Community involvement is an essential part of the fight for greater awareness, prevention, and treatment efforts for substance use and mental health disorders. Crossroads is honoring seven community leaders who have committed themselves to these efforts and are making a difference at its 4^th Annual Community Awards breakfast on May 17, 2017. The event celebrates the men and women who have demonstrated a compassionate commitment to creating solutions for those struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.

This year’s recipients are:

Chief Michael Sauschuck – Community Legal Leader
Alane O’Connor, DNP – Community Addictions Leader
Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear – Community Business Leaders
Michael E. Kelley, MD– Community Medical Leader
Zoe Odlin-Platz and Liz Garnatz – Community Leaders

Chief Michael Sauschuck has served the City of Portland since 1997, and appointed Chief of Police in January of 2012. Over the past decade several awards for his commitment include the Sergeant Michael J. Wallace Award, the Enrique Camarena Memorial Award from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Heroes with a Heart Award.

Alane O’Connor holds her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and works as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Maine Dartmouth Family Practice. She specializes in addiction medicine and the treatment of opioid-dependent women with buprenorphine.

Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear are the co-owners of Coffee By Design. Together they have brewed 22 years’ worth of “community and coffee”; giving back to the community and providing superior coffee to the residents of Portland, Maine are their driving passions.

Michael E. Kelley, MD, is the Medical Director at CCS Psychiatry, part of St. Mary’s Health System. He specializes in chemical dependency psychiatry and is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Psychosomatic Medicine.

Zoe Odlin-Platz and Liz Garnatz play an integral role in promoting India Street’s, needle exchange program, The Portland Exchange. The program aims to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C by providing clean needles and connecting individuals with health services and health education.

The 4^th Annual Community Awards breakfast will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Clarion Hotel, Portland, Maine. Tickets are $25 and include a delicious breakfast. Interested individuals may purchase tickets online or by calling (207) 773-9931.

[cta]Leave a comment and let us know about others who are making a difference in the fight against addiction.[/cta]