PERU Leadership

Jan Pringle, PhD, is the founder and director of PERU, as well as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Dr. Pringle is an epidemiologist by training, with extensive experience in health services research. She has conducted numerous health services research studies and program evaluation efforts involving, but not limited to: screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), innovative addiction treatment, intervention and prevention models, medication adherence, enhancement interventions, and patient access to care. Dr. Pringle developed a framework for assessing organizational health and guiding systems transformation, which has been used within the Veterans Health Administration, primary care practices, and integrated care practices, as well as other healthcare sites and entities. In addition, she is the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Clinical Standards Committee. She has also developed healthcare research and briefs that have been used to inform policy development, at both the state and federal level. Throughout her career, Dr. Pringle has secured over $130 million in grants from a variety of sources. Pronouns: She/Her

Abby is a Deputy Director for Treatment Integration and Pharmacy Integration program areas within the Innovative Health Services Initiatives. Abby manages the implementation and evaluation of Screening, Brief-Intervention, and Referral-to-Treatment (SBIRT) and medications for opioid use disorder in multiple settings spanning the state of Pennsylvania, with a focus on primary care and pharmacy settings. Her current efforts provide support to over 12 health systems and over 30 healthcare sites. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Alli Clevenger, MPH, is a Deputy Director within Innovative Health System Initiatives (IHSI). She manages COMMIT Program, SUPPORT Program, Project ARTEMIS, Washington Health System SBIRT ED Project, and the Fulton County SBIRT ED Projects. She has extensive experience using data collection and analysis to develop actionable, data-informed recommendations and implement intervention and prevention strategies through legislative, policy, and practice change. She has nearly ten years of experience designing, managing, and evaluating evidence-based public health programs for vulnerable populations at global, state, and local levels. Alli earned her Master of Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in Business from James Madison University. Alli enjoys doing any and all outdoor activities with her husband and two dogs, Jax and Sadie. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Annette Mich, MS, is Director of System Transformation Support across all PERU projects. Annette earned a Master of Science from Rush University and a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University. Annette has devoted her career to system design and improvement as a means to helping people succeed at work that has meaning to them. Annette met her husband at and sent her children to Penn State. She Hails to Pitt except when the Nittany Lions take on the Pitt Panthers in football. Pronouns: She/Her

Brenda Hall Sciulli, BA, OCPC. is a Deputy Director of CHI Portfolio. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Individual Family Studies from Kent State University. Currently, Brenda supports Program Managers and coordinates multiple projects across the CHI Portfolio. Brenda has over 23 years of experience working in the field of Prevention and Coalition Building. She also enjoys spending time with her family, including 3 dogs, and being outdoors.

Debra Moore, PhD, MA is the Director, Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Methodology and Master of Arts in Research Methodology from University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Music Education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Debra has 14 years experience in program evaluation, measurement, research design, and data analysis across a variety of contexts. Staying true to her musical roots, Debra directs vocal and handbell choirs, and performs as often as possible. Pronouns: She/Her

Jonathan Walkush, MBA, is PERU's Director of Operations. He earned an Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Jonathan has 25 years of experience in public sector administration. Jonathan loves to travel and can mangle phrases in over ten languages. Pronouns: He/Him

Lisa Sipusic, MPPM, is the Senior Manager of Training and Communications and works across PERU projects. She earned a Master of Public Policy and Management from University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from The Pennsylvania State University. Lisa has more than 18 years of experience working in the health care industry in areas such as marketing and communications, project management, and product development. Lisa enjoys being active and loves to roller skate and travel with her daughter. Pronouns: She/Her

Latonya Latamore, PhD, MS, is PERU’s Senior Equity Specialist and works across portfolios. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration: Management from University of Michigan – Dearborn, Master of Science: Finance from Walsh College, and a Doctorate: Public Administration and Public Policy from Walden University. Latonya has 20 years of experience working in human services, in the areas of workforce development, education, transportation, and community development advocacy. She enjoys traveling and is a lifetime learner. Latonya enjoys watching figure skating and supporting her daughter who is a competitive figure skater. Pronouns: She/Her

Lori Lawrence, MS, LPC, is the Deputy Director, Community Health Initiatives Criminal Justice. She earned a Bachelor of Arts: Psychology from Ohio University, Master of Science: Psychology from Chatham University and a Master in Business Administration: Strategic Leadership and Globalization from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Lori has over 15 years of leadership and management experience in the behavioral health industry with a focus on individual, organizational and system change. She loves to walk and/or jog on the city’s trails, cook, go to food festivals to try new cuisine, and practice baking with her daughter. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Poonam Alaigh, MS, MD, is the Director of Innovation for PERU. Poonam has worked in a variety of high-level healthcare administration and policy roles. Most notably: Acting Under Secretary of Health and Senior Advisor for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Director for GlaxoSmithKline and Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and as Commissioner for the Commission of Health and Senior Services for New Jersey. As PERU’s Director of Innovation, Poonam identifies best practices and emerging healthcare trends. Poonam works with healthcare leaders in both the government and private sector to enhance PERU’s capabilities and offerings and ensure its growth. Poonam earned her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Health Care Policy and Management from Stony Brook University. Poonam is a Six Sigma Black Belt and mom.

Rachel Hersh, MSN, RN, is the Director of Community Health Initiatives (CHI). She earned her BSN and MSN in Public Health and is currently enrolled at Tulane University in the Doctor of Public Health program in Leadership, Equity, and Advocacy. She has dedicated her professional career to serving marginalized and economically at-risk communities. She is passionate about the health and cultural wellness of vulnerable communities. Through her work with external, internal, and telemedicine health teams she has been instrumental in designing and implementing multiple integrated clinical and community service lines to improve access to care and reduce barriers found in primary medical, oral health, and mental health systems. Her strengths are synthesizing information from a wide range of subject areas, spotting unseen patterns, connecting the dots inside complex bodies of knowledge, and noticing where systems overlap in order to envision an organization’s preferred mission and vision-based future. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Reina Wang, PhD, is PERU's Scientific Data Director. She earned a PhD: Rehabilitation science with a concentration in health information management From University of Pittsburgh. Reina's areas of expertise include healthcare informatics, data analytics, and telehealth. Her particular strengths is in bridging the gap between IT and clinical practice in various multidisciplinary environments. Reina is originally from Taiwan and moved to Pittsburgh for graduate school. Pronouns: She/Her

Dr. Renee Cloutier has joined PERU as the Research Scientist. Renee earned her PhD: Experimental Psychology from University of North Texas and interdisciplinary postdoctoral training from Penn State in prevention science and methodology. Renee supports the development and monitoring of PERU project metrics and publications and participating in the development of all grant applications. Renee has 9 years of research experience in the field of addiction, six of which involved designing and overseeing complex human studies with diverse, hard-to-reach community populations (e.g., adolescent cannabis users). Renee have received grant funding and awards from National Institute of Drug Abuse, American Psychological Association, and Research Society on Alcoholism. She is committed to using her expertise in the field of substance use and co-occurring mental health problems to support people who use substances/have substance use disorders improve their overall health and wellbeing. Renee is originally from the Adirondacks in upstate New York which inspired her love for hiking and all things outdoors. She also loves to read and travel as much as she can. Pronouns: She/Her

Sharon Sumansky, MS, is the Director for Innovative Strategic Health Initiatives. She earned a Master of Science: Healthcare Administration & Ethics from St. Joseph's University. Sharon has worked in the fields of behavioral health, integrated care, homeless services, and working with vulnerable populations for 21 years. In her most recent previous position she served as the homeless services senior manager at Pittsburgh Mercy where she oversaw the award winning Operation Safety Net. Prior to this position, Sharon worked as a service coordination and specialized service coordination supervisor for ten years. In her tenure, she was instrumental in developing and significantly expanding an integrated behavioral health service delivery model for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and were also deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or children of deaf adults. Sharon loves soccer! She played for over 20 years and has been coaching girls soccer for over 30 years. In addition, she loves spoiling her three dogs; Bear, Ella, & Titan. Pronouns: She/Her

Matthew Phillips, BA, is an Executive Coordinator and Associate Program Implementation Specialist for PERU. He earned a Bachelor of Arts: English from University of Pittsburgh. Matt has more than 20 years of experience working in communications and content development. Matt appeared as a contestant on "Jeopardy!" in 2008. He also created content for the exhibits at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, including his favorite, the reimagination of the Dinosaur Hall. Pronouns: He/Him

Michelle has six years of experience in coordinating and managing grant-funded projects. She has worked with funding agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, Appalachian Regional Commission, the PA Department of Labor & Industry, and Achieving the Dream (ATD). She is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). Michelle spent three years as President of Sewickley Township Public Library’s Friends of the Library and has enjoyed membership on various committees supporting higher education, serving as co-chair for both Professional Development Training and United Way. Michelle enjoys visiting state and national parks with her kids. Pronouns: She/Her

Mindy Dawson is the Executive Assistant to Dr. Pringle. Mindy has over 15 years of experience working in the administrative field. She enjoys spending time with her family and visiting the beach. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers