Elyse Grossman, Ph.D. Chair

Dr. Elyse R. Grossman is a public health lawyer and policy consultant focusing on alcohol, marijuana, and other drug policy and law. She has more than 19 years of experience researching, analyzing, and publishing on issues of policy and law concerning alcohol consumption and substance use -- especially in areas of prevention and youth. She completed her Masters and Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and her J.D. at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She has been on AODAAC since 2015 and also served as the Chair from 2018-2020.

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Nick Borowski Person in Recovery

Nick is a certified peer specialists who dedicates himself, at all hours, to helping individuals start their path to recovery. Nick is also Second Chance's primary ambassador, forging relationships with government and institutional partners in the recovery community. A lifelong Montgomery County Resident, Nick grew up in Burtonsville, Maryland, and attended Paint Branch High School. After a long battle with drugs and alcohol, Nick graduated from the Montgomery County Adult Drug Court, which Nick credits with saving his life. Once in recovery, Nick went back to school, attended college, and interned at the Library of Congress. He obtained his certificate as a CCAR Peer Recovery Coach and Peer Trainer. Nick welcomed his daughter, Valentina, into the world in 2019.

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Malliga lyer, Ph.D. General Public

Dr. Malliga R. Iyer graduated with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University. She is a long-time resident of Montgomery County, having moved to this area after her graduate studies. She leads a medicinal chemistry team at NIH and her research activities include developing novel therapeutic interventions for substance use disorders. She is interested in new methods to advocate and engage in addiction prevention in the community. She looks forward to volunteering in the county and serving as an AODAAC voting member.

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Margaret E. Mattson Co Vice-Chair

Dr. Mattson’s major interest is Behavioral Health, specifically the intersection of health/biology with behavior. She received her Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Behavior from Cornell University and subsequently did postdoctoral studies in public health methodology, including epidemiology and clinical trials. Most of her career was at the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration where she conducted and published research in prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors including tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. She was a co-investigator in national clinical trials of behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for addictive disorders. She has been a member of AODAAC for six years and held positions of board chair, board co-chair, and chair of the prevention subcommittee.

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Irene Gumucio General Public

Irene Gumucio is a registered nurse and mother of three. She is Sherwood High School’s nurse and dedicated to empowering teens through awareness. Irene grew up in New Jersey, graduated from the University of Delaware, and now resides in Potomac Maryland. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, paddle boarding, and gardening. She is passionate about helping people heal and providing resources and understanding to those impacted by the complex disease of substance use.

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John Sidhom, PharmD Owner, White Flint Family Pharmacy

John Sidhom is a dedicated pharmacist and the owner of White Flint Family Pharmacy, a community-focused pharmacy located in North Bethesda. John's passion for improving public health extends beyond his pharmacy practice. He has been appointed to the Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Advisory Council (AODAAC) as the “Voting - Pharmacist” representative. Through his work with AODAAC, John collaborates with local leaders, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to address substance abuse and promote mental health awareness in the community. His expertise in pharmaceutical care and his commitment to holistic health solutions make him a valuable asset to the council. Under John's leadership, White Flint Family Pharmacy has become a trusted healthcare resource for the community, offering personalized service, compounded prescriptions, comprehensive health education, and a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription medications. The pharmacy is known for its commitment to patient care, ensuring that every customer receives the attention and support they need to achieve their health goals. John is dedicated to advocating for evidence-based policies, supporting prevention and treatment programs, and contributing to the overall health and safety of the Montgomery County community.

Isabelle Raquin, Esq Co-Vice Chair

Isabelle Raquin, Esq, is an attorney who has been practicing in Montgomery County for the last 12 years. She is the current Attorney Liaison for Drug Court and has been representing the participants of the Montgomery County Adult Drug Court Program for the last 8 years. 

Isabelle went to law school in France and at Duke's University School of Law. Her practice focuses on criminal defense work at trial and on appeal. Isabelle has lost many clients to the disease of addiction and she advocates for treatment and prevention instead of incarceration. 

 

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Laura Mitchell Parent-Teacher Association

Laura Mitchell is an accountant by trade and a passionate advocate for mental health and substance use parity and equity in treatment and prevention. She serves in the Parent-Teacher seat and has served on the MCCPTA Board of Directors  since 2016 as the VP of Advocacy, Chair of the Operating Budget, Substance Use Prevention, and Financial Review Committees, as a Wheaton Cluster Coordinator and the Area Vice President for the DCC. She also serves as a liaison to the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Alliance, the Opioid Prevention Coalition, and as the liaison to the County Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC). Laura is a former local elected official who has worked for  decades to advocate for adequate mental health and SUD prevention and treatment services in Maryland and nationally and is a co-founder of Montgomery Goes Purple.

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Denyse Dillon General Public

Ms. Dillon is a public health consultant who has provided advice and consultation to federal and state government agencies and not-for-profit entities. She also has 25 years of professional experience practicing law. Ms. Dillon earned her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, in addition to a Master's Degree in Public Health from Benedictine University. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Ms. Dillon has expertise in health policy development and implementation, as well as in regulatory compliance. Her experience includes promoting quality healthcare to ensure that services are distributed equitable for all members of the community.

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Michelle Scarlett General Public

Michelle Scarlett is a Jamaican-American from Montego Bay Jamaica and Resides in Gaithersburg. She is the CEO of MSPT Billing Solutions, a Medical Billing Company, and Vice President of Women United Enterprise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping female entrepreneurs grow professionally and personally. Michelle is a five-time published author, the most recent being a children’s book on controlling emotions. Her pet project is giving back to the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, where she donates the proceeds from her books to help teen moms through an annual diaper and baby food drive. Miss Scarlett is a foster parent with the Department of Health and Human Services of Montgomery County, where she fostered six boys and adopted one. Michelle obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Maryland.

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Reverend Katrina Busk Clergy

Reverend Katrina Busk is an Ordained Elder of 15 years, currently serving at Resurrection Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Reverend Busk is also an Accountant at Nature Forward, formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend Nature Sanctuary located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Reverend Busk is passionate about programming that deals with Substance Use Recovery. There is a spiritual aspect to recovery that can help build a person’s self esteem and self confidence. Spirituality can also be a source of strength and serenity.