the professional development of Peer Recovery Support within the substance use disorder healthcare system. Hannah's influential work in promoting harm reduction and awareness in the Hamilton County area has been a cornerstone in establishing vital dialogues and actions, contributing substantially to the healing of communities affected by drug use. Her dedication to this cause reflects her deep-seated commitment to both professional excellence and personal compassion in addressing the challenges of substance use disorders.

Michael Werner, CPRS has been an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter for over six years working as an independent contractor for the Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center (SARCC). He is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Taking Back Ohio (TBO) a 501(c)3 Ohio nonprofit advocating for and serving those in recovery for both MI’s and SUD’s. Michael Werner is an honorably discharged United States Army combat veteran. He deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and was awarded numerous medals and accommodations for his meritorious service. With over 600 combat missions under his belt, he brings a unique awareness to what it means to be a trauma survivor to his work as a PRS. Michael also serves as a Dual Diagnosis support group facilitator at SARCC and at the Sandusky Ohio Veterans Home, a Veteran Peer Recovery Supporter at the Erie County Jail and is on the Erie County Ohio Veteran Court Planning Committee. Michael is Trauma-Informed and a Mental Health First Aid certified trainer. In addition to his unparalleled lived experience, he recently graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2023 with his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bowling Green State University.

Sarah Boaitey, MD completed her medical degree at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, West Africa. she went on to complete a residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent Charity Medical center, Cleveland. Following this, she pursued a fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Metro Health system under Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio, honing her expertise and knowledge. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public health and Health administration from Towson University, Maryland. She currently works at Signature Health Inc., where she blends my expertise in both Primary Care and Addiction Medicine. She is a dedicated participant in the medical community, maintaining active memberships in several prestigious professional organizations including the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and the Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine (OHSAM). When not performing my clinical duties, she enjoys cooking, reading Christian literature, traveling, and most importantly spending time with my family.  

Heather Bruno, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ohio University. Heather has been employed at Hopewell Health Centers for the past eight years providing direct clinical care to clients who have co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, with a focus on clients involved in the court system.  She is currently the Chemical Dependency Services Supervisor where she provides both direct care to a small caseload of clients as well as provides supervision of case management staff and supervises Our House, a 5-bed men's recovery house, in Logan, OH. Heather has been involved in innovative programs addressing substance use concerns including Rapid Access, recovering housing, and Project HOPE, as well as, coordinates mental health services with the Hocking County Municipal Court drug court programs.

Weitzman Institute Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the Weitzman Institute to ensure that Continuing Education (CE) activities are independent and free of commercial bias. To ensure educational content is objective, balanced, and guarantee content presented is in the best interest of its learners' and the public, the Weitzman Institute requires that everyone in a position to control educational content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. An ineligible company is one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Examples can be found at accme.org.

Faculty participating in a Weitzman Institute-sponsored activity must disclose to the planning committee and audience all financial or other relationship(s) with ineligible companies.

Faculty Disclosures

No faculty disclosed a relevant financial relationship for this program.