Sam Bethel, MSW, LCSW
Sam is a Doctoral candidate and licensed clinical social worker experienced in health, mental health, and forensic social work. He has a lot of experience providing counseling services for common mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and adjustment to life changes. Sam is particularly interested in integrating social needs care into healthcare services,specifically regarding the implementation, evaluation, and maximization of social work services on interprofessional healthcare teams across the continuum
health, mental health, and forensic social work.
Dr. Kevin Bennett, PhD
Dr. Bennett directs the Research Center for Transforming Health and the Center for Rural & Primary Healthcare. Dr. Bennet's agenda focuses on care delivery for vulnerable populations, such as non-whites, rural residents, and those with chronic diseases. In particular, his research focuses on how rural minorities experience problems related to access to healthcare services, utilization of these services, and out-of-pocket expenditures for services. In addition to this work, Dr. Bennett also conducts quality improvement research, which focuses on using health information technology and systems redesign as tools to improve care delivery, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations.
Dr. Jaymie VanMeter, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, BC-TMH, CYT
Dr. VanMeter is the current president of the Oklahoma Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development (OAMCD), owns a private practice called Piece of Mind Counseling & Consultation, and is a licensed counselor and supervisor in the state of Oklahoma. Before private practice, I was a Psychological Clinician, performing psychological assessments and evaluations for the state juvenile sector. Jaymie was honored and awarded the Oklahoma State Counselor of the Year Award 2018.
Dr. Mindi Spencer
Dr. Spencer is a board member, is a professor at the University of South Carolina and champions the elimination of health disparities for LGBT individuals. In addition to her effective teaching methods, Spencer's passion for public health and social justice likely proves contagious to students at all levels. She pushes her students to resist any forces that compromise the nation's health–a nation that she firmly believes is strengthened by its diversity. It is through her research and service that Spencer has demonstrated her zealous commitment to the health of the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual (LGBT) population.
Dr. Jennifer D. Pender, M.D.
Dr. Pender identifies as a Black female with a disability. Dr. Pender is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has devoted her career to providing care to the most underserved people in our communities through state mental health and correctional facilities. She completed her Chemistry, Medicine, and Public Health degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Pender enjoys teaching and has provided several lectures supporting evidence-based care for LGBTQ+ people locally and nationally. Most recently, she has focused her career on improving suicide prevention among vulnerable individuals.
Dr. Alex Karydi, LMFT, CSAC, CAC
Dr. Karydi is a consulting board member, identifies as a queer immigrant of Greek descent. Alex is the Director of State and Community Initiatives at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. They have a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology and Marriage and Family Therapy and are passionate about mental health and suicide prevention. He has done great work as a therapist, grant writer, and program manager. For instance, they established South Carolina's first state office for suicide prevention and developed a comprehensive school-based program. Alex also contributed to national efforts to reduce the annual suicide rate as a Program Director for Project 2025 at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Alex is proud to care for their Queer Deaf child and beloved pets with their spouse.
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