Conference Schedule

2025 Louisiana Recovery Capital Conference

War Memorial Student Union Hammond, La

Thursday March 13th, 2025

7:30 to 8:15 am Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:15 to 8:45 am Conference Welcome
8:45 to 10:15 am Keynote: Dr. Smita Prasad, M.D., MBA, MPH, FASAM, “Opioids in Louisiana: A Review of Trends and the Current Landscape”
10:15 to 10:45 am Networking Break
10:45 to 12:15 am
- Session One: Sydney Cheifetz, MPH “Lessons Learned: A Reflection on Data, Outcomes, and Trends In Supporting Students in Recovery Nationwide”
- Session Two: Michelle Starkey, LPC, Phd “The Impact of Childhood Isolation and Loneliness on Substance Use Disorder”
12:15 to 1:30pm Lunch on your own
1:30 to 3:00pm
- Session One: Leah Pylate – “Family Health and Recovery”
- Session Two: Mandy Baker, MS, LCDC “Development, Recovery Capital, and Collegiate Recovery Organizations”
3:00 to 3:30 pm Networking Break
3:30 to 5:00pm
- Session One: Jonathan Lofgren, Ph,D, LADC “The Color of Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery”
- Session Two: Sherrard Crespo, LCSW “Active Listening: What is it Really?”

Friday March 14th, 2025

7:30 to 8:30 am Networking/Continental Breakfast
8:30 to 10:00 am
- Session One: Sydney Cheifetz “Turning the Tide: Understanding Substance Use and Overdose Risk in the Collegiate Setting”
- Session Two: Caitlin Hjerpe, M.S.Ed, LPC-S “Maintaining Long-Term Recovery While Navigating the Collegiate Party Culture”
10:00 to 10:15 am Networking Break
10:15 to 11:45 am
- Keynote Claudia Black: “What Lies Beneath: Complexities of Treating the Young Adult”
- Followed by Book Signing (in front of Student Union Theater)
11:45 to 1:30pm Networking
1:30 to 3:00pm
- Session One: Nicole Pyke “Practice These Principles in all our Affairs: Engaging Clients in the 12 Steps”
- Session Two: Travis Weisbrod, MS, EP, CSCS “From Surviving to Thriving: Wellness in Collegiate Recovery”
3:00 to 3:15pm Networking Break
3:15 to 4:50pm
- Keynote: Philip Hemphill, Phd, LCSA – “Developing your Professional Self and Recovery Boundaries”