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Bengal Health Chat: The Public Health Impact of Fentanyl, Heroin and the Opioid Epidemic in Idaho and Beyond

Show Air Date: 4/11/22

Recording Date: 4/8/22

Host: Teresa Conner, DPT, Dean for the College of Health

Guests: Ryan Lindsay, PhD, MPH, Chair / Associate Professor for the Department of Community and Public Health; Chad Yates, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling; Michael Mikitish, MS, MPA, Department Chair and Faculty, Emergency Services Department

Topic: The Public Health Impact of Fentanyl, Heroin and the Opioid Epidemic in Idaho and Beyond

Ryan Lindsay, PhD, MPH, Chair / Associate Professor for the Department of Community and Public Health

Dr. Lindsay is interested in global health and how substance use, including smoking, influences HIV and tuberculosis. My research has highlighted the plight of homeless, addicted, immigrant, and sex worker populations.

Education/Training:

  • Master of Public Health: Brigham Young University
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (Global Health emphasis):University of California San Diego/San Diego State University joint doctoral program
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of California San Francisco's Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

Chad Yates, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling

Specialty Areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addictions Counseling

Dr. Chad Yates joined the ISU Department of Counseling in 2013. He received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University and an M.A. in Community Counseling from the University of Toledo. At ISU, he teaches Prepracticum Counseling Techniques, Addictions Counseling, Group Counseling Techniques, Small Group Activity, and Advanced Psychological Testing and Assessment. He also supervises students within the practicum course.

Research interests include educational practices in addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders. Dr. Yates also researches the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within counseling and addictions counseling.

Michael Mikitish, MS, MPA, Department Chair and Faculty, Emergency Services Department

Mr. Michael Mikitish is the Department Chair of the Emergency Services Department and Director of the Institute of Emergency Management at Idaho State University-Meridian (ISU). Michael holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, a Masters in Public Administration from Boise State University, and a Bachelors of Science in Public Administration, Criminal Justice major, from the University of Arizona. From 1982-2005, he served in the U.S. Army in a variety of positions, including Pershing missiles Platoon Commander and Operations Officer, Field Artillery Battery Commander, Combat Maneuver Training Center Observer Controller, Field Artillery Instructor, Battalion Executive Officer, Division Fire Support Coordinator, Training Support Battalion Commander, and Professor of Military Science. Michael also owns a IT Cloud Service business with his son providing Cloud and Network Services to small and medium businesses across the US.

Teresa Conner, dean for the College of Health at Idaho State University oversees College of Health administration and operations through facilitating strategic and facilities planning. Conner also supports a robust research profile, promotes faculty development in teaching, scholarship, and service, as well as builds and maintains collaborative relationships within the COH, community organizations, business and industry, civic and government, and educational systems.