1:15 PM

Keynote Address: Regional Opioid Response Update

Representatives from across multiple sectors impacted by the Opioid Crisis give an update to the regional response as a result of the Opioid Symposium held in 2023. The discussion will include a review of current statistics, progress reports on regional project development, and a look at what’s planned for the future.

Presenters:

Vice President of Rural Hospitals, Med Center Health

Eric Hagan

About me

Eric Hagan was raised in Warren County, KY from the age of 5 years old. After High School, he served active duty in the U.S. Army and later served in the KY ARNG as a medic between 1989-1997. He attended Western Kentucky University where he received an Associate of Science and Bachelors of Science in Nursing as well as his Master of Business Administration. He is married, has a daughter and three grandchildren. Eric joined Med Center Health in January, 1996 working as a Registered Nurse in critical care areas. He later moved into a quality performance role as a Six Sigma Blackbelt and eventually into clinical and administrative leadership roles. He is currently Med Center Health’s Vice President of Rural Hospitals responsible for the operations of Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital, The Medical Centers at Albany, Caverna, Franklin and Scottsville.


President/CEO, LifeSkills, Inc.

Joe Dan Beavers

About me

Joe Dan Beavers is the President/CEO of LifeSkills, Inc. a community mental health center based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. LifeSkills was founded in 1966 and serves over 26,000 individuals each year through mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities programs. In January of 2020 LifeSkills and the Pennyroyal Center merged, creating one of Kentucky’s largest community mental health centers. Later that year, LifeSkills also helped lead the formation of the Community Health Network of Kentucky (CHN).  

CHN includes LifeSkills, Pennyroyal Center and three additional community mental health centers in the Commonwealth. Together CHN supports over 64,000 individuals annually through 55 programs across rural Kentucky. Joe Dan has a BS in Accounting from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Executive Director, Barren River Area Development District

Eric Sexton

About me

Eric Sexton is the Executive Director at the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) working with individuals and local governments in south central Kentucky to better the communities in which they work and live. Eric came to BRADD in July of 2017 and has submerged himself into the agency’s mission of improving the quality of life in the region. His current role provides the opportunity to work with all populations in areas of health & human services; community & economic development, including grant assistance and infrastructure planning; as well as a variety of other essential services to individuals and local units of government. Sexton is the current Chair of the KY Association of District Directors and Treasurer for SERDI, the Southeast Regional Directors Institute. Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree and Graduate Certificate from Western KY University. He also maintains a real estate license with Elmore Realty & Auction Company in Glasgow, KY. Eric resides in Edmonton, KY and serves on his local Foster Care Review Board. He is also an active member of the Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce and the Bowling Green Running Club. Sexton was the recipient of the Kentucky 2018 Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award.

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