The Speakers

Dr. Sam Kelley, an owner of Emerald Therapy Center, is a Harvard-trained Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist with deep roots in Western Kentucky. A proud Murray native, Dr. Kelley brings decades of leadership experience in both clinical and executive roles across the behavioral health landscape. His career includes serving as the Behavioral Health Chief Medical Officer for Mercy Health Systems, the National Chief Medical Officer for Advanced Recovery Systems, and Corporate Medical Director for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

A passionate advocate for community-based care, Dr. Kelley has also contributed to national healthcare reform efforts, including serving on a presidential task force. As President of Emerald Therapy Center, he leads the organization’s strategic vision, clinical excellence, and expansion of psychiatric and therapy services across Kentucky.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Kelley is a licensed pilot and world champion skeet shooter, with a love for the outdoors and a heart for service.

Katie Gardner, RN, BSN, is a public health nurse and health educator with 18 years of experience in clinical care, including harm reduction and infectious disease care and prevention. Katie currently serves on the board of the Kentucky Youth Health Network, which works to create public awareness of health risks and promote healthy outcomes for Kentucky youth. In her current role as Program Coordinator for the Viral Hepatitis Program at the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Katie focuses on increasing hepatitis C education and care in communities most impacted by hepatitis C and the overdose epidemic. 

Annie Smith is the director of the Kentucky State Police Western Forensic Laboratory in Madisonville, Kentucky, where she manages the day-to-day operations of the laboratory and all staff. The Western Laboratory provides services in the disciplines of seized drugs, toxicology, biology, and breath alcohol instrument maintenance. Annie has more than sixteen years of experience in forensic science with a background in forensic seized drugs and toxicology analysis and has testified in local and state courts. As former seized drugs technical leader, Annie oversaw training programs, policy and procedure revisions, and internal audits for the six KSP seized drug laboratories statewide.

Annie is a board-certified drug analyst with the American Board of Criminalistics. Annie is also a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association and the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists. In 2016, Annie was appointed to the Seized Drugs Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Areas Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), a federal program administered by NIST aimed at strengthening forensic science by facilitating the development and promoting the use of high-quality, technically sound standards.

Annie has a B.S. in chemistry from Murray State University and an M.S. in pharmacy with a concentration in forensic science from the University of Florida.

Annie is married to Mike, and they have two children, Carson (16) and Camryn (14). Outside of the forensic laboratory, you will find Annie walking her two pit bulls, Ollie and Atlas, or baking and decorating cakes. Annie also spends her time supporting her children at marching band competitions, softball games, and volleyball games.

Corey Councill serves as a Recovery Coach and the Recovery Support Coordinator at the Georgetown Police Department, where he plays a vital role in assisting individuals with Substance Use Disorder in finding appropriate treatment options. He also provides support to families in navigating and filing Casey’s Law. 

Throughout his career, Corey has presented to thousands of teenagers and parents on the subject of Substance Use Disorder, as well as the emerging dangers of illicit fentanyl, with the goal of prevention. In recognition of his efforts, he was honored with the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for his contributions to Franklin County and in 2024 was recognized as a KY Colonel for his work in Scott County. 

Before transitioning into this field in 2017, Corey dedicated over thirty years to the restaurant industry, managing and supervising various concepts. His career shift was motivated by the tragic loss of his oldest son, David, who passed away at age 23 from an accidental acute overdose in March 2017. 

For further inquiries, Corey can be reached via email at corey.councill@georgetownpolice.org or on Facebook and LinkedIn. 

As the Executive Director at Graves County ASAP, I lead a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and reducing substance use within our community. My role involves overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based programs and policies designed to educate, empower, and support individuals and families affected by substance use. 

With a strong background in graphic design and communication, I create engaging and impactful content for our social media platforms, website, and newsletters, ensuring our message reaches and resonates with our audience effectively. I graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies and Communication, where I conducted research on the dangers of scare tactics in drug prevention campaigns.

I am passionate about initiating substance use prevention efforts at an early age, focusing on education and awareness programs for youth. By starting prevention efforts younger, we aim to build a foundation of knowledge and resilience that can help prevent substance use issues before they start. My commitment is to raise awareness and advocate for positive change in the field of substance use prevention, using my skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact on our community.

Kimberly Randolph is a Certified Adult Peer Support Specialist and Community Health Worker based in Paducah, Ky with her husband and four children. With multiple years of lived experience in her field, she currently supports individuals facing substance use disorders at the Purchase District Health Department, using public health approaches to provide personalized care. She leads the way with her work within the McCracken County Jail, providing revolutionary support to incarcerated individuals.

Kimberly also leads the local chapter of Young People in Recovery, advocating for recovery efforts within the Paducah community. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology at the University of Phoenix and holds certifications in Adult Peer Support, Community Health Worker and Adult Mental Health First Aid. Her background in customer service and healthcare informs her compassionate approach, and she is deeply committed to empowering others and strengthening public health in her community.