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• MN Revalidate 2026 – Resources

SAVE THE DATE

• MARRCH Legislative Session Summary – View section for Zoom link!
• MARRCH Annual Conference & Expo
•  Call for Presentations due June 13
• Sponsor / Exhibitor Opportunities Now Available

MARRCH

• Now Accepting Awards of Excellence Nominations
• Now Accepting Board of Governors Nominations
• 2026 MARRCH Seminar on Ethics – Join us on June 18 from 12:00 – 1:00pm CT
  » Register Here

View the June 3 MARRCH One Voice

The following policy and funding proposals were identified by MARRCH workgroup members and developed through fall 2025 by the Legislative & Policy Workgroup. Each proposal was presented to the Public Policy Committee for review, discussion, and voting. On November 7, 2025, the MARRCH Board of Governors formally approved these items for inclusion in MARRCH’s 2026 Legislative Platform.

Together, these priorities reflect MARRCH’s commitment to improving access to care, reducing administrative burden, strengthening system sustainability, and ensuring practical implementation of state policy.

More Detailed Look

This program provides an equitable, transparent process for individuals with financial need to apply for a reduced registration fee for the MARRCH Annual Conference—supporting professional development, workforce sustainability, and continued engagement across our community. The pilot will be evaluated by the MARRCH Board of Directors for potential continuation or refinement in future years.

Who is eligible?

Applicants may qualify if they are:

• Current students enrolled in alcohol and drug studies
• Retirees
• SUD professionals licensed for less than two years

Preference will be given to current MARRCH members.

How it works

Applicants will be asked to share basic professional or academic information, their involvement with MARRCH and the SUD field, and how attending the conference supports their career goals.

Selected recipients will receive a 75% reduction in the conference registration fee via a promo code. Recipients are responsible for the remaining 25%, along with travel and lodging expenses.

Additional details and application timelines will be shared soon—watch for updates and consider applying or encouraging eligible colleagues to participate.

You can find additional information at our program page.

More Info

If you would like to donate click the button below.

Donate

The following members were elected to represent their regions for the 2026–2027 term, which runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027:

• Region 2: Angela Gilbertson, Human Development Center
• Region 4: Jessica Moench, Lakes Counseling Center (first-term)
• Region 6: Jayne Conley Braun, Canvas Health
• Region 8: Corey Kanz, Zumbro Valley Health Center (first-term)
• Region 10: Mike Beltowsky, Horowitz Integrated Services
  

We thank all candidates who put their names forward and appreciate the continued commitment of our members to MARRCH’s governance and mission.

2026 MARRCH Board of Directors

Officers

President: Jason Lennox, One Arrow Group

Secretary: Salena Beasley, Red Lake Nation

Treasurer: Mike Beltowsky, Horowitz Integrated Services

Past President: Chuck Hilger, White Earth Nation – Urban Programs

Regional Governors

Region 1: Salena Beasley, Red Lake Nation Chemical Health Program

Region 2: Angela Gilbertson, Human Development Center

Region 3: Gina Evans, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge

Region 4: Jessica Moench, Lakes Counseling Center

Region 5: Ashley Kjos, Woodland Centers

Region 6: Jayne Conley Braun, Canvas Health

Region 7: Janelle Mellgren, Progress Valley, Inc.

Region 8: Corey Kanz, Zumbro Valley Health Center

Region 9: Tim Walsh, EOSIS

Region 10: Mike Beltowsky, Horowitz Integrated Services

Region 11:

• Lora Clem, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge

• Angela Reed, Closeknit

• R. John Sutherland, Sagent Behavioral Health

MARRCH looks forward to working with this dedicated group of leaders as they guide the association through the 2026–2027 term. Their experience, perspective, and commitment to the field will play a critical role in advancing MARRCH’s work across Minnesota.

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners!

Advocate of the Year
Anderson St. Georges

Bernie Belling Ethics
Gary R. Schoener

Educator of the Year
Tom Hegblom

Researcher of the Year
Anne Siegler, DrPH

Researcher of the Year
Arielle McHenry, MPH

Marc Johnigan Certified Peer
Misty Helm

Counselor of the Year
Henry Scere

Clinical Supervisor of the Year
Dan Knudson

Program Innovation
Katie Blue

Distinguished Service
Gina Evans

Gary Olson Transformational Leader
Sam Vitiello

Physician of the Year
Emily Brunner, MN, DFASAM

Visionary Leadership
R. "John" Sutherland

President's Award
Tom G. Turner

Legislator of the Year
Chair Joe Schomacker

Legislator of the Year
Chair Mohamud Noor

Lifetime Achievement
Therissa Libby

Learn more about the award recipients below!

Dean Gilbertson has been serving in the S.U.D. field for the past 32 years as an administrator and a direct care clinician.  He is a L.A.D.C. having maintained his license for the past 25 years.  Dean currently serves as the Treatment Director for the Valley View Recovery Center residential program  in Cannon Falls, MN. He is a former M.A.R.R.C.H. President, current past President, M.A.R.R.C.H. Governor for Region 7 and a past representative of the MN Behavioral Health Department’s - Behavioral Health Council. He currently serves on the MN Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy, the Medical Cannabis Council on Therapeutic Research and most recently on the Minnesota Legislature’s Legislative Coordinating Commission, where he is the Vice-Chairperson on the Background Study Task Force.  Dean is a co-author of the book; "Because you matter" - Personal and Professional Stories of Healthcare Warriors during COVID-19". He is a person in long-term recovery. (39) years.

Counselor of the Year Award – Ian McLoone

Ian McLoone is Lead Therapist at Alltyr Clinic and Community Faculty at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Behavioral Health program.

Clinical Supervisor of the Year Award – Todd Connaughty

Todd Connaughty, MA, LPCC, LADC - Director of Clinical Services, PRIDE Institute
Todd has been employed with PRIDE Institute in various roles since 2006 and in his current role as Director of Clinical Services since 2012. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Addiction Counseling from Metropolitan State University and his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from St. Mary’s University. He is certified to provide supervision to Alcohol and Drug Counselors and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors through the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy of Minnesota.  Todd is passionate about his work with the LGBTQ+ community and strives to help clients find their pathway to recovery that brings them meaning and purpose. Todd enjoys working with alcohol and drug counseling interns and mental health practicum students, assisting new clinicians to become adept in working with the LGBTQ+ community.

Physician of the Year Award – Dr. Gavin Bart

Dr. Gavin Bart is Director of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare and Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His clinical oversight includes a 245G-licensed opioid treatment program, an office-based addiction treatment clinic, and an addiction medicine consultation service. These clinical division are engaged in innovative high-quality care, education, and research within an urban safety-net setting. Dr. Bart received his MD from the University of Minnesota and trained in internal medicine at the Hennepin County Medical Center. His PhD is in experimental and clinical pharmacology, also from the University of Minnesota. His areas of expertise include clinical pharmacology and the pharmacological management of opioid use disorders. His current research areas include the population pharmacokinetics of methadone, genetic influences of methadone pharmacology and treatment outcome, and implementation of opioid use disorder in hospital and primary care settings. He is principal investigator of the NorthStar Node of the NIDA National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network and has provided extensive international technical assistance including to the PEPFAR /Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s capacity building HIV and addiction efforts in Vietnam and South East Asia and the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ effort to develop international technology transfer centers for addiction prevention and treatment.

Researcher of the Year Award – Dr. John Kelly

Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School - the first endowed professor in addiction medicine at Harvard. He is also the Founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM) at MGH, and the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS). Dr. Kelly is a former President of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Society of Addiction Psychology, and is a Fellow of the APA and a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies and non-federal institutions, as well as foreign governments and the United Nations. Dr. Kelly has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, chapters, and books in the field of addiction medicine, and was an author on the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. His clinical and research work has focused on addiction treatment and the recovery process, mechanisms of behavior change, and reducing stigma and discrimination among individuals suffering from addiction.

Peer Support of the Year – Colin Cash and Gary Branchaud, Sober Squad

Colin Cash and Gary Branchaud are two gentlemen in long-term recovery. Gary and Colin were concerned that the message of recovery wasn't reaching far enough into their native communities which have been besieged by disparities. At one point in our recent history Mille Lacs County was 2nd in the state with overdose deaths per capita. Armed only with a passion and desire to help others, Colin and Gary founded the Sober Squad movement in 2017. Since the founding of this grassroots movement, which blends traditional Native American practices with the principles of recovery contained with the 12-steps, the movement has spread across the Mid-West and South-West states. At first, their only goal was to get a van to get people to meetings; but today, Sober Squad has 18 chapters including chapters in Oklahoma and Arizona. Gary and Colin credit the inclusive nature that allows individuals to be a "part of '' and make it their own without a "head" of the organization. This has led the Sober Squad to count over 15,000 members and allies in their fellowship. And as part of their stewardship of the land and belief in being of service they have adopted six highways for cleanup. Finally, through mentorship and guidance with Minnesota Recovery Connection they have trained and supported Native Americans to be Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.

Bernie Belling Ethics Award – Pahoua Yang

Pahoua Yang is the Vice President of Community Mental Health & Wellness at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in St. Paul.  As a clinician, she has worked with diverse client populations in multiple settings and has spent her career dedicated to serving people who have often been ignored, forgotten, or hurt by inequitable conditions and systems.  She has served on several national and statewide initiatives focused on advancing health equity, including a number of workforce initiatives and nonprofit boards. Pahoua holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate in Educational Psychology (Counseling & Student Personnel Psychology) from the University of Minnesota. Her spare time is willingly and lovingly given over to her family and her Kindle. 

Visionary Leadership – Angela Reed

Angela Reed has worked with African American communities both locally and throughout the country teaming with educational organizations and other institutions as a capacity building assistance provider. She has worked on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helping to develop and implement effective prevention strategies among individuals, communities, and other organizations.

She currently serves as the chief operating officer of Turning Point. Turning Point works to meet the needs of the hardest to reach African American populations by providing chemical health, housing and support services, and training rooted in black culture.

Angela remarks that she has been given a lot of freedom at Turning Point to customize and weave together her passion for human development and her work on a national level back home to Minneapolis.  Born and raised in north Minneapolis she is most gratified to be able to bring her learning into practice within her home community. 

Angela’s areas of focus include intervention, cultural planning, logic modeling and program creation.   She is a lead facilitator for cultural training and a certified trainer with more than 15 years’ experience in her field. 

Program Innovation – Emily Bastian, Avivo

Emily Bastian leads Avivo’s ending homelessness division which includes a 100-dwelling transitional housing shelter, opioid street outreach services to individuals living unsheltered, housing case management, and site-based and scattered-site housing support services. Avivo supports over 900 individuals annually, who have or are in the process of transiting from homelessness to housing. In 2021, Bastian transitioned to her current position from vice president of Avivo’s chemical and mental health services while advancing innovative responses to the crisis of homelessness; namely, overseeing the implementation and operations of the community-inspired, indoor tiny houses shelter Avivo Village.

Bastian joined Avivo in 2012, working first in Avivo’s chemical and mental health division where she has held several roles, including director of care coordination, overseeing Avivo’s supportive housing, intensive case management and care coordination programs, and Vice President of Chemical and Mental Health.
Bastian is an influential advocate for recovery, reducing disparities, and emphasizing whole person services in the community. A licensed independent clinical social worker, Bastian holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from University of St. Thomas and master’s degree in clinical social work from Augsburg College, where she has been an adjunct professor in its Master of Social Work program since 2007. 

Program Technology – Dave Wellstone, Pathfinder Solutions

Pathfinder Solutions PBC (pfsbc.com), is a public benefit corporation, launched by Dave Wellstone out of his work as a leading national advocate on mental health and addiction issues, including securing the passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and from lessons learned in operating a sizeable sober housing business in Minnesota.  Launching this venture with Dave is hist co-Founder Joe Morris.  Accepting for them tonight is Dave Wellstone
Dave Wellstone
Dave Wellstone is one of the nation's leading advocates on mental health and addiction issues, including securing the passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Building on this and his later work and lessons learned in operating a sizable sober housing business in Minnesota, Dave co-founded the public benefit corporation, Pathfinder Solutions.

Advocate of the Year – Amy Dellwo, NUWAY

Amy Dellwo is the Vice President of Public Policy for NUWAY. Dellwo is responsible for NUWAY’s short- and long-term goals related health plan arrangements, state and federal agencies relationships and policy development, and work with legislative and congressional leaders.  She is the President-Elect of the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health, the Board of Governor for Region 10 and the Government Affairs Committee co-chair.  She is also a board member of Twin Cities Recovery Project. A majority of Dellwo’s career prior to NUWAY was spent at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) where she worked for 20 years with the most recent roles chief of staff and director government and external affairs. DHS is the state’s largest agency, serving well over 1 million people with an annual budget of $11 billion and more than 6,500 employees throughout the state. Dellwo has a bachelor’s degree in community health education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and master’s degree in public affairs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Legislators of the Year – State Senator Jim Abeler (R-35)/ State Senator John Hoffman (D-36)

Lifetime Achievement – Debra Wamsley

Debra Wamsley is Senior Lecturer and Director of Graduate Studies for the Integrated Behavioral Health and Addictions Counseling programs at University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies, where she has provided clinical training and created integrated curriculum and academic programming for students seeking their Master of Professional Studies since 2012.
Over the past 40 years, Debra has had direct experience as a clinician and manager in substance use disorder care. Her career includes work with adolescents and adults experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns in a range of settings, including community and school based-prevention, as well as primary treatment in outpatient, residential, and hospital-based programs, and continuing care in agency, halfway house and community-based settings.
Ms Wamsley is honored to serve as President of the MARRCH Board of Governors. She previously served as a representative for Regions 9 and 11, and on the Executive Committee as Vice President.

MARRCH 2020 State of the State Addiction Summit

Friday, January 10, 2020 | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM | University of Minnesota

Learn More & REGISTER TODAY

Register online above or download the registration form to pay by check.

Exhibit space rental and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Register now to secure your exhibit space at the MARRCH 2020 State of the State Event!

 View Exhibitor Opportunities

Event Rates

No Cost MARRCH Member
$25 Non-Member

Please Note: Lunch will be provided for all who pre-register. Pre-registration closes Wednesday, January 8 at 12:00 pm.

Passing Recovery to the Next Generation – Addiction Trust Planning and Planned Giving

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST

In Partnership with Leave a Legacy MN

Addiction and Mental Health Trusts do more than protect and pass on assets. Planning of this nature can encompass and capture the recovery values and practices of a family, and function to pass them on to the next generation. So too is the power and possibility of partnering with non-profits in the addiction space who are shaping a better approach to addiction care and community connection. This session will introduce and discuss the important steps to take in planning for the next generation… and the power and possibility of what grateful giving means for both.

Learn More & Register Today!