2025 Conference Speakers
Dr. Biederman received her BSN and MN degrees from the University of Washington, Tacoma and her DrPH from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Her expertise and scholarly focus include health disparities, social drivers of health, and housing policy. Dr. Biederman is a co-founder of Durham Homeless Care Transitions, a transitional care program for persons experiencing homelessness which received Edge Runner recognition from the American Academy of Nursing. She was a fellow in the inaugural Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders program where her focus was on Medicaid policy funding for tenancy support services for permanent supportive housing residents.
Taylor Blackwell is a board-certified Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with five years of experience in addiction medicine. She currently practices at CADAS- Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. She prides herself in providing quality, patient centered care to clients of all diversities and cultures. Taylor is passionate about promoting wellness, managing substance use, and chronic health issues in adults. In addition to clinical practice, Taylor is dedicated to staying at the forefront of healthcare advancements with continuing education. Taylor has a collaborative approach to substance use and committed to improving patient outcomes and helping individuals lead healthier, fulfilling, and productive lives.
Neru Gobin has 24 years of experience in behavioral health services in Tennessee, and currently serves at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) as the Director of Housing and Homeless Services, providing leadership and oversight of over 15 service delivery programs and initiatives that collectively provide supportive housing, housing support, and homeless outreach services across Tennessee. In this capacity, he also oversees the Tennessee Creating Homes Initiative, a model involving strategic partnership and leveraging of resources to further the statewide efforts to positively impact homelessness and to provide safe, quality, affordable permanent housing opportunities for Tennesseans experiencing mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders. Mr. Gobin is a member of the Executive Committee of the Housing Division for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and currently serves as the Division’s Southern Regional Representative. He has participated in a number of presentation opportunities at the national, state and local levels. Neru earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
As the Director of Behavioral Health at Clinica Medicos, Jarett leads the specialty mental health clinic, Clinica Renuevo. With master's degrees in divinity and counseling, he brings a unique perspective to his work. His international experience in Argentina and Mexico, coupled with extensive travel, enriches his generalist approach, specializing in trauma, adult mental health, and relationships. He is dedicated to fostering healing and growth in clients. Outside of work, he enjoys painting and reading, and cherishes time with his spouse and two teenagers.
Dr. Jennifer Orshak is a Nurse Scientist for the Department of Veterans Affairs. With a special emphasis in medical/surgical and neurological care for Veterans, she has worked as a nurse for the VA for more than 15 years. Prior to nursing, she developed a rich educational background that includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies, from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a Master of Arts Degree in Women’s Studies, from San Diego State University in California. In 2021, she received her PhD in Nursing at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. After graduating, she went on to the VA’s Women’s Health Post-Doctoral Fellowship. Her research interests are a natural extension of her knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise. The overarching goal of her program of research is to design, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions to improve women’s health, especially the mental and physical health care needs of women veterans who receive care in the VA. Her research aligns with national priorities of the American Heart Association, VA Health Services Research & Development, and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
Dr. Jason Peter is the Mary B. Jackson Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he teaches mental health and coordinates the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Dr. Peter has worked in various areas, including mental health, cardiac step-down, and diabetes and weight management. He received his Doctor of Nursing Practice with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Dr. Peter is dual board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, currently practicing in community mental health.
Dr. Roache' joined the School of Nursing faculty as Assistant Professor in 2007 being named the Kay K. Chitty Professor. In this position she taught in the undergraduate and graduate programs, and practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner two days a week in a community clinic serving vulnerable and underserved populations. After obtaining her DNP, Dr. Roache’ moved to Knoxville to coordinate the nurse practitioner program at King University as Associate professor. She taught in the doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate RN-BSN program. In 2016 she was promoted to Associate Dean of Graduate Programs. In 2018 Dr. Roache’ returned to UTC as the Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator and Primary Investigator of the CANDL grant. Her primary teaching responsibilities are in the graduate programs, in the FNP concentration. She maintains national certification and continues to engage in faculty practice at University Health Services at UTC where she precepts Family Nurse Practitioner Students.
Calandra Smith has always been passionate about helping others. She has served champion for youth and families for more than 18 years. Her career began as a Residential Manager at the Diamonds in the Rough Residential Group Home in Richmond, Virginia. She was responsible for providing direct support and services to adolescent females in state custody. She ensured that program participants received wrap around support services that helped them develop pro-social behaviors and independent living skills. In 2010, Ms. Smith relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee where she further developed her community advocacy skills by helping meet the needs of families through the Commodity Food Program at the Chattanooga Human Services. She coordinated food distribution centers to ensure that the most vulnerable citizens were fed. In 2012, Calandra joined the Hamilton County Coalition where she and the Director were determined to reduce substance use among youth and young adults in Hamilton County and throughout Region 3 South. Since that time, Ms. Smith received her Prevention Certification and advanced to the role of Assistant Director, where she provides oversight for 13 intervention and prevention grants. She provides professional guidance to 20 staff and 35 volunteers, who make up a diverse, multidisciplinary team of professionals and community advocates. Along with these “Community Change Agents,” Ms. Smith is able to assist with the development of comprehensive, prevention and intervention strategies that foster safe, healthy drug-free youth and families. Under her leadership, the Coalition has implemented strategies to reduce stigma associated with substance use and mental health. Ms. Smith coordinates local and national Drug Take Back events. Mrs. Smith provides alcohol awareness training for servers and retailers. She also coordinates the Youth Empowerment Society, where teens learn about drug prevention and teach their younger peers about the consequences and dangers of substance use and abuse. Calandra is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She received her Certified Prevention Specialist I through the TN Certification Board and IC&RC. She is married with three adult children, a fur baby, and a new grandbaby. She enjoys and traveling with family and friends.
Dr. Latisha Toney is a1992 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. She also attended the University of Memphis from 2011-2013 and graduated from East Tennessee State University in May 2019. Her experience includes medical-surgical, mental health, long-term care, case management, disability insurance, and jail/corrections healthcare. Dr. Toney currently teaches Community Health Nursing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her students have the unique opportunity to participate in clinical rotations serving school age children, homeless individuals, the elderly, and county jail inmates. She is also a part-time nurse practitioner at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center.
