The C.A.R.E. Coalition is a grassroots, community group representing diverse community interests dedicated to reducing substance use disorder and misuse in Transylvania County. Started in 2010 by a small group of healthcare professionals concerned about rising numbers of overdoses, the coalition has grown to include over 60 members, a staff of 2, 20 community partners, and has acquired federal funding to focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery from substance use disorder.

Executive Board

Susan Huter, MSW
Transylvania County Child Advocacy Center

John Philip Harris, Jr.

Brevard Police Department

Dr. Joe Cohen, MD

Emergency Department Physician

Tara Rybka, MPH

Transylvania Public Health

Staff

Kristen Gentry, MA, Program Director, hails from across the mountains near Knoxville, Tennessee. Kristen graduated from Wake Forest University and earned her Master’s in Applied Medical Anthropology from Oregon State University, specializing in social determinants of health. She moved to Transylvania County in 2015 after managing a National Science Foundation research project in the Himalayas. She enjoys getting lost in novels and in the forest, boating on whitewater, and Olympic-style lifting. She lives with her husband, Thor, and young daughter, Skadi.

Teresa Radford, BS, Opioid Response Coordinator, is a WNC native who grew up in Candler, North Carolina.  Teresa graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education.  She has 15 years of experience in public health settings throughout NC.  Missing the mountains that she loves, she was able to move to Brevard in 2017.  She has two grown sons that live in the Raleigh area and a 16 year old cat named Silver.  Her favorite pastimes are hiking, running and reading.

Anna Windham, MPH, Coalition Coordinator, grew up in Georgia but still considers the WNC mountains her home because of her families’ long history in the area. Anna recently graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Master’s of Public Health and an emphasis in Community Health Education. Before starting work with C.A.R.E., she worked for her university’s health education office and realized her passion for prevention work, especially with youth. She loves exploring outside with her dog and spending quality time with family and friends.