Assistant Director, Center for Health Systems Analytics

Dr. Karima Lalani is the Assistant Director, 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. → read more

PhD, CADC, LCDC
Associate Director, HEROES

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

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.

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.

Physician Assistant / Advanced Practice Provider

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.

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Kristina is a state-certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Kristina works mainly on our mobile health unit as part of Project Integra - a part of the HIV Treatment and Prevention Network. Kristina is a woman in long-term recovery.

Research Coordinator

Simone Joannou is our Research Coordinator, 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.

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Kelly is a state-certified Recovery Support Peer Specialist. She is in long-term recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and is passionate about helping individuals who suffer from OUD.

Assistant Professor

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.

Research Coordinator

Meredith O’Neal is the HEROES Research Coordinator. She is the project leader for the Heroes Helpline and Young HEROES. Meredith provides essential data collection and analysis for the program, and she has her Master’s in medical anthropology (2019) and will be starting her MBA in the fall of 2021.

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.

Community Peer Advocate

Yami works mainly on our mobile health unit as part of Project Integra - a part of the HIV Treatment and Prevention Network. Yami is a woman in long-term recovery.

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.

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.