The Substance Misuse Prevention Department at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital has hired Desiree Kepper as substance misuse prevention specialist and Susanne Lesnik-Emas as prevention coalition coordinator.
Kepper, a graduate of Lyndon State College, will support the work of the Northeast Prevention Coalition, a group that works to prevent substance use, misuse and abuse in Northeast Kingdom communities. She will also facilitate the coalition's tobacco subcommittee.
Lesnik-Emas, who has more than 25 years' experience working for nonprofits, will oversee the work of the NPC and lead its monthly meetings. She previously served as a full-time assistant professor at Temple University’s College of Public Health in Philadelphia, where she taught collaboratively within the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.
Kepper and Lesnik-Emas join NVRH Substance Misuse Prevention Director Carolyn Towne and Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator Cheryl Chandler in their efforts to make the Northeast Kingdom a healthier place to live for all.
“I'm excited to have a highly qualified team to support prevention of substance misuse and promote healthy lifestyles in our community,” Towne said. “With increased capacity, we will be able to promote prevention in more spaces, expand our reach, and increase our impact.”