Jon Tew

Assistant Division Director, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS)

Jon Tew serves as Assistant Division Director for the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), leading the Office of Medicaid Policy and Innovation as Policy Director. He oversees innovation efforts in NJ Medicaid including several current Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) models and leads implementation of NJ’s 1115 Demonstration Waiver, including new housing services. A lawyer by training, Jon began his time with DMAHS in the Office of Innovation before moving to Policy. His prior experience includes advocacy work with the Camden Coalition for people with complex health and social needs as well as time serving in the Pennsylvania Senate as legislative director.

Suzy Dyer, Esq.

Executive Director, Parker Family Health Center (PFHC)

Suzy Dyer joined Parker Family Health Center in December 2019. Suzy joined Parker from Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey. Suzy was an Assistant US Attorney in the District of New Jersey. Today, Suzy chairs the New Jersey Free Clinic Association and the Red Bank Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Suzy is the Board Chair of the Greater Newark Conservancy and sits on the Borden Foundation Board.

Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong JD, MPH

Director of the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden

Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong is Director of the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden, which conducts research into the community and social issues of the day impacting Southern New Jersey. Before joining WRI, she was Director of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (Penn LDI), Director of National Initiatives and Communications-Content Development at the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, and Assistant Director of Policy and Planning at the San Francisco Department of Health. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a JD from Stanford Law School.

Tricia Yeo

Senior Manager of Health and Wellness at the Food Bank of South Jersey

Tricia Yeo, NDTR, is the Senior Manager of Health and Wellness at the Food Bank of South Jersey. She oversees nutrition and wellness programming, including staff training, class scheduling, and program coordination. Tricia is a Nutrition Dietetic Technician Registered and holds a bachelor's degree in Health and Wellness Promotion and is a CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program Master Trainer and Certified Lifestyle Coach, as well as a SERV Safe Food Protection Manager. With over 10 years of experience in nutrition education, she is dedicated to helping individuals and communities achieve healthier lifestyles through evidence-based programs and practical wellness strategies.

Eric Levitan

Founder and CEO of Vivo

Eric Levitan is the founder and CEO of Vivo, a digital health and fitness company focused on improving the health and independence of older adults. Eric brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the technology and software sectors. After witnessing the decline in his parents’ quality of life as they aged, Eric became determined to better understand the aging process and how to help older adults stay strong, healthy, and independent. That experience inspired him to create Vivo - a safe, engaging, and evidence-based strength training program designed specifically for older adults.

Adam Bricketto, NDTR

Health and Wellness Community Program Senior Manager, Food Bank of South Jersey

Adam Bricketto is a Dietetic Technician, Registered who has been employed with the Food Bank of South Jersey, since 2015. His current title is Senior Manager Community Programs, and besides managing the food bank's SNAP Navigation program, he leads Project Healthy Bones classes for the public, as well as certification programs including the AHA's HeartSaver, and the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe.

Dan Dychtwald, PhD, MPH, MS

Policy Manager, NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate

Dr. Dan Dychtwald joined the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) in May of 2024 as a Program Manager/Government Representative. In this role, Dr. Dychtwald supports the director in coordinating efforts with state agency directors and program leaders in building strong relationships in facilitation of interdepartmental food security efforts. Dan also leads policy efforts preparing briefs and related documents outlining federal and state social safety net programs affecting food security while also keeping the team current on such legislation. He also supports strategic statewide planning efforts, grant preparation and writing, and provides technical and professional coordination and leadership in the execution of programming and project activities. Dan received his PhD in Nutrition from Drexel University, along with a Master in Public Health Management and Policy and a Master in Clinical Nutrition. At Drexel, Dan assisted in several studies in oncology, public health, and gender equity, leading to his thesis and dissertation exploring the roles and experiences of men with the WIC program. The research helped lead Dan to work with Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health and into advocacy work on behalf of fathers. During his time at Drexel, Dan also served as the State Policy Representative and Public Policy Chair for the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Prior to joining OFSA, Dan was with Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences where he served as the Senior Program Administrator for the SNAP-Ed program covering four South Jersey counties. Before that, Dan was a Senior Project Manager with Rutgers Institute for Health where he managed several National Institutes of Health (NIH) and foundation-funded research studies.

Joshua Ardise, MD, MPH

Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Joshua Ardise, MD, MPH, is Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, where he oversees medical management programs including utilization management, case management, medical policy, and medical cost strategy, while collaborating with health systems and providers to improve outcomes, advance quality, and promote affordable, high-value care. A healthcare executive with more than 20 years of managed care experience, Dr. Ardise has built a career focused on healthcare quality, clinical innovation, value-based care, and operational excellence, including prior leadership as Regional Vice President and Senior Clinical Officer at Elevance Health and as Medical Director II for Quality Management at Horizon BCBSNJ, where he directed STARS, HEDIS, NCQA accreditation, clinical governance, and regulatory compliance initiatives. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and his Doctor of Medicine, Emergency Medicine residency training, and Master of Public Health degree from Stony Brook University; he is board certified in Emergency Medicine and has practiced in both academic and community emergency department settings. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Ardise serves on the Board of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, where he and his family have volunteered for more than five years and where he and his wife teach first aid through the organization’s Workforce Development Program.

Carolyn Providence, PhD, MS

Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commissioner/Division Chief of Operations, Division of Health Promotion

Dr. Carolyn Providence is a public health and nutrition expert with more than thirty years of leadership experience in federally funded nutrition programs, policy development, and community health initiatives. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and currently serves as Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Health’s Division of Health Promotion, where she supports strategic planning, program oversight, and statewide health initiatives. Her career included managing the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, WIC administration, and extensive work in research, teaching, policy development, and training. She is widely recognized for her strategic insight, organizational leadership, and lifelong commitment to improving nutrition equity and public health outcomes.

Monica Lallo, Ed.D., MPM, MPA

Senior Vice President of Prevention Youth & Education Services, Acenda Integrated Health

Dr. Monica Lallo is an educator, team strategist, and advocate for improving government and nonprofit services to historically underserved and rural communities, children, and families. Dr. Lallo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctoral Degree in Education. She produced several accomplishments with the creation of numerous initiatives that helped improve oral health, maternal health and service delivery outcomes, increase stakeholder involvement, and promote networking among nonprofit organizations. Dr. Lallo utilizes her skills and professional experience to assist organizations in their continued efforts to serve children and families globally, and as a Senior Vice President at Acenda Integrated Health in Glassboro, New Jersey.

Sam Wakim, DMD, MPH

Dental Medical Director I, Horizon NJ Health

Dr. Sam Wakim is the Dental Director for the Government Programs Division of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and earned a master’s degree in dental public health from UMDNJ – School of Public Health. Dr. Wakim worked in several community health centers where he established numerous initiatives to address oral health needs of underserved communities. These included school-based education and screening programs, a dental residency program, on-the-job training initiatives, continuing education courses, and integrated programs with the medical department. Dr. Wakim has more than 14 presentations, articles, and news features. He was named a Top Dentist by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, was recognized by the New Jersey Dental Association with the “Give Kids A Smile Pioneer Award,” and was designated a “Real Doc Hollywood” by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

Denise Anderson, Ph.D., MPH

Executive Director of the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing

Dr. Denise Anderson is an accomplished public health executive with experience in hospitals, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia. She is the Inaugural Executive Director of The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing, New Jersey's newly designated Public Health Institute. She serves on the boards of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and is President-Elect of the New Jersey Public Health Association (NJPHA). She holds a BS in Human Ecology, an MPH from Rutgers, and a Ph.D. in Urban Systems from Rutgers and NJIT. Further, Dr. Anderson is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Prevention Service Fellow, an Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow, and a Yale Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Equity Leadership.

Jamey Lister, PhD, MSW

Associate Professor, Rutgers, The State University

Dr. Jamey Lister, PhD, MSW, is an Associate Professor (with Tenure) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey within the School of Social Work. Dr. Lister’s scholarship targets rural health, addiction, and behavioral health care for medically underserved areas. Having grown up in a rural, medically underserved, health professional shortage area of Michigan guides his scholarship and value to promote trust. Dr. Lister serves as Founder & Director of the New Jersey Rural Health Resource Center, funded by the New Jersey Rural Health Transformation Program, and directs the statewide primary care and rural health needs assessment and action plan in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health. Dr. Lister completed postdoctoral training in psychiatry at Wayne State University, earned his PhD from Rutgers University, his MSW with a specialization in clinical practice for mental health from the University of Michigan, and his BS from Miami (Ohio) University).

Jennifer Velez

EVP, Health & Network Solutions, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ)

Jennifer Velez is the Executive Vice President of Health & Network Solutions at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ). In that role, she has responsibility for several teams across the enterprise, including provider network management, quality and health equity, behavioral health, population health management, pharmacy, payment integrity, and clinical operations. Prior to joining Horizon BCBSNJ, Velez served as the Chief Impact Officer of Shatterproof — a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment and reversing stigma. Prior to Shatterproof, she served as an Executive Vice President of RWJBarnabas Health responsible for Community & Behavioral Health, where she led the health system’s interdisciplinary response to the opioid epidemic. During her tenure, she expanded the peer recovery specialist model and medication-assisted treatment as effective interventions to combat the disease of addiction and introduced the community health worker model as an evidence-based, effective workforce model to address social determinants of health. Velez joined RWJBarnabas Health in March 2015, as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Planning, after serving eight years as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services under both Governors Chris Christie and Jon Corzine. Velez served on the board of Drew University for 11 years, where she was a member of the Executive Committee and chairperson of the Committee on Trustees. She is also a Visiting Associate of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, has served on the Center for State Health Policy’s External Advisory Committee since 2018.

Raynard E. Washington

Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health

Dr. Raynard Washington was appointed by Governor Mikie Sherrill to serve as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, where he leads statewide efforts to protect public health and make health care work better for more people. An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Washington has dedicated his career to improving the health of communities. He served on the front lines of public health leading local public health departments in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in Philadelphia, advancing health equity, strengthening public health data systems, and pioneering community-based approaches to public health challenges. At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he conducted research that helped inform federal health policy. As Commissioner, he is focused on building a healthier New Jersey by making health care easier to access and afford, and ensuring every resident has a real opportunity to live a healthy life.

Nashon Hornsby, JD, LLM

Assistant Commissioner, Division of Health Promotion

Nashon Hornsby is a first-generation college graduate. A native of Neptune Township (Monmouth County), he earned an associate’s degree in Political Science from Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA). Following graduation from Morehouse, Nashon returned to NJ and attended Seton Hall Law School, where he earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and Legal Letter Masters (LL.M.) in Health Law. Licensed to practice in the State of NJ, Nashon has served the State for over 23 years. Mr. Hornsby began his public service tenure as a Senior Policy Advisor to former Health Commissioner Dr. Clifton Lacy. He then assumed the role of Procedural Safeguards Coordinator for the New Jersey Early Intervention System, where he coordinated dispute resolution efforts for complainants. He was later hired by former Governor Jon Corzine, as a Policy Advisor on issues related to health, education, and urban affairs. Following this role, Mr. Hornsby assumed the post of Chief of Operations for the Department of Health, Division of Family Health Services, where he oversaw operational efficiencies and performance management and more recently served as Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Health Promotion where he oversaw the Community Health and Wellness (chronic disease control and prevention services) Unit, the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health and Oral Health Services. Currently, Mr. Hornsby serves as Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Health Promotion. Mr. Hornsby is married to Melissa Dyanne (nee Chisholm) Hornsby and the couple reside in Lawrenceville. The couple has two adult children, and three grandsons.

Ivette Guillermo-McGahee, ACS, LPC

Founder and Executive Director, Allies In Caring, Inc.

Ivette Guillermo-McGahee’s work is grounded in a commitment to creating conditions where every young person can belong, discover who they are, develop their potential, and contribute their gifts to their communities. A first-generation immigrant, a child of Deaf adults (CODA), and a resident of rural South Jersey, she has experienced both the barriers that obscure potential and the relationships that help it emerge. Guided by “nothing about us without us,” she listens and builds alongside the community, recognizing that everyone has strengths, knowledge, and resources worth cultivating. Her approach embraces the many dimensions of growth: inner development, healing, interpersonal skills, caring relationships, practical opportunities, and systemic change. As a counselor, mentor, community builder, advocate, and founder, Ivette has sought to bring these conditions together. In 2012, she established Allies In Caring in Hammonton, New Jersey. Now evolving toward ConVivir, the organization supports children and young people ages 5–25 by connecting bilingual, culturally responsive behavioral health care, nature- and community-based positive youth development, and workforce pathways to promote whole-person health. Ivette has served in advisory and leadership roles with the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing—New Jersey’s Public Health Institute—as well as Healthy New Jersey 2030, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Jenga Council, the Health Equity Narrative Lab, Root Change’s Community Power initiative, and NACCHO’s Healthy Community Design Initiative. Across these roles, she elevates the strengths and voices of rural, immigrant, disability, and historically underserved communities. A trustee of the Pinelands Alliance since 2019, she sees care for people and care for the living world as intertwined. Ivette holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor.

Stefanie Russell, DDS, MPH, PhD

NJ State Dental Director Associate Professor

Stefanie L. Russell, DDS, MPH, PhD, is the New Jersey State Dental Director and an Associate Professor at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Rutgers School of Public Health. She is board-certified in dental public health and is a periodontist and epidemiologist. Her work centers on improving oral health for vulnerable populations and access to care, with particular expertise in maternal and perinatal oral health. At Rutgers, she is developing academic programs in Dental Public Health. Her research, teaching, and clinical work have focused on translating evidence into integrated approaches to oral health care and public health practice.

Kim Attanasi, PhD, RDH

Professional Affairs, Oral Health Lead, Kimberly-Clark

Kim Attanasi, PhD, RDH, BCMAS is the Oral Health Professional Affairs Lead at Kimberly-Clark, where she advances evidence-based oral health education, professional engagement, and public health initiatives that support improved health outcomes across diverse populations. Dr. Attanasi holds a PhD in Public Health, is a Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), and is a licensed dental hygienist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. In addition to her industry leadership role, Dr. Attanasi continues to serve as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at New York University College of Dentistry for more than 14 years, where she has educated and mentored future oral health professionals. Her work focuses on advancing oral health equity, reducing oral health disparities across the lifespan, and elevating awareness of the oral-systemic connection through education, research translation, and professional collaboration. Dr. Attanasi is particularly passionate about improving access to care and health education in underserved and rural communities. She champions interdisciplinary approaches that integrate oral health into overall health and wellness, fostering medical-dental collaboration to improve population health outcomes and support healthier communities throughout the lifespan.

Viviana De Los Angeles

Chief Program Officer, NAMI New Jersey

Viviana De Los Angeles is Chief Program Officer at NAMI New Jersey. She oversees the Statewide Programs, which bring free, peer-led mental health education to rural Jersey families, and serves as hub faculty for the Pediatric Rural Mental Health Project ECHO. A bilingual public health educator and mental health advocate for more than 15 years, she shares her own recovery journey and her experience as a caregiver to help end stigma and build hope.