meharry harm reduction center
OUR MISSION
Mirroring the mission of Meharry Medical College, the Meharry Harm Reduction Center advances health equity for people who use drugs through innovative research, transformative education, and holistic health services designed to meet the specific needs of people who use drugs.
OUR TEAM
Robert Lyle Cooper, PHD, MSSW
Director, Meharry Harm Reduction Center
R. Lyle Cooper, PhD, MSSW is the director of the Meharry Harm Reduction Center (MHRC), and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Cooper started his career as a peer outreach worker in the original NIDA funded study that tested the effectiveness of the indigenous street outreach worker model. Dr. Cooper’s work as a clinician and researcher in the field of harm reduction with an emphasis on substance use disorder and infectious disease for over 20 years continues to be informed by this early experience. Over the course of his career he has received 25 federal and state grant awards, published 38 manuscripts, co-authored a textbook, and has presented at state, national, and international conferences.
Medical Director
Nicholas Conley (he/him), MD
Nicholas Conley was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He is committed to serving the community, completing Family Medicine training at Meharry and Addiction Medicine training at Vanderbilt. Dr. Conley is board-certified in both specialties. When not in the clinic, Dr. Conley enjoys many of Nashville’s parks with his wife and son.
Family Clinical Provider
Kandace Arlaud, APRN (she/her)
Kandace (she/her) is a mental health nurse practitioner with over 12 years' experience as a nurse in community mental health, clinical education and shelter/street outreach programs practicing a harm reduction philosophy of care. She aims to create a safe place where people can get the help they need to reach their goals. She is also dedicated to reducing the stigma around addiction, helping everyone feel accepted and understood. Kandace is a member of the LGBTQI+ community and assures that all folx, no matter their gender, sexuality, or life status, are equally respected.
Nurse Practitioner
Kaitlin Malick (she/her)
Kaitlin Malick-Petschulat, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, born and raised in Nashville, TN, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Kaitlin has a unique interest in the syndemic of Viral Hepatitis, Substance Use Disorder, STI's and HIV. After graduation, she completed Vanderbilt University's Community-Based Nurse Practitioner Fellowship, where she focused on improving Hepatitis C care delivery to underserved populations. She received the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation's Emerging Liver Advanced Practice Provider Award for her work and has received additional didactic training and mentorship in the field of Hepatology. Kaitlin recently published an article "Enhancing Hepatitis C Care in Primary Care: A Nurse-Led Intervention" in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, highlighting the crucial role of Nurse Practitioners in the fight to eliminate Hepatitis C.
MSW/Clinic Coordinator
Amanda Smith
With a deep-rooted passion for promoting health equity and social justice, Amanda is a dedicated Master's level social worker specializing in substance use treatment and harm reduction strategies. With three years of experience in the field, she works to ensure quality care and support for individuals navigating substance use challenges.
Currently serving as the Clinic Coordinator at Meharry Addiction Clinic, Amanda oversees the daily operations of the clinic, assisting in implementing evidence-based practices and innovative harm reduction approaches. She collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop a harm reduction approach that meets each patient's unique needs, empowering them with life-saving tools and providing options without judgment.
Amanda earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Tennessee State University in 2021. She has been with Meharry since 2021, progressing from a graduate-level intern to her current role as clinic coordinator.
Program Manager for Family and Community Medicine
Kendra Taylor-Smith
Kendra serves as the Education Coordinator under Dr. Robert L. Cooper and is responsible for supporting the efforts of faculty by assisting the PI and his faculty in the coordination of the Addiction Medicine training program expansion. As faculty and student/resident liaison, she will coordinate orientation and management of the Addiction Medicine rotation schedule, training and implementation. She will work with the PI and Co-Investigator in the evaluation process and ensure smooth implementation of the programs.
Clinical Supervisor
Lisa Bell (she/her)
Lisa Bell began her career in substance abuse treatment in 2003 as the Director of the Recovery Community Services Grant in 2003. She also acted as a Clinical Director at STARS Nashville, facilitated group therapy at the Tennessee Prison for Women and has been an instructor for the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department in overdose prevention. She currently acts as the Clinical Supervisor for the Meharry Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Clinic in Family Medicine and is the Program Manager a Cheatham County HRSA program that works to expand harm reduction services in rural communities.
Outreach Ambassador
Thomas Gooch
With over two decades of experience in delivering services to people who use drugs, Thomas was one of the first people in Tennessee to provide outreach, education and Narcan to active substance users, and managed the first underground syringe exchange program in Tennessee for nearly a decade. His advocacy with state government assisted in the legalization and funding of syringe exchange in Tennessee. He has provided training and consultation to programs serving African-American and Latin communities throughout the Southeastern US and US Virgin Islands. He currently serves in the role as the Outreach Ambassador where he oversees a comprehensive system of outreach services to meet the complex needs of active substance users at risk for HIV and other health issues. In his spare time, he is also the Founder and Executive Director of My Father's House, a recovery housing program for men who seek to be more involved in their children's lives following experiences of homelessness or incarceration. As a person living in long-term recovery, he is a tireless advocate to ensure others have opportunities to truly become who they are meant to be.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
Devin Wilson
Devin Wilson is a dedicated and accomplished mental health professional with a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), earned in 2014. He began his career at Meharry Medical College's Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center, serving as a case manager for the adolescent program from 2016 to 2019. In this role, Devin provided essential support and care coordination, contributing significantly to the well-being and development of at-risk youth.
Following this, Devin took on the case manager role for the HIV and Hepatitis C program from 2019 to 2021, where he managed comprehensive care plans for individuals impacted by these conditions. His work in this area demonstrated his commitment to addressing complex health challenges and supporting vulnerable populations.
In 2021, Devin transitioned to a group counseling role at the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center, where he facilitated therapeutic sessions, drawing on his extensive case management experience to foster a supportive environment for patients.
Since 2022, Devin has been a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. In this capacity, he continues to apply his expertise in peer support, providing compassionate guidance to individuals navigating recovery challenges.
Devin's diverse and rich background in mental health services, case management, and peer recovery support underscores his unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of those he serves through empathy, professionalism, and a deep understanding of their needs.
