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The MATTERS Team was highlighted as a part of the New York State Overdose To Action (OD2A) webinar series in early September 2022.

Caleigh Loughran, Program Manager

Caleigh Loughran currently serves as program manager for New York MATTERS. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University at Buffalo. While pursuing her degree, Caleigh gained experience in the medical field working as a patient care technician in an emergency department, a nursing assistant, and as a research assistant on a clinical research program. Caleigh plans to continue her education and attend medical school.

Matthew Fallico, MSW, DOH Liason

Mr. Fallico is a Health Program Coordinator with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Office of Drug User Health. His main duties include providing technical assistance to incorporate buprenorphine prescribing more broadly, so that individuals have access to buprenorphine at a range of settings including primary care clinics, harm reduction programs, federally qualified health centers, correctional health facilities, emergency departments (EDs), OB/GYN settings, housing services, and other community-based organizations. Mr. Fallico also oversees operational tasks at state operated COVID-19 testing and vaccinations facilities in the downstate region. Prior to working for the NYSDOH, he was the Opioid Program Manager for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and oversaw implementation and program planning related to opioid prevention and treatment initiatives. Mr. Fallico received his Master’s in Social Work at Arizona State University with a concentration in program planning and community practice.

Emily Payne, MPSH, Epidemiologist & Data Evaluator

Emily Payne is an epidemiologist at the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, working primarily with programs related to opioid use and overdose, including NY MATTERS. Emily has over five years of experience as an epidemiologist with expertise in chronic disease, communicable disease including COVID-19, and maternal and child health (MCH). Prior to joining the NYSDOH, Emily worked as an epidemiologist at both state and local health departments in Colorado. Emily obtained her Master of Science in Public Health degree focused on MCH and epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Sarah Santos, Regional Care Coordinator

Sarah received her BA in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz. For several years after graduation, she traveled extensively throughout the US. Sarah developed a passion for harm reduction while living in Portland, OR where she volunteered with Nightwatch, Sisters of the Road, and Portland People’s Outreach Project helping unhoused and at-risk populations. Upon returning to NY in 2021 she began working for Hudson Valley Services’ Syringe Exchange Program as a Peer Specialist in Dutchess and Ulster County. She is currently a Regional Care Coordinator and is responsible for developing the NY MATTERS network across six counties in the Hudson Valley Region.

Thank you to the OD2A team for having MATTERS participate in your webinar series! Special thanks to our partners at the New York State Department of Health for joining us in this discussion.