Welcome to NJATOD
Dear Friends,
First I want to thank NJATOD for allowing me to serve as President and be a part of an association that works tirelessly to support individuals both directly and indirectly impacted by the life threatening disease of opioid addiction.
This disease, of epidemic proportions, reaches families of all social and economic profiles; where addiction was largely seen as a lower-class or racial issue, the nation is beginning to recognize that addiction sees no color or gender, social-class or creed. With the opioid epidemic affecting individuals of every racial and economic group in urban, suburban and rural areas, such stigmatization holds no place in NJ or our country at-large. Together, in an effort to decrease the impact of this disease for future generations, we can create awareness through education, treatment experiences and advocacy.
Learning to live an active lifestyle of sobriety and recovery is essential to breaking the current epidemic and the cycle it can create for our children and their children.
As you visit our website, please take the time to learn more about NJATOD and our member treatment organizations. Additionally, I invite you to:
- Read educational resources such as Facts and Myths of Medication Assisted Treatment;
- Learn about how to become a member;
- Stay up to date with latest news and stories relevant to addiction and mental health.
We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about our work and mission.
For our current members and prospective members, I want to assure you that the intention of this association is to grow the New Jersey Chapter without limits. We will stay focused on providing our members with beneficial information and resources to lead the charge in providing quality opioid addiction treatment in New Jersey. Looking forward to a productive and successful year and invite each of you to participate, and most importantly become involved!
With hope and service,
To enhance the quality of patient care in treatment programs by promoting the growth and development of comprehensive opioid treatment services throughout the State of New Jersey.
- To reduce or eliminate the stigma associated with persons receiving medication-assisted opioid treatment.
- Increase the availability of comprehensive opioid treatment services to New Jersey residents in need of care.
- Work collaboratively with State and Local Authorities concerning opioid treatment policies, standards, and regulations to ensure the viability of a best-practice, evidenced-based opioid treatment system within the State of New Jersey.
- To work in unity as an opioid treatment community in improving treatment quality, increasing legitimacy of opioid treatment as an option, and bringing treatment to those who need it.
Promote the growth and development of opioid treatment services.
NJATOD Spotlight
Nyswander/Dole “Marie” Award
Our very own Maiysha Ware, NJATOD President, accepted the notable Nyswander/Dole “Marie” Award which is the highest accolade AATOD can bestow on someone in recognition for having made significant contributions in the field of opioid use disorder treatment
Meet Our Team
NJATOD is guided by experienced leaders committed to advancing evidence-based treatment across New Jersey.
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Maiysha Ware
President -
Christie Hanvey
Vice-President -
Maggie Rizzo
Treasurer -
Sandra Lutomski
Secretary
Maiysha Ware
President
In 2015, Maiysha Ware was appointed as Vice President of the New Jersey Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (NJATOD) and in June of 2016, named the President of NJATOD when the previous president departed the State to explore greater opportunities. In this role, she and the team meet regularly with key leadership of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to discuss areas that directly and indirectly affect the membership, patients, families and community at-large. She regularly attends State meetings and is an active Administrative CARF Surveyor holding this role for nearly 10 years.
Ms. Ware has extensive experience and years with The Lennard Clinic, Inc., a nonprofit Opioid Treatment Program in Newark and Elizabeth, NJ. She has been with the organization for nearly twenty-five (25) years, holding the current position of COO for five (5) years in addition to positions as Corporate Compliance Officer, Health and Safety Officer and Performance Improvement Coordinator.
Christie Hanvey
Vice-President
Christie Hanvey has been an active member of NJATOD since 2015 and was appointed to the position of Vice President in 2016.
She is a Registered Nurse and holds a master’s degree in nursing leadership. She is a Certified Addiction RN (CARN) overseeing the medical care of approximately 600 clients diagnosed with opiate use and co-occurring disorders.
Christie currently serves as Director of Nursing at Spectrum Health Care, Inc., an outpatient opioid treatment center in Jersey City that provides comprehensive therapy to those seeking treatment in and around Hudson County.
Christie’s professional career spans 9 years in the field of addiction and psychiatric nursing. She brings her knowledge of addiction, her leadership experience and her passion for patient advocacy to this organization.
Maggie Rizzo
Treasurer
Margaret Rizzo serves as Treasurer to the New Jersey Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, and is the New Jersey Board Delegate to the national organization, the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence.
Ms. Rizzo has been employed with JSAS HealthCare, Inc. (formerly Jersey Shore Addiction Services) in various positions since 1991, and currently serves as the agency’s Executive Director. She has served as Chairperson of the Monmouth County Office of Addiction Services’ Treatment Planning Committee and as a member of the Monmouth County Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Professional Advisory Committee.
She has served on several committees formed by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to assist Opioid Treatment Programs in New Jersey to develop policies and procedures to meet CARF accreditation standards, and continues to assist clinics throughout New Jersey to navigate and comply with state licensure regulations, federal regulations and accreditation standards.
Sandra Lutomski
Secretary
We are excited to have Sandra Lutomski as part of our team at NJATOD. Her biography and more information about her role, experience, and contributions to our team will be available shortly. Stay tuned to learn more about Sandra and the difference she is making in the NJATOD community.
Click on photo to view each board member’s profile.
