Bio Type: CAMP Staff

Jasmine is the Project Manager of the new “Linkage to Care-Embedding Peers in the ED” program. In partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), this work will expand access to MOUD, warm hand-offs to community providers and peer support to patients who present to the HUP Cedar ED.  Jasmine is passionate about building bridges between community members, grassroots organizations, and healthcare systems. She possesses genuine passion for empowering communities to realize their full potential and advocating for equity and inclusivity. She leads several community engagement initiatives at CAMP and has been instrumental in efforts to form and engage our Community Advisory Board (CAB). She strives to partner with community leaders to make harm reduction education and supplies more accessible. Her approach to community engagement is built on active listening, empathy, and collaboration. She believes that every voice matters and that sustainable solutions arise from collective efforts driven by the community. She received her Master of Public Health from La Salle University in May 2022. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time in nature, reading the latest research on pressing public health issues, spending quality time with family and friends and traveling.

Gilly is a Project Manager for the Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy’s new Police-Assisted Diversion (PAD) program. Gilly has supported the growth of the CareConnect Warmline and led new initiatives for enhancing MOUD training and education for students and faculty with support from SAMHSA. Their work has also focused on community outreach in West Philly and building new partnerships to better support care linkages. Gilly has extensive experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia and individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses. Their past and current work is centered around ensuring equitable low-barrier access to resources and improving existing care models. Gilly is working towards obtaining their Masters in Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. In their free time, Gilly enjoys playing rugby, pickleball, and spending time with friends and family.

Patrick is a Certified Recovery Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator, and the Lead Substance Use Navigator for the CAMP team. Prior to joining the University, Pat worked for a local Recovery Community Organization serving Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. Patrick is a group facilitator for the “BRIDGING THE GAPS” program, which links the provision of health-related services for under-resourced communities with the training of healthcare and social service professionals. Pat is also the co-founder of “Kensington Cares” – a local outreach providing resources and harm reduction materials on a grassroot level in the Kensington community.

Pat enjoys live music, gardening, and loving his animals, family and friends. As an avid traveler, Pat continues on a lifelong journey of self exploration. 

 

                                                 “EVERFORWARDENDLESSLY….as everything is temporary.” 

Nikki is a Certified Recovery Specialist and Research Coordinator for Women’s Health at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Neonatal Follow Up Clinic & Resilience After Infant Substance Exposure (NFP-RISE) Program and the Penn PROUD (Perinatal Resources for Opioid Use Disorder) Clinic.  Nikki has extensive experience in peer support, behavioral health, and training and development. Nikki is passionate about helping patients address and find balance in their “8 Dimensions of Wellness” while meeting patients where they are so that they can achieve their recovery, health, and wellness goals. Nikki currently serves on the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition Health Committee and The National Federation of the Blind, Keystone and Greater Philadelphia Chapters. Nikki is founder and organizer of two support and social groups which help educate and support people with chronic illness and women of color. Nikki loves to teach and learn new things. In her spare time, she enjoys attending Broadway plays in NY, concerts, traveling, shopping and playing various card games, favorite being pinochle.

James is a Clinical Research Coordinator with CAMP. He is dedicated to empowering all individuals who are battling substance use disorder. James has a robust background in street outreach, harm reduction education, and case management for individuals with SUD. Prior to joining CAMP, James’s journey into the field of addiction recovery began with his own experiences overcoming addiction. He focuses on finding connections with individuals facing addiction, offering support and guidance without judgment. When James isn’t at work you can find him at a Phillies game or volunteering with harm reduction organizations throughout the city, furthering his connection with those who are struggling with SUD.

Email: james.sherman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Nam-Huy started his journey in healthcare services working as an EMT in California and Washington states. After a couple of years working directly with patients in the emergency services setting, Nam-Huy explored more teaching opportunities and complemented patient care with becoming a CPR instructor in the Seattle King County area. During his time, he worked and pursued a graduate degree in Public Health with a specialty in One Health, an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the inextricable connection between human, animal, and environmental health. He also grew his knowledge of safer agricultural practices at the University of Washington’s urban farm by helping obtain its first USDA organic certification label. Now, his passion has expanded toward finding creative ways to navigate an underserved community using overdose prevention strategies and recovery specialist tools. Nam completed his Certified Family Recovery Specialist training this summer to continue supporting people and family members in recovery. 

When he isn’t composting food scraps with his traveling worm bin, Nam-Huy enjoys biking, board games, and exploring the beautiful city of Philadelphia’s Free Library resources.

 

Email: leducn@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Maya is a Clinical Research Coordinator and Substance Use Navigator at CAMP. Her interest in substance use started when she joined a clinical psychology lab in college that focused on the neural and behavioral mechanisms of substance use. She then spent a summer working in the emergency department at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where she advocated and helped many patients with substance use who were also unhoused. She has conducted her own research on barriers to SUD treatment for people who are unhoused, with a specific emphasis on how homelessness impacts an individual’s access to and engagement with treatment. She is passionate about harm reduction education, patient advocacy, and community-based research. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, and trying new restaurants with friends and family.

 

Email: maya.arora@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Shawn is a Clinical Research Coordinator and Substance Use Navigator at CAMP. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During his studies, he was involved in research exploring the potential for behavioral modifications to reduce opioid medication misuse in chronic pain patients. He also volunteered at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Harriet Lane Clinic as a resource navigator for the families of pediatric patients. Shawn’s interest in substance use research and treatment began when local health officials visited his high school to speak about the opioid crisis. Now, he is committed to serving those with SUDs, reducing stigma, and exploring addiction medicine. One of his favorite things to do at CAMP is attend outreach events where he can engage with community members and provide education on substance use treatment and recovery. In his free time, Shawn enjoys watching movies, going to the gym, meditation, and professional wrestling.

 

Email: shawn.wiggins@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Rosa is a Lead Substance Use Navigator and Clinical Research Coordinator for the CAMP team with a focus on the Hospital to Housing partnership with Project HOME. She has worked in harm reduction and homeless services in Philadelphia since 2016 primarily in the Kensington neighborhood. Rosa’s past roles have included case management at a low-barrier emergency shelter, being part of a non-fidelity ACT team for chronically homeless Philadelphians with Opioid Use Disorder, and serving as an HIV Medical Case Manager at a Federally Qualified Health Center. She is dedicated to building connections between systems of care to support the health, dignity, and resilience of people who use drugs and experience homelessness.

When not at work, she spends her time baking for her friends, reading memoirs, and spoiling her cat.

Born and raised in the heart of South Philadelphia, Kelli is more than just a local resident—she’s a beacon of hope and support for those navigating the complex journey to wellness. As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Lead Substance Use Navigator, Kelli brings a wealth of wisdom, experience and unwavering dedication to her peers. Beginning her journey at Prevention Point Philadelphia, her work now focuses on aiding individuals grappling with mental health crises, substance use, domestic violence and reentry challenges following incarceration.

A fierce advocate for overdose and harm reduction education, she sits on the Community Advisory Board at the PHMC Health Center on Cedar Ave, volunteers for the grassroots organization Reclaim Phila for the Working Families Party and contributes to the safety workgroup for domestic violence prevention with the city of Philadelphia. Kelli believes in dismantling systemic barriers and promoting evidence-based treatments.

Outside of her professional life, Kelli is a dedicated mom, wife, and doting grandma. She treasures time spent with her family and friends, finding joy in the simple moments that make life meaningful.

 

“It’s hard enough to be invisible, yet alone be disposable” -k