Meet the Team

Team Members
	Dr. James Langabeer PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA Leadership Dr. James Langabeer PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA Leadership James Langabeer PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA is a tenured full professor. He holds joint appointments at the UT School of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), the School of Biomedical Informatics, and McGovern Medical School in the department of Emergency Medicine where he also holds the title of Vice Chair of Population Health. He has recently been named Fellow of the American Heart Association conferred by the Council on Quality Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR). → read more		Dr. Tiffany Champagne Langabeer PhD, MBA, RD Leadership Dr. Tiffany Champagne Langabeer PhD, MBA, RD Leadership Assistant Professor Champagne-Langabeer focuses on the health policy and informatics components of the program. Her research on use of telemedicine and health information exchanges to improve public health. → read more
	Simone Lee Joannou Research Coordinator Simone Lee Joannou, M.A Administration Simone Joannou is our Administrative Analyst, providing novel insight into making our program run as smoothly and successfully as possible. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and her Master’s in Philosophy, focusing on Ethics in Mental Health Care.		Andrea Yatsco, PhD, CADC, LCDC Associate Director Andrea Yatsco PhD, CADC, LCDC Associate Director Dr. Andrea Yatsco is the Associate Director of the HEROES project. She is an internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a state Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a Certified Medication Assisted Treatment Advocate. She provides clinical supervision to the HEROES direct patient care staff and provides oversight to grant-funded expansions of the program, including the Heroes Helpline for first responders, and the application of the HEROES model in other at-risk populations and expansion into extended geographic areas. Dr. Yatsco has worked in corrections, human services, and as adjunct faculty teaching on topics of psychology, substance use, criminology, and criminal justice. → read more
	Jessica Yaeger NCPRSS, PRS/ICPR, RSPS, PM/PRC Peer Support Services Supervisor Jessica Yaeger NCPRSS, PRS/ICPR, RSPS, PM/PRC, Peer Support Services Supervisor Jessica is a National and State Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. She is a Recovery Community Leader, Child Welfare Advocate, and has won numerous awards for her work with individuals who suffer from Opioid Use Disorder.		Diana Briseno BSW, LCDC Addiction Counselor Diana Briseno BSW, LCDC Addiction Counselor Diana Briseno has been a Chemical Dependency Counselor since 1996 and Licensed since 2002. Diana holds a bachelor's degree in social work and is currently pursuing a master's in social work. Diana has worked in residential treatment, medical detoxification, and outpatient treatment settings with a focus on co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Diana has committed her life to helping women, men, and their families who have been devastated by the impact of addiction.

Team Members

Dr. James Langabeer
PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA
Leadership

Dr. James Langabeer
PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA

Leadership

James Langabeer PhD, MBA, EMT, FAHA is a tenured full professor. He holds joint appointments at the UT School of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), the School of Biomedical Informatics, and McGovern Medical School in the department of Emergency Medicine where he also holds the title of Vice Chair of Population Health. He has recently been named Fellow of the American Heart Association conferred by the Council on Quality Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR). → read more

Dr. Tiffany Champagne Langabeer
PhD, MBA, RD
Leadership

Dr. Tiffany Champagne Langabeer
PhD, MBA, RD

Leadership

Assistant Professor Champagne-Langabeer focuses on the health policy and informatics components of the program. Her research on use of telemedicine and health information exchanges to improve public health. → read more

Simone Lee Joannou

Research Coordinator

Simone Lee Joannou, M.A

Administration

Simone Joannou is our Administrative Analyst, providing novel insight into making our program run as smoothly and successfully as possible. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and her Master’s in Philosophy, focusing on Ethics in Mental Health Care.

Andrea Yatsco, PhD, CADC, LCDC

Associate Director

Andrea Yatsco

PhD, CADC, LCDC
Associate Director

Dr. Andrea Yatsco is the Associate Director of the HEROES project. She is an internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a state Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a Certified Medication Assisted Treatment Advocate. She provides clinical supervision to the HEROES direct patient care staff and provides oversight to grant-funded expansions of the program, including the Heroes Helpline for first responders, and the application of the HEROES model in other at-risk populations and expansion into extended geographic areas. Dr. Yatsco has worked in corrections, human services, and as adjunct faculty teaching on topics of psychology, substance use, criminology, and criminal justice. → read more

Jessica Yaeger

NCPRSS, PRS/ICPR, RSPS, PM/PRC Peer Support Services Supervisor

Jessica Yaeger

NCPRSS, PRS/ICPR, RSPS, PM/PRC,
Peer Support Services Supervisor

Jessica is a National and State Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. She is a Recovery Community Leader, Child Welfare Advocate, and has won numerous awards for her work with individuals who suffer from Opioid Use Disorder.

Diana Briseno BSW, LCDC

Addiction Counselor

Diana Briseno BSW, LCDC

Addiction Counselor

Diana Briseno has been a Chemical Dependency Counselor since 1996 and Licensed since 2002. Diana holds a bachelor's degree in social work and is currently pursuing a master's in social work. Diana has worked in residential treatment, medical detoxification, and outpatient treatment settings with a focus on co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Diana has committed her life to helping women, men, and their families who have been devastated by the impact of addiction.

	Meredith O’Neal Research Team Meredith O’Neal Research Team Meredith O’Neal is the HEROES Research Assistant, providing essential data collection and analysis for the program. She will be graduating with her MA in 2019.		Paul Wood, MS Training Coordinator Paul Wood, MS Training Coordinator Paul Wood is a Training Coordinator for the Integrated Opioid Response Program which communicates the successes of the Houston-based HEROES program to locations across Texas. Paul brings experience in health informatics, hospital operations, adult education, instructional design, along with his work as an offshore paramedic to the program.
	Karima H. Lalani, PhD, MBA, RHIA Senior Program Manager Karima H. Lalani, PhD, MBA, RHIA Senior Program Manager Dr. Karima Lalani is the Senior Program Manager for Center for Health Systems Analytics at UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics. She is responsible for managing the Center’s applied clinical informatics research projects, as well as for developing opportunities for expanding the Center’s thought leadership on emergency public health challenges, mobile health, healthcare quality and inter-organizational collaborations. Dr. Lalani received her Ph.D. in Healthcare Management and Policy from UTHealth School of Public Health, and is a seasoned healthcare management professional, with experience in academia, research, healthcare finance and consulting across multiple healthcare entities. She is also a recipient of Certificate in Online Teaching by the Sloan-C Consortium and has received awards for excellence in teaching as a former Health Information Management educator. Dr. Lalani participates on the editorial review panels for “BMJ Health & Care Informatics” and “Perspectives in Health Information Management”, and has given presentations at state, national and international conferences.		Tom Fadial, MD Physician Tom Fadial, MD Physician Dr. Tom Fadial is a consulting physician for the HEROES program. Dr. Fadial is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as the Educational Technology and Innovation Officer at the McGovern Medical School. → read more

Meredith O’Neal

Research Team

Meredith O’Neal

Research Team

Meredith O’Neal is the HEROES Research Assistant, providing essential data collection and analysis for the program. She will be graduating with her MA in 2019.

Paul Wood, MS

Training Coordinator

Paul Wood, MS

Training Coordinator

Paul Wood is a Training Coordinator for the Integrated Opioid Response Program which communicates the successes of the Houston-based HEROES program to locations across Texas. Paul brings experience in health informatics, hospital operations, adult education, instructional design, along with his work as an offshore paramedic to the program.

Karima H. Lalani, PhD, MBA, RHIA

Senior Program Manager

Karima H. Lalani, PhD, MBA, RHIA

Senior Program Manager

Dr. Karima Lalani is the Senior Program Manager for Center for Health Systems Analytics at UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics. She is responsible for managing the Center’s applied clinical informatics research projects, as well as for developing opportunities for expanding the Center’s thought leadership on emergency public health challenges, mobile health, healthcare quality and inter-organizational collaborations. Dr. Lalani received her Ph.D. in Healthcare Management and Policy from UTHealth School of Public Health, and is a seasoned healthcare management professional, with experience in academia, research, healthcare finance and consulting across multiple healthcare entities. She is also a recipient of Certificate in Online Teaching by the Sloan-C Consortium and has received awards for excellence in teaching as a former Health Information Management educator. Dr. Lalani participates on the editorial review panels for “BMJ Health & Care Informatics” and “Perspectives in Health Information Management”, and has given presentations at state, national and international conferences.

Tom Fadial, MD

Physician

Tom Fadial, MD

Physician

Dr. Tom Fadial is a consulting physician for the HEROES program. Dr. Fadial is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as the Educational Technology and Innovation Officer at the McGovern Medical School. → read more

Team Members
	Christine Bakos-Block, PhD, LCSW-S Research Scientist Christine Bakos-Block PhD, LCSW-S Research Scientist Christine Bakos-Block is an alumna of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, where she focused on interprofessional research and clinical practice in healthcare. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow with the HEROES Program. Christine lives in Houston with her husband of 18 years, 5 children, 3 dogs and 2 cats. In her capacity as a postdoc, Christine is helping to advance the goals of HEROES through expanding research and pursuing additional grant funding.		Karina Molina, BS Research Assistant Karina Molina, BS Research Assistant Karina Molina is the HEROES Research Assistant who is also known as our Gatekeeper. She helps organize appointments, handles all referrals and helps connect our patients to ongoing care in their community. She has a Bachelors in Science concentrating in Health Care Navigation.
	Ma de la Luz (Marylou) Cardenas-Turanzas, MD, DrPH Senior Statistician Ma de la Luz (Marylou) Cardenas-Turanzas, MD, DrPH Senior Statistician Marylou is our Senior Statistician with vast experience in health care information analysis and synthesis. Marylou’s specific research experience includes research in health services, emergency medicine, oncology, and cancer care supporting areas such as Palliative Care and Intensive Care. She is excellent at forging new partnerships with clinical researchers both nationally and internationally.		Chad Armstrong, RSS Peer Recovery Support Specialist Chad Armstrong, RSS Peer Recovery Support Specialist Chad Armstrong is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist who is passionate about helping individuals who suffer from OUD. He is a community Faith Based Leader and also strives to help individuals overcome barriers and reach long term recovery.

Team Members

Christine Bakos-Block, PhD, LCSW-S
Research Scientist

Christine Bakos-Block PhD, LCSW-S

Research Scientist

Christine Bakos-Block is an alumna of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, where she focused on interprofessional research and clinical practice in healthcare. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow with the HEROES Program. Christine lives in Houston with her husband of 18 years, 5 children, 3 dogs and 2 cats. In her capacity as a postdoc, Christine is helping to advance the goals of HEROES through expanding research and pursuing additional grant funding.

Karina Molina, BS
Research Assistant

Karina Molina, BS

Research Assistant

Karina Molina is the HEROES Research Assistant who is also known as our Gatekeeper. She helps organize appointments, handles all referrals and helps connect our patients to ongoing care in their community. She has a Bachelors in Science concentrating in Health Care Navigation.

Ma de la Luz (Marylou) Cardenas-Turanzas, MD, DrPH

Senior Statistician

Ma de la Luz (Marylou) Cardenas-Turanzas, MD, DrPH

Senior Statistician

Marylou is our Senior Statistician with vast experience in health care information analysis and synthesis. Marylou’s specific research experience includes research in health services, emergency medicine, oncology, and cancer care supporting areas such as Palliative Care and Intensive Care. She is excellent at forging new partnerships with clinical researchers both nationally and internationally.

Chad Armstrong, RSS

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Chad Armstrong, RSS

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Chad Armstrong is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist who is passionate about helping individuals who suffer from OUD. He is a community Faith Based Leader and also strives to help individuals overcome barriers and reach long term recovery.


	Yvonne Reed, LCDC, CCJP, MS Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Yvonne Reed, LCDC, CCJP, MS Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Yvonne is the HEROES Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She is a Certified Criminal Justice Professional, internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a state Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Yvonne holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience working in the criminal justice and community and social service settings. Yvonne is passionate about serving adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and behavioral issues. Yvonne is skilled at establishing positive trusting rapport with patients, with a unique ability of connecting with patients. She motivates, encourages and supports patients to live healthier life styles, live independently and strive to reach their full potential.		Shruthi Manas, MS Data Management Analyst Shruthi Manas, MS Data Management Analyst Shruthi is the HEROES Data Management Analyst. She holds a Master’s degree in health informatics and has worked on various healthcare academic projects. She is instrumental in creating and managing the HEROES database. She trains the team on using the database. She is also skilled in extracting data, and creating reports and insightful dashboards for HEROES to help the team quickly gain a meaningful understanding of the data and to make better informed decisions.
	Shabana Walia, MD, MPH Clinical Director Shabana Walia, MD, MPH Clinical Director Dr. Shabana Walia is the clinical director for the HEROES program. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency from Johns Hopkins Hospital & completed a Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on Biostatistics and Epidemiology.		Angela Nash PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS Assistant Professor Shabana Walia, MD, MPH Assistant Professor Clinical Nursing Dr. Nash is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at the UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing. A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with dual board certification in pediatric primary care and mental-behavioral health, she is the adolescent provider for the Young HEROES pilot and also maintains a clinical practice at a local FQHC clinic. Dr. Nash’s areas of expertise include pediatric primary care and mental-behavioral health; adolescent substance misuse and disorders; recovery from substance use disorders for adolescents and pregnant/parenting women; health problems related to prenatal alcohol and drug exposures; and prevention and treatment of opioid misuse and addiction. A qualitative and mixed-methods researcher, her research focuses on Alternative Peer Groups and other recovery-support treatment models for adolescents with SUD and reduction of stigma for patients with alcohol or drug-related problems. She received her BSN and MSN degrees from the University of Texas-Austin and her PhD from the Cizik School of Nursing-UTHealth.

Yvonne Reed, LCDC, CCJP, MS
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Yvonne Reed, LCDC, CCJP, MS

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Yvonne is the HEROES Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She is a Certified Criminal Justice Professional, internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a state Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Yvonne holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience working in the criminal justice and community and social service settings. Yvonne is passionate about serving adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and behavioral issues. Yvonne is skilled at establishing positive trusting rapport with patients, with a unique ability of connecting with patients. She motivates, encourages and supports patients to live healthier life styles, live independently and strive to reach their full potential.

Shruthi Manas, MS
Data Management Analyst

Shruthi Manas, MS

Data Management Analyst

Shruthi is the HEROES Data Management Analyst. She holds a Master’s degree in health informatics and has worked on various healthcare academic projects. She is instrumental in creating and managing the HEROES database. She trains the team on using the database. She is also skilled in extracting data, and creating reports and insightful dashboards for HEROES to help the team quickly gain a meaningful understanding of the data and to make better informed decisions.

Shabana Walia, MD, MPH

Clinical Director

Shabana Walia, MD, MPH

Clinical Director

Dr. Shabana Walia is the clinical director for the HEROES program. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency from Johns Hopkins Hospital & completed a Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Angela Nash PhD,
APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Assistant Professor

Shabana Walia, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor Clinical Nursing

Dr. Nash is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at the UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing. A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with dual board certification in pediatric primary care and mental-behavioral health, she is the adolescent provider for the Young HEROES pilot and also maintains a clinical practice at a local FQHC clinic. Dr. Nash’s areas of expertise include pediatric primary care and mental-behavioral health; adolescent substance misuse and disorders; recovery from substance use disorders for adolescents and pregnant/parenting women; health problems related to prenatal alcohol and drug exposures; and prevention and treatment of opioid misuse and addiction. A qualitative and mixed-methods researcher, her research focuses on Alternative Peer Groups and other recovery-support treatment models for adolescents with SUD and reduction of stigma for patients with alcohol or drug-related problems. She received her BSN and MSN degrees from the University of Texas-Austin and her PhD from the Cizik School of Nursing-UTHealth.